Priests in the Diocese of Honolulu gathered last month for their annual weeklong retreat at St. Stephen Diocesan Center in Kaneohe, joined by Bishop Larry Silva and Honolulu’s bishop-elect, Jesuit Father Michael Castori.
They paused for a group photo May 21 after a special Mass at St. Stephen’s chapel that included the blessing of then-Deacons Taylor K. Mitchell’s and John Jacob Akau’s chalices ahead of their presbyteral ordination, and the acceptance of seminarian Cyril Jairus Altares as a candidate for holy orders. Front row, from left: Jairus, then-Deacon Akau, Bishop Silva, Father Castori and then-Deacon Mitchell.
Bishop Silva was the main celebrant at the ordination to the priesthood of then-Deacons Mitchell and Akau May 22 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. He was joined by Father Castori and dozens of clergy from Honolulu and the mainland. (Courtesy Dann Ebina)