By Catholic Stewardship Consultants
www.CatholicSteward.com
Irwin and Irene Lee joined the Catholic faith at different times in their lives, but they now work together at Sacred Heart Church in Honolulu as OCIA catechists. In this role, they provide knowledge about our faith to those beginning their journey into the church — but the couple agrees that they are, in turn, blessed to serve in this way.
For Irene, her journey to the Catholic faith began when she was a teenager in Hong Kong, attending a Maryknoll school. She and Irwin both came from traditional Chinese families. They met while they were college students here in Hawaii, marrying in the church 51 years ago this June.
After they were married for 15 years, Irwin decided he wanted to join the church. At that time, Sacred Heart was served by Maryknoll priests, and Irwin began his study with them. One priest worked individually with Irwin, guiding him toward his conversion over the two-year process.
During his study, Irwin said he had what he calls a “conversion experience.”
“I felt the Holy Spirit touch me,” he said. “I wanted to know, ‘Who is Jesus?’”
Irwin then came to understand what the church was trying to tell him.
Once Irwin joined the church, the couple decided to become active at Sacred Heart.
“We became more involved,” Irwin said. “We wanted to be active and grow in faith.”
“We felt that the OCIA ministry helped us so much, we wanted to give back,” Irene added.
They both became extraordinary ministers of holy Communion and joined a faith discussion group, becoming facilitators.
“We found it very rewarding,” Irwin said. “We realized that we both had to learn more about our faith to teach.”
“They are very helpful for us in our continuing to grow in faith,” Irene said.
The group meets in the rectory dining room, where everyone sits around the table. Discussion often comes from the Sunday Gospel message and the impact of the homily.
Over the years, the Lees have served in marriage preparation classes, and Irene helped with CCD classes while their daughters were students at nearby Maryknoll School. She also worked with confirmation classes and later with a young adult group, as well as the diocesan Pastoral Council.
Both Irwin and Irene served at separate times on the Sacred Heart Parish Council, and Irwin was on the Maryknoll School board. Irene has been working with a team overseeing the renovation of the historic Sacred Heart building.
They have enjoyed all their service to their parish, so it was especially joyful to them when their priest asked them to become OCIA catechists. This service is perhaps the parish activity that the couple holds most dear.
For Irwin, the opportunity to help those seeking to join the church — or to return — is special.
“I say it’s the Holy Spirit who brings them back,” Irwin said.
“We teach the basics in OCIA,” Irwin said. “We give them information they can process on why the Catholic Church teaches topics, so they can come back with questions. We help them understand the aspects of Catholicism.”
The advice the Lees would offer someone considering joining the church is to read about the faith.
“We encourage them to read up on it,” Irene said. “You can really search for the right answers. Even for us, we can’t say we know everything. We’re blessed, and we know that we belong to the church that Jesus Christ founded. We don’t try to convince — just give them the information — their hearts are opened, and they decide.”
To learn more about faith formation opportunities for all ages at Sacred Heart Church, 1701 Wilder Ave., call the parish office at (808) 973-2211.