HAWAII’S 2018 JUBILARIANS
“God, our Father, guide of humanity and ruler of creation, look upon these your servants, who wish to confirm their offering of themselves to you. As the years pass by, help them to enter more deeply into the mystery of the church and to dedicate themselves more generously to the good of humanity.”
Prayer of the renewal of vows from the Mass of Religious Profession
Celebrating Lives of Discipleship
The Catholic Church in Hawaii honors those men and women who have given themselves to God and humanity, in vow and in sacrament, as they celebrate the anniversaries of their discipleship. Please join Bishop Larry Silva and Hawaii’s jubilarians in a Mass of gratitude, 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 21, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.
70 years a religious
Sister Francis Regis Hadano, OSF
Born: 1929, Honolulu
Community: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Year arrived in Hawaii: 1950-1967; 1972-1978; 1984-1987; 1995-present
Years of service in Hawaii: 47
Past ministries: Education; parish minister; community service
Present ministry: religious community service
Reflection: Born in Kalihi, I am the middle child of seven children. Puuhale Elementary and Kalakaua Intermediate were district schools we attended until the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Our concerned parents decided private school would be best for us younger children (brother Michael, sister Amy and I.) When we applied to Maryknoll School, we were notified that school policy dictated that the order of acceptance was parishioners first, Catholics next, then “other,” which included us. However, Maryknoll kindly sent me a note encouraging me to apply to St. Francis Convent School, and the rest is history. During my first year teaching on the East Coast, I was monitoring a classroom of bus children. One young person asked: “My mother wants to know whether you’re Japanese or Chinese.” My response: “Please tell your mother I am an American.”
70 years a religious
Sister Helen Agnes Ignacio, OSF
Born: 1929, Hilo
Community: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Year arrived in Hawaii: 1950-1988, 2001-present
Years of service in Hawaii: 55.
Past ministries: Teacher at Sacred Hearts School, Lahaina; St. Francis School, Honolulu; St. Joseph School, Hilo; St. Anthony School, Long Beach, Calif.; administrator, Suore Francescane Pensione, Rome; community service, Maria Regina College and St. Anthony Motherhouse, Syracuse; St. Francis Convent
Present ministry: Prayer ministry, St. Francis Convent
Reflection: In 1972, I returned to Hilo, my hometown. For 18 years, I taught at St. Joseph High School, sometimes teaching my classmates’ children and grandchildren, and caring for my aging mother. In 1978, I was missioned to our “pensione” in Rome, right outside the Vatican wall. There I learned basic Italian and how to work within Italian business and government practices and ethics. Alas, I fell victim to pickpockets. The pensione offered reasonably priced hospitality to international guests and was once featured on Pamela Young’s Mixed Plate TV show. In my retirement, I quietly await our move to the Kupuna Village in Liliha in 2019.
70 years a religious
Sister Stephen Marie Serrao, OSF
Born: 1929, Hilo
Community: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Year arrived in Hawaii: 1950-1966, 1973-present
Years of service in Hawaii: 61 years
Past ministries: For 45 years, teacher and counselor for elementary and junior high students in Albany and Syracuse, N.Y.; Sacred Hearts School, Lahaina; St. Joseph School, Hilo; and St. Francis School, Honolulu. In1990, became director of volunteers at St. Francis Medical Center West. Final years of active ministry were spent in Hilo until retirement in Manoa in 2009.
Present ministry: Prayer ministry, St. Francis Convent
Reflection: My grand-aunt tried to persuade me to join the Sacred Hearts Sisters, but having had Franciscan Sisters at St. Joseph School, Hilo, and St. Francis Convent School, Honolulu, I chose to become a Franciscan. For decades I enjoyed teaching and preparing students for secondary school while giving them a firm foundation to become faithful believers and morally upright and intelligent citizens. I also served one term as principal. At St. Francis Medical Center West, I grew in appreciation of and respect for the complexity of the healthcare world and the dedication of so many people, especially the volunteers, who contribute to the healing ministry of Christ. All in all, journeying with God has been a blessing.
70 years a religious
Sister James Therese Joseph, CSJ
Born: 1928, Honolulu
Community: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Years of service in Hawaii: 62 years
Past ministries: In California: St. Patrick, St. Joseph the Worker, St. John Chrysostom. In Hawaii: St. Anthony, Kailua; Holy Trinity, Kuliouou; Holy Rosary, Paia, Maui; and 53 years at St. Theresa, Honolulu.
Present ministry: Retired, volunteer driver for the sisters when needed, prayer and witness
Reflection: My parents, Duncan Joseph of Hana, Maui, and Emma Helm of Puunene taught me and my brother Duncan (Joe ) Christian values by their example. I am a product of public schools up until the seventh grade when I was educated by the Sisters of St. Joseph at St. Theresa School. I went on to graduate from Maryknoll High School. After graduation I spent one year at Mount St. Mary’s College (now University), in Brentwood, Calif. I began my journey that leads me to this 70th jubilee year. However, it was at St. Theresa School that I felt the call to join these generous, prayerful, cheerful “all-inclusive love” CSJs. My great joy was teaching young children and preparing them for their first Communion. Because of teaching in my home parish of St. Theresa for 53 years, I had the special joy in teaching the children of classmates and my former pupils’ children and grandchildren.
60 years a religious
Father George J. Cerniglia, SM
Born: 1939, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Community: Society of Mary (Marianists)
Arrival in Hawaii: 2010
Years served in Hawaii: 8
Past ministries: After ordination to the priesthood in 1969, high school religion, English and Latin teacher; director of novices, aspirants, temporary professed; Assistant for Religious Life, New York Province; rector, Marianist Seminary, Toronto, Canada; adjunct professor of theology; assistant provincial, Province of New York; General Assistant for Religious Life, Rome; Assistant for Religious Life, Province of the United States; associate rector and rector, Chaminade University of Honolulu
Present ministries: Chaplain of Chaminade University, board member, St. Anthony School, Wailuku; community director and formation mentor at Hale Malia Marianist house; area coordinator for the Marianists in Hawaii; priestly ministry when possible to the local parishes and Franciscan Sisters
Reflection: My life as a Marianist has fulfilled my life by giving me numerous opportunities that I probably never would have had — opportunities to experience other cultures, to live outside of the United States, to rub shoulders with members of the Marianist Family all over the world. In addition, this life has helped me to touch people’s lives in significant ways, to assure them of God’s love and compassion, to teach them — in the widest sense of that word. In short, living this life has helped me to deepen my own faith in God’s presence in me and in our world. The journey of these 60 years has been for me so immensely blessed. During this jubilee year, and really every day, I am so pointedly aware that indeed God’s favors are never exhausted and that they are renewed morning after morning!
60 years a religious
Sister Marie Christine Plateros, SSCC
Born: 1931, Honolulu
Community: Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and of Perpetual Adoration
Past ministries: After profession, continued studies at Chaminade and other universities for early years in religious life. Teacher of primary and elementary grades at Sacred Hearts Academy, Sacred Hearts Convent and for eight years at Maria Regina School in Gardena, Calif. Philippines for four years, then Indonesia for eight years. Returning home, taught part-time at St. Ann School in Kaneohe for a couple of years
Present ministry: Religious education, music ministry, and adult faith formation at St. Damien Parish, Molokai, plus various other parish activities
Reflection: Serving in a parish is quite different from teaching every day in a school — a bit more challenging but definitely just as lovable focusing on the same desire to lead all to Christ. One of my favorite memories is my experience during my assignment in the Philippines. During my four years there, I had the joy of meeting my relatives and visiting places my parents used to talk to us about. I still continue to keep in touch with a few of them. I also treasure memories of my time in Indonesia — visiting many beautiful shrines and grottos dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, being with the people, learning their language, and now continuing to receive vocations for which we are very grateful to our Lord.
60 years a religious
Sister Joan E. Souza, OSF
Born: 1938, in Eleele, Kauai.
Died: Feb. 6, 2018
Community: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Past ministries: Teacher at St. Margaret, Mattydale, N.Y.; Our Lady of Angels, Albany, N.Y.; St. Joseph, Hilo; St. Francis, Manoa, and at St. Michael School, Waialua. Sacristan and receptionist, St. Francis Healthcare Systems of Hawaii
Reflection: (From her 50th anniversary in 2008) I always loved going to church in Eleele, Kauai, where I made my first Holy Communion. I told Jesus I would always love him like Father Henry did. So when I attended St. Francis Convent School as a boarder where the Franciscan Sisters were always with us — they were loving, caring and sharing women who seemed to love Jesus so much, much as I did. Thus I joined the Sisters of St. Francis.
60 years a religious
Sister Rosita Aranita, CSJ
Born: 1939, Kunia, Oahu
Community: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Year Arrived in Hawaii for final vows: 1965
Years of service in Hawaii: 38
Past ministries: Elementary and junior high school teacher at St. Brigid in Watts, Los Angeles; St. John Chrysostom, Inglewood, Los Angeles; St. Anthony, Kailua; St. Theresa, Honolulu. Direct services to elderly and administering elderly programs for Catholic Social Services, Honolulu; Northside Community Center, St. Louis, Mo.; Carondelet Community Betterment Federation, St. Louis. Community organizing of homeless camps on Oahu; dislocated sugar workers on the Hamakua Coast for Ookala Community Development Corporation; Southwest Kenyan Villages for water and sanitation projects and Imbo Community Action Program. Staffing the Affordable Housing Alliance and the public policy program for the Office of Social Ministry, Diocese of Honolulu. Pastoral ministry/RCIA, Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa and Sacred Hearts, Pahoa
Present ministry: Grant writing and fund raising for Hoa Aina O Makaha and St. Rita, Nanakuli
Reflection: It has been a privilege to have engaged with the poor, elderly and homeless persons over my lifetime in different states and nations. Working with evicted tenants, the Black community, poor Filipino farmers, dislocated sugar workers and their families, and Africans who have basic needs for water and sanitation has enriched my understanding and compassion for the poor who struggle to maintain their self-respect in the midst of their problems. From providing basic needs, social programs, fund raising to changing social policy, the Spirit and my sisters have certainly lent the strength, support and encouragement to be flexible and creative to respond the best I could wherever I landed.
50 years a priest
Msgr. John Mbinda
Born: 1941, Kenya
Community: Diocesan priest
Arrival in Hawaii: 2007
Years of service in Hawaii: 11
Past ministries: After ordination on Dec. 14 1968, in Nairobi, Kenya, studied sociology in New York; pastor of a diocesan parish; teacher in a pastoral institute of renewal of clergy, religious and laity; secretary general of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa; served on the Vatican Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity for 20 years; liaison with the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland; earned a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas; after coming to Hawaii, served in residence at St. Michael Church, Kailua-Kona; parochial vicar at St. Joseph, Hilo, and St. Jude, Kapolei; incardinated into the Diocese of Honolulu in 2011; vicar forane of Central Oahu and Molokai.
Present ministry: Pastor of St. John Apostle and Evangelist Parish, Mililani
50 years a priest
Father Gary Patrick Colton
Born: 1942, Van Nuys, Calif.
Community: diocesan priest
Year arrived in Hawaii: 1945
Years of service in Hawaii: 50
Past ministries: Assistant pastor, Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace; St. Theresa Church, Honolulu; associate pastor, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Pearl City; pastor, Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Wahiawa; St. Rita Parish, Haiku, Maui; Christ the King Parish, Kahului; Holy Rosary Parish, Paia; Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu, Maria Lanakila Parish, Lahaina
Present ministry: Retired, June 1, 2012
Reflection: Since June 1, 1968, when I was ordained a priest, I have served in nine local parishes. Thinking back over all the years I have very fond memories of the men and women who assisted me at all these assignments. My favorite story happened in 1996 at Holy Rosary Parish in Paia, Maui. It was a comfortable cool morning. I was peacefully sitting at my desk preparing for the morning Mass. Suddenly the parish sacristan was pounding on the front door of the rectory. As I opened the door she screamed, “There’s a fire in the church.” I called 911 and waited for the fire trucks to arrive. It took the men only about five minutes to put out the fire. Then they invited me in to examine the damage. At first, I was relieved to see that the damage to the building was minimal. The vigil candles close to the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary had cracked opened. The flames from the candles began to burn the canec close to the sacristy door. There was no damage to the pews, altar, statues or any other interior pieces. However, the smell from the fire was obvious and intense. In fact, because of the odor, all the vestments had to be replaced. Here’s the good news. We collected enough insurance money to buy new vestments and to paint the entire interior of the church. The bad news was that my fellow priests accused me of starting the fire to collect and spend the insurance money. Please believe me, I did not start that fire!!
50 years a priest
Father Patrick J. McCormick
Born: Erie, Pennsylvania
Community: Diocesan priest
Past ministries: Parochial vicar at parishes in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Georgia; director of liturgy, North American College in Rome; pastor, Atlanta Archdiocese; chaplain, U.S. Navy, submarine base in LaMaddalena, Italy; two aircraft carriers in San Diego; Naval Station Yokuska, Japan; Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni; Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; NATO Combined Transition Command in Kabul, Afghanistan; Marine Corps Base, Hawaii; retired in 2010, then served as a civilian chaplain, Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida; Reagan Missile Defense Garrison at the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands
Present ministries: Senior priest, St. John Apostle and Evangelist Parish, Mililani; preacher, summer months, for Cross Catholic Outreach, while residing with his family in Erie, Pa.
50 years a religious
Father Richard Patrick McNally, sscc
Born: 1950, Fall River, Massachusetts
Community: Congregation of the Sacred Hearts
Year arrived in Hawaii: 2013-2016; January 2018-present
Years of service in Hawaii: four and a half.
Past ministries: Parish ministry in Massachusetts and Rochester, New York; director of the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the Home; preaching retreats and missions; congregational leadership at the provincial and general levels; pastor, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Wahiawa; formation work in Fiji
Present Ministry: Pastor, St. Ann Parish, Kaneohe; also helps at Blessed Sacrament Church, Pauoa, celebrating the Latin Mass.
Reflection: My family was committed to the church. I received a good religious formation there and in the Catholic elementary and high schools I attended. I entered the Congregation immediately after graduation from high school. The charism of the Congregation, centered in the love of the hearts of Jesus and Mary and adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, continues to shape my life and ministry. My greatest joy in ministry is just being with the people of the parish, accompanying them in the ups and downs of life, proclaiming the Gospel and, most especially, celebrating the Mass. I am delighted to be back in Hawaii after the year and some away.
50 years a religious
Sister Earnest Chung, MM
Born: 1944, Macau
Community: Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic
Arrival in Hawaii: 1970
Years of service in Hawaii: 36
Past ministries: Science and religion teacher in St. Anthony School, Kalihi; audio-visual coordinator in the diocesan Office of Religious Education; bilingual outreach worker; consumer education specialist; community services advisor with the Outreach to the Elderly project at Catholic Social Services (later Catholic Charities); executive director of Catholic Charities Elderly Services; outreach and education coordinator at the Alzheimer’s Association Aloha Chapter; executive director of Catholic Charities Immigrant Services.
Present ministry: in transition
Reflection: There is a monument in Chinese in Honolulu’s Chinatown that says: “In the four seas, we are all brothers and sisters.” This is also the message that I received through my Catholic education when I was baptized in Hong Kong at the age of 10. I learned about prayer and compassion from my Buddhist mother as well as from a very active parish church. We studied the Vatican II documents and the Scriptures and saw the living examples of the church as the People of God. Throughout my years in ministry, I am so grateful for all that has been given to me by all to whom I have been sent, and I tried to live that message of love of God to all and God’s love through the Son, Jesus. There have been many times of joy, especially when I was privileged to meet and work with the elders with Hansen’s disease from Molokai. The wisdom of the elders earned through suffering and challenges is very inspiring to me. I enjoyed most the telling of life stories and the sharing of grace and struggles among elders and immigrants. The beauty of God’s creation shining through these islands certainly reminds us of our responsibility of caring for the earth and the continuous evolution of creation in our lifetime.
50 years a religious
Sister Marion F. Kikukawa, OSF
Born: 1947, Hoolehua, Molokai
Community: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Year arrived in Hawaii: 1972-1979, 2003-present
Years of service in Hawaii: 22 years.
Past ministries: Junior high teacher; high school teacher; school administrator; Franciscan congregational leadership
Present ministry: Community service
Reflection: A Catholic upbringing in a post-WWII interracial home; the influence of Sacred Hearts pastors, Franciscan sisters, Marianist educators, diocesan clergy, a Catholic 9-12 and college education, an awareness of the legacy of Damien and Marianne, Search for Christian Maturity youth retreat involvement — all led me to the Syracuse Franciscans. Having entered four months before Vatican II ended and then experiencing the formational tensions of “aggiornamento” were long-range preparations for the challenges of community living, ministry, leadership, and efforts toward sustainability. (An aside: Aging in place in the convent with my 98-year-old mother is an extraordinary blessing for our family.)
50 years a religious
Sister Frances Therese Souza, OSF
Born: 1943, Honolulu
Community: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Arrival in Hawaii: 1974-present
Years of service in Hawaii: 42
Past ministries: Licensed practical nurse before entering the then Sisters of St. Francis of Syracuse in 1968. Returned to Honolulu in 1974 to work at St. Francis Hospital for 15 years. Transferred to Kalaupapa in 1989 to care for the Hansen’s disease patients for 22 years.
Present ministry: Retired; volunteer at St. Francis Healthcare System; make kukui nut rosaries for St. Augustine Church.
Reflection: The highlight of my ministry was my presence in Kalaupapa for the canonization process of both Mother Marianne and Father Damien. I was privileged to witness the process of these two great saints.
50 years a religious
Sister Claudia Wong, CSJ
Born: 1945, Honolulu
Community: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Years served in Hawaii: 48
Past ministries: Elementary school teacher 1970-1979; campus minister and part-time lecturer in theology 1979-1989, Chaminade University; volunteer, Institute for Human Services, 1979-1989; liturgy training and music, 1980-2011; pastoral counselor and marriage and family therapist, 1989-2010; worked with the beach homeless at Our Lady of Keaau, 2011; vice-provincial/director, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in the Hawaii Vice Province 2011-2015
Present ministries: Contact for Carondelet Apo house and landscaping, caregiver for her mother, and caregiver, driver and cook as needed for the sisters
Reflection: As a convert to Catholicism, God continues to bless me with the joys, hopes and sorrows in my 50 years as a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet. So many roots have formed my religious lineage. I have been especially influenced by my Taoist-Buddhist paternal grandmother, my father who was a 33rd degree Mason with his boundless community services, and my mother, always willing to help others with her interior decorating talent. My Catholic influences came from the Maryknoll Sisters in my elementary school who opened my eyes to see the needs of the world. The Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Congregation of Sisters and Fathers awakened my spirituality in high school, while the Marianists Fathers and Brothers bolstered my vitalized faith. As a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, I am grateful to everyone in helping me live my charism of loving unity as a contemplative in action.
25 years a priest
Father Stephen Macedo
Born: 1960, Manteca, California
Community: diocesan priest
Year arrived in Hawaii: 1992
Past ministries: Served as a deacon at St. John Apostle and Evangelist, Mililani; ordained a priest by Bishop Joseph Ferrario, June 12, 1993, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa; administrator, then pastor, at Sacred Hearts Parish, Naalehu, and Holy Rosary Parish, Pahala, 1993-2003; firefighter and emergency medical technician with Hawaii County Fire Department, 2003-2013; came back to active ministry 2013; associate pastor, Annunciation Parish, Kamuela, 2013
Present ministry: pastor, Annunciation Parish
Reflection: During my time in Annunciation Parish I have focused on building the parish into a stewardship parish focusing on the spirituality of stewardship of our time, talent and treasure.
