The Samoan Choir of Sacred Hearts Parish in Waianae is made up of 16 families, 45 members strong. (Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart Parish Samoan Choir)
The Sacred Heart Samoan Choir of Sacred Heart Parish in Waianae will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its music ministry, incorporating an appreciation of Samoan heritage, at the 9:30 a.m. Mass, Sunday, June 24.
The choir was originally formed from seven families, also parishioners, and has grown to 16 families — 45 members strong. Sagato Tuiava Pule, cofounder and music director at the time, had two children who were talented pianists, Talai Fuga and Saint Tuiava Pule, whom he and his late wife, Fuatai S. Pule, molded into the choir’s ever-present pianists and music directors today.
The choir was assigned to the Sunday, 7 a.m. Mass for about a decade before switching to the Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Mass, which is where you can find them if you would like to experience their harmonious praise.
Outside of their parish, the choir has contributed countless hours of community service over the years, most especially in support of the Samoan community. Using their musical talents, they entertained the elderly at the local nursing home, participated in the annual Waianae Christmas Parade, and were invited to sing and perform at various events, including the Lumanai Scholarship awards.
The choir has been blessed and does its best to give back in the form of donations to causes such as the Lumanai Scholarship awards and Sacred Heart Parish outreach.
The choir thanks God for his blessings and for placing its members, past and present, in this ministry of sharing and rejoicing in his good word.
