Tracking the activities of Filipino Catholic Clubs on Oahu
By Taylor Rayray
Special to the Herald
A pageant for a good cause
The Filipino Catholic Clubs’ Queen of Charity Pageant was hosted Sept. 7 by the first place parish, St. Joseph in Waipahu. Each parish was represented by a member of the Filipino Catholic Club. Flordeliza Garcia, from St. Joseph, was the Queen of Charity. Olivia Mita, from Our Lady of the Mount, was the Princess of Hope. Monica Dicion, from St. Michael, was the Princess of Faith. Amelia Yadao, from Our Lady of Perpetual Help, was the Princess of Justice. Estrella Calamayan, from St. Anthony in Kalihi, was the Princess of Prudence. Helen Naval, from Sacred Heart, was the Princess of Fortitude. Gloria Villapando, from St. Jude, was the Princess of Temperance. Jean Tiano, from the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, was the Princess of Peace. Nancy Manuel, from St. Roch, was the Princess of Freedom. Valerie Dascil-Tago, from Our Lady of Sorrows, was the Princess of Wisdom. The pageant is the Filipino Catholic Clubs largest parish-oriented event. Thanks to this fundraiser six student scholarships were awarded this year.
Farewell, Deacon Dario
The Filipino Catholic Club of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, along with other parishioners, held an aloha party for Deacon Dario Rinaldi before he headed back to California for his last year at St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park. He spent the summer at the parish under the pastoral guidance of the pastor Father Edmundo Barut touching the lives of many parishioners.
Family field day
The Oahu Council of Filipino Catholic Clubs’ annual field day July 7 was a day filled with good food and camaraderie. Every Oahu parish with a Filipino Catholic Club attended and celebrated Mass with Father Joseph Diaz as one “pamilya” or “family” under God. There were fun games and everyone had an amazing time. It was a time to relax, connect with those from different parishes, and to be together in the moment.
New pastor welcome
In July, St. Michael Parish in Waialua welcomed its new pastor, Father Ernie Juarez Jr., who was previously at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pearl City. The parishioners welcomed their new priest with open arms. At his first meeting, the officers and members of the parish Filipino Catholic Club welcomed Father Juarez with a lei and lots of jubilant smiles. He is excited to be on this new journey and everyone is eager to see the great things he will do for the parish and school.
