“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 seven men and women who have given themselves to God and humanity, in vow and in sacrament, as they celebrate the 70th, 60th, 50th and 25th anniversaries of their discipleship.

NOTE: Bishop Larry Silva has canceled this year’s Diocesan Jubilee Mass for Clergy and Religious, which had been scheduled for August 22, because of the many pandemic restrictions that would prevent about half of the Jubilarians from attending. The diocese will honor this year’s Jubilarians at next year’s Mass. The bishop “heartily congratulates them and thanks them for their many wonderful years of service to the Lord and his people.”

70

Sister Georgene Perry, SS.CC.

Born: 1928, Honolulu
Community: Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and of Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar
Celebrating: 70 years profession
Years of service in Hawaii: 70 years
Past Ministries: 17 years teaching at St. Patrick School, Honolulu; one year at Sacred Heart Parish, Waianae; two years at Sacred Hearts Convent, Nuuanu; 40 years at Sacred Hearts Academy, Honolulu
Present ministry: Retired, prayer ministry

Highlights of my religious life: Praying with students, grades 7 to 12, one-to-one, encouraging in them a commitment to the God that loves them and guiding them to service to the community in which they live. Collaborating with the faculty and administration, witnessing the love of Christ in their lives “heart to heart.” Living life to the fullest with my Sisters in community. My joy is to be zealous in giving myself to God and the people I serve.

60

Sister M. Jovita Agustin, OSF

Born: 1941, Waialua, Hawaii
Community: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Anniversary date: May 24
Years of service in Hawaii: 37
Past ministries: Primary school educator in New York, California and Hawaii. Staff member at Skaneateles, N.Y., congregational retreat center. Coordinator of Catholic and public school sacrament preparation for Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation in New York and California. Library assistant. Chaplain at St. Francis Medical Center. Hospital ministry in Hilo.
Present ministry: Spiritual service at St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii (hospice, Franciscan adult day care)

Reflection: Everything is possible when we have faith in God. As a Sister of St. Francis, I put myself in God’s hand, especially in my ministry and all that I do. Bringing Christ to those whom I serve no matter their denomination. Greeting people who come through the door with a smile uplifts their spirit and brings the light of Christ to others. Our kupuna are great to listen to. What wisdom of life’s experience they have to share! “If we have faith the size of a mustard seed — nothing will be impossible.” (Matt. 17-20)

Sister M. Davilyn Ah Chick, OSF

Born: Honolulu
Community: Sisters of Francis of the Neumann Communities
Celebrating: Date invested, May 24, 1960
Past ministries: Syracuse and Albany, New York; Trenton and Camden, New Jersey; Washington, D.C.; and Wahiawa, Pearl City, and Honolulu
Present ministry: Completing ministry as principal at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Ewa Beach

Reflection: I was born in Hawaii, one of seven children of the late John Sr. and Dorothy Amy Ah Chick. I am grateful to my family, especially my parents, brothers and sisters, who nurtured me to live life to the fullest. As a Franciscan Sister, I am blessed to serve God’s people as a friend, religious, educator, formator, leader, administrator and volunteer on the local, regional, national and international levels. It would take volumes for me to share the joys of my life with family, friends and those I served in the various ministries. However, my genuine involvement with the sainthood cause of Mother Marianne Cope and with Sister Mary Laurence Hanley, OSF, director of the cause, for nearly 30 years made it heavenly for me to be part of the exhumation of Mother Marianne in January 2005 and to be present at her beatification on May 14, 2005, and her canonization on Oct. 21, 2012. I give God praise and thanks for the number of years he continues to bless me with in being one of his loving disciples as I earnestly serve his people and as I journey on my own path to sainthood.

Sister M. Severine Bartolome, OSF

Born: 1941, Halaula, Hawaii
Community: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Jubilee year being celebrated: 60 years
Years of service in Hawaii: 10 years
Past ministries: Teacher preschool, kindergarten and second grade
Present ministry: Music ministry at the St. Francis Healthcare Chapel, playing piano for hospice patients and their families

Reflection: In my years of teaching, I found joy and learning experiences. In my present ministry I have been using my musical talents in many ways playing for the liturgies at Saint Marianne Cope Chapel for hospice patients, their families and staff. It is a privilege to play for them. God has given me many graces and blessings. I thank my family and the sisters in community for their love and support. May God bless them all.

50

Father Teodulo (Teddy) Gaquit

Born: 1940, Jaro, Leyte, Philippines
Community: Diocesan priest
Ordained: April 26, 1970
Year arrived in Hawaii: 1999
Years of service in Hawaii: 14
Past ministries: Hospital ministry
Retired: July 1, 2013

Reflection: I was born to Felipe Gaquit and Felisa Raganit, the second son of eight boys and four girls. After high school, I started my priestly formation with the Franciscan Capuchins until I finished my philosophy studies in Kerala, India. I then transferred to our Diocese of Palo, Leyte, and continued my studies at San Carlos Seminary Mabolo, Cebu City. I was ordained a diocesan priest on April 26, 1970. I worked in different parishes in the diocese until I volunteered for mission work in Papua, New Guinea, for 10 years and four years in Queensland, Australia. The remainder of my service has been in Hawaii.

25

Father Gregorio Honorio Jr.

Born: 1966, Ramon, Isabela, Philippines
Incardinated, Diocese of Honolulu: March 17, 2016
Celebrating: Priestly ordination Feb. 10, 1995
Year arrived in Hawaii: 2008
Years served in Hawaii: 12
Past ministries: Assistant pastor/pastor/school director with the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, Isabela/Ifugao, Philippines — St. James Parish, St. John Bosco Parish, St. Isidore Parish, Our Lady of Visitation Parish; New South Wales, Australia — St. Francis Xavier, Moree and Narrabri; Victorville, California — St. Joan of Arc Parish; Hawaii — St. Joseph Parish, Waipahu, Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.
Present ministry: Vicar for Clergy

Reflection: The gift of faith challenges and grows every day. Jesus has chosen me to be his priest despite my weaknesses. Celebrating the Eucharist, breaking the Word and giving the Body and Blood of Jesus to those hungry and thirsty for God is indeed a source of incomparable joy. My priestly ministry highlights the many opportunities to seek and encounter the face of Jesus in diverse cultures and people — from the Philippines to the Aboriginal people of Australia, with the Anglo-American and Hispanics of Southern California, from my Marian pilgrimages to Europe and the Holy Land, and finally, settling in the beautiful islands and melting pot of Hawaii.

Deacon Francis Leasiolagi

Born: 1952, American Samoa
Year arrived in Hawaii: 2010
Celebrating: 25 years ordination to the permanent diaconate
Years of service in Hawaii: 8
Past ministries: St. John the Baptist, Kalihi — chairman, parish pastoral council; faith formation. Diocese of Honolulu — chairman, Deacon Council Executive Board; chairman, annual deacon and wives retreat
Present ministry: Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa — chairman, parish pastoral council; faith formation. Diocese of Honolulu — Diaconate Formation, core team member for cohort 9

Reflection: I was ordained into the diaconate on May 25, 1995, in the Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago, American Samoa, by Bishop John Quinn Weitzel. I served as master of ceremonies for Bishop Weitzel in the Cathedral of the Holy Family (Fatu-o-Aiga) for 17 years. I was assigned to St. John the Baptist, Kalihi, for four years and to the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus to present. It has been a great pleasure and a privilege for my late wife Fa’ataualofa Dorothy and I to serve the Lord in all of these assignments and with his grace, look forward to serving him into the future.