60 years bringing God’s people together
By Christian Salehi
Special to the Herald
Denise and Mike Wong on their wedding day, June 30, 1973, at St. John Vianney Church in Kailua. (Courtesy photo)
This year, St. John Vianney Parish in Kailua celebrates 60 years of bringing God’s people together. Established in 1962, this parish has been at the heart of the Enchanted Lake neighborhood, bringing together many outstanding priests, deacons and laity. Mike and Denise Wong have attended St. John Vianney since its inception and provide insight into the parish and its history.
The Wongs, both from Kailua, attended St. Anthony Church and School, Kailua’s first Catholic parish. When Mike and Denise were ages 11 and 9, respectively, St. John Vianney finished construction. As residents of Enchanted Lake within the boundaries of the new parish, they switched to St. John Vianney. Mike was an altar boy and remembers serving the Latin Mass with Gary Secor, now Msgr. Secor, vicar general.
On June 30, 1973, the Wongs were married at St. John Vianney Parish, their wedding officiated by the church’s first pastor, Father John Read. Although the young couple moved to the other side of town and began to attend another parish where their first child was baptized, they soon found themselves returning to St. John Vianney Parish.
In the early 1980s, pianist and organist Robert Mondoy began providing beautiful music for worship at St. John Vianney, and this worship experience drew the Wong family back. They continued to grow with the parish, having their next two children baptized there.
“[Mr. Mondoy] was the instrument of what began to touch us,” said Denise. “Music touches everybody … and we were looking to be deeply touched.”
Around the same time Mondoy became music minister, Father Nathan Mamo was appointed pastor. He made uniting the community a focus of his pastorship. He organized three parish renewal events, which consisted of prayer and social bonding. According to Mike Wong, this helped the church experience great growth, noting that Father Mamo encouraged hospitality, so much so that after Mass, parishioners did not want to leave and stayed to enjoy time together on the fellowship lanai and at other parish-wide events.
The Wongs appreciated this welcoming environment immensely and credit Father Mamo.
“As far as accomplishments go, I think that establishing a loving parish [is the greatest],” added Denise.
Mike reflected on raising his children in this familiar, family-oriented environment. When the Wongs brought their infant son, Andrew, to church, many mothers wanted to hold him.
“During Mass, we would have to look for our son because he was being passed around to many mothers, and he would go around the whole church,” he said.
This churchwide companionship is still present today, and Mike hopes it will continue, especially with the promise of the future of our church in our youth. He established the church’s popular Youth Praise and Worship band, which regularly provides music at Masses and at praise and worship events across the island. He also hosts the high school youth social group, eXtra Hour, which welcomes all teenagers and meets on Wednesday evenings.
The Wongs hope that over the next 60 years, St. John Vianney Catholic Church will continue to grow with a look toward encouraging our youth and young adults to join this vibrant, family-centered parish.
Christian Salehi is an active youth parishioner of St. John Vianney Parish in Kailua.
