VIRIDITAS2: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
On Feb. 2, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Pearl City, Domingo (Espi) and Mary Jane (MJ) Espinueva celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary.
Sister Malia: Tell me a little bit about yourselves.
MJ: I was born in Kahului, Maui, but raised on Oahu.
Espi: I am from Koloa, Kauai.
MJ: We have 4 children.
Espi: One girl and three boys.
MJ: They are in their 60s and 70s now.
Espi: They are all doing their own thing.
Sister Malia: What has kept you going these 72 years?
MJ: It’s hard work.
Espi: We have our little problems like everybody else.
MJ: But it’s through religion, through our marriage vows, that our faith is strong. I came from a Buddhist background. After we married, I attended classes and converted to Catholicism. During our marriage preparation classes however, I had promised that all of our children would be baptized in the church, and they were. I just followed him (smiles at Espi).
Espi: We were married in St. Theresa Church on School Street.
Sister Malia: How did you find each other? One from Kauai, one from Maui?
MJ: We went to the same school. We lived in the same area in Honolulu.
Espi: My family used to live across the street from where they lived on Kukui Street. As the neighborhood kids were all about the same age, we would all get together. We were friends that used to hang around each other. My friends and I would take them out to go to the beach and they would pay for our lunch and bus fare. It was 10 cents back then. That’s how we got together. And then, one day I asked her out. My dad actually took us to the movies.
Sister Malia: How long have you been parishioners at Our Lady of Good Counsel?
Espi: We have been here since 1972. I was very involved in ministry from parking cars to serving on the altar and more. I am really grateful to Elaine Yamasata, a good friend who taught me everything. She still attends Mass and knows who I am.
MJ: We have a good relationship with our church, and many good friends among the parishioners. We all support each other in whatever we need to do.
Sister Malia: Do you have a favorite prayer or song?
Espi: Our favorite song is “Too Young” (sung by Nat King Cole).
MJ: Because we were too young.
Espi: We were only 19 when we got married.
Sister Malia: What’s your secret to staying so healthy?
Espi: I used to love to run.
MJ: And he was a fisherman.
Espi: I still go out with my son.
MJ: With the support of our family, especially, and all of our friends, and friends at church, everything is good.
