Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald I grew up in Tanzania, East Africa, in a small village with no electricity or books. We played outside during the day, but in the evenings, while waiting for dinner, we would gather around the fire and tell stories. These stories carried […]
Ann Frances Guerrero, St. John the Baptist Church: Puakenikeni prayers — Giving my best to God
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald For Good Friday’s liturgy, Father Jarek Skrzypek asked parishioners to bring fresh flower leis for the veneration of the cross. You could hear the popping sound of plastic containers being opened as folks unwrapped their store-bought offerings. My leis were just tucked […]
Peter and Donna Estomago: United by faith, busy with their missions
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald The Estomagos, married for 55 years, are parishioners at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Kailua. Peter is the athletic director of PAC-5 Athletics. Donna is the director of religious education at St. Anthony. Sr. Malia: Peter, I hardly see you around these […]
Father Anthony “Tony” Pangan: Serving with care, one step at a time
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald Pastoral ministry can be taxing and challenging. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, I take one step at a time. Each day, I focus on what needs to be done, prioritizing tasks as they arise. Living a life of stewardship means addressing the moment’s […]
Sister Apple Mea Tabsing, Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary: Questioning God with love and faith
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald Despite encountering many problems, struggles and challenges — whether family, personal or work-related — I remain an optimistic person. I always look at the positive side of life. Of course, it is my personal relationship with God that keeps me moving and […]
Sister Barbara Jean Wajda, Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities: The loving gaze between God, man
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald When I was in grade school in the 1950s, I remember making leprosy bandages. We would tear up old sheets that would then be sent somewhere. As a young child, I was too young to catch the details of what we were […]
Sister Theresa Chow, Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities: Prayer, fellowship ease adjustments
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald When one moves to a new residence, there are a number of adjustments that need to be made. The most important of these for us Franciscan Sisters is that of managing the schedule for our prayer life. Saying prayers together is integral […]
Susan Calicdan, St. Joseph Church, Hilo: Lifelong gift of faith is rooted in family
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald Between my parents, the late Robert and Agnes Leopoldino, it was my father who really got the seven of us children started in the faith. I was baptized, received my first holy Communion and confirmation, and was married at St. Joseph Catholic […]
Nathaniel Leomiti, Chaminade University of Honolulu: Building a ‘family away from family’
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald My faith has been a guiding force in my life, thanks to my great-grandparents, who were catechists for the Catholic Church. They instilled the importance of faith in my family, a legacy carried forward by my grandparents. At 12, I began driving […]
Father James Joseph, Salesian: Sharing the Gospel brings joy, purpose
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald I consider my connections with the people of God as very important in life. Don Bosco, the founder of the Salesians, had a very down-to-earth spirituality. He said, “I want the spirituality of the diocesan priests.” It is practical, rooted in the […]
