Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OPHawaii Catholic Herald Once a year, I have the blessing of returning home to visit my parents. Every day, for the past 20 years of my religious profession, and even five years before that, I pray for them, entrusting them to God’s loving care. It is […]
The Burgess ohana, St. Anthony Church, Laupahoehoe: A family of faith and song
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OPHawaii Catholic Herald For Silvia Burgess, faith and music have always gone hand in hand. Originally from Guam, Silvia and her family spent years in West Virginia before settling in Ookala, Hawaii island, where they have been parishioners at St. Anthony Church in Laupahoehoe (about five […]
Maile Aiu Domingo and Patricia Huse, St. Rita Church: The quiet joy of catechesis
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OPHawaii Catholic Herald Maile and Patricia are parishioners at St. Rita Church in Nanakuli. Maile has seven children; Patricia has three children still living. Both are instructors in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd educational program. “What keeps you inspired?” I asked Patricia and Maile, mothers […]
Sister Leonarda Montealto, Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines: Learning to listen and trust
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OPHawaii Catholic Herald Lead me, Lord, lead me, LordBy the light of truthTo seek and to find the narrow wayBe my way, be my truthBe my life, my LordAnd lead me, Lord, today. These words, taken from the song “Lead Me, Lord,” by John Becker, have […]
Joji, Camden and Remi Tokunaga: Devoted to faith, missions
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OPHawaii Catholic Herald The late Dr. Stephen Tokunaga and his wife, Dr. Joji Tokunaga, raised eight children in a household rooted in faith, service and Catholic education. All the children were taught by Dominican Sisters — starting at Rosary Preschool in Waipio Gentry, then at St. […]
Sister Merle Lebaquin and Sister Merced Gumban, Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary: Mission and grace
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OPHawaii Catholic Herald Sisters Merced Gumban, above right, and Merle Lebaquin both entered the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines in 1978 and have been professed for 44 years. They recently volunteered at a special medical mission in Molo, Iloilo, Philippines. Sr. […]
Karen Victor, St. Rita Church, Nanakuli: Grow where you are planted
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald When the Picpus (Sacred Hearts) fathers arrived in Hawaii in the 1830s, the Hawaiian people recognized something familiar. In the stories told of Christ, the one who gave his body as bread and truth, they remembered the god Ku. During a famine, […]
Father Melchor Palomares, St. Jude Church: Inspiring others as a joyful witness
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald I am the fifth eldest of 12 children in my family — and the only one who became a priest. In 2009, I was granted a green card, but my connection to Hawaii began long before that. My parents had been living […]
Phoenix Carter, Saint Michael Church, Waialua: Honoring God and my ancestors
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald I graduated with the class of 2025 from Saint Michael School and will be continuing my journey in the fall at Kamehameha Schools. One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had recently was carving an awa dish at the Bishop Museum (during […]
Father Manuel Hewe: Humility opens us to the Holy Spirit
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald The Holy Spirit chooses us. Love chooses us. Ang pag-ibig ang siyang pumipili sa atin. That truth is both comforting and challenging. When God’s love truly touches our hearts, we are never the same again. To receive this love, however, we must […]