VIRIDITAS2: SOUL GREENING Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald During a lunch with some new team members at Chaminade, a colleague posed an intriguing question: “When did you first want to be a scientist?” As the conversation circled to me, I found myself answering (to everyone’s surprise) “As a teenager I […]
Father Roland Bunda, Marianists: Being in the presence of God
VIRIDITAS2: SOUL GREENING Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald On my 75th birthday, Marianist Father Stephen Tutas sent me an email. He always sends the brothers and the priests little “favorinos,” favorite sayings. This one said, “Be aware, be keenly aware of the action of the Holy Spirit in your life. […]
Carmela Esser, parishioner, Sacred Hearts Mission, Kapalua
VIRIDITAS2: SOUL GREENING To do as much as I can Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald Interviewed Sept. 7 at Sacred Hearts Mission, Kapalua Residing in Kapalua, we knew nothing of what was happening in Lahaina until someone showed us a picture of the devastation. It was unbelievable to see that. […]
Shelley Hee, parishioner, Sacred Hearts Mission Church, Kapalua: What God is driving me to do
VIRIDITAS2: SOUL GREENING Interviewed on Maui Aug. 23 by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald The church has been a primary focus, a driving force behind what keeps me going in the midst of the tragedy surrounding us. With the roads through Lahaina now opened, we have had a number of priests come […]
Sister Mariana Salmo and Sister Benedicta Sanchez, Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary: Ever faithful to the Gospel
VIRIDITAS 2: SOUL GREENING By Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald Quiet and unassuming, two former Hawaii missionaries are an important part of their motherhouse infirmary community in the Beaterio de Molo, Philippines, where they joyfully keep alive the spirit of aloha with their continued willingness to serve and help others as they […]
Nena Bargamento, parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Papaikou: Uplifted faith
VIRIDITAS2: SOUL GREENING These are excerpts from a conversation recorded by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP, with Nena Bargamento at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Papaikou I was born and raised on a Pepeekeo plantation (just north of Hilo on the Big Island). We had our own Catholic church, then called St. Joseph by the […]
Tommy and Rosanna Figuera, parishioners at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Papaikou: When you do things for Jesus
VIRIDITAS2: SOUL GREENING This conversation was recorded by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP, for the Hawaii Catholic Herald Rosanna: This has been my church long before kindergarten. I am now 73 years old. Tommy and I have been married 54 years. Tommy: I was born and raised here. This church was my playground. I remember […]
Sister Cathie Boerboom, Religious of the Good Shepherd: Ministering on the streets
VIRIDITAS2: SOUL GREENING Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald Back during the summers of 1985 and 1987, I worked at the Mary Jane Home in Kalihi Valley. Remember the RGS? Really Great Sisters? Actually, it is an acronym for the Religious of the Good Shepherd. Catholic Charities had invited my congregation […]
Father Apolinario Ty, Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament: The love of the Blessed Sacrament
VIRIDITAS2: SOUL GREENING In the center of Chinatown in Manila is a church administered by the Blessed Sacrament Fathers. It is the Santa Cruz Church, also known as Our Lady of the Pillar. The church has the Blessed Sacrament exposed daily from morning to evening. I used to go there for confession in my youth. […]
Barbara Akana and Marian Lehua Kim, parishioners of Sacred Heart Church, Hawi: Service from the heart
VIRIDITAS2: SOUL GREENING Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald Sister Malia Dominica: So, how long have you been here at Sacred Heart? Barbara: I grew up in Kohala and I have been a Catholic since I was a little girl. Marian Lehua: Me, too. I’m 80 years old now! SMD: (to […]