Embracing the rising importance of China and Korea in global influence, Saint Francis School has announced the addition of Chinese and Korean language classes. The Manoa school already teaches fluency-minded classes in American Sign, Spanish, and Japanese.

Three Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, all former administrators of schools in their native Philippines, arrived in Hawaii June 17 to run St. Anthony School in Kalihi.

What do ordinary Maui folk think about their homeless problem? Professionals, politicians and concerned community members gathered on July 13 at the Christ the King School cafeteria in Kahului to find out.

Betty White, Head of School for Sacred Hearts Academy, begins her second year appointment as a trustee for the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools. White, the only trustee from Hawaii, serves on the 15-member international board offering leadership and advice to the organization.

Judge Walter S. Kirimitsu took his seat as president of Saint Louis School on July 3. The 1958 St. Louis alumnus had most recently served as chief counsel for the University of Hawaii.

The forecast at Sacred Hearts Academy calls for cooler days ahead. When students return this fall, they will be treated to a refreshing learning experience thanks to the campus-wide installation of a $2.4 million air conditioning system.

In a statement released the day a Maui deacon was sentenced to jail for his sex abuse crimes, Bishop Larry Silva asked Hawaii Catholics to pray for his victim, for all victims of sexual abuse, and for “secondary victims” — family and friends of both the abused and abuser. He also sought prayers for the perpetrator.

Brother Marvin Castillo Bearis will be the first from Hawaii to make his final profession of vows as a Capuchin Franciscan friar. The profession ceremony is Aug. 12, at 10 a.m., at his home parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ewa Beach.

Two Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur who once served in Hawaii will be among 11 jubilarians to be honored in California at a Mass of Thanksgiving on Aug. 13.

A Hawaii man was one of four Marianist Brothers making their first profession of vows May 20 at Queen of Apostles Chapel in Dayton, Ohio.

The last two remaining Maryknoll Sisters working at Maryknoll School retired last month. Sister Maria Rosario Daley and Sister Marie Patrice Kehoe on June 2 left the institution their congregation founded 79 years ago.

Bishop Larry Silva said that his biggest accomplishment over the past year has been “building relationships with the clergy, particularly the priests.”