HCH photo by Anna Weaver
Wearing leis in honor of their anniversaries, educators celebrating 20 and 30 years in Hawaii Catholic Schools sing during Mass at the Annual Conference for Catholic Educators in the Blaisdell Arena, Feb. 1.
A spiritual and inspirational boost for Catholic educators
By Patrick Downes | Hawaii Catholic Herald
It was a day off for Oahu’s Catholic school students so that their teachers and principals could get a spiritual and inspirational boost during Catholic Schools Week. The Annual Conference for Catholic Educators gathered more than 850 educators in the Neal Blaisdell Arena on Feb. 1 for a Mass, the recognition of peers, and talk by a visiting Jesuit.
Diocesan vicar general Father Marc Alexander presided at the liturgy from the huge six-foot high stage in a place more accustomed to rock concerts and sports events.
Seven priests concelebrated, two deacons assisted and three altar boys served.
Leading the music was a young student choir from Maryknoll Grade School.
In a homily delivered free of notes, Father Alexander urged his congregation to be “evangelizers.”
“As Catholic educators, every day that you teach is an opportunity to sow seeds,” he said in reference to Christ’s parable in the Gospel reading.
“The impact that you have is incredible,” he said.
The priest admitted the task could be difficult because “we find it incredibly hard to believe that we are loveable.”
“But in spite of our own weakness,” Father Alexander said, “God still loves us and uses us in our weakness to spread the good news.”
After Mass, 14 teachers were honored for reaching the milestones of 20, 30 and 40 years serving in Hawaii Catholic schools.
Recognized for 40 years of service were deacon LeRoy Andrews of St. Joseph Jr/Sr High School in Hilo, Charles Bassett of Saint Louis School, and James Gahler of Maryknoll School.
Recognized for 30 years were deacon Thomas Miyashiro of Saint Louis, and Peggy Mokunui and Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Giovanna Marcoccia, both of St. Theresa School in Honolulu.
Acknowledged for 20 years were Gail Tulchin and Cindy Olaso of Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Gaston Gosselin of St. Patrick School, Ethel Botelho of Star of the Sea Early Learning Center, Rie Mizumura of Maryknoll, Janis Davis of St. Joseph, Waipahu, Agnes Alcover of St. John Vianney, and Lynne Horiuchi of Saint Louis School.
Each received an etched glass plaque from Father Alexander and superintendent of Hawaii Catholic Schools Carmen Himenes.
After a short after-Mass break, the educators reassembled in the arena for a talk on spirituality by Jesuit Father Philip Chircop of Canada.
The conference was sponsored by the Hawaii Catholic Schools office. Catholic schools on the neighbor islands held similar gatherings of their own.