Celebrating a Mass of Thanksgiving at Resurrection Church in Waipio on Aug. 13 for the 25th anniversary of the Capuchin Franciscan Fathers arrival in Hawaii are, from left, Father Marc Alexander, Father Gordon Combs, Father Joseph English, Father George Maddock, Father Paul Minchak, Father Robert Maher, Father Marvin Bearis and Father Paulo Kosaka.
Anniversary year ordination a blessing for Isle Capuchins
Order from Guam celebrates 25 years in the diocese
By Patrick Downes | Hawaii Catholic Herald
Could there be a more appropriate anniversary gift?
In the 25th year of the Capuchin Franciscans’ arrival to Hawaii — a pair of priests to care for a small parish in Ewa Beach — a member of that parish is ordained a Capuchin Franciscan priest.
How sweet is that?
If you are a Franciscan, very sweet.
The Capuchins are celebrating their 25th anniversary in Hawaii this month.
In the simple spirit of their Assisi founder, the small Hawaii Capuchin Community marked the milestone in under-the-radar fashion — a Mass at 4:10 in the afternoon on a Thursday in one of central Oahu’s smaller parishes. Eighteen people attended. No organist was hired.
Afterward, they went to dinner at an Italian restaurant in Mililani.
Among the seven friars at the altar of Resurrection of the Lord Church in Waipio on Aug. 13 stood their anniversary bonus, the broad-shouldered, 30-something Father Marvin Bearis of Ewa Beach who was ordained on June 13.
There was also a tinge of sadness at the gathering. Missing was Father Jack Niland who had died in New York eight days earlier.
Father George Maddock, Hawaii’s first Capuchin Franciscan Friar, presided at the Mass. His companion from a quarter century ago, Father Paul Minchak, gave the homily. Their superior from Guam, the Chamorro-Hawaiian Father Joseph English concelebrated. Also concelebrating was vicar general Father Marc Alexander, representing the Diocese of Honolulu.
Father Maddock, who is now retired, explained to the Hawaii Catholic Herald how the brown-robed friars ended up in Hawaii.
They came from Guam, a long-time mission outpost of the New York-New England Capuchin Province. In their more than 50 years cultivating that U.S. Pacific island territory, the American northeasterners had successfully grown a local clergy and, in 1984, were looking to expand.
At the same time, Honolulu’s Bishop Joseph A. Ferrario was looking for priests for his parishes.
And Father Maddock was finishing up a six-year parish assignment and was looking for a new one.
That convergence of circumstances “was the opportunity to make the biggest jump we’ll probably ever make,” Father Maddock said.
The Capuchins agreed to send two priests to Hawaii. They would serve at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Ewa Beach.
A lot of unknowns
It was an adjustment for both the order and the people of Hawaii. The islands had never seen pastors in sandals, cowls and robes loosely cinched at the waist by white knotted ropes. In fact, Father Maddock said that his parishioners had been improperly warned that their parish would be run by “monks,” inexperienced in parish administration.
Of course, the Capuchins had headed many parishes in Guam, plus a high school and a seminary.
Father Maddock was the first to arrive. He forgets the exact date, but it was sometime in August, he said. Father Minchak joined him a few days later.
Father Minchak said he remembered the excitement of the moment and of wanting to be “part of this historical movement.”
In his homily, he recalled driving with Father Maddock through miles of cane fields down the “endless” Fort Weaver Road looking for the “beach.”
“There were a lot of unknowns,” he said of this first assignment, “but I don’t think either of us was ever afraid.”
“We knew there was a power here beyond ourselves [helping us],” he said.
The Capuchin would eventually administer a number of parishes, mostly in central and leeward Oahu.
Today six friars on Oahu are divided among five parishes and one school. For a group used to communal living, it’s a new challenge, but the local bishop’s needs take precedence in the staffing of parishes. Still, they remain true to their weekly community day together — Thursday.
The Franciscan charism
Father Minchak talked with the Hawaii Catholic Herald on Aug. 12 in his office at Resurrection of the Lord Parish in Waipio where he is pastor, about the impact of the Capuchins on Hawaii.
A slim and youthful-looking 66, his brown hair still matches the color of his habit.
He believes the diocese has gained from the introduction to the “Franciscan charism — the simple life, the life of service and dedication, St. Francis’ love of the Gospel, the way he preached by word and by example.”
The ordination of Father Bearis “gives us a foundation here,” said Father Minchak, who in 2011 will be 50 years a friar. “Hopefully that will attract other vocations.”
In his anniversary Mass homily, Father Minchak said it was God’s grace that allowed their work to blossom in Hawaii.
“The friars have a good reputation among the people,” he said. “We came with nothing, we gave an awful lot. The grace of God allows us to do this.”
“We thank God today for giving us these 25 years,” he said. “The Lord will be with us as we continue our ministry here in Hawaii, and he will be with us as we continue to shepherd God’s people.”
Today, the Capuchin Franciscans serve in Immaculate Conception Parish, Ewa; Resurrection Parish, Waipio; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Waikane; St. George Parish, Waimanalo; the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace; and at Damien Memorial School.