HAWI
Sacred Heart Parish
St. Damien’s relic arrived in Kohala on a beautiful rainy day, welcomed by parishioners on Kohala Mountain Road. A motorcade proceeded to Halawa to visit the place where Father Damien once built a church. The relic was then taken into Kohala hospital where Father Maurice Cardinal offered a prayer service, a hymn was sung and patients were blessed. At our parish, the relic was welcomed by the Ladies of Kaahumanu, Hawaiian chanter Janet Coit, and the parish choirs. A day full of events unfolded. Parishioners and visitors approached the relic in prayer and veneration before and after a healing Mass. Parish youth spoke about their trip to Oahu to be part of St. Damien’s float, and one youth, Aniela Chertavian, shared her unforgettable journey to the canonization in Rome with her Mom. The rosary group led by Rita Kauina recited the rosary and devotions. An evening Mass was celebrated for those unable to attend during the day. After the Mass, Father Michael Scully of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Papaikou took the relics to his parish and a blessed day here in Hawi came to a close. (Reported by Lee Rivera)
KEAUKAHA
Malia Puka O Kalani Parish
Parishioners dance before the relic of St. Damien during a service at Malia Puka O Kalani Church on Oct. 22. (Reported by Karen Hotniansky)
PAPAIKOU
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
The relic of St. Damien was in our church 5-9 p.m. on Oct. 22. One hundred and forty three parishioners came to pray and pay homage to the man who patterned his life after Jesus, caring for the sick and abandoned and eventually, like Jesus, giving his life for others. One could almost feel his presence during the quiet prayer and reverence. Mass was celebrated at 7 p.m. and after the homily Father Michael Scully anointed all present. At 9:30 p.m. the relic was taken to Good Shepherd Mission in Honomu for viewing until 11:30 p.m. Having a canonization of a saint during our lifetime, especially one with ties to Hawaii, is an awesome experience. (Reported by Pat Phillips)
KIHEI
St. Theresa Parish
Our parishioners had a day of celebration in honor of St. Damien on Oct. 24. The event started at 8 a.m. with a complete breakfast in Stawasz Hall including entertainment. At 9 a.m. the group moved to the church for rosary and Benediction while awaiting the arrival of the relic. A procession that included the Knights of Columbus, acolytes, the lector and Msgr. Terry Watanabe, the pastor, escorted the relic into the church. During Mass, Deacon Stan Franco delivered the homily with the theme, “You gave us a Saint.” Later, more than 300 people venerated the relic, pictured here guarded by the Knights of Columbus. The relic left about 11:30 with Deacon Pat Constantino of Maui and Deacon Wally Mitsui of Oahu and headed to Christ the King in Kahului. Over the next two days the relic traveled from parish to parish across the island and then on to Lanai ensuring that everyone in Maui County had the opportunity to thank God for “giving us a Saint.” (Reported by Anita Carrington; photo by Leroy Carrington)
KAHULUI
Christ the King Parish
On Saturday, Oct. 24, from noon to 4 p.m., our parish had the opportunity to honor the relic of St. Damien. Beginning at 11 a.m., our Hawaiian choir, Hui Hoomana O Christ the King, presented the new kahilis for the church. The relic was greeted with a prayer and the presentation of a lei. The relic was processed into the church with the clergy and the Royal Order as a Hawaiian chant was sung. After Mass in the presence of the relic, six groups read a brief biography of the new saint followed by a prayer and a presentation. They were the Christ the King School, the Hispanic Community, the parish youth ministry, the Tongan Community, the St. Francis Xavier Club, and the Filipino Community. Gifts and veneration followed. The event concluded with the procession out of the church. Pictured is Conrado Cortez showing reverence to the St. Damien Relic as parishioners wait for their turn. (Reported by Carol Ursua and Jasmine Higa)
HANA
St. Mary Parish
The night of Oct. 24-25 was a long but joyful one. St. Damien’s relic arrived at St. Mary Church at 11:30 p.m. and departed about 3 a.m. to our parish mission churches and beyond. At St. Mary’s, Take Matsuda and Johnny Kahalehoe had the privilege of carrying the relic into the church. Both of these men deserved to do this as they have donated years of service to our parish. We had an amazing turnout of parishioners and visitors considering the midnight visit. Pictured are our Legion of Mary ladies in white and blue in St. Mary Church. Cecilia, Sam and Francis Kupau prepared St. Peter Church in Puuiki, where Cecilia shared historic information and Father Jose Macoy lead us in a prayer. Francis was honored with carrying the relic in and out of St. Peter’s. The relic was visited in Hana by so many, including The Royal Order of Kamehameha and the Queen Kaahumanu Society. It is hard to express the joy of connecting with St. Damien and experiencing such an important part of history. (Reported by Vicki Sawyer)
MAKAWAO
St. Joseph Parish
Deacons Patrick Constantino and Wally Mitsui brought the relic of St. Damien to here on Oct. 25 where it was received by parishioners Ed and Olivia Ferreira and carried into the church. La Salette Father Geronimo Castro presided over Mass with hundreds of parishioners in attendance. Pictured is the reliquary in the church guarded by the Knights of Columbus. (Reported by Donna Pico; photo by Helen Souza)
LAHAINA
Maria Lanakila Parish
Bishop Larry Silva celebrated Mass with St. Damien’s chalice on Oct. 25 at the War Memorial Gym in Wailuku, Maui. Bishop Larry using St. Damien’s chalice was a once in a lifetime sight for us! Pictured are parishioners from Maria Lanakila Church with the St. Damien relic. (Reported by Susan L. Hendricks)
LANAI CITY
Sacred Hearts Parish
October is usually a busy month for us. This year was no exception. The most memorable and emotional event for the month was the Oct. 27 arrival of the relic of our newly canonized St. Damien by ferry from Maui. Parishioners gathered at the harbor and sang songs of glory and praise as the relic arrived, accompanied by Deacon Wally Mitsui. Kepa Maly, director of the Lanai Culture and Heritage Center, greeted Father Damien with the sounding of the conch shell and the mele paha. It was a touching and emotional moment. Father Rex Pira prayed over the relic, and then a convoy of cars made its way to Sacred Hearts Church. The koa box containing the relic was placed on a table for veneration as parishioners presented flowers and leis. At 10 a.m., Father Rex administered the anointing of the sick. Many people, including the elderly and handicapped, wanted to be anointed. The line seemed endless. It was a special moment for everyone. Lunch was served. The church was packed and overflowing for the 6 p.m. Mass. Children from the religious education classes and the youth ministry presented a program depicting parts of St. Damien’s life and sang emotional songs that touched everyone present. After Mass, parishioners held a vigil of prayers and songs. The next morning they gathered at the church for a short service before escorting the relic to the airport where songs of honor and praise were sung. As the departing song, Aloha Oe, was sung, there were some tears but a warm feeling in everyone’s hearts. What an honor to have the relic of St. Damien embrace our parish. We will never forget the time we had with him. Father Rex thanked everyone for making this event a successful one. (Reported by Eleanor Ozoa)
KALAHEO
Holy Cross Parish
Five parish youth were in Honolulu to see St. Damien’s relic brought to Iolani Palace and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace on Nov. 1. They were Averie Soto, Laurie Simao, Chantelle Caveiro, Vakeesha Lagazo and Asia Yasay. Averie, who portrayed Blessed Marianne in the recent Aloha Week Parade and Youth Rally in Honolulu, had the honor of carrying the box containing St. Damien relic to the altar of the cathedral. (Reported by Judy Cabanting)
PEARL CITY
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish
Many members of the parish gathered at the cathedral to venerate the relic of St. Damien on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Some humbly presented a lei, prayed and posed for a photo with Father Paul Li. Their foremost prayer was to ask Father Damien for guidance in following his example. Homeschoolers Christian Blanchard, 15, and his brother Austin, 13, said: “We couldn’t go to Rome. This is exciting! It’s our first experience to see a relic. Thank you, Mom (Cherelle), for bringing us here today.” Julia Cabatu said, “Unbelievably awesome!” Lily Tabije and Sylvia Lee felt inspired to be near a relic. They commented, “Coming here made us want to be like him. He carried his cross and loved others without reservation.” Deacon Efrain Andrews was impressed by the number of people who filled the cathedral; but most of all, by the long lines of the faithful going to confession. This we know for certain: St. Damien is not only in heaven, but here on earth with us. (Reported by Elaine Yamashita)
AIEA
St. Elizabeth Parish
A parishioner shows reverence to the relic of Father Damien in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace on Nov. 4. (Reported by Linda Cacpal)