By Judy Cabanting | Special to the Herald

Early in the evening of Sept. 13 last year, La Salette Father Edison Pamintuan celebrated an outdoor Mass at the foot of the Cross of Calvary, statues depicting the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion, on the grounds of Holy Cross Church in the town of Kalaheo on Kauai.

This was the “kick-off” Mass for a year-long celebration marking the centennial of Holy Cross Church, the first of many parish events culminating with a parish Mass presided over by Bishop Larry Silva this past Sept. 12. In probable contrast to the field Mass first celebrated at the site on Aug. 15, 1943, parish youth were active participants.

The parish celebrated for a whole year with special centennial projects or activities every month — saying the rosary during October, collecting canned goods and toiletries for people in need, a Misa de Gallo Novena, Valentine Day vows, a children’s fun day, joining the Koloa Plantation Days parade (and becoming an award-winning walking unit), a centennial essay contest, a parish clean-up “I Do Care Day,” and the “opening act” of the centennial weekend, a kachi kachi dance.

Celebrating the final Mass with the bishop were La Salette Father Rene Bisaillon, Deacon William Farias, Deacon Manny Pascua and the Holy Cross pastor Father Pamintuan. As in the kick-off Mass, the youth, from the elementary religious education classes to the Confirmation class and youth ministry, were highly involved.

Confirmation/youth ministry shared their liturgical dance. Accenting the growth and diversity of the parish over the past 100 years, the general intersession prayers were read in different languages. Parishioners were invited to offer symbols of thanksgiving for all the blessings bestowed on them and their families over the past century.

A tasty catered luau dinner followed the Mass under the tents on the school grounds. The entertainment reflected the growth of the parish over the decades, not just by remembering those who helped build the original churches, figuratively and spiritually, but also via those — both young and mature — who entertained with hula, Filipino dances, Taiko drums, and a humorous play.

The year-long celebration was planned by the Holy Cross Church Centennial Committee led by chairperson Ernest “Ernie” Barreira. Committee members were Allan Villaflor, Carole Nacion, Father Pamintuan, Reni Pereira, Carol Shinagawa, Billie Perreira, Fred Theis, Anthony Silva, Vance Yamamoto, Eric Nordmeier, Charlie and Della Silva, Ernie Pasion, Shirley Kauahi and Judy Cabanting.

The centennial logo, voted on by the parishioners, was designed by Juanita Parongao, a parishioner who attends the mission church of Sacred Heart in Eleele. The celebration’s theme was “The Cross of Christ: All Blessings, All Grace.”

The committee planned the events as opportunities for parishioners to become more united as a parish, and to step forward together into the next 100 years.

The parish owes its founding to Sacred Hearts Father Arsensius Walsh and the priests and parishioners who followed. The growth continues through the work of parishioners and their families who have benefited from the many priests and nuns who lived, shared and taught the sacraments and the Word of the Lord over the years.

Today, the parish’s spiritual leaders are priests of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette working side-by-side with faithful parish families of the parish who continue the parish’s celebrated legacy.