Photo courtesy of Leroy Carrington

New members of the Marianist Lay Communities in Wailuku pose for a photo in St. Anthony Church on Jan. 26.

20 join lay community in Wailuku

By Anita Carrington | Special to the Herald

Twenty members of St. Anthony Parish in Wailuku made their commitment to the Marianist Lay Community on Jan. 26 during a 5 p.m. Mass celebrated by Marianist Father Jerry Pleva.

The ceremony marked Marianist Founders Day which commemorates the first Marianists — Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, Adele de Batz de Trenquelleon and Mary Therese de Lamourous.

Parishioners making the commitment were June Borges, Anita Boteilho, Greg Boteilho, Joe Cardoza, Cora Dongon, Frank Dongon, John Duarte, Gloria Dulay, Terry Gearon, Barbara Gonsalves, Carol Guerrero, Miriam Kahalekai, Rowena Marciel-Enemoto, Debbie Melton, Nancy “Pua” Perry, Jo Reyes, Anne Salek, Jovi Santos, Tehani Shimabuku and Lavern Teves.

The parish’s Marianist priests and brothers — Father Roland Bunda, Father Pleva, Brother Frank Gomes and Brother Jim Vorndran — also renewed their vows.

Kay Stone, the representative from the Marianist Lay Network of North America, led the commitment ceremony. The new members recited their intentions and took their vows. All received a medallion, signed the commitment book and together sang the Marianist doxology.

Afterward, members and friends celebrated with a dinner reception in the Deacon Joe Borges Meeting Room.

Marianists, who have members in 23 countries, look to Christ’s mother as their protector, model and educator. The lay members gather to live their faith with monthly meetings, prayer, and activities and work to build a more just and peaceful world.