SaintSaint TheresaTheresa MAY 2017 Roman Catholic Church Parish Newsletter
Flores de Mayo Celebration to Honor Mary
other’s Day is quickly approaching, and many Mof us will celebrate our moms by bringing them flowers. Just before that special day occurs, the Filipino Club invites members of our parish to re- member another special mom – our spiritual mother, The Blessed Virgin. The fifth annual Flores de Mayo celebration will be held May 12 at 6 p.m. in the church. The event is hosted by the Filipino Catholic Club, a statewide organization that supports the parish, helps commu- nity members who are in need, and raises funds for scholarships for area graduating seniors. Club Coor- dinator Trixie Galam explains the meaning behind this beautiful event. “Filipinos likes fiestas, and Flores de Mayo in our country, the Philippines, is a religious festival in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” Trixie says. Referred to as the “Flowers of May Festival,” Flores de Mayo was originally introduced to the Phil- ippines by the Spaniards. As an integral part of the celebration, a colorful pageant called a Santacruzan is often held in Filipino communities and a nine-day Adorned with fresh flowers and crowned in ornate gold and lace, the novena precedes the celebration. image of the Blessed Mother is honored during the 2016 celebration continued on page 2 of Flores de Mayo. This year’s celebration will be held Friday, May 12, at 6 p.m. beginning with Mass.
25 W. Lipoa St.│Kihei, HI 96753│www.saint-theresa.com│808-879-4844 Saint Theresa Roman Catholic Church
Flores de Mayo Celebration to Honor Mary continued from front cover
“Here at St. Theresa, along with the many parishioners and St. Theresa Filipino Catholic Club, the Flores De Mayo celebration starts with a Mass, and an offer- ing of flowers and crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” Trixie says of our local celebration. Following Mass, there will be a procession to the courtyard and the crowning of a Flores de Mayo Queen. Fellowship, entertain- ment, and dinner will top off the celebration. As many Catholics know, May has traditionally been set aside by the Church as a special time to hon- or Mary. The tradition of the May Crowning honors her by presenting Parishioners and members of the Filipino Catholic Club process through the church a statue of her image with fresh flow- during the 2016 Flores de Mayo celebration. A Filipino tradition, Flores de Mayo celebrates ers or placing an ornamental jeweled the Blessed Virgin with a special pageant called a santacruzan. crown upon the statue’s head. Mayo celebration at St. Theresa is to involving themselves with the “Mary is Jesus’ mother and expose the parish’s younger genera- preparation, by attending the our mother too,” Trixie says. “The tions to the tradition in the hopes Mass and being a part of this very Blessed Virgin Mary deserves our that it will continue in the future significant celebration,” she says. utmost honoring not only in the and be kept alive for the community. “As a once-a-year event, we in- month of May, but always.” “We encourage our parish- vite all to experience the beauti- Trixie says the Filipino Club’s ioners and community to help ful presence of the Blessed Virgin ultimate goal in hosting a Flores de the St. Theresa Filipino Club by Mary amongst us.” “We encourage our parishioners and community to help the St. Theresa Filipino Club by involving themselves with the preparation, by attending the Mass and being a part of this very significant celebration. As a once-a-year event, we invite all to experience the beautiful presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary amongst us.” – Trixie Galam
Parishioners who would like to get more involved with Flores de Mayo are enthusiastically invited to call or email Trixie Galam at 808-264-4699 or [email protected].
2 A Letter from Our Pastor We Cannot Be Part-Time Christians
Dear Friends in Christ,
ay is traditionally celebrated cannot be part-time Christians and Min the Church as the month Catholics! We should seek to live our of Mary, our Blessed Mother. As the faith at every moment of every day.” Mother of the Church, she provides us I suspect that is how Mary lived with an example of what it means to her life from that moment she turned be a servant of God and our fellow hu- it over to God and His Will. So, let mans, as well as how to obediently ful- us vow together during this month fill the promptings of the Holy Spirit. of Mary to follow her example, and As Catholics, we are called to seek to be the kinds of good stewards model the life of Jesus. That can be that will make our faith community difficult, and there are certainly chal- even stronger and more effective. lenges to living as a disciple of Christ. I pray that we all can find the But living stewardship and disciple- strength to live and practice our ship brings intense contentment and faith as we should. This means being joy to those who take that risk. As we faithful to the sacraments and look- hear in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, “All things work for ing for ways to help and serve one another. We have a good for those who love God.” great parish – let us make it even greater. After Jesus Himself, we look to our Blessed Mother As we hear in Holy Scripture, “May the Lord bless as an ideal steward and an example of what stewardship you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine means. As the Mother of Christ, she lived her life and upon you, and be gracious to you! May the Lord look her ministry in a total spirit of faithfulness and service. upon you kindly and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). She responded to the call to be a disciple. For us to be Pray for me, as I pray for you. disciples, we also need to be good stewards of the gifts we have received. Our Church and our parish are gifts to Sincerely yours in Christ, us from God. At no point in Holy Scripture does Jesus tell us that following Him is easy. We know it is not always simple and effortless. It requires dedication and commitment. Msgr. Terry Watanabe Pope Francis has said on more than one occasion, “We Pastor
3 Saint Theresa Roman Catholic Church
A Marriage and Family Built on Faith Brigido and Victoria Acoba Celebrate Their 65th Wedding Anniversary
hat is the secret to a marriage that is in its 65th Wyear and still going strong? In reality, there aren’t too many couples who could answer that question for us. But one couple here at St. Theresa – Brigido and Victoria Acoba – sure can. On April 14, the Acobas celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary! Reflecting on their long life together, the answer to our question becomes re- soundingly clear – faith. For Brigido and Victoria, faith and trust in God through all circumstances has kept their married relationship – and their family – strong. As the Acobas’ eldest child and St. Theresa parish- ioner Cecilia Soliven tells us, both Brigido and Victo- ria came from humble family backgrounds, growing up neighbors in the farming barrio, or village, of Bacarra in Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Both Brigido and Victoria were raised in homes full of love, respect for one another, During a Mass at St. Theresa on Feb. 12, 2017, Brigido and and a strong Catholic faith. Rural living was often dif- Victoria (with the family members who could attend) celebrated ficult, and relying on farming for their livelihood meant being one of the longest married couples in the parish. that many things – especially bouts of inclement weather and began having children of their own, their parents – could change their fortunes from day to day. An un- would continue to play a large role in their grandchil- wavering trust in the Lord, along with the support of dren’s introduction to the faith. family and friends, certainly helped to make life easier. Cecilia still remembers clearly the influence her grand- Victoria was a close friend of Brigido’s younger sister, parents’ faith had on the younger generations of the family. Maria, and met Brigido when Maria introduced them. “We used to follow my late grandma Arcadia as she The two began dating, and when Victoria was 16 and led prayers, Rosaries, and novenas,” Cecilia recalls of her Brigido was 23, Brigido knew without a doubt that Vic- childhood in the Philippines. “She would do that espe- toria was the woman he would marry. Following Filipino cially when our community at the barrio was celebrat- tradition, he and his parents visited Victoria’s parents to ing birthdays, weddings or a funeral. She used to do the propose the marriage. A church wedding was planned prayers in both the Ilocano and Latin languages. In fact, and Brigido and Victoria were married on April 14, 1952. the Acoba family even donated a piece of land to the As both Brigido and Victoria had been brought up church and built Our Mother of Perpetual Help church Catholic, it was important to them to raise their own in our barrio! The priest would come once a month to family in the Church, as well. Once they were married say the Mass.” “Our Roman Catholic faith played an important role in our married life. We raised all the children in our Catholic faith – from Baptism and First Communion to Confirmation – because we have a deep faith in God and in following the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Victoria Acoba
4 A Marriage and Family Built on Faith Brigido and Victoria Acoba Celebrate Their 65th Wedding Anniversary
followed. (Regina, the youngest of the Acobas’ eight chil- dren, was later born in Hawaii.) During these years of sepa- ration and transition, the Acoba family remained steadfast in their faith, putting their complete trust in God’s will. The commitment that Brigido and Victoria made to stay faithful to the Church and raise their children in the faith has had a lasting effect on the Acoba family down through the generations. Their eldest daughter, Cecilia, for example, has remained a very active parishioner at St. Theresa, serving as a lector and Eucharistic Minister, and singing in the Filipino Choir at the 7 a.m. Mass, while her husband serves as an usher. All of Cecilia’s children were married at St. Theresa, and her grandchildren have all been baptized there, as well. Just as Brigido and Victoria have passed the Catho- After their long marriage was honored during the Mass, lic faith down to the next generations of the family, their Brigido and Victoria’s children took them to Ruby Tuesday to cel- lifelong commitment to one another has provided their ebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. children and grandchildren with an incredible example Over the course of their marriage, Brigido and Victoria of the Sacrament of Marriage. were blessed with eight children – Cecilia Acoba Soliven, Leo “Having my parents as St. Theresa’s longest married Acoba (now deceased), Erlinda Acoba Libby, Thomas Acoba, couple is an inspiration for us,” Cecilia affirms. “My grand- Florentino Acoba, Bernie Acoba, Willie Acoba, and Regina parents instilled and passed on the gift of faith to my par- Acoba. Although things were certainly busy for the couple, ents. I remember that my late grandparents, Justo and Ra- between long days of work and a full family life, they always faela Ruiz, celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary here made time for Mass and for their children’s faith formation. before they went back home to the Philippines in 2002. “Our Roman Catholic faith played an important role in The gift of faith that our parents have continued to pass our married life,” Victoria says. “We raised all the children down in the family has been a great blessing to us all.” in our Catholic faith – from Baptism and First Communion Reflecting back on their life together – 65 years, 8 to Confirmation – because we have a deep faith in God and children, 12 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren in following the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.” later – Brigido and Victoria realize that it is really no “se- The Acobas leaned on their unwavering trust in the cret” what got them this far. Today, they share with all Lord in 1967 when Brigido’s brother, Mariano, petitioned young couples the same advice that they have always giv- to have Brigido immigrate here to Hawaii. According to Ce- en to their own children: “Love and respect one another, cilia, it was Brigido and Victoria’s love and respect for each and know God in your everyday life.” other and faith in God that gave them the strength to take What an inspiration Brigido and Victoria are to all of this great leap of faith. In January of 1969, Victoria was al- the married couples here at St. Theresa! We wish them a lowed to join Brigido in Hawaii with Cecilia, Leo, Thomas, joyful 65th wedding anniversary, and may God continue and Willie. Later that year, Erlinda, Bernie and Florentino to bless their long life together!
5 Saint Theresa Roman Catholic Church
The Bible The Textbook of Stewardship
ave you ever wished that life came with an instruc- in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It Htion manual? What a valuable resource that would is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35). be! Whenever you find yourself running in circles, this Again, in St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthi- instruction manual would give you step-by-step instruc- ans, we read about living a life of Christian steward- tions on how to fix the problem and reroute your course. ship: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap spar- Well, here’s some good news. For those living a ingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap Christian life, there is such a manual – the Bible. bountifully. Each must do as already determined, Sometimes referred to as the “textbook of steward- without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a ship,” the Bible is a bountiful resource for the pres- cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:6-7). ent-day Christian. Written by anointed prophets and While this is well and good, what does it mean for sages, this collection of divinely inspired parables, po- the present-day Christian? Why should it matter that ems and letters is full of testimonials that express the the Bible alludes to stewardship in various passages? blessings that come from true discipleship, expressed It shows us that Christians and Jews have struggled through lives of stewardship. with and benefitted from the concept of stewardship Stewardship is not a new concept. The Bible gives for thousands of years. It ties the message of steward- proof to this claim through passages such as the 26th ship to the role of a Christian disciple. It gives proof chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy. We read Moses’ that stewardship and discipleship go hand-in-hand. It words, as he tells the Israelites to offer the choicest por- offers encouragement to us, that stewardship is in fact tions of their harvest to God: “When you have come into a foundational component of the Christian life, a way the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you as a of life that one of the founding fathers of the Church – heritage, and have occupied it and settled in it, you shall St. Paul – preached about and advocated. take some first fruits of the various products of the soil The Bible is indeed the textbook of stewardship. It which you harvest from the land which the Lord, your lays out the steps we must take to become true disciples God, gives you, and putting them in a basket, you shall of Christ. Reading and meditating upon God’s Word is go to the place which the Lord, your God, will choose always a fruitful exercise. Those who regularly delve into for the dwelling place of his name… ‘Therefore, I have Scripture often develop a deeper understanding of who now brought you the first fruits of the products of the God is, how and why He loves us, and how we can show soil which you, O LORD, have given me.’ And having set Him our love in return. them before the LORD, your God, you shall bow down As you strive to become a grateful steward and live in his presence” (Dt 26:1-2, 10). the life of Christian discipleship, develop a love for Sa- St. Paul briefly touches on the essence of stewardship cred Scripture. Allow God’s Word to nourish your soul when he said, “In every way I have shown you that by regularly, and watch as stewardship changes from a for- hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep eign concept to an integral component of your daily life.
6 Charity Walk and Stomp Out Hunger: Coming Together to Serve Others
ere at St. Theresa, Hale Kau Kau plays a big part in serv- Hing the hungry and homebound in South Maui. Founded in 1991, and in collaboration with various other community church- es, the organization provides hot meals 365 days a year, and also delivers meals to the ill and homebound. Hale Kau Kau can’t do this without your help, though – and over the years, the organi- zation has successfully continued their mission through various fundraising activities and events. Through Hale Kau Kau, parish- ioners are able to live out their calling as Catholics to serve those most in need. This month, Hale Kau Kau will be participating in the annu- al Charity Walk, an event that brings together a variety of local charities and organizations. Coordinated by the Hawai’i Visitors Industry, and started in 1974, the Charity Walk is a fun event that allows all ages to come out and support local charity efforts. “It’s a 3.1-mile walk, and takes place in Kahului,” says Nick Safko, Hale Kau Kau Development Director. “It’s a great way for all these organizations to come together and support each other. It’s a way to show solidarity in all the human services offered around Maui and the county, and you also have a lot of opportunities to meet other people from all these different organizations.” Throughout the course, walkers stop at 12 checkpoints, where food and beverages are provided by Hawai’i hotels and allied or- ganizations. Many checkpoints include entertainment, and enter- tainment is also provided at the end of the course. Each year, Hale Kau Kau encourages parishioners to raise funds and to show their spirit by joining them on their walking team. “It’s a pretty cool event because we don’t just raise funds for ourselves – the Hawai’i Visitors Industry also fundraises with us,” Nick says. “After all the nonprofit organizations have raised funds through donations, they will match a percentage of those funds, and give any excess money to various local charities. It really helps to feed the hungry and homebound of the community.” In the fall, Hale Kau Kau will host the Stomp Out Hunger Event, a 5K run and one-mile walk. Each participants’ entry fee will directly benefit the organization’s efforts to feed the hungry. This is an anticipated event each year, and relies on a volunteer base of about 100 people. “These are not your standard fundraisers – they are fun team-building activities,” Nick says. “We welcome all donations, but it’s more about building continued on back cover
7 Saint Theresa Non-Profit Org. Roman Catholic Church U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mailed from Zip Code 58040 Permit No. 3
25 W. Lipoa St. • Kihei, HI 96753 808-879-4844 • www.saint-theresa.com
Charity Walk and Stomp Out Hunger continued from page 7 a solid team and coming out to support the organization. We really want people to be there and show support.” Nick points out that all ages are welcome at these events, and that it’s a great way for the whole family to participate in stewardship. “Both events are definitely family-friendly – you can even bring a stroller if needed,” he says. “It’s also a way to help develop good habits in our kids. We love to be able to reach a younger audience with our pro- gram – a lot of our support staff comes from the older generations, so we really want to find younger supporters who will grow up to be just as vital to us as our older generations, who have supported us for the last 26 years. We want them to be able to see how important Hale Kau Kau is to our community. “It’s not only our social obligation to help the less fortunate, but as a community of believers, it’s our mission to help in any way we can,” he adds. “Jesus calls us to follow in His footsteps in feeding the hungry and taking care of the poor. If we want to strengthen our community, we must put forth our best efforts."
The Charity Walk will take place on Saturday, May 13, and Stomp Out Hunger will take place in early fall. For more information, please call the Hale Kau Kau office at 808-875-8754, or visit their website at www.halekaukau.org.
Mass Schedule Weekdays: 7 a.m. • Saturday: 5:30 p.m. (English), 7 p.m. (Spanish) • Sunday: 7 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m.