Buksan ang ating puso at tanggapin
ang napakagandang regalo ng diyos, ang kanyang maawaing anak!
THE PATH TRACED OUT FOR STAR OF THE SEA AND ST. JOSEPH:
To be Stewards of the Gospel is at the very heart of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan for 2016-2020 of the Diocese of Honolulu. This pastoral plan of the diocese is meant to guide and equip the Priests, the Religious and the Laity for the mission of taking the Gosepl of Jesus to those people and places that have not yet embraced our Lord and His ways. It focuses more on reaching out to others who do not yet fully know the saving power of Jesus than just to those who come to church. It is the hope of Bishop Larry Silva, DD, the Local Ordinary, that “like those first missionaries, we can give faithful witness to Jesus.”
A PARISHIONER’S IMPRESSION OF THE S.S.S. RELIGIOUS IN HAWAII:
Prior to the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament arriving at St. Joseph, our church was physically closed. 
Closed off to the community for various reasons like theft and graffiti. However, the first thing the SSS Fathers contributed as the new administrators was to introduce daily adoration to the parishioners. They personally invited people to pray the liturgy of the hours with them. Their witness and love for the Eucharist inspired more and more individuals to join their daily prayer. Even the interest of young people of the parish was piqued when the priests of the Blessed Sacrament invited them to pray. They made time with Jesus a priority, a personal intimate relationship and accessible to others in this community. Everyone is welcome at the Eucharist is the impression our priests give us and that constant, consistent prayer is powerful. — Chrislyn A. Villena, St. Joseph Church Religious Education Coordinator
POLA AND THE DIOCESE OF HONOLULU:
In March 2006, Fr. Jhess Malit (then the Provincial Superior) and the new Bishop of Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva inked a six-year contract between POLA and the Diocese. This was after some SSS personnel underwent a short period of exposure that began in 2004. On April 8, 2006, Fr. Mark was installed as Pastor of the Star of the Sea Parish. These acts formalized POLA’s ministry in the Diocese of Honolulu.
The SSS presence in Hawaii is grace-filled and a blessing. Grace-filled in the sense that there was no effort to open it on the part of POLA but God’s grace through unpredicted turn of events. The seemingly unwelcome arrival became a source of blessing not only for the community but also for the parishioners.
SSS HAWAII COMMUNITY & THE STAR OF THE SEA PARISH:
Star of the Sea Parish Mission Statement
“The mission of the Star of the Sea Parish is to give love, direction and support to all members of
our community as we seek ways to follow Christ in our quest for eternal life. The Parish believes that it must evangelize, exclude none, communicate openly, show compassion and mercy to all, and follow Mary, our Star (HOKU), as she leads us in our mission.”
Brief History
The Star of the Sea Parish (originally called Our Lady Star of the Sea) was established on June 20, 1946 by the Most Rev. James L. Sweeney, bishop of the Diocese of Honolulu during that time. The church was administered by Marist Fathers and Brothers from the beginning until 2004. Its first Marist parish priest was Father Edward H. Donze, and he was assisted by Father John J. Dallas, SM. The last Marist priest assigned there was Fr. John Sullivan.
The Philippine Province of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament took over the administration of the Star of the Sea Parish after the Marists. Fr. Mark del Rosario was installed as its first Sacramentino parish priest. Fr. Francisco de los Reyes, SSS, and Fr. Wilbert Laroga, SSS, are presently the parish priest and parochial vicar respectively.
Sharing of Charism and Mission
The SSS community is sharing its Eucharistic Charism to the Parish of Star of the Sea by the witness of its life. First is the sharing of its prayer life to the parish. For the past more than 10 years (since immersion period) the community has been faithful in celebrating the morning and evening prayer with some of the parishioners (Monday to Saturday). The morning prayer is after the 7:00 a.m. Mass followed by simple Benediction. In the afternoon, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed at 4:00 p.m. followed by evening prayer with solemn Benediction.
SSS HAWAII COMMUNITY & ST. JOSEPH PARISH:
St. Joseph Parish Mission Statement
“Centered on the Word of God and the Eucharist we gather as a Parish
and School community. Together as disciples of Jesus Christ we seek fullness of life. Blessed with diversity of cultures and gifted with the spirit of Aloha, we pledge to become stewards of our time, talent and treasure by sharing our heritage, our faith, and commit ourselves to the full development of our people. With Saint Joseph as our patron we offer our gift of self for the greater glory of God.”
Brief History
St. Joseph Parish has a rich history that can be traced back to the 1800s with the introduction of Christianity in Hilo: The first chapel, which was called Saint Martin de Tours, was built on the bayfront. After almost a decade, this small chapel that was made of pili grass was replaced by a new wooden structure; it was then enlarged after a few years. In 1862, a new larger church was built in the area of Kalakaua Park using stones and rocks collected from royal lands near the Wailuku River. The new church was dedicated to Saint Joseph that same year by Most Rev. Louis Maigret, Bishop of Honolulu.
The influx of Portuguese immigrants In the 1880’s resulted in doubling the number of Catholics in Hilo. Thus, a new, larger church was planned, and construction began in 1917. The church was dedicated at its present location in February 1919.
It was on July 1, 2009 when the Philippine Province of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament began to minister in the parish upon the invitation of Most Rev. Larry Silva, Bishop of Honolulu. Fr. Sammy Loterte was installed as the first Sacramentino parish priest of St. Joseph.
Sharing of Charism and Mission
Ever since the Priests from the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament were assigned to our St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo, for the first time our church has had daily Lauds and Vespers and now we also have the Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament. As a church community, we have grown together in prayer and the love of the Blessed Sacrament is strong and powerful. We also have been nourished and enriched by weekly Faith Formations presented by the Priests. There are so much more to learn and to experience about the Holy Eucharist. It has been an amazing journey these past years. Through the Grace of God we hope to continue the Church’s mission and to be able to do the work of Christ and to deepen our faith. We have been and are truly blessed to have the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament at our church. We are growing and are much more alive and excited and spirit-filled. Praise God!!! Thank You to the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. — Laureen Salboro, Coordinator of the Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Joseph
LAY PARTICIPATION IN OUR PARISHES IN HAWAII:
The two SSS parishes in Hawaii are blessed with many parishioners who are zealous to participate in their Liturgical 
and Parochial ministries. They have many lay volunteers who spontaneously initiate and carry out their responsibilities well.
SCHOOL MINISTRY:
Adding to the parochial responsibilities of our community in Hawaii, both parishes of Star of the Sea and St. Joseph run schools. The Star of the Sea has an Early Learning Center and an Elementary school, while St. Joseph has Elementary and High schools (the only Catholic schools in the ‘Big Island,’ one of the islands of Hawaii).
NURSING HOME MINISTRY:
The two SSS parishes are engaged in Nursing Home ministry. In Star of the Sea, the nursing home ministry is carried
out at Káhala Nui, which is a continuing care retirement community in Honolulu, Hawaii. Káhala Nui offers its residents, who are senior citizens, a beautiful community to live out their golden years.
YOUTH MINISTRY:
The Star of the Sea Parish and Middle School are joining forces to create a unique Youth Ministry in the parish. The focus of this collaborative effort is to coordinate a multi-faceted program that centers on family-oriented experiences like gathering for service and liturgy in the Parish, providing wholesome social gatherings with family involvement and many more. Likewise, the youth of St. Joseph parish in Hilo are very active in formation and church activities. They are being facilitated by Chrislyn A. Villena, Youth/Young Adult Minister.
LITURGY OF THE WORD FOR CHILDREN:
The two SSS parishes in Hawaii practice Liturgy of the Word for Children, which evolved in the spirit of Vatican II’s
call for more participation in the liturgy by everyone, including children.
It works this way: At Mass, when it is time for the Liturgy of the Word, children ages three to ten leave the main Assembly and are ushered to a designated area where a separate Liturgy of the Word is celebrated that is more appropriate for their level of understanding. In this way, the children learn to better understand the meaning of the Word. At the end of the session, they return to the main Assembly for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
RESIDENT PRIEST – FR. BOB STARK, SSS:
There are also two American SSS religious who are very active in doing ministry in the Diocese of Honolulu. The two are even part of the present Provincial Council of the Saint Ann Province. They are Frs. John Keenan and Bob Stark. Fr. Bob was once a Retreat Master of POLA and more significantly, he was one of the pioneers in the opening of the first SSS presence in Hawaii since it was then a joint project of Saint Ann and POLA. Fr. Bob is also doing special ministry in the Diocese of Honolulu as the diocesan director of the Office for Social Ministry.
Fr. Bob and I had a chance to talk only a day before my departure as we both had hectic schedules. He was happy to tell me the good things our religious are doing in Hawaii. From his sharing I got the impression that the bishop, the priests and the laity of the Diocese are satisfied with our sharing of our Eucharistic charism in the context of parish ministry (which includes schools and hospitals/nursing homes). He also volunteered some tips on how to better our presence especially in being open with our communication with the bishop.
The collaboration between the Provinces should countinue; however, it must be raised to some level of professionalism and not be focused on the help being extended and the possible compensation that goes with it. The two Provinces must determine their respective needs and how these could possibly be addressed. Then the two Provinces can engage in dialogue. For instance, if we see in our Province the need for further education of our religious, then the American Province can support the idea by welcoming the religious. In return, while taking some updating, the religious will be helping in the pastoral ministry of the former. After the study the religious will come back to share his acquired skills to the Province.
DEACON FERNANDO ONA, MD – PERMANENT DEACON:
Deacon Fernando Ona currently serves as deacon at the Star of the Sea Parish. His previous diaconal parish assignments were at St. Helen and at St. Catherine of Siena, which are also in New York.
Deacon Ona was born in the Philippines. In 1974, he settled in Rochester, New York, where he taught at the University of Rochester; he also served as a gastroenterology specialist at St. Mary’s Hospital. He earned an honorary doctorate from Nazareth College in 1984. He is married and has two children.
Deacon Ona has been involved in a number of causes such as establishing a home for the dying for the poor and founding of clinics. He is involved in justice-and-peace efforts at his current parish assignment. He has remained active in developing health ministry to the poor in Hawaii, and also works closely with a free clinic he established in the Philippines nearly 20 years ago that serves numerous villages.
WORDS OF THANKS AND COMMENDATION:
I thank God for allowing me to visit our community in Hawaii. I very much appreciate the following:
- The good commendation I heard from Bishop Larry about the past and present religious that have stayed in
Hawaii. - The appreciation of people not only about the individual gifts of our religious but more so of the gift of Eucharistic Spirituality/Mission as lived and taught by Saint Peter Julian Eymard which our Sacramentino brothers are sharing to them.
- In particular, I laud their faithfulness to Adoration, Morning & Evening Prayer and availability for Confessions.
- Availability to respond to the needs of the parishioners and even in other parishes especially when there is no priest available.
- There are many challenges in our parochial ministry in the Diocese of Honolulu but I know the Lord will continue to sustain our missionary religious for them to continue to bring out the best for the mission of Eucharistifying the parishes entrusted to them.
Salamat mga kapatid, Frs. Sammy, Frankie, Wilbert (Bobit), Pat and Bro. Buddy (Bobby)!
PRAYERS FOR:
BIRTHDAY
December 03(1966) – Fr. Rene M. Esoy, SSS (Dublin, Ireland)
December 05(1953) – Fr. Jhess M. Malit, SSS (Sta. Cruz)
December 06(1979) – Fr. Adrian O. Ladines, SSS (Tacloban)
December 08(1948) – Bp. Sofronio A. Bancud, SSS, DD (Diocese of Cabanatuan)
December 08(1977) – Br. Throy M. Fuentebella, SSS (EFC)
December 16(1975) – Br. Alde O. Bureros, SSS (EFC)
December 25(1990) – Br. Emmanuel Pinto Kigwange, SSS (Uganda)
December 26(1965) – Br. Reynaldo G. Acabado, SSS (Panal)
December 27(1970) – Br. Ferdinand S. Tomo, SSS (Davao)
December 29(1932) – Fr. Conrad P. Goulet, SSS (Panal)
December 29(1986) – Br. Renoir Z. Oliver, Jr., SSS (EFC)
ANNIVERSARIES
Ordination
December 01(2001) – Fr. Joel R. Lasutaz, SSS (CDO)
December 05(1992) – Fr. Francis B. Ong, SSS
December 06(2008) – Fr. Adrian O. Ladines, SSS (Tacloban)
December 09(2006) – Fr. Hermogenes F. Garcia, SSS (Davao)
December 15(1992) – Fr. Alfred T. Yap, SSS (Australia)
December 20(1997) – Fr. Robin B. Custodio, SSS (Sta. Cruz)
Profession
December 09(1972) – Bp. Sofronio A. Bancud, SSS, DD
December 12(1998) – Br. Reno P. Intong, SSS (Provincialate)
Canonical Erection
December 08(2014) – MAPANDAN Community
December 09(1995) – CDO Community
December 09(1995) – TACLOBAN Community
December 25(1955) – SSS-Philippines
Death
December 24(1997) – Br. Rogelio F. Arroyo, SSS (Holy Cross Cemetery)
Fr. Joseph Matitu, SSS