LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Beach Resort near Hanama‘ulu was the setting for a priest appreciation dinner June 25, marking the end of the Year for Priests, states a press release. The year was celebrated worldwide, and on Kaua‘i members of
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Beach Resort near Hanama‘ulu was the setting for a priest appreciation dinner June 25, marking the end of the Year for Priests, states a press release.
The year was celebrated worldwide, and on Kaua‘i members of the Kaua‘i Council of Filipino Catholic Clubs hosted the dinner.
Parish priests, deacons and other religious on the island were honored for their “unconditional devotions and dedications in serving the Kaua‘i parishes.”
Honored were the Rev. Rene Bisaillon, St. Raphael’s, Koloa; the Rev. Gus Cheerakatil, St. Raphael; the Rev. Edwin Fontanilla, St. Catherine, Kapa‘a; the Rev. Ron Gagne, St. Theresa, Kekaha; the Rev. Danilo Galang, St. Theresa; the Rev. Bernard Maloney, Immaculate Conception, Lihu‘e; the Rev. Peter Miti, St. Catherine; the Rev. Edison Pamintuan, Holy Cross-Sacred Hearts, Kalaheo-‘Ele‘ele; the Rev. William Shannon, Immaculate Conception; and the Rev. Ramelo Somera, St. Catherine.
The deacon honorees were William Farias (and wife Arlene), Thomas Contrades (and wife Jacquelyn), Manuel Pascua and James Bostick.
Sister Florence Remata was honored for her role as spiritual director of the Immaculate Conception Filipino Catholic Club in Lihu‘e.
Also honored at the event were seminarians and religious visiting the island. They were: Sister Joseph Mary (Diocese of Honolulu), Makana Aiona (Diocese of Honolulu), EJ Resinto (Diocese of Honolulu) and Jeremy Santos (Diocese of Sacramento).
Pamintuan, spiritual director of the Kaua‘i Council of Filipino Catholic Clubs, opened the event with an invocation followed by a meditation hula by 2010 Miss Kaua‘i Filipina Jayna Shaffer.
Santos, a visiting seminarian from California, surprised the audience with his original renditions of gospel “rap” songs.
Asun Valvieja, president of the Kaua‘i Council of Filipino Catholic Clubs, presented certificates of appreciation to the honorees, assisted by Charity Queen Abigail Iloreta.
Remata ended the program with a blessing and prayer for priests, and Allan Villaflor was the master of ceremonies.
