KOLOA — The public is welcome to celebrate the 170th anniversary of St. Raphael’s Church in Koloa from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the church, 3011 Hapa Road. “This is a historic day for us at the church
KOLOA — The public is welcome to celebrate the 170th anniversary of St. Raphael’s Church in Koloa from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the church, 3011 Hapa Road.
“This is a historic day for us at the church and we invite the community to come and join us,” said Shelly Gerardo, secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council, in an email. “St. Raphael’s Church was founded by Father Arsenius Walsh in Koloa on Dec. 25, 1841, the first Catholic church on Kaua‘i and a place of worship for immigrant plantation workers from the Koloa Plantation.”
Gerardo said the celebration is a family event with something for everyone in the family, including delicious food, baked goods, fruits and vegetables, fun games and face painting, water slides and ride by Fun ‘n Kwazy, entertainment, a silent auction and a craft fair.
Food booths will be offered by St. Raphael’s and Holy Cross churches and St. Catherine School’s eighth-grade class.
Their offerings will be joined by the special chili and rice contributed by Chef Ben Takahashi and the culinary crew from The Club at Kukui‘ula as well as beef stew and rice from the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club.
Jonah Cummings, Alberto Genovia and Kauilani are just some of the entertainers on tap for the afternoon of fun and fellowship.
The 5 p.m. Mass for Saturday will be canceled due to the anniversary celebration.
St. Raphael’s Church is led by Father Gus Uthuppu, pastor; Father Rene “Biz” Bisaillon, in residence; Tom Contrades, deacon; and Sister Carol Reichert, parish secretary.
Steve Ruiz is the chair of the Parish Pastoral Council, which includes Emmanuel “Noli” Melchor as vice chair, Gerardo as secretary, James Viado and Troy Kaneshiro.
Adela Fune heads the Youth Ministry program, Allison Carveiro heads Religious Education, Bob Dwinell leads the Finance Committee, Jackie Contrades spearheads the Lectors and Commentators, Lydia Rebugio leads the Eucharistic Ministers and the Filipino Catholic Club, Marina Pascua leads the Liturgy, Millie Curtis takes care of Music Ministry and Young Adults, Ruiz is in charge of Aloha Ministry and Tina Brun leads the Outreach and Social Committee which recently completed and distributed Thanksgiving packages for the needy on Kaua‘i.
Call 742-1955 for more information.
