Molokai History: [from a letter written by Fr. John Van Gils, ss.cc., St. Sophia's Church to Very Rev. Msgr. Marzen, Catholic Herald, Nov. 14, 1964] On Friday evening, Nov. 13th, a dinner was held for our C.C.D. members to honor Mrs. Daphne Foster who for 25 years has been a lay-teacher of religion or commonly [...]
Molokai History: [from Hawaii Catholic Herald, May 20, 1966] The parish of St. Sophia's in Kaunakakai is debt-free and hopes for the day when it will have resident Holy Family Sisters to conduct weekly instruction classes for the children. The parish suffers from the fact that most of the young people leave the island and [...]
Molokai History: [from Hawaii Catholic Herald, May 20, 1966] In 1963, a small catechetical center was built by Father John Van Gils on the right side of St. Sophia's church. He also found it necessary to enlarge the church in 1965. According to Father John, the parish of St. Sophia and its missions of Our [...]
Molokai History: [from Hawaii Catholic Herald, May 20, 1966] In 1937, a new church was built in Kaunakakai to replace the old chapel. Mrs. Sophie Cooke gave the sizeable donation of one thousand dollars. For her generosity, Bishop Stephen Alencastre, SS.CC. blessed the new church on July 4, 1937 and dedicated it to St. Sophia. [...]
Molokai History: [from Hawaii Catholic Herald, May 20, 1966] The unofficial capital of the Friendly Island, Molokai, is Kaunakakai. This simple fact gives St. Sophia's Church in this community a place of importance for all Catholics on the island. There is another fact equally important which gives this parish a place of prominence: its two [...]
Molokai History: [from Bishop Louis Maigret's Journals, 1837-1877, Archives of the Sacred Hearts Fathers, Honolulu] June 30, 1851: "Left around noon for Molokai - Frs. Joachim, Aubert, J.M., the 2 youngsters & I - very turbulent sea - Severino accompanies us on his launch - we arrive at Kumueli (Kamalo) at about 4pm" July 1, [...]
Molokai History: [from a Bulletin from St. Sophia Church in Kaunakakai, no date] The first chapel in Kaunakakai was blessed in January, 1914 by Bishop Libert Boeynams, SS.CC. The property belonged to Moses Burrows and the chapel seated 50 souls. In 1937, a new church was built to replace this chapel. Mrs. Sophie Cooke gave [...]
Molokai History: [from Hawaii Catholic Herald, March 16, 1990] As the plantations [on Molokai] phased out their Molokai operations and families moved away, the membership of St. Theresa Church decreased and staffing presented problems. Finally, in February of 1990, the parishioners, after much deliberation and prayer, agreed to close St. Theresa. They would join the [...]
Molokai History: [from Hawaii Catholic Herald, March 16, 1990] In the transitional years of 1986-88 while the two Molokai parishes of Sacred Heart and St. Sophia were being united, diocesan priests Father Alfred Rebuldela and Father Robert Schwarzhaupt administered the parish. They were followed by Father Victor Lanuevo and Father Marc R. Alexander. St. Theresa [...]
Molokai History: [From Hawaii Catholic Herald, March 3, 1990] Topside refers to the entire island with exception of the isolated Kalaupapa peninsula which juts into the ocean at the base of Molokai's towering north shore cliffs. The home of the settlement for Hansen's disease patients made famous by Father Damien. Kalaupapa is served by St. [...]