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. [...]
Molokai History: [from Hawaii Catholic Herald, March 16, 1990] In 1945, Father Systermans, SS.CC. moved the parish hall from the Sacred Heart church grounds in Hoolehua to Kualapuu for the community's liturgies. He named the new church in honor of St. Theresa, the Little Flower of Jesus. Father Jules Verhaeghe, SS.CC., blessed the church on [...]
Molokai History: [From "Father Damien's Letters", Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, SS.CC., Rome, 2017] From a letter from Fr. Damien to Father Modeste Favens, SS.CC., Kalawao, April 3, 1879: My Reverend Father, Not having a penny of revenue and having paid what was due for the "kuleana" of Halawa [land purchased for St. Ann's chapel [...]
Peace to all during this Advent Season, a season of expectation and high hopes, especially for an end to the pandemic! Have you ever cried out in the desert? Well, John the Baptist did. But, for a change. A change in the world. A change in the world that was coming. This Advent season [...]
Peace to all as we enter the first week of Advent in anticipation of things to come! "A voice of one crying out in the desert" "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" These two lines stood out for me from next Sunday's Gospel. They are words of need, hope and faith in God. [...]
Molokai History: (From "Father Damien's Letters", Congregation of the Sacred Hearts SS.CC., Rome, 2017) From a letter from Father Damien to Mr. Rudolph W. Meyer from Kalawao, March 20, 1877: Dear Sir, Father Andre wishes me to go up today to your place and help you survey the Kaunakakai and Halava church lots. Trusting to [...]