Birthday Celebration

What a day of celebration - began with Eucharist at our chapel this morning at 7:00am with parishioners singing "Happy Birthday" after Mass. During the day it was great to hear from family and friends via phone calls, letters, emails and at the parish after our 5:00 p.m Eucharist. Bro. Jim gave me this "flashy golf hat" in honor of my birthday. When I walked into the rectory, I received a surprise from our lay Marianist parishioners. It was a great gathering with lots of local food, especially Filipino food and Hawaiian desserts too along with chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream; so much for Lenten fast on this day. During the day I went up to Iao Valley to spend time walking around the river and reflecting on the gift of life and giving thanks to the Lord for many blessings here in Maui. So grateful for many friends and family who have supported me here at St. Anthony parish. Praise the Lord.

Lay Marianists Maui

Fr. Jerry and Roland - Iao Valley

Blessings and greetings for the New Year; imagine, it has been four months since I've updated my blog since November 20th. Yesterday, on March 20th, the first day of Spring, has been a beautiful day here on Maui. School and parish are doing well and we are experiencing warm and sunny weather here on the Island of Maui. We have had lots of rain and the temperature have been on the cool side, sometimes in the 40's upcountry and high 50's here in Wailuku and Kahului.

Yesterday we had a Marianist gathering at our community/rectory when thirty of our parishioners welcomed Jim and Sue Vogt from Kentucky. They are lay Marianists who have been involved int he Marianist family for 40 years. They gave a presentation on their experiences ministering with our religious Marianists in Kentucky, Cincinnati, Ohio and Michigan. Picture here with Jim Vogt is Carol Guerrero - sitting with Cora and Jovi Dongon, parishioners of St. Anthony parish. They are interested in becoming lay Marianists. We are beginning to develop lay Marianists here at the parish.