My role was to present the Catholic view which transcends – or incorporates - these various ethnically different customs. I continue to be very favorably impressed by the service hospice offers. Among other things I urged hospice to advise the families to call for a priest early enough for the patient to receive the sacrament of the sick while relatively alert. Unfortunately, many still consider anointing of the sick the “last rites” and wait until the last minute. Throughout the month of November we remembered the faithful departed, especially those whose names were on our altars. The days moved on and finally on the 10th Father Ray returned renewed and refreshed after a wonderful vacation with his family in California. Unfortunately, that very night he was struck down by a sinus infection that kept him on the bench until just before Thanksgiving. He is now doing well.

The funeral of Charles Iwata brought great numbers to Saint Anthony’s for the vigil and the Mass of Christian Burial. Especially striking was the solidarity of the firefighters of Maui who honored Charles as an admired leader and devoted friend.

Rainbows are common in Hawaii, and at times can be spectacular. Occasionally, too, we have a double rainbow. But no pots of gold. Our parish bazaar, however, did bring in a fair amount of cash for the poor. Moreover, a good time was had by all. The bazaar enables the parish to do something tangible for the poor and at the same time brings many parishioners together in an exciting common project. The ethnic foods attract many, too. My favorite is the Portuguese bean soup. Our cook, Rosa, is ill as is her husband, but her daughter, Maralee, ably pinch hits as often as possible. We never go hungry!

Our only overnight guest for the month was Father Allen DeLong, who represents the Marianist Province on the Saint Anthony School Board. Chaminade University was well publicized as the host school for the Maui Invitational Basketball Tournament which was held just before Thanksgiving.

As November came to a close we celebrated the feast of Christ the King, Thanksgiving Day and the first Sunday of Advent, beginning a new Church year. The mass on Thanksgiving Day featured an offertory procession where representatives of various ethnic groups brought gifts to the altar. One of the men of Portuguese ancestry had an arresting headdress that captured the attention of many. In thanksgiving after communion our liturgical dance group (which Father Ray calls “sacred gesture” to be politically correct) was especially inspiring as the group now includes three generations. Later that day Father Ray and I were guests of the Sisters of Saint Joseph for dinner. The Sisters are living in the former Waiehu Marianist residence which the province is currently leasing to the Sisters.

For Advent this year we have a new symbol: the Christmas Crib is already in place, but empty except for the four Advent candles. The lighting of the Advent candle highlights the beginning of each mass. For the first Sunday of Advent several of the eucharistic ministers and lectors appeared in purple garb.

Meanwhile, our endless summer continues and I see that bumblebees and my favorite insects, the praying mantis, are still frolicking in the park these days. We have had little rain on the plain, but the hills are still carpeted with green. Prematurely the Maui News announced the arrival of our tropical winter when the daytime temperature dropped from 88 to 78! Of course, sweaters and jackets appeared! But most of the time the days are consistently in the mid 80’s.

As I keep in touch with Marianist life throughout the world I learned that one of the great friends of the Marianists, Vicky Tolman, died in California on November 12. Vicky came to know the Marianists in caring for Father Leonard Fee, SM, who as Provincial, and in residence in Santa Cruz, suffered a major stroke. When the Province of the Pacific set up an infirmary in Santa Cruz Vicky joined us as a live-in nurse and caretaker. When the Province built Villa Saint Joseph in Cupertino Vicky moved with the Marianist community and continued her devoted service until retirement.

Although I am living peacefully on Maui I am in contact with many far away. I have just completed my annual project of writing to the Marianist jubilarians all over the world. In their replies memories of our past are sharpened while I am continually updated on Marianist life today.

In this last report of 2004 Father Raymond Malley joins me in offering best wishes for the Christmas Season and the New Year. May it be a peaceful and enriching time.

ST