Here at Saint Anthony’s we set up the Christmas Crib at the beginning of Advent and placed the Advent Wreath with the four candles in the empty crib to be replaced by the traditional statues before the first mass of Christmas. Steps along the way began with the Feast of Saint Francis Xavier and the Feast of Saint Nicholas, when our Christmas Trees appeared. Most of our trees are brought in from the mainland and quickly purchased. And so we had Christmas decorations in our home and office even before Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is one of the few Holy Days in Hawaii so we scheduled three masses besides two school masses. Our parish bulletin included a copy of Brother John Samaha’s article highlighting the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. In my own comments on the feast I mentioned that as a Marianist, I take great pride in realizing that Blessed William Joseph Chaminade gave special emphasis to Mary’s Immaculate Conception long before it was proclaimed a dogma. I also mentioned that this was one of four special days in the year when Marianists throughout the world pray explicitly for all those whose lives we touch. The prayer I said on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception was a preparation for my prayer at the Christmas masses:

It is my hope and prayer that this Christmas
will bring God's special gifts of great peace and deep joy
to all of us here at Saint Anthony’s Church –
and to all those whose lives we touch, near and far…

Many of our parishioners are sensitive to the liturgical colors so we saw purple most of the month – and even rose for Gaudete Sunday. Red was dominant at Christmas time. Meanwhile, our church was splendidly decorated, thanks to Nona Iwata and Rodney Texeira and their assistants. A giant star over the entrance withstood the December winds and guided many to Church. Outdoors there was little change as the Hawaiian winter is quite mild night and day – but I was surprised when one of the parishioners appeared in a sheepskin lined jacket! Most days were in the 80’s. Giant waves appeared, too, but nothing like the North Shores on Kauai and Oahu – and certainly just a ripple compared to the incredible tsunami that devastated so many Asiatic countries the day after Christmas.

December brought us a steady stream of visitors. Sister Doris Rauenhorst returned for her annual retreat and Mrs. Medsura Raguindin ended the year and began the new year with a few days of prayer and reflection as well. Just before Christmas we had visitors from the General Administration: Brother Javier Anso and Father George Cerniglia and then, just before leaving Hawaii, Father Dave Fleming. In an exchange of e-mails after Christmas Brother Javier said he wasn’t surprised when I told him about the large crowds we had for Christmas, pointing out that Father George’s homilies the week before must have inspired many to come back for Christmas! Brother Javier and Father George were themselves inspired by the beauty of Maui and the warm welcome of our parishioners. Brother Frank Gomes and his brother John joined us for dinner on the 18th. I also had guests from England and Honolulu who came to Maui at Christmas time. As always, with each visit, I learn more about the Magic Isle! I am now a self-proclaimed expert at driving the circle tours around Haleakala and the West Valley Mountains.

We began December with a series of days set aside for confessions for the students from the grade school who are always well prepared. Later in the month we had an evening of reconciliation when seven priests were available to hear confessions. We were also privileged to have the assistance of Father Eugene Keusal, former pastor of Saint Joseph’s, Makawao, for the Feast Days.

Early in December I walked through the neighborhood to check on the Christmas decorations. Later I drove through at night to marvel at the artificial icicles and snowmen, the white trees and the many images of Santa Claus with his reindeer – but I didn’t find a single nativity scene in the area. Across from the post office, however, there was a large and attractive nativity scene.

The history of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet in Hawaii the past sixty-five years has just been published in an attractive volume entitled Aloha Ke Akua (the Love of God) by Sister Kathleen Marie Shields, CSJ. Over 200 Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet have served in Hawaii since 1938. The first Sisters came from the mainland; since 1947 several from Hawaii have joined the community. One of these, Sister Eva Mesina, serves Saint Anthony Parish as Directress of Religious Education.

Among news items for the month I noted that Hawaii ranks first in the nation for “healthy behaviors among senior citizens!” These were identified as: “physically active, not smoking, staying slim, a small number reporting a disability and a low number of physically unhealthy days.” I am happy to be a part of this encouraging statistic!

Father Ray Malley and the Saint Anthony Parish staff join me in sending you hearty greetings for the New Year.

ST