Then came the waiting period as we prayed that the Cardinals be responsive to the Holy Spirit. The news of the election of Pope Benedict XVI came surprisingly quickly, and we realized that the Holy Spirit was not only guiding the Cardinals to select but also ourselves to accept. And now, for the first time in my life, I can say I am older than the Pope!

In the midst of all this, we continued our celebration of the Easter Season, including not only the celebration of the Annunciation, on April 4 (transferred from Good Friday) but also, on April 17, the 150th anniversary of the foundation of Saint Anthony’s Parish. It was also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. At the Annunciation we prayed for all those who touch our lives here and now; at the jubilee mass we also prayed for all those who have gone before us as members of Saint Anthony Church. Father Thomas Gross, Administrator of the Diocese of Honolulu, presided at the celebration of the eucharist. Father Tim Kenney represented our Provincial Administration, and Father Dave Fleming sent greetings from Rome. Deacon Ron Gonsalves, administrator of Saint Ann’s Parish, was homilist. I was the homilist for the other masses that weekend and also at Saint Ann’s in the absence of their parish priest and administrator.

Interestingly, it was the actual date of Father Joseph Priestley’s ordination fifty years ago. Father Priestley had been pastor there for ten years and the parish continues some of the Hawaiian features – especially music – that he promoted so well. I returned to Saint Anthony’s in time to mingle with the crowd and enjoy the parish picnic. Meanwhile, Father Tim used every opportunity he had to sharpen his understanding – and hopefully, appreciation – of Saint Anthony School. He also found time in his busy schedule to meet with Brother Frank Gomes.

In April we remembered two Marianists who had served on Maui: Brother F. Xavier Shultz and Brother Robert Bader. Brother Bob is buried with five other Marianists in Saint Anthony’s cemetery. Brother Xavier journeyed far since leaving Maui, including a sabbatical in Rome and two stops in Cupertino, before finally being laid to rest in San Antonio. We also noted the Birthday of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade on April 8.

Chaminade University flew me over to Honolulu for a day to help prepare the year long fiftieth anniversary celebration which will begin in September. As the only living founder, I was able to reminisce about the early days of the school that began as a two-year college for men and expanded rapidly into a four-year co-ed college.

Spring showers have given way to summer, although I like to think of Maui as “endless summer.” One of the delights in my morning walks is to watch flocks of graceful snow-white egrets finding choice morsels in the freshly cut grass.

As I was drafting this report I received word that Brother Jim Riley died suddenly while attending mass in Cupertino on April 29. For many years Brother Jim found a special ministry as a travel agent, handling both carefully prepared journeys as well as emergency travel. He served many in the Bay Area and was well known for never forgetting anniversaries. From now on we will remember him on the Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena. And I will be forever grateful for all the trips he arranged for me over the years.

The State of Hawaii has the lowest unemployment in the nation. There is a proposal to raise the salary of public school teachers who are among the lowest paid in the nation. I noted a Stanford University study that reveals that 75 percent of Americans use the internet and spend an average of three hours a day online. One of the legends of our parish, Mrs. Eva Vares, has entrusted the Saturday cleaning crews to Sister Eva Mesina, CSJ. Mrs. Eva Vares was one of the faithful parishioners singled out in Deacon Ron’s homily for the 150th anniversary. She does so much so well. On the last day of April I celebrated the Mass of First Holy Communion at Saint Ann’s parish. The little church is always packed for Sunday mass, and there is a closed-circuit TV for those who assist in the parish hall, but this celebration brings together the families and extended families of those who are receiving the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time. The liturgy was very well prepared by the young people themselves and celebrated enthusiastically. The first communicant who sang the intercessions is called Kodi, short for: Kodi Hoku kie kie ona lani Joyo!

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