Our celebration of the feast of the Immaculate Conception was a marathon. We had an evening mass on the 7th then the usual 6:30 mass on the 8th, but in the church rather than in the chapel. There were two school masses later, followed by an evening mass. For Marianists, this feast is one of those days when we pray for all those with whom we are in contact – family and friends, students and alumni, associates and benefactors.

The schools and the parish had crowded calendars of pre-Christmas parties and rehearsals and performances. Our church cleaners, decorators and musicians worked hard and well. Besides subbing for our cook, Brother Jim Vorndran added another line to his job description: law enforcement. He confronted a person who had been seen taking things from the donations to the thrift shop. (Donations are left outside the shop overnight) I am sure his towering presence made a lasting impression!

I was in Honolulu early in December to give the Commencement Address for Chaminade University’s graduation. Just as I was preparing to go to Honolulu President Sue Wesselkamper informed me that I would be awarded an honorary doctorate. I attended the Baccalaureate Mass in the Marianist Mystical Rose Chapel on Sunday, December 11 and participated in the graduation festivities at the Blaisdell Center in downtown Honolulu on Monday. Vested in doctoral robes, I began my talk with a thank you to the administration and then shared with the graduates and guests my basic philosophy of life: look back with gratitude, look forward with hope, live fully in the present.

President Sue Wesselkamper was unable to attend this celebration she had so carefully planned because she underwent surgery the morning of the graduation. The good news is that the extensive surgery was entirely successful and she was home from the hospital before Christmas. I was able to visit her the night before the operation and again just before returning to Maui. Her vitality and positive spirits are amazing. In her absence, Brother Bernard Ploeger directed all the activities of Chaminade University in her name – and also faithfully visited her in the hospital and issued regular medical updates on President Sue’s condition.

Before leaving Honolulu I visited Brother Paul Nomi in the hospital. I was surprised to find him so alive and talkative. When I mentioned how well he was remembered by the Marianists in Japan and how the outgoing provincial was hoping to help assure more effective collaboration between the Marianists in Japan and Korea he became very excited and told us that he had been promoting this idea the past fifteen years! That visit was on December 16. Brother Paul died on December 20, just as plans were being finalized to transfer him from the hospital to hospice.

In Honolulu I also saw several alumni and other friends, but the visit was all too short for me to reach all the people with whom I am in contact. I did make my traditional walk to the cemetery where so many old friends are laid to rest. I returned to Maui in time to celebrate my birthday on Sunday, December 18 and to join the staff for a Monday celebration as well. Unfortunately, somewhere between Honolulu and Wailuku I lost my voice. I struggled through the Sunday masses but the Monday morning mass was very silent! Little by little my voice returned. I remember a previous incident in Cupertino when I told Brother Leo Rausch that I was getting better “but I couldn’t sing yet” to which he replied gleefully “Yet?”

Before going to Honolulu I had sent out my latest report via e-mail to all those on my list, only to find later that AOL had blocked some of those attachments. If you didn’t receive my December report, please let me know. On the other hand, if AOL blocks this report, how will we ever know? AOL’s high-handedness reminded me of another offensive action: the cancellation of the religious Christmas Stamp (Lorenzo Monaco’s Madonna) with a cheerful snow man and the words Happy Holidays!

Father Ray and I responded to several hospital calls. Two in particular come to mind: First I anointed an elderly gentleman who I learned was the uncle of Brother Frank Gomes. The next day I was called to the emergency room, but the patient had already expired when I arrived. So I met with the family and prayed with them. They had come to Hawaii for the Christmas Season, attended Christmas mass in Paia, watched whales frolic off the coast at Maalaea Harbor, enjoyed mainland football via TV. What makes this story especially interesting is that the deceased was an air force veteran who had almost died on his first mission. Now, after a long life, he dies unexpectedly on Maui.

At our Christmas masses I prayed for all my family and friends, near and far. And now my wish, hope and prayer for you is that you will have a truly Happy New Year!

ST