by Edwin Quinabo
St. George Parish in Waimanalo, its consecrated leaders and parishioners are counting their blessings as they celebrate the church’s 70th anniversary.
Just weeks ago, St. George’s newly formed Filipino Catholic Ministry (FCM) launched its First Grand Santacruzan in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as a part of the year-long anniversary festivities which started in January 2024 with the Celebration of the Eucharist by the Bishop of Honolulu Larry Silva.
The celebrations will continue with events to culminate on December 15, 2024, with the Celebration of the Eucharist and Appreciation Dinner for all volunteers, said Rev. Fr. Raymund Ellorin, Pastor of St. George Parish.
Fr. Ellorin, originally from Ilocos Sur, Philippines and Pastor of St. George since 2017, said the 70th Anniversary is a time to remember, celebrate and believe in God. He said St. George Parish was established in December 1954 by Bishop James Sweeney who appointed Fr. Eugene Morin, SS.CC., as the first Pastor.
Fr. Ellorin thanked all parishioners who became part of this parish community over the years. He said to show “our sincere gratitude and recognition, we dedicated a space in our gathering hall for their [priests of St George] collective photo as a tribute to their services. It’s a special time to thank all the priests that served in St. George — Fr. Martial Jan, Fr. Patrick Logan, Fr. Eugene Morin, Fr. Mark Consalvi, Fr. Charles Kaleikoa, Fr. Henry Sabog, Msgr. William Mattimore, Fr. Alfred Rebuldela, Fr. Michael Scully, Fr. Robert Maher, Msgr. Romeo Nietes, and Fr. Scott Bush,” said Fr. Ellorin.
St. George Parish — located at 41 1323 Kalanianaole Highway – is in the beautiful and lush Waimanalo town on Windward Oahu. It showcases several gardens open to parishioners and visitors anytime, said Olivia Lessary, Program Committee member of the FCM and a parishioner at St. George for over 25 years.
An aesthetic gem to its surrounding, St. George utilizes Hawaii’s natural resources. The front façade of the church was constructed of black lava rock; the sanctuary wall was constructed of white limestone. A new bell tower was constructed in 1981.The bell was discovered in a storage under the parish hall (the old church) and is believed to be the bell which was imported from France in 1870. In 1983, a small grotto and water fountain dedicated to the Blessed Virgin was constructed at the front of the church by members of the parish’s Filipino Catholic Club.
Dr. Alfie Riveral, head of the PR & Documentation Committee of the FCM and a member of the FCM Program Committee, said “The church and grounds are well-kept. A prayerful life is encouraged with a serene Meditation Garden, Guardian Angel Garden, and Mama Mary Garden. Waimanalo town is in the foothills of the Ko’olau mountain and is known for its pleasant climate for growing plants. St George Waimanalo definitely has a pleasant climate for spiritual growth.”
Prior to Bishop Sweeney’s proclamation recognizing St. George in 1954, Catholics of Waimanalo attended one of the first chapels on Oahu’s windward side as far back as 1842. The chapel’s parishioners were among the first of what would later become through some of their descendants St. George’s Catholic community. Back then, the chapel was visited by a priest from nearby St. Ann in Kaneohe to administer the sacraments.
Many of parishioners of the chapel then (which was torn down in the 1930s) were labor workers imported from the Philippines and Portugal employed by the Waimanalo Sugar Company. The new church completed in 1933 was dedicated to St. George in appreciation of the plantation manager’s help in acquiring the donated land where the current parish sits. St. George is the patron saint of England, an early Christian martyr during the Middle Ages known for his valor and selflessness.
In the early years St. George was attached as a mission to St. Anthony Parish in the neighboring town of Kailua. The administration of the parish was turned over from the Sacred Hearts Fathers to the Diocese of Honolulu in 1985.
Lessary said, “St. George’s environment is very pleasant, and the ambiance will give you peace of mind. I was born and raised Catholic in the Philippines and attended a Catholic school there. St. George parishioners are very welcoming which helped me a lot in my spiritual health for which I am grateful.”
Manny and Nonie Valmoja also have been going to St. George for over 25 years. They attend the parish with their children. The couple have been appointed as the Head of the Liturgical Committee of the FCM. “St. George is special to our family. This is where we praise and worship God. St. George will always be our church and our community. We were born into the Catholic Church. Attending St. George and listening to the Word of God, strengthens our Catholic faith.”
Geraldine Durango, FCM assistant treasurer, has been attending St. George for 38 years. A member of the choir, Durgango said “St. George is special to me because it is where my children were baptized, went to Catholic school, received First Communion and Confirmation. Attending St. George has strengthened my faith by having a supportive congregation.”
Filipino Catholic Ministries, the Filipino Ministry and Filipino Catholic Clubs
Like most Catholic parishes, under the leadership of the parish priest, the heart of the parish is comprised of various ministries like lectors, choir, Holy Communion, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), youth, outreach and community services.
With a large contingent of Filipino congregants, there is also typically a Filipino Catholic Ministry or a Filipino Catholic Club in many parishes across the state of Hawaii. The two could be separate entities or synonymous in their function within a parish.
In 1949, Msgr. Osmundo Calip, from Nueva Segovia, Philippines was sent to Hawaii to do mission work. He is credited with establishing the Filipino Catholic Clubs (some now under the Diocesan Congress of Filipino Catholic Clubs), which remains an influential force providing for the spiritual and social needs of Filipinos throughout the state.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu in the 1980s created a Filipino ministry under the Office for Ethnic Ministries headed by the late Maryknoll Sister Grace Dorothy Lim, who was from Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. The Filipino ministry of the Honolulu Diocese – distinct from parish FCMs which functions as Filipino Catholic Clubs – assists in getting Philippines-based priests to serve in local Hawaii parishes. Today, more than half of the active priests serving in the Honolulu Diocese are from the Philippines. The Diocese comprises of 66 parishes and 23 mission churches ministering to Catholics across six islands.
St. George’s Filipino Catholic Ministry
St. George’s FCM was established on September 10, 2023. Fr. Ellorin, who serves as St. George’s FCM’s spiritual director, said the newly formed Filipino Catholic Ministry in St. George is a big help to the parish. “Each member is active in different ministries at our church. The parish is thriving because of their presence and untiring energy to keep things moving and accomplish goals.”
Rebecca Cadizal Fuller, president of the FCM of St. George said FCM was created by the many active Filipino parishioners from Waimanalo, and neighboring town communities such as Kailua and Kaneohe. She said the mission of FCM is “to promote camaraderie and cohesive relationship among Filipinos and to keep the values and cultures bequeathed to us by our home country, the Philippines.”
While the FCM of St. George is new, Cadizal Fuller asserts their members are active and have already spearheaded several events. “We participated in the Sinulog Celebration or Feast of St. Niño in January 2023, even before we officially formed the FCM. When FCM was formed, we did Filipino Food Bazaar and Christmas Caroling to fund our costumes and props for the 2024 Sinulog presentation. The latest of the FCM activity is the First Grand Santacruzan of St. George Parish in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“I joined the Filipino Catholic Ministry to enrich my Catholic Faith and to also fulfill the FCM’s desire to help not only the members of our community but to extend help, if possible, to those who are in need in our home country [Philippines],” Cadizal Fuller said.
She said while the FCM of St. George is new, there are many established Filipino Ministries in Hawaii. “They have been around for years, providing charity works and various services to many people. They sponsor big fundraising events, too.”
Dr. Riveral, FCM member was the Narrator of the Reyna (Queen’s) title for the recent Santacruzan. She was born into the Catholic faith and attended Catholic schools from grade school to her postgraduate studies and was very active in the student Catholic and Christian renewal ministry. “Since moving to Hawaii 20 years ago, I had a deep longing to play an active part of a church ministry. Only after attending St George Parish, did I feel the true sense of belonging.”
She said, “the FCM’s officers and members made me feel like I had known them for a very long time. The camaraderie, teamwork and friendship shared by everyone make our project tasks and assigned chores simple and effortless. All are friends and equals, there’s no hierarchy, no politics, just like the example of Jesus’ apostles. Fr. Raymund’s homilies are easy to understand and provide a practical guide to living the gospel in our daily lives,” Dr. Riveral said.
She mentions some of FCM’s activities include annual devotions to the Sto. Nino [baby Jesus] with Sinulog [Sto. Nino} festival, San Lorenzo Ruiz with Filipino Fiesta, May flower devotion to the Blessed mother, as well as weekly devotion to the Divine Mercy [God’s love].
Grace Gohol, treasurer of FCM St. George and member of the Parish’s Music Ministry, credits Fr. Ellorin for introducing to the Parish the values of Filipino Catholic traditions — Sto Niño Sinulog Festival, San Lorenzo Ruiz Feast Day, and Santacruzan or Flores de Mayo.
Gohol is an immigrant from the Philippines like many who are members of FCM. She said her parents raised her family to be strong believers in God. “My faith and spirituality as a Catholic that was molded in the Philippines continue to grow along with my husband and my children. My service as a choir member as well as my daughter as one of the lectors strengthened our family’s faith and relationship to God.”
Dennis Escalante, Vice-President of the FCM of St. George is also an immigrant from the Philippines. He attributes a personal miracle as the reason for his active membership to FCM and St. George Parish.
He explains, “I have strong devotion to San Lorenzo Ruiz [first Filipino saint], and we are fortunate that a memorial stone of San Lorenzo Ruiz along with the first-degree relics of St. George and St. Damien were installed in this church. A Novena and Feast Day of San Lorenzo Ruiz is held on the month of September. When my family and I started the service honoring and praying the Novena to San Lorenzo Ruiz, what I have been praying for a long time has come true, my son Lawrence was born. San Lorenzo Ruiz gave me a miracle,” Escalante said. “Since then, my faith has become much deeper. My son is one of the altar servers at St. George wherein I am a volunteer, too. Our devotions to San Lorenzo Ruiz helped deepen our Catholic faith.”
St. George Parish’s First Grand Santacruzan, May Flower Celebration
St. George Parish held its first Grand Santacruzan, May Flower Celebration in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary on May 31.
The Santa Cruz de Mayo or Santacruzan is a religious celebration and processional pageantry which honors the Virgin Mary. It’s a popular tradition in the Philippines that’s held in May. This event is rich in history, religion, and features a beautiful parade. The event involves ladies parading in gowns, and oftentimes, with an escort and a decorated arch being carried over their heads. It’s a Filipino Catholic tradition that commemorates and retells the story of Queen Helena or Reyna Helena, mother of Constantine the Great who found the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. Each participant of the Santacruzan is assigned to represent a Biblical character or trait such as peace or truth.
The virtues associated with the Santacruzan are hope, faith and charity, according to the Philippine Heritage Society. The actual parade of the Santacruzan is also a way for the younger generation to be evangelized and carry on the Philippines’ Catholic religious roots and heritage. Filipino Catholics across the globe celebrate the Santacruzan.
Rachel Pascual, guest Santacruzan Queen from another Parish, represented Reyna Verdad (Truth) and was escorted by her husband Ferdinand Pascual. She said, “We were so blessed to have been invited to be a part of this Santacruzan. It was a privilege for us to offer flowers to our Blessed Mother. We were also joined by our friends Mr. and Mrs. Remar Aquino.
“Words can’t explain how blessed I felt when Fr. Raymond asked me to be one of the Queens. It was such a grace-filled Santacruzan organized by the St. George ladies led by Fr. Raymund. Rhoda and Dr. Alfie gave insightful reflections on the event itself. I was amazed at the organization of these ladies.”
Rachel elaborates, “All the Queens were given a sash and tiara for our participation. It was a fun-filled night with photo-op by Miguel, and lots of homemade food. We had a special place near the altar with sound system and the usherettes, Morie, Grace and Clifford walked us through the program. We then realized there were gifts given to each of us. Fr. Raymund was wonderful as he gave touching reflections and explanations of each Queen.”
Gezela Aquino, guest Santacruzan Queen from another Parish, represented Reyna De La Paz (Peace) and was escorted by her husband Remar Aquino. “My husband and I were so grateful to join the Santacruzan and to offer flowers to our Blessed Mother. Being chosen to be Reyna de la Paz (Queen of Peace) I will, along with my husband, continue to pray for world peace and share our love, peace, and joy with everyone. Through the Cross that Queen Helena found, we [Catholics] should continue to practice and show everyone our Catholic Faith.” To most Christians, the cross is more than the near-universal symbol that carries the message of love, finality, but the fulfilled promise of Christ’s sacrifice for mankind’s sins.
Gezela said the year-round anniversary celebrations of St. George – from Bishop Silva’s opening Eucharistic Celebration in January to February’s honoring of married couples to Mother’s Day Celebration and the Santacruzan in May – have strengthened their faith and relationship with God.
What makes St. George Parish special
Gohol said St. George is special because it’s a welcoming community where they build a close relationship like one happy family. She is impressed with the programs and services like religious education, charitable activities and community services. “We have social gatherings and fellowship that help us to develop and build our confidence so that we can share our individual talents of speech and singing. I admire most the leadership of our current Pastor Fr. Ellorin. He is very approachable and open to new ideas.”
Mercy Morgia, head of FCM Food Committee, had been going to St. George since 1992. She also finds a special quality in the congregates’ welcoming nature. “You have that feeling of being at home like in the Philippines. My Catholic faith is very strong as a rock. The congregation here helps strengthen my faith because the people are nice, religious and filled with the aloha spirit.”
Fr. Ellorin expressed thankfulness for his parishioners and looks forward to the rest of this anniversary year. “St. George parishioners are simple, humble, and peace-loving. They are generous in sharing their time, treasure, and talent for the growth of the parish,” he said.
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