Chaminade University of Honolulu

Catholic

Students with Hogan Entrepreneurs Program Raise Funds for Marianist School in Puerto Rico

The Oct. 11 kickoff event for this year’s Hogan Entrepreneurs Program at Chaminade University raised funds to assist a Marianist school impacted by Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm that caused catastrophic damage and power outages in Puerto Rico.

2017 Kickoff and Fundraiser

Students from the Hogan program’s 16th class collected more than $1,000 in donations for the school, Colegio San José. Established in 1938, this private institution in Rio Piedras educates boys in grades six through 12.

“Helping a Marianist school in its time of need is truly in keeping with our mission of social responsibility,” said Hogan Director John Webster. “After all, our motto is: Doing business things that make social sense. Doing social things that make business sense.”

The Hogan one- or two-year certificate program cultivates the entrepreneurial spirit in students through activities such as lectures, mentorships and study missions to China and India. The program is open to all Chaminade undergraduates and graduates, regardless of their majors.

Marianists Celebrate 200th Anniversary of Foundation

Members of the Society of Mary (Marianists) marked the 200th anniversary of their religious order’s foundation with an Oct. 2 liturgy at Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in downtown Honolulu. The ceremony also honored the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (Marianist Sisters) for their 201 years of service.

The cathedral, designated as a National Historic Landmark, was an appropriate setting for the bicentennial celebration, in that a Eucharist was held there in 1883 to give thanks for the Marianists’ safe arrival in Hawaii. The brothers and priests went on to staff and administer Saint Louis School on Oahu and St. Anthony School on Maui.

The Marianist family was established two centuries ago as the Roman Catholic Church struggled to rebuild following widespread persecution during the French Revolution.

Venerable Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon formed the Daughters of Mary Immaculate in 1816 in Agen, France, with a mission of caring for the poor.

The following year, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade established the Society of Mary in Bordeaux, France. The original community was comprised of seven young men who desired to “consecrate themselves to God and to Mary by the vows of religion.”

Two hundred years later, Marianists serve in 26 countries on five continents. Embracing education as a means of uplifting society, the Marianists founded the University of Dayton in 1850, St. Mary’s University in San Antonio in 1852, and Chaminade University of Honolulu in 1955.

Chaminade Holding ‘Prayer for Healing and Peace’ Interfaith Service in Wake of Las Vegas Massacre

To bring the Honolulu community together in the wake of the massacre in Las Vegas and natural disasters in Puerto Rico, Florida and Texas, Chaminade University will hold a “Prayer for Healing and Peace” interfaith service. This public event is set for 12:30 p.m. Friday, October 6, in the campus Mystical Rose Oratory.

“We invite everyone who was touched by these tragedies to join us in praying for the many victims and their loved ones,” said Chaminade Vice President for Mission and Rector Bro. Edward Brink, S.M. He described the gathering as “an opportunity for healing, reflection and comfort.”

“Blessed William Joseph Chaminade counseled that  ‘you will find peace for your soul through prayer,’” Bro. Ed pointed out. “Moreover, Bishop Joseph Pepe of Las Vegas reminded us this week to ‘stand together in the face of violence, because we cannot let hate and violence have the last word.’”

The prayer service is presented by Campus Ministry.

Click here for more info.

Bro. Allen Pacquing New Director of Campus Ministry

Bro. Allen Pacquing, S.M.Chaminade University has a new director of Campus Ministry: Bro. Allen Pacquing, S.M. The Kalihi native and Saint Louis School graduate succeeded Danny O’Regan, who held the position since 2012.

Prior to his current role, Bro. Allen served as Chaminade’s Minister of Liturgy and Worship and coordinated the Tutoring Center at the Office of Retention, Advising and Career Preparation.

“I’m honored and excited to lead Campus Ministry,” said Bro. Allen, who took his vows as a Marianist in 2015. “College provides a wonderful opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. Accordingly, our team offers support and guidance to students of all faiths and traditions.”

Bro. Allen previously served as a liturgical ministry assistant at St. Mary’s University (Chaminade’s sister campus in San Antonio, Texas) and as a pastoral associate at Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus in Honolulu. Also in Honolulu, he directed religious education at St. Anthony Church and School and taught religion at Damien Memorial School.

After earning a master’s degree in pastoral ministry at Santa Clara University, Bro. Allen completed additional graduate studies at Washington Theological Union. He also received a bachelor’s degree in justice administration from Hawaii Pacific University.

The mission of Campus Ministry is to intensify Chaminade’s Catholic and Marianist identity throughout the campus community. Activities include religious retreats, liturgies and opportunities for community service.

Holy Land pilgrimage helped future deacons better understand origins of Christianity

“The Holy Land Experience” – a pilgrimage to the sites where Jesus was born, performed miracles, died on the cross and rose from the dead – helped future deacons, their wives and others gain a deeper understanding of Christianity’s origins two millennia ago.

Leading the 11-day trip was Fr. Paul Fitzpatrick, SM, director of Chaminade University’s Master of Pastoral Theology Program, which prepares students for ordination as permanent deacons in the Roman Catholic Church.

Every place the pilgrims visited this past spring is mentioned in Biblical passages the deacons will eventually preach about, Fr. Paul explained.

Sea of Galilee
Sea of Galilee

“Seeing the Sea of Galilee, knowing the distance between Nazareth and Jerusalem, visiting Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean Coast where Paul was judged by Herod Agrippa and sent to Rome, praying on Calvary where Christ died, walking on the Herodian steps coming out of the temple which Jesus would have walked on – all these are indelible memories,” Fr. Paul said. “Every day is filled with experiences like that.”

Deacon candidate Sándor Hernández Morales said traveling with his wife Meali`inani to the Holy Land “forever marked” their lives and faith.

“Never will the Scriptures read the same after experiencing Palestine and Israel in this way,” Morales said. “From the newsletters leading up to the trip, to the daily activities, to the people we have gotten to know, we really felt immersed in the cultures and historical places we visited.”

Masada
Masada

Deacon-in-training Renier “Rey” Torres said the trip enabled him to “contextualize scripture and the geographical landscape of the Holy Lands.”

“One gets a deeper appreciation and sense of understanding the struggle Christians have in that particular region of the world as they continue to live and promote the faith,” Torres said. “Most amazing was the opportunity to witnesses the universality of our church as faithful members from our global community gathered to participate in the same pilgrimage.”

Fr. Martin Solma, SM, who serves as Chancellor on Chaminade’s Board of Regents, said the pilgrimage exceeded all his expectations.

Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem
Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem

“The highlight of the trip for me was the three-hour ‘vigil’ some of us kept in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which houses both the Rock of Calvary and the Tomb of the Lord,” Fr. Martin said. “Spending time alone in both of these very holy places moved me very deeply.

“I was also deeply moved by the faith of so many pilgrims who had come, like we did, to touch the roots of our faith community.”

Tour stops included the Golan Heights, Nazareth, the Dead Sea, Jericho, Masada, the Old City of Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the Mount of Olives.

‘Outstanding Graduate’ in Pastoral Theology Starting End-of-Life Spiritual Care Program

In recognition of his educational achievements, leadership skills and “sincere heart to serve,” Gerald Streff was named the “Outstanding Graduate” in Chaminade University’s Master of Pastoral Theology program.

Streff and five other students graduated from the program this spring.

Gerald StreffStreff, who retired in 2012 after a 39-year career with the U.S. Air Force, will use his academic training to launch an end-of-life spiritual care volunteer program at the Saint Jude Makakilo parish. His initiative addresses growing concerns about caring for seniors in Hawaii, which has one of the highest percentages of elderly residents in America.

“Gary’s academic acumen, his generous desire both to help develop an end-of-life ministry program for the people of his parish, and to serve to emerging concerns of the larger professional health care community of Hawaii have more than qualified him for the graduate award,” according to Father Paul Fitzpatrick, SM, director of the pastoral program.

Streff says Father Paul’s mentorship, friendship and method of teaching “opened me up to God in a way that no one else has ever done.”

“It was Father Paul’s constant challenges that made the Bible and other sacred writings come alive and relevant,” according to Streff. “His personal dedication to God, the Catholic Church and the fulfillment of his Marian mission were very inspirational.”

And although Streff says he “thoroughly enjoyed his military career and its challenges,” now he’s finding pastoral work “much more fulfilling and definitely worth it.”

Chaminade’s Master of Pastoral Theology program is part of the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts. Specialized certificate programs are offered in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction and in Permanent Diaconate Education to prepare for ordination as a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church.