Summer Assignment: St. Augustine by the Sea in Waikiki

Wow!  A year of theological studies have gone by.  This first year was a fruitful one in all pillars of formation (Spiritual, Academic, Human, Pastoral).  Towards the end of the school year, I received my summer parish assignment from Fr. Pascual Abaya, my Vocation Director.  I was very excited for my first parish assignment.  When he told me what my assignment was, I was exuberantly joyful. 

My assignment:  St. Augustine by the Sea in Waikiki

On Pentecost Weekend, I was introduced to the parishioners at all the masses by Fr. Lane Akiona, SSCC.  I was welcomed with such warm Aloha.  Even though I am a diocesan seminarian, I immediately fit into the community of Sacred Heart Priests.  The hospitality and fraternity between the priests here is genuine and strong.  

I know that this assignment will be filled with many adventures.  This is truly a Hale Pule (House of Prayer) for those who come to visit our Islands.  On that first weekend, I have met people from all around the world. 

This was just the first weekend and I can't wait for what this summer has in store for me.

St. Patrick's Seminary & University

Summer came and went this year.  My last summer as a philosophy student was spent working at the Diocesan Office of Worship and McDonald's at Kam Shopping Center.  I had a blast moving the office to the downtown chancery.  Having the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace just there was a joy.  I spent many break periods in the church. 

 

 

I arrived at St. Patrick's Seminary & University for the Theologate program of my formation on Sunday, August 19.  Established in 1898, St. Patrick's Seminary & University was founded by priests of the Society of St. Sulpice (Sulpicians) and is still staffed by them.  When I arrived, I was greeted by the orientation team and was helped by seminarians to my room.  Unlike my first experience at Mount Angel Seminary, the water ran clear (see earlier blog entry Aug. 2009). 

 

Orientation begins this week and school starts next week.  I look forward to theological studies, meeting new people, and having new experiences.  Please continue to pray for me as I start this part of formation and know that you are in mines as well.  God bless!

 



Graduation from Mount Angel Seminary

Graduation has come and gone.  Three years ago, I left my career & job, my friends, and my family to pursuit a priestly vocation.  These past three years has been such a roller coaster ride but it was and still is through God's grace that I am not afraid.  Christ's call to "Be not afraid" keeps me going on this path.  Please pray for me as I continue to on the journey to the ordained priesthood...

East Triduum 2012

I spent my Holy Triduum in Raton, New Mexico at St. Patrick's-St. Joseph's Parish with a priest friend of mine.  I was able to help with the different liturgies of the triduum.  The Mass of the Lord's Supper was very inspiring for me.  At Mass, I reflected on the two institutions of Christ on that night.  The two are the institution of the priesthood and the institution of the Eucharist.  

(Aside)

As I am on the threshold between Philosophical and Theological Studies, there are a whole lot of emotions that I am feeling.  I am feeling sad that I will be moving away from Mount Angel. Oregon has become home for me these last three years.  I will definitely miss Mount Angel, Oregon.  I also feel very happy that I will begin graduate school studying Theology.  I will be moving to the city once again. 

The Good Friday service was moving.  The cross that we used for the veneration was the cross that was carried on pilgrimage by parishioners to the Sanctuario in New Mexico.  Friday morning I had to take off all the intentions that were nailed to the cross.  In the evening at 5pm, we prayed the Stations of the Cross at the cemetery.  Each station was prayed at a different grave of parishioners.  

Holy Saturday was full of events.  All day father and I ran through the Roman Missal making sure the Easter Vigil will run smoothly.  We had one baptism and six confirmation with first communion that night.  The mass lasted for three hours.  

On Easter Sunday, we had a marathon of masses.  We had two morning masses and then we had to drive thirty miles to another town in our vestments to celebrate another mass.  Our Easter meal was burgers and fries.   By that time, I was so pooped.  When we got home, I took a nap of fours hours.  

Today, Easter Monday, has been a whole day of rest.  I read more pages of a book I am reading "The Future Church" by John Allen.  

I will be flying back to Portland, Oregon tomorrow from Denver, Colorado.  These last few days has been busy but also prayerful.  I can't wait to be back at the seminary to finish my last few weeks and to start packing...

Mid-Semester Theological Reflection

Last week, I completed my Capstone Defense Presentation.  The culmination of all my study here at Mount Angel Seminary flashed before me.  The title of my senior thesis is "Theosis and Liturgy:  A Historical Study of Deification to Understand the Transformative Power of Roman Catholic Liturgy."  This Eastern Theology has expanded my understanding of Liturgy.  I first heard about the notion of Theosis when I attended a two-week retreat/conference called "Renewing Liturgy, Renewing Life," led by Sister Joyce Ann Zimmerman & Sister Kathleen Harmon from Dayton, OH, a few years ago.

In this paper, I give a historical background to the notion of theosis.  I hope to expand this paper into a Master's Thesis in the future.  I have about 49 days till graduation, and I still have a lot of work to do.  I pray that all the seminarians persevere in these last days of classes and all will be able to show forth what they learned.