On Friday, I attempted to catch a flight to Sacramento on Hawaiian Airlines on a buddy pass for a friends ordination to the priesthood. I checked in, gone through the security line, had some coffee, and arrived at the gate. When I arrived at the gate, I went to look at the standby list that was posted on the counter. To my surprise, I was number 49 on the list for standby and only 13 seats were available. Even though I knew that I wasn't going to make this flight, I waited as each name was being called hoping that the list would get shorter and shorter. At the final boarding call, only two seats were available. The 32nd and 33rd person got those seats... :( I was so sadden that I was going to miss a friends ordination. Determined to get a seat on another flight, I ran to each gate to see if I can join the standby list. I think that every one was flying standby that day. Pheonix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles... All full (of standby passenger)! My heart was even more sorrowful than before because for sure I knew that was not going to make to the ordination...
I called Gloria Butac, a parishioner of the Co-Cathedral, to ask if she come back to the airport to pick me up. She was on her way to a gathering of "morning glories" at the Marianist Beach House with Alan Pacquing. I went with her and the ladies of the 6:30 am daily mass. Instead of crying babies, recycled air, old In-flight movies, and sleepy companions, I was with good company. We forgot to buy charcoal for the grill so we cooked the Kal-bi (BBQ Short Ribs) and BBQ Chicken in the oven. That was the first time cooking these in the oven on a broil. It all worked out and we had a blast.
I was going to back to Waikiki that night but decided to go to my family home so that I could attend morning mass at the Co-Cathedral to welcome our new administrator. Also, the mass coincided with the ordination mass in Sacramento. I was able to pray for the new priest at that mass.
After mass, I joined the ladies in stuffing the monthly parish bulletin in the rectory. This reminded me of the days when I was a youth helping during the summer at Our Lady of the Mount in Kalihi Valley.
Brunch with our new administrator followed. After a short trip to Costco, I headed back to St. Augustine by the Sea in Waikiki.
In the afternoon, I was able to catch the first showing of Alice in Wonderland Jr. performed by students of St. Theresa School. Having been in theatre when I was in middle and high school, this performance was very good. Congratulations to Directress Bernie Gora, Stage Manager Fay Gora, and Box Office Manager Lynette Seto!
No musician showed up to play/sing at the 5pm mass and it was already ten-minutes before the mass was about to start. So, Father Lane put on a monastic alb and started to choose some music for mass. Fr. Lane, Rufina (our sacristan), and I formed a little schola. Singing in the Rector's
Schola Cantorum prepared me for this. At the end of the mass, Fr. Lusius thanked our new choir and the Church cheered with laughter. In the end, it all worked out. After mass, I met a young man from California who was discerning a religious vocation. He enjoyed our singing. It reminded him of Gregorian Chant.
On Sunday morning, I greeted the Provost of the seminary and her husband who were visiting the island. I brought Dr. Morey and her husband to our Damien and Marianne Heritage Center for a tour. Their trip was cut short to only the weekend so we couldn't have a meal together. There will be another opportunity I'm sure.
The homily of Father Lane was a home run. He shared about his recent trip to Tonga with the provincial to open the mission. While he was there, the brothers invited a family to the house to share a meal. In the Tongan culture, the priest usually eat first and then the laity. They never eat at the same table. The family was shocked at how different these Picpus Fathers & Brothers were. On the Solemnity of the Body and Blood, we are reminded that all the faithful are invited to the common table of the Lord.
After the 10 am mass, a young boy came up to me and asked me a question. "What is it like being a seminarian?" I was lost for words. I never really thought about what "its like." When I told him that I lived in the seminary, he asked another question. "You live at a cemetery?" LOL! Sometimes it could be.... Hahaha
My day ended with fellowship and fraternal bonding the Sacred Hearts Fathers. We were celebrating Fr. Lusius' 10th year priestly ordination anniversary and Fr. Yanto's 1st year. Dinner was lovely and the stories that were shared were awesome. Living in this community of Sacred Heart Fathers has been so far a great experience. We do everything in community...There is never a day that goes by without laughter!
Well, that was my weekend experience. Although I didn't make it to Fr. Carlo's Ordination, God had other plans...
I can't wait till the next adventure!
