January 23rd marked a very special day in our diocese for the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, and two newly incardinated priests to our diocese. But, who was the predecessor, "Smitten by Love" that gathered everyone together? It was Blessed Mother Marianne of Molokai.
In 1838, Bl. Mother Marianne Cope was born on Jan. 23rd. The Church thus chose this day to celebrate as her feast day. And, celebrate we did, as a few hundred faithful gathered in Our Lady of Peace Cathedral to honor and take example from her life. Bishop Larry Silva, in his homily said: "What caused Peter, James, John and Andrew to drop their nets and leave everything to follow Jesus? They were smitten by love. Mother Marianne, smitten by love, left everything behind in Syracuse, New York, to offer her life in service of the outcast of Hawai'i-- our lepers."
The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities carry on that faith-filled love through their service in the islands through education, St. Francis Healthcare Systems, outreach, pastoral work, prayer ministry and other "smitten by love" ways.
We also welcome and thank, Fr. Mario Raquepo and Fr. Pascual Agbaya for their commitment to leave behind their own dioceses in the Philippines, to serve in our diocese, in our neighborhoods here.
Contributor: LARC Exec. Committee
