FATHER JOSEPH ENGLISH LAYS HIS MOTHER TO REST

Father Joseph (right) with Archbishop Apuron (left)

Lourdes Crisostomo English was, for almost her entire life, a techa, or traditional prayer leader, at Saint Jude Thaddeus parish in Sinajana, Guam.  Seven days a week, she lead the people in praying the rosary and other devotions before Mass and at special events in the parish.

As techa, she also lead the rosary for hundreds, if not thousands, of families during the traditional nine nights of public rosary each time there was a death in their family, and also lead the praying of novenas in the church and in the home for many families.

Today, her son, Father Joseph, Vice Provincial of the Capuchins in Guam and Hawaii, celebrated and preached at her funeral Mass.  Presiding was Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron, OFM Cap, DD.  Many friars and other clergy were also on hand.

Giving the eulogy before Mass, former US Congressman and the current President of the University of Guam, Dr. Robert Underwood, recalled growing up as a youngster under the shadow of Lourdes.  Lourdes would take care of some children during working hours and even take in some children when they were in need of shelter.

Father Joe listening to the eulogy before Mass.

 

Archbishop Apuron blesses the casket before the procession to the cemetery.

JUBILEE HOMILY

Father Michel began by quoting Pope Francis' words that the shepherd (priests) must "smell like the sheep."

JUBILEE DINNER

Our Jubilee Dinner was preceded by the presentation of a legislative commendation by some of our island's senators, some of whom were students or parishioners of our two jubilarians.

While friars, clergy and people were gathering for the Jubilee Mass, our hard-working porters and volunteers were busy preparing the hall for the dinner.

JUBILEE MASS

On Thursday, January 16, 2014, the Capuchin friars joined many of the faithful, religious and other clergy to celebrate the fiftieth priestly anniversary or jubilee of Fathers Gordon Combs and George Maddock.  The Mass was celebrated at Santa Teresita Church in Mangilao.

His Excellency, Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron, OFM Cap, DD, presided while Fr Gordon was principal celebrant

Fr Michel Dalton, OFM Cap was homilist

Fr Andre Eduvala, OFM Cap (first on right) was MC

Concelebrants

Our temporarily professed friars and postulants formed the choir under the direction of Fr Felixberto Leon Guerrero, OFM Cap

THE FAITHFUL

OUR JUBILARIANS : FRS GEORGE AND GORDON

Frs George Maddock (left) and Gordon Combs (right)

Fifty years ago, two Capuchin friars, George Maddock and Gordon Combs were ordained on the same day, at the same ceremony, by the same bishop, Bishop Ferns, one of the auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of New York.

What makes this jubilee more special is that Frs George and Gordon were classmates since high school, beginning in 1951.  From that time on, they were always in the same high school class, novitiate class and seminary class.

After ordination, their paths diverged for a while.  Fr Gordon became a missionary in Okinawa, Japan, where he learned to speak fluent Japanese.  On the other hand, Fr George eventually came to Guam with the primary mission of forming a local clergy.  To that end, he began teaching at Fr Duenas Memorial School, which was founded as a minor seminary, though it also had day students.

Fr George eventually became principal of the school and rector of the minor seminary.  He then went on to take his first parish assignment as a pastor in Saint Francis parish, Yona.

Eventually their paths converged again as Fr Gordon transferred from Okinawa to Guam, where he served many years as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Yigo and Mt Carmel parish in Agat.  Fr George also served as Superior Regular and in formation work for the community.  Both priests served at various times on the fraternity Council advising the Vice Provincial.

Both Fr George and Fr Gordon then served in Hawaii.  While Fr George worked as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish (Ewa Beach) - the first Capuchin parish in Hawaii - and then at St  Elizabeth parish in Aiea, Fr Gordon took on the ministry of hospital chaplain at St Francis-West Hospital.   Fr George also did formation work in Hawaii and Fr Gordon assisted at St Elizabeth in Aiea.

Fr George is now in retirement at St Fidelis Friary on Guam while Fr Gordon is in residence at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral in Honolulu where he assists.

For their combined 100 years of faithful service, we say Thank You, Si Yu'us Ma'ase' and Mahalo!  God reward you both!

 

Their Ordination fifty years ago in 1964

GUAM DEVOTION CONTINUES IN THE U.S. MAINLAND

Pale' Eric at Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, CA

Our Lady of Camarin, Guam's beloved patroness, is so much a part of our Chamorro heritage that Chamorros from Guam who live in the U.S. mainland continue to observe this devotion, usually associated with the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.

At Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, CA, where patients from Guam seek medical care, an annual Mass on the first Saturday of December continues this tradition.  Capuchin Pale' Eric Forbes has been celebrant and homilist at this Mass for several years in a row now.  Every year, no less than 100 Chamorros and spouses/friends of Chamorros attend.  Patients from Guam are visited in their rooms, as well.

Chamorro devotees of Our Lady of Camarin light candles in her honor at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Pale' Eric at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC

Over in our nation's capital, on the other side of the country, Chamorros in the DC area observe their own annual devotion to Our Lady of Camarin with a Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

This past December 8th was the first time Pale' Eric was invited to participate.  Before Mass, he gave the congregation of about 80 people a half-hour talk on the history of this devotion.

The Chamorro community in the DC area, which includes parts of Maryland and Virginia.  Some traveled from even farther away to be at the Mass.

GUAM NOVICES CONTINUE TRADITION

Ever since the friary in Santa Ynez, California became the novitiate for the US and other English-speaking countries, the Guam novices have taken the leadership in building the Christmas crèche (or belen), an old and venerable Franciscan tradition going back to Saint Francis himself.

This year, the coordinator for setting up the belen was Guam novice Brother William Paulino.  Many other novices lent a hand in many ways, including carpentry and painting.

Brother William (right) with Brother Jason Chargualaf, also from Guam, who helped build the belen.