This past Saturday, our St. ʻohana gathered in gratitude and joy as June Segundo was installed as co-director. Father Marvin Samiano and Father Stephen Macedo presided over the celebration, filling the day with laughter, song, and aloha.

We welcomed two new Associates — Emma Vicente, who has lovingly served our Sisters and countless others through her work at St. Francis Hospice for many years, and Randy Segundo, who devoted 42 years to caring for Hawaiʻi’s visitors through the hotel industry. Both joined Valerie Ho, a retired college physical education teacher who made her first commitment in January 2025, and we lovingly remembered Anne Keamo, who now celebrates with us from heaven.

Father Marvin danced the hula with great joy, and Father Stephen shared his ono (delicious) homemade deluxe ice cream sandwiches — true gifts of aloha!

We also welcomed Kamalani as a new pre-associate. Many Associates and pre-associates joined us virtually via livestream, including Bernadette Lynch, a former educator and Sister of St. Francis, who made her three-year commitment while in New Jersey.

Throughout the celebration, the spirit of joy, laughter, and wonder flowed among us — through our prayer, singing, and shared love for life. That spirit extended to our guests, helpers, janitors, and security personnel, who joined in the celebration. Sister Davilyn shared extra bentos with the staff at Hale Meleana, spreading our gratitude even further.

Special thanks to John Fielding and his son Ryan, a cellist, who shared their technical talents to livestream the event and provide beautiful music that lifted our hearts.

The presence of our Sisters was a very special gift to us. Sisters Davilyn and Helen Hoffman, our wisdom teachers, continue to guide us with their grace and insight. Sister Donna Evans, who in the 1970s taught us the beauty of scientific inquiry, inspired generations of women to become teachers, scientists, IT pioneers in Silicon Valley, nurses, and physicians. Sisters Marie Jose , gifted writer, educator for adults and children over decades and liturgist who also sings beautifully . Sister Miriam Dionese, who lovingly cared for our dying ʻohana at St. Francis Hospice for over 30 years, embodies the Franciscan spirit of compassion and service.

We are Associates because of their example of joy and love — they have shown us what it means to live the Gospel through simple, faithful presence.

Yet amid all the joy of our gathering, I could not help but remember those who could not be with us in person. So many of our Sisters and Associates are struggling — with health challenges, limitations in driving, and feelings of loss or isolation. Some are weighed down by resentment or fear in these trying times of federal uncertainty, immigrant anxieties, rising dementia, and the growing sense of distrust that shadows our world.

This shadow is also our challenge — the call of St. Francis himself:
to offer light where there is darkness, love where there is hatred, pardon where there is injury.

Yes, we give thanks for our life of faith — for moments of clarity and hope, for renewed energy and vision. And we continue to pray always, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with our God.