St. Joseph's strength lies in its multi-ethnic base
By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
Our pastor: Father Joven Junio; Father Rene Bisaillon and Father Augustine Cheerakathil, associate pastors
Leaders of St. Joseph Church looked over the liturgy before the start of a recent Sunday Mass.
Our denomination or affiliation: Roman Catholic
What we believe (our mission statement): "We, the parishioners of St. Joseph, are a faith community united through our baptism. We are called to be witnesses of God's love through service, evangelization and worship. As we create an atmosphere of a universal family, we strive to be more open, and closer to God and to each other."
Where we are: 94-675 Farrington Highway in Waipahu
Our numbers: 3,500-4,000
Our history: The church was founded as a mission in the late 1860s by the missionaries of the Sacred Hearts and was originally located where Waipahu Elementary School is today. Construction of the current building began in 1939 and was completed in 1941.
We're excited about: Junio said that although most of the church's major events this year have already taken place, there are three events that they are looking forward to: the Feast of Our Lady of La Salette on Sept. 19; a "Concert Under the Stars" fund-raiser on Nov. 9; and a Thanksgiving Field Mass, which they expect about 1,500 people to attend, on Nov. 25.
What's special about us: "We're multi-ethnic," Junio said. While most of the parishioners are Filipino, Junio said that people of other backgrounds also attend the church, including Samoans, Tongans, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Koreans, Hawaiians and Caucasians.
"Another thing that (stands out) is the number of young people coming into our church," Junio said. "We have a very strong youth and young adult ministry in this church."
St. Joseph Church is also the home of St. Joseph School, a year-round private school that teaches students in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade.
Contact: 677-4276, e-mail sjs@stjoseph.pvt.k12.hi.us or visit http://stjosephwaipahu.org
If you would like to recommend your church, temple or faith organization for a Where We Worship profile, e-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com, call 535-8174 or write: Where We Worship, Faith Page, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.
