Posted at 9:09 a.m., Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Gala, liturgy to honor Sisters of St. Francis today
Advertiser Staff
The Sisters of St. Francis are commemorating their 125th anniversary year with special activities in celebration of Mother Marianne's Feast Day today, her birthday.
From noon to 2 p.m. will be Honoring Our Stars' Labor of Love, at Ala Moana Hotel, Hibiscus Ballroom. St. Francis Healthcare System will present Mother Marianne Awards to two employees and one community member who exemplify the values of peacemaking, simplicity, charity and joy. Also, employee service awards will be awarded. Frank De Lima will serve as emcee.
Tonight will be the 125th anniversary celebration liturgy with a service that begins at 7 p.m. at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Larry Silva, deacons and priests. The prelude feature a hula by St. Francis School and an original mele in honor of Mother Marianne Cope with music and lyrics by Sean Tiwanak and E. Napua Paele with assistance from the Honolulu Symphony Chorus, Roland Cazimero and kumu hula Blaine Kia. The St. Francis School Show Choir will entertain during the reception after Mass.
Mother Marianne Cope and six Sisters of St. Francis came from Syracuse, N.Y., to Hawaii in 1883, answering the call from King David Kalakaua and government officials to care for patients suffering from Hansen's disease.
