Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial, 1809 - 2009

The nation paid tribute to Abraham Lincoln on the 200th anniversary of his birth, February 12, 1809.

Here in Fort Worth, we visited the Texas Civil War Museum.

Earth Hour 2009

On March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m., local time, World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour -- Earth Hour -- to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate their commitment to finding solutions. Turn out. Take action. Be part of this historic event.

Trinity College Dublin, Hilary Term 2009

"Women in Scripture"? Where have I seen this book before?
Proud to say that Mary Colvin Hill is my mother!

Chaminade Week in Dublin, Ireland

This week, 19-23 Jan 2009, is Chaminade Week at St. Laurence College in Dublin.

The Brothers of the Marianist Community there asked me if I would speak to the teachers about my experiences as a lay Marianist...


and about the Society of Mary.


These are the members of the Society of Mary in Ireland...

Bros. Fred and Jim, Fr. Neville, and Bro. Gerry...


and their dog, "D2"!

Sr. Laola Haunani Hironaka

Sr. Laola Haunani Hironaka, F.M.I., passed away January 17, 2009, in San Antonio, Texas.

A member of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (Marianist Sisters), she was the first American to join the community in 1949. Sr. Laola was born in Oahu, Hawaii to Denichi and Lillian Hironaka, and is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Rathburn and Lydia Lake, both of Oahu, Hawaii, several nieces and nephews, and the Marianist Sisters in her community.

Sr. Laola studied at the University of Hawaii for three years before entering the congregation, while finishing her studies at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. After obtaining her degree in Philosophy, she was sent to make her novitiate in Sucy-en-Brie, France, and pursued further studies at the Sorbonne in Paris. She professed vows in 1951, and returned to Somerset, Texas, where she taught at St. Ann's School for a short time before being assigned to be principal in Tokyo, Japan where she served for twenty years. She then returned to the United States to pursue graduate studies at Berkeley in San Francisco.

During that time she became involved with Amnesty International USA, working tirelessly for those seeking asylum and had a passion for working for justice for all. Having taught at St. Louis High School in Honolulu and Central Catholic Marianist High School in San Antonio until she retired, she continued to help those in need. When the Hurricane Katrina victims were sent to San Antonio, she visited them daily at the different centers and brought them solace with her accompaniment and help. Most recently, she had become involved in working for victims of trafficking.

A visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2009 at Roy Akers-Zizik Kearns Funeral Chapels, 515 N Main Ave., and a rosary will be recited that same evening at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at the Marianist Residence Chapel, St. Mary's University, followed by internment at the Marianist Cemetery at St. Mary's University.

The Marianist Sisters express their deep appreciation to Christus Hospice and the staff at St. Francis Nursing Home for the wonderful care they provided for Sr. Laola during her brief illness. Expressions of sympathy can be made at www.mem.com

San Antonio Express News, 2009

For a beautiful reflection on Sr. Laola's life and influence, see the post by Sr. Nicole Trahan.

Cork, Ireland

My visit to Cork, Ireland, on January 17-18, 2009

"Hello!" from Trinity College Dublin

A message to Mary Lynne and AJ back home on the family farm:

Paddington Station & Lunch in London

Thursday, 15 Jan 09, in Paddington Station

Last Chance Harvey

Mary Civille "Call me Sue" Wesselkamper

Sue Wesselkamper, longtime Chaminade University president, dies

By Loren Moreno
Advertiser Education Writer

Longtime Chaminade University President Mary Civille "Call me Sue" Wesselkamper, who took over the foundering Catholic college at the brink of closure and led it into an era of unprecedented academic and financial success, died today.

Wesselkamper, who headed Hawai'i's only Catholic university for 13 years, was diagnosed with cancer in 2005. She died peacefully from its complications at 3:45 a.m. surrounded by family and friends, university officials said.

She was 66.

Wesselkamper is largely credited with saving Chaminade from fiscal crisis and the threat of closure in the mid-1990s. It was her vision that set the foundation for robust enrollment growth and record fundraising at the small Kaimuki campus, university officials said.

"She really will be remembered as Chaminade's second founder," said Brother Bernie Ploeger, Wesselkamper's longtime friend and acting president of Chaminade.
Ploeger said Wesselkamper came on as president when the school was more than $3.8 million in operating debt, faculty were leaving and the school's accreditation was about to be stripped away. Enrollment was a dismal 600 students.

Today, enrollment is about 2,800, the number of faculty has increased from 50 in 2000 to 90 and Wesselkamper recently capped off an eight-year fundraising effort that brought in some $66 million for campus revitalization.

"That's astonishing success for a school Chaminade's size," Ploeger said.
Wesselkamper, affectionately known as President Sue to the Chaminade ohana, made it all possible.

"It's that infectious spirit that she had. That belief that no challenge is impossible," he said. "She was a believer (it) was too important to just let Chaminade die."

Wesselkamper is survived by her husband, Tom, her daughter, Suzanne, and her son, David.

Services are pending, university officials said.

For more on this story, see tomorrow's Honolulu Advertiser.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.