Sunday, January 16, 1944
"Comparable to the pictures we have seen of Mass on the battlefields was the Mass at which we were privileged to assist this morning. With the church pennant flying above Old Glory to announce services, the Maryknoll Fathers made use of a large box (bulkhead) containing life-preservers, for an altar. They had one of their blankets spread beneath the altar cloth. For a background they had tacked up a blue spread against the outer wall of the radio room, and pinned a small crucifix onto it. Father Ziemmba vested for Mass while Father Morgan stood by, holding everything in place on the altar, a necessary duty, due to the high wind. Father Chisholm announced the order of services - Mass, during which it would not be necessary to kneel, except to receive Communion; after Mass, a short sermon, closing with 'Holy God, we Priase Thy Name.' The congregation, approximately a hundred including the Sisters, was attentive, some members devoutly, others curiously so. Many were non-Catholics; even the little Baptist minister was present. None could fail to have been impressed. At the last Gospel Father Chilshom intoned the Veni Creator. He gave his sermon on Marriage, based on the Gospel for the day. Some of us wondered at its appropriateness, but heard later of one soul that it touched in a vulnerable spot.
"Protestant services were held later by the Congregationalist minister, Reverend Mauver. We heard a resume of his sermon from his wife, who sits at table with us, and whom we call Mrs. Minister. She is very friendly. We are sure she'll be calling on us in Honolulu. The day was quiet as befits the Lord's Day. Everyone seemed dressed up except the Sisters.
"Despite the clouds and wind all day long, the evening sky was glorious. We found out that the phosphorus in the water is a species of seaweed."
Memories of Sister Mary Aloysia Dugger (Sister Virginia) of the St. Louis Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, on of the four Sisters missioned to Hawaii during the war in 1944.
"Comparable to the pictures we have seen of Mass on the battlefields was the Mass at which we were privileged to assist this morning. With the church pennant flying above Old Glory to announce services, the Maryknoll Fathers made use of a large box (bulkhead) containing life-preservers, for an altar. They had one of their blankets spread beneath the altar cloth. For a background they had tacked up a blue spread against the outer wall of the radio room, and pinned a small crucifix onto it. Father Ziemmba vested for Mass while Father Morgan stood by, holding everything in place on the altar, a necessary duty, due to the high wind. Father Chisholm announced the order of services - Mass, during which it would not be necessary to kneel, except to receive Communion; after Mass, a short sermon, closing with 'Holy God, we Priase Thy Name.' The congregation, approximately a hundred including the Sisters, was attentive, some members devoutly, others curiously so. Many were non-Catholics; even the little Baptist minister was present. None could fail to have been impressed. At the last Gospel Father Chilshom intoned the Veni Creator. He gave his sermon on Marriage, based on the Gospel for the day. Some of us wondered at its appropriateness, but heard later of one soul that it touched in a vulnerable spot.
"Protestant services were held later by the Congregationalist minister, Reverend Mauver. We heard a resume of his sermon from his wife, who sits at table with us, and whom we call Mrs. Minister. She is very friendly. We are sure she'll be calling on us in Honolulu. The day was quiet as befits the Lord's Day. Everyone seemed dressed up except the Sisters.
"Despite the clouds and wind all day long, the evening sky was glorious. We found out that the phosphorus in the water is a species of seaweed."
Memories of Sister Mary Aloysia Dugger (Sister Virginia) of the St. Louis Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, on of the four Sisters missioned to Hawaii during the war in 1944.
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