5th Marianas History Conference Day 7 - 10

Page 17

Celebrating 340 Years

The History of Saint Joseph Parish of Inalahan

By Dr. Judith S. Flores

Research Associate, RFT-MARC

Abstract: This narrative is inspired by oral histories that have been passed from generation to generation since 1680, held by the people of Inalahan and recorded by William (Bill) Meno Paulino. Among the youngest of 19 children, Bill lived with his aging parents well into adulthood, absorbing the stories they told - and writing them in his journal. His writing reflects idioms and philosophies as expressed by elders of the early 1900s. By the 1970s this combination of deep CHamoru linguistic knowledge together with oral histories was rare; and the stories were quickly slipping away with the passing of Inalahan elders. The presentation will show the collaborative efforts of the Researcher and the Oral Historian to place events into historical context, examining particular oral histories including that of the people of Fu’una who were relocated to Inalahan; and of the arrival of the statue of Saint Joseph by Spanish military boat. Their collaboration will provide the historical content of a commemorative book that celebrates 2020 as the 340th Jubilee Year of Saint Joseph’s Church in Inalahan.

Introduction

In 2018, our pastor, Father Joseph Anore, introduced the idea of celebrating 340 years since the founding of St. Joseph’s Church in Inalahan; to take place in 2020 with many special events planned throughout the year. What a challenging year 2020 turned out to be, with repeated lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic! But under his perseverance, the various committees made necessary adjustments and carried out several events that continued into 2021. The most enduring project has been the publication of a commemorative book that will tell the amazing history of Saint Joseph’s Church. Our purpose for writing this book includes the following goals:

• To rekindle the spirit of faith, faithfulness and festivity in our parish

• To revive traditional practices that inform our Catholic culture

• To tell our story from the perspectives of our own parishioners

The committee felt strongly that our parishioners must be the primary voice in telling our stories. This emphasis was stressed by one of St. Joseph’s Parish Council members in the early 1990s when they began planning for the annual Fiesta of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary. Edward M. Crisostomo proposed the idea of telling the story of the arrival of the statue of Saint Joseph to Inalahan to establish the first church. That story had been passed down


Articles inside

Ginen I Gualo’ article cover image

Ginen I Gualo’

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pages 273-285
Gendered Households and Ceramic Assemblage article cover image

Gendered Households and Ceramic Assemblage

1min
pages 141-164
The Matua’s Song article cover image

The Matua’s Song

1min
page 55
Burego’ Joyful Christmas Celebration article cover image

Burego’ Joyful Christmas Celebration

1min
pages 9-15
A History and Archaeology of the Pre-war Tuna Fishing Industry in Micronesia article cover image

A History and Archaeology of the Pre-war Tuna Fishing Industry in Micronesia

1min
pages 225-240
Fishing Weirs at the Edge of the Parian article cover image

Fishing Weirs at the Edge of the Parian

1min
pages 201-224
Matter of Time article cover image

Matter of Time

1min
pages 135-140
I Hinanao-ta article cover image

I Hinanao-ta

1min
pages 243-272
Tådong Marianas article cover image

Tådong Marianas

1min
pages 287-290
Guam 1668-1769 article cover image

Guam 1668-1769

1min
pages 175-184
Origins of the People of the Mariana Islands article cover image

Origins of the People of the Mariana Islands

1min
pages 165-174
Japanese Archival Records article cover image

Japanese Archival Records

1min
pages 185-199
From Tourists to Asylees article cover image

From Tourists to Asylees

1min
pages 1, 123-132
Camp Chulu article cover image

Camp Chulu

1min
pages 61-84
Celebrating 340 Years article cover image

Celebrating 340 Years

1min
pages 17-44
Colonial Narratives article cover image

Colonial Narratives

1min
pages 1, 85-103
Operation New Life article cover image

Operation New Life

1min
pages 105-122
Long Term Effects of Colonization on Music article cover image

Long Term Effects of Colonization on Music

1min
pages 47-54
Slinging Stones And Fanoghe Chamoru article cover image

Slinging Stones And Fanoghe Chamoru

1min
pages 45-46
Refaluwasch and Chamorro Children’s Songs article cover image

Refaluwasch and Chamorro Children’s Songs

1min
pages 57-58