CHI RHO CONNECTION JUNE 2019
FR. EJ RESINTO BRIDGING PARISH AND SCHOOL Three years ago – on July 9, 2016 – EJ Resinto was ordained a priest in the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. Fr. EJ – the name given to him by his parents to stand for Eddie Jr. – was born on Kauai to Eddie and Shantyne Resinto. He is of Filipino, Portuguese and Hawaiian descent. This past January he became pastor of Sacred Heart Church and Maryknoll School and already has been a very active presence at school events. He agreed to answer these questions for the newsletter: WHAT LED YOU TO THE PRIESTHOOD? My call to the priesthood was definitely a journey and still continues to be one. I was born on Kauai and the eldest of two sons. My parents instilled in my brother and I the value of faith. While both my parents worked very hard, they always made sure that we got to Mass and catechism classes each Sunday. We also lived with my maternal grandparents, who were very devout in their faith. I always found Church very attractive and enjoyed attending Mass and various activities. When I was 5, I joined the Children’s Choir and then upon receiving First Holy Communion became an altar server. Here is where I
believe the seed of my vocation was planted. I loved liturgy and serving at Mass with the priests. I also love to serve the community and was also involved with the Boy Scouts and other academic organizations. While I always knew God had a plan for me, it wasn’t until my second year of culinary arts school that I seriously discerned my call to the priesthood. I enjoyed cooking, but wasn’t finding the joy that I thought I would’ve had in it. After speaking with my pastor at that time, Fr. Bill Shannon, and with the support of the late Sister Florence Remata, O.S.F., I decided to speak with Bishop Larry Silva. I remember him telling me, “try it out. If it’s God’s will it’ll happen, if not, you’ll still be a better person.” So, with the support and prayers of my family (who have been praying for a priest in the family for many years), I entered the seminary in January 2008. Long story short, seminary formation helped me in my discernment, affirmed me in my faith, and challenged me to be the best Christian man I can be. I graduated with the B.A. in Philosophy from Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon and received my M.A. in Divinity and S.T.B. from St. Patrick’s Seminary in California. I was ordained by Bishop Larry Silva on July 9, 2016, and was first assigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
and School in Ewa Beach. In July 2018 I bid farewell to my “first love,” and said hello to Sacred Heart Church and Maryknoll School. Being such a young priest, I sometimes feel overwhelmed and inadequate to serve in such a big capacity of this parish and school. But, I have faith and confidence in God that he will help in fulfilling the expectations set for me. WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR MARYKNOLL SCHOOL? First off, let me say how impressed I am at Maryknoll School. She stands as a beacon of pride in the local community and in the Catholic community as well. I feel the need to bridge both Parish and School life as well as focus intensely on the Catholic identity of our students, faculty, staff, and administration. How will this be done? I don’t know, but I promise to be more active in the life of the students by being more visible as well as a commitment to uphold the teachings and truths of the Catholic Faith. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE FUTURE OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS? I think Catholic Education has come a long way and has a long way to go. In a world that is becoming more secularized it becomes a challenge to practice, teach, and share the faith. This is why all Catholic schools must Continued
A NEWSLETTER FOR THE ALUMNI OF MARYKNOLL SCHOOL
2019