Maryknoll Sisters

In August 1928, nine Maryknoll Sisters, with Sister Mary Celeste as pioneer superior, took over the mission school where Franciscan Sisters labored for over forty years. The physical set-up was typical of the times, with perhaps a ten-year lag. The convent boasted three frame buildings, running cold water in the kitchen and bath, an electric light in each room, mosquito netting for nearly every bed, screens on some windows, a three-burner oil stove in the kitchen, ice to fill the ice-box delivered three times a week, and many neighborly rats. Boats arrived from Honolulu twice a week, bringing mail and fresh mainland fruits in season. Their "shopping center," Main and Market Streets, provided most of their immediate needs with Wailuku Hardware, Maui Dry Goods, Maui Drug, a barbershop, the village post office and two hotels. Public transportation was provided by two taxi companies, each of which owned a five-passenger Chevrolet. Private means of transportation were also at a minimum, placing the sisters under obligation to a very few car-owning friends. The sugar plantations added to their Toonerville Train and cane-cars a few passenger cars to transport school children on regular school days.

Of the original staff of sisters, only two (Sr. Mary Beata and Sr. Mary Charlotte) were trained teachers. An annual extension course at the University of Hawaii was the only opportunity for in-service training on Maui. The few cultural advantages included The Maui Women's Club Annual Concert on the first of May and the Maui County Fair in October. The Maui County Library, together with the convent and school libraries, provided further stimulation.

The Maryknoll Sisters are well known for their devoted work in the high school, the elementary school and Maui Children's Home. Besides their invaluable contributions to the education of Maui youth, the Sisters actively participated in church and community activities, including the training of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) teachers, individual instruction in preparation for Baptism, Sacristy work with young ladies to help with the general preparations in the Church, and an Altar Bread business.

In 1928, Sister Mary Celeste was the first and only organist who provided accompaniment for church services. Later, the Sisters also provided organists for grade school and high school choirs. Sisters were assigned to Waihee parish on Sundays for choir and Sodality work, as well as for providing organ music.

The Family Visiting plan made a Sister responsible for one home visit sometime during the year. Sisters, working in pairs, accomplished their home visits each Monday after school.

When Malulani Hospital, adjoined the mission property (until 1952), the Sisters made frequent, sometimes daily visits, making valuable contacts with new mothers, unmarried mothers, and many of the other patients. Kula Sanatorium, the County Hospital for tubercular patients at the time, was visited weekly by a group of six Sisters, who instructed some, encouraged others, distributed Catholic literature and sacramentals, and gave each patient some little gift at Christmas time.

One Sister was assigned to call weekly at the Girls' Detention Home, to see whether any of the girls would like to attend Sunday Mass. The Sister would then call for them, accompany them to Mass and return with them to the Home.

In 1958, the Sisters began to visit the "old folks" at Hale Makua, who at the time were housed in the former County Hospital.

Father William H. Kress, pastor of Sacred Hearts Church in Honolulu in 1927, was responsible for the invitation extended to Maryknoll Sisters to take up mission work in Hawaii, both on the island of Oahu and the island of Maui. Maryknoll's special objective was the spread of the Faith and the salvation of souls, especially among the large number of Asians in Hawaii. While striving to accomplish their teaching objectives, the Maryknoll Sisters always recognized and were drawn to vast mission possibilities on the island of Maui.

Missionary efforts outside of school suffered from the lack of time and personnel required for unified, purposeful and consistent efforts. In 1980, the decision was made by the Maryknoll Sisters to leave St. Anthony School after 52 years of continuous service.