Fr. Bob preached a powerful homily, starting with remarks of the confluence of several important events.   First, we were celebrating Good Shepherd Sunday and welcoming a new pope Leo XIV as the vicar of Christ.    Second, we were thanking God for our mothers.  Fr. Bob explained every year Mother’s Day in Mexico is the 10^th of May and always on the 2^nd Sunday of May in the U.S.A; usually there is a separation of the two celebrations by a few days, or one might say a gulf , “a gulf like the Gulf of Mexico or Gulf of America- whatever you choose”.  

      The feast of St. Damien of Moloka’i is also on May 10^th, the day that Damien arrived on Moloka’i to give his life in service of the lepers.  

      And finally, we had the blessing of participating in a mass of the perpetual vows of Br. Gaberieli.   We witnessed "the action of God come to fulfillment" in Br. Gabby's obedience to the call of Christ.   Br. Gaberieli offered himself in eternity to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, whose mission is "to contemplate, love and announce the love of God manifest in the Sacred Heart of Jesus".  

     As the apostles in the first reading from Acts rejoiced in their suffering for Christ, Fr. Bob prayed that Br. Gabby might find joy even as he experienced rejection for following the Lord, so one day he might join the saints in heaven who prostrate themselves before the Lamb who shepherds his people.

The final vows mass was followed by a reception loving prepared by the parishioners.  Two of Br. Gabby's sisters appeared from the S. Pacific via video offering words of gratitude to God and love for God for Br. Gabby's generous self-offering. 


               Br. Gabby gives his perepetual vows into the hands of Fr. Lane Akiona, provincial.



Br. Gabby lies prostrate on traditional Fijian mat called a tapa.


Br. Gabby with mentor and pastor, Fr. Bob Charlton, ss.cc.


        Fr. Lane congratulates Br. Gabby for his "Io" to God and God's people


   We likewise say "Vinaka vaka levu" to God for Br. Gabby's generous self-offering to God and his people.  May God continue to richly bless Br. Gaberieli and his family!