Marianist Brother Frank Gomes gave this talk at the Mass, July 29, at St. Anthony Church in Maui, celebrating the 50th graduation anniversary of the St. Anthony High School class of 1958.

By Brother Frank Gomes, SM | Special to the Herald

In 1958, we were dancing to “Blue Moon” and “Young Love.” Elvis Presley was supplying us with our dance music. We were listening to his songs “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Love Me Tender.” None of us back then thought for a moment that we would be gathered together again in the year 2008 for our 50th anniversary. This is incredible. And none of us believed that 24 members of our class would have died before this golden anniversary.

We graduated from the only Catholic high school on Maui. We would be delinquent if we didn’t spend some time reflecting on the gift that our parents gave us. This gift was a Catholic education. Some of us received this gift, this privilege, this awesome life-giving experience for 12 years.

It is without mentioning that our parents made incredible sacrifices to give us this special gift. Although the tuition 50 years ago was not expensive in today’s way of thinking, nevertheless it was hard-earned money that could have been used to sustain the family and home in many other ways. However, our parents made the investment and put their money into our education. They decided to trust the Maryknoll Sisters and the Marianist Brothers with the education of their children.

I know that we can honestly say that our lives reflect this gift, this privilege and this life giving experience in many ways and for many years and it still makes an impact on our values. Many decisions and choices that we have made throughout these 50 years have been influenced, colored, magnified and impacted by the values and principles promoted by the Maryknoll Sisters and the Marianist Brothers.

I firmly believe that 24 members of our class died a death that was not only peaceful but filled with the promise of a resurrection into another life with Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Because of our Faith, we believe that these 24 saints went marching into Paradise and that the rest of us can rest assured that our own journey will be filled with songs and trumpets because our 24 saints are waiting to greet us.

Brothers and sisters, it would be a complete failure for us here not to recognize the magnificence of a Catholic education. It would behoove us to share this gift with our children by giving them the same opportunity that we had.

But first, we need to make Catholic schools more affordable for our Catholic children. Catholic schools were established to educate our Catholic children. However, many children remain outside their own schools because it is no longer affordable. What are we going to do about this problem? The best gift we can give our children is to do what is necessary to allow more Catholics to experience a dynamic and awesome education that we enjoyed because our parents decided to think of us first.

It is with great pride that I announce that the Marianist Brothers and Priests are celebrating their 125 anniversary of serving the people of Maui and Hawaii. We are committed to Catholic education, and in support of Catholic education, the Marianists donated $1 million to St. Anthony School a few years ago with the hope that more students can take advantage of a good education that otherwise would not.

Let us pray for our good health, health of mind, body, and soul so that we can return for our 60th anniversary within 10 years in the year of 2018.

Finally, thank you for listening. Congratulations again to the golden men and women of the Trojan class of 1958.

Go now and continue your life of service and kindness.