Samoan choir celebrates a half-century of song, faith

Bishop Michael T.T. Castori, SJ, celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving on Oct. 4 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Samoan choir at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea. The liturgy included several Samoan cultural traditions, such as the ifoga, where two choir members knelt under a fine mat called an ie toga while the bishop prayed for their humility and reconciliation.

During the offertory, children of choir members performed a taulaga or moliga dance in the church aisles. Participants also presented cultural gifts, including flowers and fine mats, to be placed around the altar alongside the bread and wine.

Father Sebastian Soosai, the current pastor, joined the bishop for the Mass, along with former pastor Father Mike Dalton, current parochial vicar Father Royd Mweemba, and former parochial vicar Father Arrion Rosales-Llantos, who served as master of ceremonies. Father Ese’ese “Ace” Tui attended to represent the Samoan community within the diocese.