Pasalo, Jr. to be Ordained at Wailuku’s Good Shepherd Episcopal Church

Ernesto Pasalo, Jr. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui’s Ernesto “JaR” Pasalo, Jr. will be ordained as a deacon at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Wailuku on Saturday, June 13, 2015, church representatives announced today.

The ordination will begin at 10 a.m., with the Right Reverend Robert Fitzpatrick, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi officiating. Episcopal clergy from throughout the state will also join in the ordination with a reception to follow.

Pasalo, who attended King Kekaulike HS and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, recently graduated from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia in May 2015 with a Master of Divinity degree.

Pasalo, son of Ernesto and Flory Pasalo of Makawao, became involved in Good Shepherd’s youth activities and was a leader in the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi’s youth programs.

“This is a such an important event in the life of Good Shepherd Church,” said K. Peter Lee, Senior Warden of Good Shepherd in a press release announcement.

Lee noted that the church is awaiting the arrival of its new rector (a member of the clergy who has charge of a parish) from Canada in the summer.

According to Lee, Pasalo grew up in Good Shepherd’s youth program, became involved in the Episcopal Diocese’s youth programs, and was called to serve.  “The entire Good Shepherd Church ʻohana is very happy that JaR will be ordained as a Deacon,” said Lee.

Pasalo will be assigned by Bishop Fitzpatrick to a church and is expected to be ordained to the priesthood in the fall.

The Church of Good Shepherd Episcopal was established by invitation of Hawaiʻi Aliʻi, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, in 1866.

The Good Shepherd church is located at the corner of Church and Main Streets in Wailuku.  The congregation, which now numbers about 450, will celebrate the church’s 150 year anniversary in 2016.

The church’s community outreach program is known for feeding the hungry every Sunday through its Ka ʻOhana Kitchen.  Other programs include the Queen Emma Athletic Club and Filipino folk dance troupe. Good Shepherd together with the three other Maui Episcopal churches began the “A Cup of Cold Water” ministry that now includes other churches and community organizations.