[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 129 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1792-E1793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRANTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 1998

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, with honor and appreciation, I commend 
the seven special women who have dedicated loving service to the people 
of Guam and the Northern Marianas for the past fifty years. This year, 
Sisters Mary David Richard, RSM; Mary Celeste Fejarang, RSM; Mary 
Angelica Perez, RSM; Evelyn Muna, RSM; Joseph Marie Perez, RSM; Mary 
Callista Camacho, RSM; and Marie Pierre Martinez, RSM, celebrate Golden 
Jubilees as a Sister of Mercy. In honor of the occasion, I would like 
to share with my colleagues significant events and the achievements of 
these remarkable women.
  Sister Mary David Richard was born Josephine Marie Richard in 
Buffalo, New York, on March 29, 1929. She never thought of leaving 
Buffalo until she entered the community in Belmont, North Carolina on 
September 15, 1947. At her reception on August 14, 1948, she took on 
her new identify as ``Sister Mary David.'' She first came to Guam in 
1953 and returned to the States in 1960. In 1975, she returned to Guam 
to teach math at the junior high level. She currently assists the 
administrators of Saint Anthony School as the computer operator for 
basic student data. Sister Mary David treasures her return to the 
island, meeting up with former students, the love and generosity of the 
Sisters on Guam, and the

[[Page E1793]]

opportunity she had to make contact with the Pope when he visited Guam 
in 1981.
  Sister Marie Celeste Fejarang was born Maria Crisostomo Fejarang on 
October 31, 1927, in Hagatna, Guam. She is the elder of two siblings 
born to Vicente and Remedios C. Fejarang. Having attended Guam schools 
and graduating from George Washington High School in 1947, she entered 
the Sisters of Mercy as a postulant December 12, 1947. She was received 
on December 6, 1948 and was given the name ``Sister Mary Celeste.'' She 
took her final vows on August 15, 1956. She taught at Santa Barbara 
School in Dededo, Saint Anthony School in Tamuning, Cathedral Grade 
School in Hagatna, and, during a mission from 1956 to 1960, Saint 
Benedict's in North Carolina. For seventeen years, Sister Mary Celeste 
worked with the SPIMA (Servicio Para I Man Amko) program under the Guam 
Association for Retired Persons as a site manager. She also serves as a 
Cultural Instructor at Tamuning Elementary School.
  Sister Mary Angelica Perez is the third of ten children born to Juan 
Diaz Perez and Remedios Leon Guerrero Perez. Born Remedios L.G. Perez 
on November 8, 1930, she entered religious life as a Sister of Mercy 
postulant on July 24, 1947 in Belmont, North Carolina. She was received 
as a Novice on August 15, 1948, and took the name ``Sister Mercy 
Angelica.'' She professed her Final vows on August 13, 1956 at the 
Cathedral in Hagatna. Sister Mary Angelica taught at schools in North 
Carolina and Guam. She even served as principal of Santa Barbara School 
in Dededo. Currently, she is the K-2 music teacher at Santa Barbara.
  Sister Evelyn Muna was born Evelyn Pereira Muna on October 19, 1929 
to Juan and Pilar Muna, the fourth of twelve siblings. She entered 
religious life in North Carolina on January 9, 1948 and was received as 
a Novice on August 15, 1948 taking the name ``Sister Mary Matthew.'' 
Her Final Profession took place on August 13, 1956, with other Sisters 
here on Guam. After her return to Guam in 1955, she taught at the 
Academy of Our Lady, Santa Barbara School, John F. Kennedy High School, 
Saint Anthony School, and the University of Guam. She also taught CCD 
in the parishes of Asan, Piti, Chalan Pago, and Ordot. In addition, 
after reclaiming the name Sister Evelyn, she was elected Regional 
Superior for two terms. She served as superintendent of the Catholic 
schools in the Archdiocese of Agana and then became the first Chamorro 
to be elected in the General Council of the Sisters of Mercy in 
Belmont, North Carolina. Sister Evelyn also served as Director of 
Catholic schools and currently works with the Development Office at the 
Academy of Our Lady of Guam.
  Sister Joseph Marie Perez was born Josefina Pangelinan Perez on May 
15, 1930 in Hagatna. The daughter of Vicente Borja Perez and Maria 
Guerrero Pangelinan, she is the third of nine siblings. She joined the 
Sisters of Mercy on December 12, 1947 and took on the name Sister 
Joseph Marie on December 6, 1948. Sister Joseph Marie professed her 
Final Vows on August 13, 1956 at the Cathedral in Hagatna. She has 
taught students at the Academy of Lady, Saint Anthony School and Santa 
Barbara School. She additionally served as Pastoral Minister for Saint 
Joseph's Parish at Inarajan. Currently, she is a Research Assistant at 
the Richard Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center.
  Sister Mary Callista Camacho is the daughter of Emeteria Baza Leon 
Guerrero and Enrique Marinez Camacho. She was born Filomena L.G. 
Camacho on November 8, 1926, the fifth of ten children. Entering the 
community of the Sisters of Mercy at the Motherhouse in Belmont, North 
Carolina in July 1947, she was received as a Novice on August 15, 1948 
taking the name Sister Mary Callista. She returned to Guam in 1953 and 
made her final profession on August 13, 1956. Sister Mary Callista 
served in various capacities including administrator at Cathedral Grade 
School, Saint Anthony School, Santa Barbara School, and Bishop 
Baumgartner Middle School. She also served the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa 
at the chancery and through Pastoral Ministry. Her service with the 
Government of Guam was through the headstart program and as a director 
of the Insular Arts Council. Sister Mary Callista is currently the 
Deputy Director of Catholic Social Services working with the Executive 
Director, Cerila Rapadas.
  Sister Marie Pierre Martinez is the daughter of Don Pedro Martinez 
and Maria L.G. Martinez, and the seventh of 12 siblings. She entered 
the Mercy Community on June 20, 1948 and was received as a Novice on 
December 6, 1948 taking the name ``Sister Marie Pierre.'' She served 
both as teacher and as principal at the Academy of Our Lady. She also 
served as principal of Mount Carmel School in Saipan and became the 
first supervisor of Mercy Schools on Guam. In 1982, she established the 
Pastoral Care Department at the Guam Memorial Hospital and served as 
its director until her retirement in 1993. Sister Marie Pierre is 
currently the director of the Associates Program of the Sisters of 
Mercy on Guam.
  The renown of the Sisters of Mercy reaches beyond their reputation as 
teachers and school administrators on Guam, Saipan, Rota, and other 
places in Micronesia. Their pastoral, family, youth, and health-care 
ministries together with their esteemed standing in the Mariana Islands 
are truly exemplified by this group of extraordinary women. I happily 
join with the people of Guam in sending the Sisters of Mercy who are 
celebrating their Golden Jubilees our best wishes and a heartfelt Si 
Yu'os Ma'ase. May your jubilee celebration be blessed by the graces of 
Santa Marian Kamalen. Your services to the community are truly 
remarkable.

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