[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
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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
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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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