SJT Alumni of Guam
Please pray for:
- Luis Villagomez as he undergoes and recovers from his medical procedure. UPDATE! Louie does not have cancer! Praise God!
- Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for John Torres's successful heart bypass surgery, and his comfortable and quick recovery.
- the health and safety of our sons/daughters and grandsons/granddaughters in the military wherever they are
- for our children/grandchildren as they embark in new adventures in learning at school/college/university
- for our unemployed family members, especially those who have serious medical needs, and no longer have medical insurance
You may add your prayer request here, or blog on an entirely different subject.
Although we are separated by thousands of miles, by land, sea and air, we are only a mouse-click apart, thanks to the worldwide web! Let's stay in touch through this medium, and through prayer. Lots of love todos, si Polly este.
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Now, children, this is what I call "blessings"!!!!
Want to hear something funny about this wonderful news tregarding our dear friend, Louie???
Well, having recently just returned from a 3-week visit to the mainland, I decided to check in on Louie to see if he had returned from his trip to Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu and to check on his results. Lo and behold, he answered his phone, said all went well with his check-up, that he was given a "clean bill of health"...no cancer after all!!! I said, well, that's great news, Louie Baby; let's get together this weekend when dear Ange returns from her trip and celebrate the good news of your good health! We signed off...
Later on in the afternoon, Louie called me back to say he was at Sinajana Payless and was waiting for someone to take his picture because he was told he had won $500,000. He seemed to be rambling on and, of course, I did not take him seriously...plus, I didn't know anything about this so-called "power bingo!" that's been going on. He went on to say that he and Virgie would like to take us out to dinner this coming weekend. I, on the other hand, knowing that Louie Baby really does not have a lot of means to be offering such a thing came back and told him, hey, Ange and I will take you out this weekend! We left it at that...
Then, while relaxing that same evening, just a couple of hours after last talking to Louie, I decided to watch KUAM News. What, to my utter surprise and amazement, the guy really was trying to tell me something earlier during the day...that he had indeed won $500,000! His face was all over the news that night!!! I immediately called him back on his cell phone...told him, you stinker, I wasn't paying attention to what you were trying to tell me earlier...etcetera, etcetera. In any event, he, too, was watching the news clip while we were chatting on the phone about his great luck!!!
It couldn't have happened to a more deserving person! If you know Louie like we do, you would understand he is a man of simple needs, asks for nothing, yet, gives freely of what little he has. He lives off the sea, cooks up a storm with whatever the catch of the day is...mafuti, skip jack, atuli, and makes a mean octopus keleguan (or is it Virgie???) Whatever fresh catch he has for that day, he would call me down to Pago Bay to eat fried fish. And, because his doctor told him to refrain from beer, he has taken on to wine, therefore, wine it is that I bring down to the beach, along with, of course, fresh tortillas!
And, folks, if you think life can't get any better, try sitting on the beach at sunset, sipping wine, eating fresh fish and spicy Octopus keleguan, and just making idle talk with highschool friends- life long friends, having the time of our lives! And, as an added bonus, the moon comes out on a clear and beautiful balmy night, with thousand of stars lighting up the ocean, why, I simply can't help but count my blessings! si Julie
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Dangkulu na si Yu'os maase for your contribution in the BLOG page. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I'm sure I've read it more that five times. It brings a smile on my face, and a warmth in my heart. Louie is a terrific guy.
Please continue to post in the BLOG, and be checking every now and then for comments left by our readers. We're nearing three thousand hits!!! How 'bout that?
xoxoxo,
si Polly
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Julie, I really enjoyed your write up on Louie-Louie (Luis Carezo, right?). It's always a good feeling to hear that old friends are doing well. Man! the last para really made me home sick.
Louie, if you're reading this, the next time I'm in Guam, I will definitely look you up and I will bring the vino. Take care my friends.
si justo
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Julia,
I really enjoyed reading about the good news of Louie-Louie (health and monetary windfall), and of your staying in touch with oldtime friends! Life is precious, and one of the best ways to enrich one's life is by spending time with those who've left a love-print on your heart. Hope more folks blog on recent gatherings with former St. Juder's!
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To all who have offered up prayers and kind thoughts for my quick recovery. I sincerely thank you and truly appreciate your kind thoughts. To Angie and Julia, you two are too kind but then what can one expect of those with kind and thoughtful hearts who are in fact true friends. Your thoughts and prayers are truly heartfelt. As I continue with my recovery, I am encouraged by all the letters and messages. One is never alone with friends like the ones from this group of alumni. I thank God for Luis' good fortune, both physically and financially. I also thank God for the work that our dear friend Polly has dedicated to the web site. Bless you Polly.
I will be in contact with one of our good alumni Justo Tajalle, and hopefully I can be of help to him in setting up the St. Jude Fiesta celebration here in San Diego. Again I would like to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers.
esta later, si juan torres ha' este
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Please remember to pray for Joseph P. Eclavea, only brother of Anita, Consuelo, Mary, Frances, Brigida, Dolores and Cynthia of Agana Springs, Guam. Joseph passed away on Guam on Sept. 11th. May his soul rest in perpetual light and eternal peace.
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Congratulations to Louie for getting a clean bill of health and for winning all that cash. Could not have happened to a better person. Hope all St. Jude alumni are in good health and spirits.
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I just received very sad news from Sister Michon at St. Rose Convent in LaCrosse, WI, who emailed me on December 17th (Guam time, where I am currently), with the following message:
"Polly, Just a quick note to let you know that Sister Marda Tsai died early this morning 3 A.M. at the Villa. She hadn't been feeling too well these last couple of weeks. I will send you more information as soon as I get it. Her Wake will be Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at St. Rose and her funeral will be on Monday at 10 A.M. Father Hirsch, a good friend of hers will have the funeral. When her obituary comes out I'll send one to you. I'm not sure if I have your home address. Do keep her in your prayers. Sister Michon"
May God grant our beloved Sister Marda eternal and peaceful rest in His heavenly kingdom, and may perpetual light shine upon her. Amen.
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Hafa Adai! Muna'huyong hu' misa para si difuntu Sister
Marda gi gima'Yu'os San Jude para nuebe dihas.Gof
bunito mon yanggen mandanna' hit todu na alumni esti mamaila' na Damenggu gi misan alas ochu i mediha. Bai hu agang si Anthony Gogue ya u arekgla todu ni'na'sinaniha.
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Gof mauleg enao na plannu! Esta hu email y man gaigi guine giya tanota, ya puedi ha' megai man matu gi Misa gi ogahan Damengo, gi 8:30 giya Sinajana.
Calling ALL SJT Alumni of Guam to attend Mass (requested by Carlos Laguana) to honor and celebrate Sister Marda's life and her lifelong contribution to us on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 8:30 AM at St. Jude Catholic Church, Sinajana. Thank you, Carlos for your invitation written in our vernacular.
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Father Gus, himself an SJT alumnus, along with twenty plus alumni honored Sister Marda at Mass this morning in Sinajana as scheduled above. I prepared an 8x10 photo (one posted in the NEWS page of this website) mounted on an 22x30 frame, to display at the altar.
Mass for Sister Marda will be celebrated in her honor at each of the Sunday regularly scheduled Masses today, as well as daily through Sunday, December 27th. Plans for special tribute at that Eucharistic Celebration are under way. Please stay tuned.
Si Yu'os ma'ase todos para y tinayuyut miyu. Gof bnonitu na man anog hit todu, ya u tungu ha' na a agradesi si Sister Marda y man finatota para y Misana.
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As Henry and I sit in our family room listening to Christmas carols, wonderful memories of Sister Marda (and the other Sisters) come to mind...I especially recall Sister Marda's patience and painstaking efforts to get us all in tune as we sang "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and many other Christmas and religious songs. For me, in the language of love (for Sister Marda), "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" was "our song". As it has been (then & now) and always, as I sing the uplifting and hopeful strains of that song, her kind face and soft voice will come to mind.
She loved to paint and make cards, of which we're fortunate to have received the past few years (that we've reconnected).
Our visit to St. Rose Convent and The Villa this past May will be a memory I shall always cherish--every Sister we know is a part of the golden past, present and future in our lives, and we are all the better for their contributions to the molding of who we are. God has taken Sister Marda home--at peace and in the best hands ever!! Let us remember: The memory of our loved ones live on, for they are indelibly painted in our hearts.
Memorias,
Florence
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I remember Sr. Marda as my 7th grade teacher. She always had such a humble and meek spirit. She had such a kind face and soft voice when she would teach. She would always paint pictures of birds and trees and would always sign them in Chinese. I will always remember the teachings that they contributed to our community. It was because of the Franciscan Sisters that I chose to go into teaching. Sr. Marda will always be remembered as she was taken by our Heavenly Father to her new home. You are in the great hands of our Heavenly Father.
Memorias,
Anita Lujan Saxton
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For over 45 years, Sister Marda Tsai has been my spiritual advisor, teacher, mentor and dear friend. As a student at St. Jude School, I used to write to Father James Chang in Hongkong to offer Masses for her parents who were imprisoned by the communists in China for their religious beliefs. Over the years, I have visited and corresponded with Sr. Marda and even attended her diamond jubliee at St. Rose Convent. Our visit recently to St. Rose was the highlight of our close relationship. Her artistic talent and love of the Lord are illustrated in the painting and cards she gave me. These tangible memorabilia as well as the pictures will always be cherished. Adios Sr. Marda my heart still aches but I know that God's Will be done as you always told me and that you are with the Lord. I miss and love you dearly. Magdalena
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PLEASE PRAY FOR MADING/MATHILDA FLORES-UNTALAN (Class of '62) AS SHE UNDERGOES AN EXPLORATORY MEDICAL PROCEDURE IN VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA THIS MONTH.
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Please remember Mathilda Flores-Untalan in your prayers as she undergoes surgery on Tuesday, February 23rd in Concord, California. May our loving Father guide the minds, hearts and hands of the medical staff assigned to her care.
Please also pray for speedy healing and recovery for David Quintanilla, who suffered from a heart attack in Guam this week.
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Please remember to pray for David Quintanilla of Chalan Pago, Guam, who will be undergoing exploratory medical procedure at St. Luke's Hospital in the Philipines next month. A very successful fundraising BBQ was held April 24th in Guam. Monetary donations are being accepted to subsidize the ever-growing medical expense to him and his family by his daughter, Therese Quintinilla at P.O.Box 1033 Hagatna, Guam 96932. Please make checks payable to her. David is an alumnus of SJT Class of '62. His photo is featured in the ALUMNI page of this website. Dangkulu na si Yu'os ma' ase para hamyu todos! si Polly este...
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Hafa Adai Friends and Classmates,
We are having a Medical Fund raising for our dear friend David Quintanilla on Sat.May 8, 2010 at 6:00P.M. to 10:00 P.M. at Red Barron in Matie. Donation is $10.00 dollars and please bring door prices for our raffles.
Your presence will be a loving act and of great comfort to our dear friend Dave. He will be leaving to St. Luke Hospital, in the Philippines for treatment.
Please give your donations to his daughter Therese Quintanilla at P.O.Box 1033 Hagatna, Guam 96932, if you cannot make it.
For more information please feel free to respond to me by E-Mail at Mary.S.Torres@usps.gov.
Si Yuus Maasie and God Bless!
Respectfully,
Mary S. Torres
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