Birth Date: September 16, 1976
Where: Laoac, Manaoag, Pangasinan, Philippines
When Ordained: July 13, 2001
Wife: Aurealinda “Linda” Romuar
Children: Joyanna (Ryan) Brown and Dr. Stephen (Dr. Amber) Pulido and three grandchildren
We are called to serve, a good way to be closer to God, to work for Him, and helping our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Deacon Cornelio Pulido was born in Laoac, Manaoag, Pangasinan, Philippines on September 16, 1946. He attended Laoac Elementary School, Binalunan High School, and the University of St. Louis in Baguio, Philippines and majored in engineering.
In the early 1960’s, his Dad, a Sakada, petitioned Cornelio and his brother, Tomas to come to Hawaii. When he arrived on Maui, he worked at the Maui Container Del Monte/Maui Pine, Company. In 1969, he was drafted in the Army and he was stationed in Korea for thirteen months. While in Korea in 1970, he decided to go back to the Philippines to marry the love of his life, Aurealinda “Linda” Romuar. In 1971, Cornelio came back to Maui and joined the National Guard. He went back to work at his former job and simultaneously attended Maui Community College (University of Hawaii – Maui College) and majored in Machinist and Building Maintenance. Life-long learner Cornelio took him three years to receive his certificates.
That studying and working at the same time was all worth it. In 1973, Cornelio started to work at HC&S in the backbreaking job in the cane field under the merciless sun for six weeks. That working in the hot sun was also worth it because that’s how he got his foot to the door to get a better job at HC&S. He became an apprentice machinist at the Pu’unene Mill after taking a test and an interview. He worked at the Pu’unene Mill for three years. He oversaw the machine shop at the mill. He was called upon, whenever there were problems in the machine shop. After three years, he was promoted as a Supervisor at the Paia Mill as a Maintenance Engineer. His job was to oversee the overall maintenance of the machine shop and the whole mill. He was on call 24/7 whenever he was needed. It was a very stressful job according to Cornelio. He retired from the Paia Mill in 2001.
Deacon Pulido shared that he wasn’t at all close to the church before entering the Diaconate. In fact, he claims that he was straying away and not even joining his family in attending church services. He was more interested in working, working, and working and having a good time with his buddies. However, at the same time, he was not aware that God was knocking on the door of his heart. With the help of his very prayerful and devotional wife, Linda, she unceasingly prayed for Cornelio’s conversion. Every so often Cornelio was having strange feeling that God was calling him but unsure what it was about. One day, he was reading his bible and came across, Isaiah 6:8-13 which says: Remember this and be firm, bear it well in mind, you rebels; remember the former things, those long ago: I am God, there is no other; I am God, there is none like me. At the beginning I foretell the outcome; in advance, things not yet done. I say that my plan shall stand, I accomplish my every purpose. I call from the east a bird of prey, from a distant land, one to carry out my plan. Yes, I have spoken, I will accomplish it; I have planned it, and I will do it. Listen to me, you fainthearted, you who seem far from the victory of justice; I am bringing on my justice, it is not far off, my salvation will not tarry; I will put salvation within Zion, and give to Israel my glory.
Right there and then, Cornelio felt that it was a sign that God was truly calling him to join the Diaconate. Cornelio accepted that call. With Linda’s sincere support and prayers, he started the Diaconate process on July 13, 1997 and he was ordained on July 13, 2001 at St. Anthony Church by the late Bishop Di Lorenzo. Wives were included in the process. They also attended the classes. After his ordination, he was allowed to choose the church where he would like to serve. Today, he is one of our Beloved Deacons at Christ The King Catholic Church.
Deacon Cornelio Pulido said this when asked why he chose to be a Deacon: “We are called to serve, a good way to be closer to God, to work for Him, and helping our brothers and sisters in Christ.”
The Pulidos have two children, Joyanna (Ryan) Brown and Dr. Stephen (Dr. Amber) Pulido and three grandchildren.
written by:
Lucy Peros
Lucy Peros enjoys writing and reading during her spare time. She attends activities at the Kaunoa Senior Center, and active member of the Enhance Fitness Program (Zumba geared for seniors) under the Maui County Department of Aging. She spends time to activities at Christ The King Catholic Church where she serves as a Lector, member of the Women of the Cross Group, and the Grief Support Group. She taught at St. Anthony Grade School and Waihe'e Elementary School where she retired from.