Roslyn Catracchia

Roslyn has been Director of Worship and Performing Arts at First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu since 1996. She has been a professional composer and musical director for 17 years here in Hawaii, and has two Hoku-nominated CDs, The Wishing Tree, and Stepping Stones. She has written songs for Lisa Matsumoto’s On Dragonfly Wings, The Princess And The Iso Peanut, and Once Upon One Time Trilogy, and for Ohia Productions’ educational road shows. Roslyn has also written songs for several Ala Moana Center shows, including Imagination and Wishes And Wings.

What brought you to FPC? I actually grew up here at this church. My mother, Beebe Freitas, has been the organist since I was a child, and she brought me and my brother here since we were kids. When I was a teenager, I decided to “find my own way”, and wanted to see what other churches were like out there. After many years of searching, I found that this was my home after all. Dan Chun asked me to come on staff in 1996, and from my first day back, I realized that I was home again, and I LOVE IT HERE!!!

What is the most rewarding part of your ministry? Again, two answers. First, it’s working with kids and watching them grow in the Lord, and helping them to develop their talents. Secondly, it’s seeing how we can be used by God when we empty ourselves and just be obedient to Him with our talents. Very often, I have people tell me how much a song I sang or wrote touched them. And I truly believe that it is God working through me at those moments, and therefore cannot accept any glory in it, but am just thankful that God allows me to be used by Him.

Describe a typical day in your ministry. Ha! There is no “typical” day! If you come to visit my office, a very creative place, you will have an idea of what I’m talking about J Every day is different-full of meetings, composing, transcribing music, rehearsals big and small, and getting home usually late in the evenings to try to spend as much quality time with my husband as I can.

What are your passions? Music, working with kids, being out in nature, eating good food.

How did you become a Christian? I think my grandfather must have been praying for me since before I was born, because I have been a Christian for as long as I can remember. However, when I was attending First Prez as a kid, Nan Fancher and Joan Young were very instrumental in my development as a Christian, helping me to make important decisions in my journey.

What is the most challenging part of your ministry? Finding enough time and energy in each day to get all the things done that need doing. AND finding time to rest.

Favorite Christian author or books? “This Present Darkness” by Frank Peretti, and the Chronicles of Narnia.

What is the best advice you've ever received about being in ministry? 1) Be open to the Spirit, 2) Stay accountable to a small group 3) You can never please everyone. Be obedient to God, and ask Him for guidance, then trust Him.

What is one truth of life that you can share? Love is the answer.

Favorite Movie, TV show, Broadway play? Movie: The Princess Bride TV show: Everybody Loves Raymond Broadway Play: Once On This Island

McDonald’s or Plate Lunch? Plate Lunch: Hibiscus Special in Aina Haina.

Favorite restaurant? Favorite food? Roy’s Restaurant. Too many favorite foods to mention. Most influential person in your life? My Mom.

What do you do to relax? I don’t know. Haven’t really learned to do that yet. Ha! One word that describes you: Creative. If I won one million dollars, I would: BE SO HAPPY! IMMEDIATELY GET OUT OF DEBT, then buy a new car, and then go on a vacation for two weeks!!!!!!!!

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