The Sisters of St. Francis will unveil and dedicate a bronze statue of Mother Marianne Cope today at Kewalo Basin Park.

The 6-foot statue sculpted by Sister Rosaire Kopczenski, a Pittsburgh artist and fellow Franciscan, will honor Mother Marianne's work ministering to Hawai'i's people with Hansen's disease. The unveiling of the statue coincides with Mother Marianne's feast day.

The dedication ceremony begins at 10 a.m., near where the ship Mariposa docked 126 years ago with Mother Marianne and six other nuns aboard, at the invitation of King Kalākaua, to care for the residents of Kalaupapa, Moloka'i.

Mother Marianne was beatified in a ceremony at Rome's St. Peter's Basilica in 2005, where she was bestowed the title of blessed, and awaits canonization into sainthood.

A hula pose was chosen for the statue, with one hand extended to convey help and service to others while the other is on her heart to show empathy, compassion and care. A trust has been set up for maintenance of the statue.

RETREAT WELCOMES THOSE INTERESTED IN PRIESTHOOD

Honolulu Diocese Bishop Larry Silva is organizing a retreat for Catholic men, ages 18 to 40, who are interested in the priesthood. The weekend retreat is set for March 12 to 14. Participants need a referral from a priest or other religious member.

For additional details, or to register, call 585-3343.

MOZART CONCERTS HONOR COMPOSER'S BIRTHDAY

Two all-Mozart concerts will be performed by the Oahu Chamber Orchestra Tuesday and next Saturday at area churches.

The concerts mark the birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and are planned for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace (validated parking at Century Square), and 4 p.m. Jan. 30 at First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu at Ko'olau in Kāne'ohe.

Included in the performances will be a piano concerto featuring local piano teacher and composer Robert Mondoy. Both events are free and open to the public.

2-DAY RETREAT FEATURES TIBETAN BUDDHIST MASTER

Tibetan Buddhist master and lineage holder of the Dzogchen tradition, Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche, will hold a weekend teaching retreat in Honolulu.

Born in Tibet, Rinpoche is recognized as the reincarnation of Enlightened Master Gedun Chopel.

He is both a yogi and scholar, with more than 35 years of Dharma training, including seven years in a secluded cave retreat in the Himalayas. In addition, Rinpoche is a professor of Dzogchen Shri Singha University and founder of Dharma Centers in more than 40 countries worldwide.

The local retreats are slated for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 30, at the Friends (Quakers) Meeting House, 2426 O'ahu Ave. in Mānoa.

A $25 donation is requested, but no one will be turned away. For information: www.dzogchenlineage .org.

TEMPLE MARKS HOONKO HOLIDAY TOMORROW

Hoonko, a Jodo Shinshu Buddhism holiday commemorating its founder Shinran Shonin, will be observed tomorrow at Moiliili Hongwanji Buddhist Temple.

The holiday is among the most important in the Jodo Shinshu tradition. The guest speaker for the 9 a.m. English service and 10:30 a.m. Japanese service will be Bishop Thomas Okano.

The public is invited. For additional information, call 949-1659.