Tuesday within the Third Week of Advent (V49)
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[Annunciation Church, Waimea]

We know that people who have an addiction to alcohol are often blind to the problem that everyone else around them can see clearly. We are aware that some young people do not trust their parents because they seem to be deaf to their real problems and desires. We know that some people are very talented, but they do not use their talents because somewhere along the line someone crippled them with harsh criticism. We are aware that some of our brothers and sisters walk about as the living dead because they are addicted to drugs or suffer severe psychoses. We know that millions of people in our world live in dire poverty, even though the world has all the resources needed to care for everyone. Read more...

Volunteers chatted with people experiencing homelessness Nov. 25 during Hope Services Hawaii’s annual Homeless Luncheon at Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale in Hilo. (Photo by Lisa Dahm / Hawaii Catholic Herald)

By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald

HILO — Two days before Thanksgiving, Hope Services Hawaii hosted its annual Homeless Luncheon — an event celebrating community connection where unsheltered people in East Hawaii could receive a hot meal and access to other essential services.

A total of 168 guests received lunch Nov. 25 from an all-volunteer waitstaff representing various organizations in the community at Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale in Hilo. The gathering, which included live entertainment, also provided a wide array of vital services and connections to medical and social service providers.

Among the offerings available were mobile showers, free haircuts, activities, prizes and a clothing boutique. Read more...

Bishop Larry Silva blesses the leaders of Catholic Charities Hawaii and Catholic Charities Housing Development Corp. at the 2025 Red Mass. (Photo courtesy of the Hawaii Catholic Herald)

Every year, the church prays to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance for public servants in what is known as the Red Mass. The liturgy, a tradition in the islands for decades, is timed to precede the opening of the state Legislature, which occurs in January.

The Diocese of Honolulu invites all to attend the 2026 Red Mass, scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa. Bishop Larry Silva will celebrate the Mass; the keynote speaker is Connie Mitchell, executive director of the Institute for Human Services.

Mitchell’s topic is “Radical Justice in Tumultuous Times.” Her talk will explore how each generation presents unique challenges to people of faith as they strive to heed God’s call to “do justice, while loving mercy and walking humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).

Parking at the co-cathedral is free. For special accommodations for persons with disabilities, call (808) 585-3347. Those who are unable to attend in person can watch a livestream of the Red Mass at honolulucathedral.org/redmass.

Please consider attending the Red Mass and joining the church in praying for our elected leaders and public servants. Mahalo!

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From the Office for Social Ministry

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”- John 1:14

The season of Advent invites us to slow down, look a little closer, and reflect on the many ways God shows up today in our world. Christmas isn’t about grandeur or perfection—it’s about the miracle of God choosing to be with us in our perfect imperfections. His entrance into the world was not a glamorous royal event. Instead of pomp and circumstance, He was born in a humble stable, surrounded by His parents, lowly shepherds, and barn animals. He arrived  among the most vulnerable on that silent night in Bethlehem, reminding us that God is with us—and shares fully in our vulnerable humanity through the Incarnation. During the first weekend of December, two celebrations—half a world apart—brought that message to life in very meaningful ways. Read more...

Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.
St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Kaneohe

For many years, Bishop Larry Silva has been collecting Nativity sets of all kinds from all over the world. There are currently close to 300. All are invited to an Open House to see them on Sunday, December 21, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. They are displayed in the library (just off the cobblestone courtyard) at St. Stephen Diocesan Center, 6301 Pali Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744. Refreshments will be served. Bishop Silva and some of our seminarians will welcome you!

This year Bishop Larry Silva has scheduled seven early morning Misa de Gallo Masses and three evening Simbang Gabi Masses from December 16th through December 24th on Oahu and Maui. All throughout the diocese are warmly welcomed to experience and become part of this great tradition. Please contact the parishes for more information.

Misa de Gallo

• Tuesday, Dec. 16, 5:00 am, St. Elizabeth, Aiea
• Wednesday, Dec. 17, 5:00 am, Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa
• Friday, Dec. 19, 5:00 am, St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani
• Saturday, Dec. 20, 5:00 a.m., Christ the King, Kahului
• Sunday, Dec. 21,  5:00 am, St. Joseph, Makawao
• Monday, Dec. 22, 5:00 am, Our Lady of Sorrows, Wahiawa
• Wednesday, Dec. 24, 4:30 am, St. Joseph, Waipahu

Simbang Gabi Mass

• Thursday, Dec. 18, 7:00 pm, St. Jude, Kapolei
• Saturday, Dec. 20, 7:00 pm, St. Anthony, Wailuku
• Tuesday, Dec. 23, 6:00 pm, St. Philomena, Honolulu

(Kara Gebhardt / Shutterstock.com)

From the Hawaii Catholic Herald

THIRD WEEK

The mother lights three candles. The prayer for the third week is:

Leader: Let us pray. We humbly beg you, O Lord, to listen to our prayers and, by the grace of your coming, bring light into our darkened minds. Through Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Leave three candles burning during the evening meal, at family prayers, or before bedtime.

(Beskova Ekaterina / Shutterstock.com)

Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.

The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas.

• Advent Calendar for 2025
• Blessing of an Advent Wreath
• The "O Antiphons" of Advent
• Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene
• Blessing of a Christmas Tree
• Commentary on the Proper Prayers of Advent from the Roman Missal
• Festival of Lessons and Carols
• Lectio Divina for Advent

Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Kaneohe

As we bring the Jubilee Year to a close, this Advent retreat invites you to pause, reflect, and rejoice. Led by Bro. Alphonse “Al” Vu, SDB, we will explore how true joy flows from our hope in the Lord and how we are called to carry that joy into the world as Pilgrims of Hope, Bearers of Joy. Come encounter Christ’s presence in prayer, community, and reflection.

RSVP at https://adventretreat.eventbrite.com.

Flyer available HERE.

Called to lead? Called to serve? Join the GIVEN Leadership Program! Apply before December 31, 2025.

The GIVEN Institute’s Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Program offers leadership development, faith formation, and dedicated mentorship for Catholic young women ages 21-35 seeking to live out their unique vocation and mission. Women accepted to the program participate in The Leadership Forum from June 24-28, 2026 at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and are then paired with an established Catholic female leader for 1-on-1 mentorship and support to develop and launch an Action Plan – a new initiative activating personal gifts in service to others. GIVEN is also accepting applications from lay and consecrated women (ages 36+) who would like to serve as mentors or volunteer at the 2026 Forum. All women are encouraged to become part of GIVEN!

To learn more and apply for the 2026 Cohort, please visit: https://giveninstitute.com/leadership-program/.

The diocese has had a few young women participate in this program. If you are a young woman interested in this and would like to talk with someone locally about this program, please email oyyam@rcchawaii.org.

Flyer available HERE.

Save the date!

Saint Marianne Cope Feast Day Celebration

Friday, January 23, 2025
Mass: 6 p.m.
Celebrant: Most Rev. Larry Silva
Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa
712 North School Street, Honolulu

“I am not afraid of any disease; hence it would be my greatest delight even to minister to the abandoned.” (St. Marianne Cope)

Mother Marianne Cope with six other Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse arrived in Honolulu in 1883 at the request of the Hawaiian Kingdom to care for its citizens with leprosy.

Bringing with her experience in nursing and hospital administration, she served the most desolate of outcasts. Giving herself generously and heroically to the victims of leprosy, she alleviated their physical and spiritual sufferings.

She spent 30 years in Kalaupapa, Molokai, caring for the patients there. She exemplified the ideals lived by St Francis of Assisi, an all-embracing compassion, an enduring selflessness and a deep love of Christ.

In gratitude, the Hawaiian government awarded her the Royal Order of Kapiolani and Robert Louis Stevenson honored her in a poem.
Her legacy in medicine and education left no Hawaiian island untouched.

A model of grace, service, kindness, and love, Mother Marianne was beatified in 2005, and canonized at the Vatican on October 21, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI.

Her spirit of selfless service continues today in Kalaupapa and in the St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii.

Come and celebrate her gift to Hawaii.

All are warmly invited to join talks on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7–8 PM at St. John the Baptist Parish in Kalihi. These sessions share the Good News of Christ, who offers guidance and hope in the challenges of life, along with the gift of love and forgiveness. Through this program of Catholic formation in small parish communities, we can explore and deepen the richness of our baptism. For more information, please contact Dr. Anthony Ramos at 808-721-0557.

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Justina Ellorin, mother of Fr. Raymund Ellorin, Pastor of St. George Church, Waimanalo. She passed away in the Philippines. May she rest in peace.

Word of Life is a monthly resource from the USCCB's Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. Each month includes resources for print and are adaptable for digital efforts including Feature of the Month, Intercessions for Life, Bulletin Quotes, and Bulletin Art. Learn more at www.respectlife.org.

Available in English: PDF | Word

Saint John of the Cross
c. 1542–1591
Memorial - December 14

Juan de Yepes y Álvarez was born in Fontiveros, Ávila, Spain. His family descended from Jewish converts who settled in Fontiveros. His father, Gonzalo, was an accountant who worked for relatives who were involved in the silk trade. In 1529, Gonzalo married Catalina who was poor and an orphan. Gonzalo’s wealthy family did not receive the news well. As a result, he was shunned by his relatives and no longer able to work as their accountant. Therefore, Gonzalo joined his new bride in her trade of weaving to support his own family. Gonzalo and Catalina had three boys: Francisco, Luis, and Juan. Read more...

(Image: Archdiocesan Museum in Katowice, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) Copyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission. www.mycatholic.life

Support your local parish online! You can give directly to your parish on the Diocese of Honolulu's Offertory page at www.catholichawaii.org/offertory.

On behalf of the parishes in the Diocese of Honolulu, thank you for your gift of support. Mahalo nui loa!

DECEMBER

Misa de Gallo at St. Elizabeth, Aiea, Dec 16

Misa de Gallo at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Dec. 17

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Jude, Kapolei, Dec. 18

Misa de Gallo at St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani, Dec 19

Jubilee Year Advent Retreat, Dec 20

Misa de Gallo at Christ the King, Kahului, Dec. 20

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Anthony, Wailuku, Dec. 20

Misa de Gallo at St. Joseph, Makawao, Dec. 21

Misa de Gallo at Our Lady of Sorrows, Wahiawa, Dec. 22

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Philomena, Honolulu, Dec. 23

Misa de Gallo at St. Joseph, Waipahu, Dec. 24

Christmas Eve Holiday, Dec 24

Christmas Day Holiday, Dec 25

New Year's Eve Holiday, Dec 31

NEWS

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