Tuesday within the Third Week of Lent (V12)
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(Elena Dijour / Shutterstock.com)

[St. Ann Church, Kaneohe]

You may be aware that many dioceses in the Mainland are dealing with the closures of parishes, due to a lack of priests, and, more importantly, a lack of people. This is a very painful process, especially for the parishioners who have come to love their own parishes. Thanks be to God, we have not had to do this in the Diocese of Honolulu, with the exception of one small rural parish on Hawaii Island that is now closed. However, what is happening on the Mainland should be a wake up call to all of us. Jesus tells the people, “If you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” Does the fact that we have not had to close parishes indicate that we are different from our Mainland brothers and sisters? I do not think so! Read more...

A meeting room in the new Maui Support Center at St. Anthony School in Wailuku. (Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities Hawaii)

By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald

In a mission to care for caregivers in the wake of the devastating 2023 wildfires, a new effort to support first responders has begun on Maui.

The Maui Support Center is now open at St. Anthony School in Wailuku.

Catholic Charities Hawaii is partnering with the American Red Cross to provide professional help to those who work on the front lines, but also to any members of the public who need support — especially people affected by the Maui fires.

The Maui Support Center “provides critical support to Maui’s first responders, teachers, therapists, disaster case managers and other professionals on the front lines who may be feeling the emotional toll of helping others,” according to Catholic Charities Hawaii. Read more...

(Nitr / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

And Jesus told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ The gardener said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not, you can cut it down.’” - Luke 13:1-9, Third Sunday of Lent Gospel

The Lenten season invites us to deepen our faith and cultivate it so that it bears fruit. Bishop Joseph Tyson of the Diocese of Yakima recently reflected on the Lenten Gospel parable of the barren fig tree, connecting this scriptural passage to his own family’s farming background and the agricultural life of the Yakima Valley, often called the “Fruit Basket of the United States.” Each year, thousands of migrant farm workers labor in the fields with the local community, harvesting apples, pears, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, and grapes. Bishop Tyson recalls his mother’s cousin, Sonny, spent over 25 years growing cherries—an endeavor that requires patience, skill, and care: "Harvesting cherries is delicate work. Farmworkers rise early to pick during the cooler morning hours because the midday heat draws the fruit’s natural sugars back into the tree. Cherries must be picked with finesse to avoid bruising, and even the way they are placed in the bag matters—gently released from the bottom to prevent damage." Read more...

(Photo by Lauren Carroll for CRS)

Paying it Forward as a Lead Mother

Ana Belén and her husband, José, have four children and a baby on the way. They live in a small house in Santa María Chiquimula, Guatemala. Francisco, their 9-year-old son, says his neighborhood is, “a very happy place to live, but sometimes it’s also very hard to live here.” He is not wrong. In their community, malnutrition affects over half of the population mainly because people can’t afford to put food on the table.

Almost five years ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic started, José lost his job as a driver. This created serious challenges for the family. Even after the pandemic, things never went back to normal. Food prices went up and eggs became twice as expensive. Bad weather made things worse—strong rains damaged the crops, causing the prices of vegetables, including tomatoes, onions and corn to go up. Read more...

(Lauren Carroll / CRS)

Each Friday of Lent, we abstain from eating meat as a way to experience a little of the hunger that many experience daily. Journey with us around the world and incorporate these Lenten recipes into your meatless Fridays. Give the money you saved each week by not eating meat to your CRS Rice Bowl to feed those in need around the world.

Black Bean Soup
Black bean soup is a dish made with black beans, vegetables, and spices, and is often enriched with ingredients like tomatoes, onions, garlic, and cilantro. In Guatemala, it is a traditional dish due to its nutritional value and the local availability of beans.

See the full recipe at https://www.crsricebowl.org/recipe/black-bean-soup.

From the Hawaii Catholic Schools

Hawaii Catholic Schools and Chaminade University with the support of John C. and Mary Lou Brogan presents The Golden Pine"apple" Awards for both Administrator and Educator of the Year. Both awards recognize excellence in outstanding teachers/specialists and administrators within the Catholic Schools in the State of Hawaii.

The recipients of the 2024-2025 school year's award will be announced at the Recognition Ceremony in May and will receive the Golden Pine”apple” trophy and a monetary award. The recipients’ school will also receive $1,500 to be used for Staff Development from the Augustine Educational Foundation.

Nominations are being accepted until the end of March. For more details, click HERE for Teacher of the Year and click HERE for Administrator of the Year.

Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.
St. Rita Thrift Shop, Haiku

Stop by St. Rita Church, Haiku's thrift shop for this free clothing giveaway. There will be gently used clothing, books, shoes, toys, kitchen ware, bedding, and more!

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
St. Anthony Retreat Center, Honolulu

Join the HCCRS Lenten Statewide Prayer Meeting. Fr. Sebastian Soosai will lead a Lenten Reflection and the HCCRS Worship Team will lead praise and worship.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
St. Anthony of Padua Church, Kailua

Join us for the Annual Scout Mass and Awards Ceremony! The diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting is celebrating Catholic scouts who have earned religious emblems/awards in the past year. All are invited to come and celebrate faith, service, and community!

Let’s come together to support and celebrate our scouts! Want information on Catholic Religious Emblems? Visit our website: www.catholichawaii.org/scouts.

Scouts are invited to RSVP HERE.

Flyer available HERE.

Mondays & Thursdays in March at 7:00 p.m.
St. Patrick Church, Kaimuki

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1231 states “By its very nature infant baptism requires a post baptismal catechumenate. Not only is there a need for instruction after baptism but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth.

All are welcome to join these talks on Mondays and Thursdays from 7-8pm at St. Patrick Church in Kaimuki. These talks will be given by the missionary team of the Neocatechumenal Way in Hawai’i: Jonathan & Nazarena Stenger with their seven children, Fr. John Wadeson, and Benjamin Paz a seminarian for the Diocese of Philadelphia.

The Neocatechumenal Way is a post-baptismal catechumenate for adults to help people grow in their faith by living with the Scriptures and liturgy so as to experience it in small communities within the structure of the Parish. Pope Saint John Paul II wrote in a letter: “I acknowledge the Neocatechumenal Way as an itinerary of Catholic formation, valid for our society and for our times.”

For more information, please contact Jonathan and Nazarena Stenger at (808) 268-3993.

Friday, April 4, 2025 at 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
St. John Vianney Church, Kailua

Knights of Columbus Council 6307 is having a fish fry to raise money for students of St. Anthony and St. John Vianney Schools who are in financial need, and for Ho’ola Na Pua, a local organization that is committed to the renewal of girls trafficked in the sex trade, through health, education, advocacy, and reintegration.

Enjoy the “Best Fish Fry Ever” and make some new friends while supporting two great causes.

You can eat in the Parish Hall between 5:00-7:30 p.m. or pick up your meals at the drive-thru between 4:30-6:30 p.m. and eat at home.

Purchasing Tickets:

• Only a limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
• Order tickets now at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/kofccouncil6307/1516354

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
St. Michael the Archangel Church, Kailua-Kona

Clergy, couples, and singles are invited to attend a Languages of Love enrichment based of the book "The Five Love Languages" by Dr. Gary Chapman.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/4uz45mju. For more information or assistance with registration email WWMEBigIsland@gmail.com or text 808-478-6071.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Annunciation Church, Waimea

During this Jubilee Year, all are invited to deepen their faith by exploring the Catechism, Vatican II, and more. These Days of Study will feature prayer, keynotes, workshops, and fellowship—engaging gatherings to inspire and equip participants in their faith journey.

Registration link for Waimea HERE.

Flyer available HERE.

June 22–27, 2025
St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Kaneohe

Empower young people in your parish for leadership
The Christian Leadership Institute – Hawaii (CLI) is a week-long leadership development program for high school youth (grades 9–12) who show leadership potential. It equips young people with practical skills for Christian leadership and ministry, fostering personal and communal faith growth through workshops, prayer experiences, and reflection. CLI emphasizes peer collaboration and hands-on leadership opportunities. The 2025 session runs from June 22–27 at St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Oahu.

More details here: https://www.catholichawaii.org/oyyam/ym/cli-hi.

Flyer available HERE.

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Stephanie June Rapozo, 79 years old, mother of Fr. Anthony Rapozo, pastor of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Church, Mililani. She passed away on March 23 at Wilcox Medical Center in Lihue, Kauai. She is survived by her husband, Wayne Rapozo, and sons Lucas and Jason (wife Karen), and her eldest son, Fr. Anthony. May she rest in peace.

Condolences may be sent to Fr. Anthony and his family via his email address: arapozo@rcchawaii.org.

July 20-31, 2025 in the Philippines

Join Bishop Larry Silva for this special 12-day nativity pilgrimage to the Philippines. The tour will go through Malina, Ilo-Ilo, Cebu, Simala, Batangas, and Tagaytay. The trip includes round-trip airfare, airport taxes & fuel surcharges, land transportation, first-class hotels, daily mass, meals as per itinerary, and a medical protection plan. To learn more, visit travel.nativitypilgrimage.com/silva-philippines.

See the full brochure HERE.

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

Annunciation of the Lord
Solemnity - March 25

In the fifth century, bishops engaged in a fierce theological debate over the unity of the divine and human natures of Christ, referred to as the “hypostatic union.” Nestorius, the Archbishop of Constantinople, argued that there were two underlying hypostases, or substances, in Christ, one human and one divine. He believed that the humanity of Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, but not His divinity. Therefore, Nestorius believed Mary should only be called the “Christ-bearer” and not the “God-bearer” (Theotokos). Saint Cyril, the Archbishop of Alexandria, argued that the divine and human natures of Jesus were united in one hypostasis. Divinity and humanity were perfectly united and, therefore, Mary is properly called the Theotokos, or “Mother of God,” not just the “Mother of Christ.” Read more...

(Paolo de Matteis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.) Copyright © 2024 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!

There are many opportunities to view Mass via live stream from various churches in the Diocese of Honolulu.

OAHU

Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, downtown Honolulu
Sundays at 10 AM
Weekdays at 12 PM, Saturdays at 12 PM and 5 PM
https://www.facebook.com/HonoluluCathedralBasilica/live
or https://honolulucathedral.org/

Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Kalihi
Sundays at 10:30 AM
https://www.facebook.com/hicocathedral

Mystical Rose Oratory, Kaimuki
Sundays at 10 AM
https://www.facebook.com/mysticalroseoratoryHI/

Mary, Star of the Sea, Waialae-Kahala
Saturdays at 5:30 PM
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVaHZ63dLgyxEujc20LzkAw

Our Lady of Sorrows, Wahiawa
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/olswahiawa/live
or https://www.olswahiawa.org

Resurrection of the Lord, Waipio
Sundays at 9:30 AM
https://www.facebook.com/ResurrectionHI/live

St. Augustine, Waikiki
Saturdays at 5 PM
https://www.facebook.com/StAugustineWaikiki

St. Joseph, Waipahu
Sundays at 10 AM, Weekdays at 6:30 AM, Saturdays at 7 AM
https://www.facebook.com/StJosephChurchWaipahu/

St. Pius X, Manoa
Sundays at 11 AM
Facebook: Diocese Of Honolulu Evangelization Taskforce

St. Rita, Nanakuli
Sundays at 9 AM
YouTube

St. Stephen, Nuuanu
Sundays at 10 AM
https://www.facebook.com/St-Stephens-Catholic-Church-Nuuanu-100906711581421/live
 

Resources to Prepare for Watching a Livestream Mass:

• "Creating a Sacred Home Environment for the Live-Stream Viewing of Mass"
• "Mass Texts"

MARCH

Prince Kuhio Day Holiday, Mar 26

Free Clothing Giveaway in Haiku, Mar 29

Lenten Statewide Prayer Meeting, Mar 29

Scout Mass at St. Anthony of Padua, Kailua, Mar 29

Annual Scout Mass and Awards Ceremony, Mar 29

APRIL

Annual Mass for Clergy and Religious Jubilarians, Apr 5

"Languages of Love" Marriage and Family Enrichment, Apr 5

Chrism Mass for the Kauai Vicariate, Apr 8

Chrism Mass for the East and West Hawaii Vicariates, Apr 10

Bagels with Bishop at St. Joseph School, Hilo, Apr 11

Jubilee Year Days of Study in Waimea, Apr 12

Mass for Palm Sunday, Apr 13

Chrism Mass for Oahu-Molokai Vicariates, Apr 15

Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Apr 17

Good Friday Holiday, Apr 18

Good Friday Morning Prayer, Apr 18

Good Friday Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, Apr 18

Holy Saturday Morning Prayer, Apr 19

The Easter Vigil, Apr 19

Mass for Easter Sunday, Apr 20

NEWS

For our most recent news, visit www.catholichawaii.org.

Bishop's Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent

Father Elias “Eli” Escanilla (1951-2025)

Walk Together in Hope and Compassion

CRS Rice Bowl Story of Hope from Nigeria

Saint of the Week - Saint Patrick

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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