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April 7, 2026 - Easter Blessings!
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Tuesday within the Octave of Easter (V14)
Click on Web Version above for best viewing of this eNewsLetter.
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Bishop's Homily for Easter Sunday
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(Eva Hawker / Shutterstock.com)
[Cathedral Community of Our Lady of Peace at Kamiano Center (Easter Vigil); Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Waikane (Confirmation & First Holy Communion); Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu]
“Evening came and morning followed – the first day.”
These words are among the first words we read in Sacred Scripture. The first day was the day that God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Until then there had been only abysmal darkness that hovered over a wasteland. Once that first light was created on the first day, the energy to generate the rest of creation and to see how good it was became a reality as well. Something brand new started with the creation of light on the first day.
We very often live in abysmal darkness. There is the darkness of hatred, of wars, and of human cruelty. There is the darkness that comes when the truth is suppressed by our own whims, desires, and ideologies. There is the darkness of depression that weighs down on so many, and the darkness of addictions that cause chaos in so many lives. The darkness of poverty and hunger and of so many other ways in which human dignity is discarded brings down a heaviness on our world. The dank darkness of sin keeps us sealed up in tombs, often of our own making. Read more...
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Bishop Silva's 2026 Easter Message
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(Romolo Tavani / Shutterstock.com)
Jubilee of Jubilation!
Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, recently closed the Jubilee Year for Pilgrims of Hope, which was opened on Christmas Eve 2024 by Pope Francis. Pope Leo also declared this year, from Jan. 10, 2026, to Jan. 10, 2027, as the Jubilee of St. Francis of Assisi, because it marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis on Oct. 3, 1226.
On July 9, 2026, we in the Diocese of Honolulu will be officially opening a local Jubilee to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries in Hawaii. On July 7-9, 2027, we will have a grand celebration of this bicentennial. July 7 was the day the missionaries arrived in 1827, and July 9 is the feast day of Our Lady of Peace, the patroness of our diocese and of our Cathedral Basilica.
It seems that we are always rejoicing! The special Jubilees noted above only occur rarely, but our reason for rejoicing is with us always: the death and resurrection of Jesus! Read more...
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Joyful Journeys: Deployment Speeds Initiation
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Xavier Flores was baptized earlier this month by Father Anthony Tran at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. (Courtesy Dann Ebina)
By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald
he lives of military personnel do not fit neatly into a schedule, especially for those in the U.S. Marine Corps.
These families find an abundance of prayer and support within the diocese, with parishioners encouraging them and stepping in to make their faith journey a little easier amid stressful times — such as when a loved one is deployed.
A small act of encouragement by Father Anthony Tran, chaplain of the Vietnamese Holy Martyrs Catholic Community based at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu, made all the difference for Xavier Flores and Annie Le. Read more...
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Faith in Action Across Hawaiʻi
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(Flystock / Shutterstock.com)
From the Office for Social Ministry
“Before any distinction of charisms and ministries, we are all equal in dignity as members of the People of God through Baptism.”
— Pope Leo XIV Holy Week 2026
Pope Leo XIV’s Angelus message during Holy Week reminds us that as a faith family, we belong to one Church—one ʻohana under God. He especially recognizes the lay community as an essential part of the Church’s mission, just as the late Pope Francis often reminded us: “Lay people are, put simply, the vast majority of the people of God. The minority — ordained ministers — are at their service.”
Drawing from the vision of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Leo continues in that same spirit, saying: “Lay men and women are particularly called to carry Christ’s presence to all spheres of life.” Through Baptism, each Christian shares in the work of witnessing to Jesus—not just in church, but in daily life, at home, at work, in our communities. Our faith is something we are called to live and share everywhere. Read more...
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Flood Relief and Recovery Efforts
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(Andy Konieczny / Shutterstock.com)
From the Office for Social Ministry
In response to disastrous flooding across Hawai’i, parishioners are partnering with Food Banks and trusted organizations to host emergency food and supplies distributions. These community-led distributions are specifically intended for residents impacted by recent flooding. For additional information or to find more food resources for flood victims in Hawaii, please check the Hawaii Food Bank website www.hawaiifoodbank.org or call or call (808) 836-3600.
On Oahu, St. Michael Parish is working with the Knights of Columbus and EPIC to help people in the Waialua area. To volunteer help, please call (808) 637-4040 or (808) 223-3249.
On the Big Island of Hawaii, HOPE Services Hawaii is coordinating with parishes and community organizations doing disaster relief and recovery. For more information, please call (808) 935-3050.
For how Catholic Charities Hawai’i is helping assist flood victims across Hawaii, please call the following: on Oahu (808) 521-4357, on Maui (808) 873-4673, and on Kaua’i (808) 241-4673.
For donations specifically to help Hawaii’s Catholic parishes and school communities which were impacted by the recent flood disaster, the Hawai’i Catholic Community Foundation has a Flood Relief and Recovery Fund. Please visit their website at www.hawaiicatholiccommunityfoundation.org. Mahalo.
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2026 Hawaii Catholic Schools Choral Festival on YouTube
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From the Hawaii Catholic Schools
Watch the 2026 Choral Festival on our Hawaii Catholic Schools YouTube Channel. The event took place on Thursday, March 5th in the Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium at Maryknoll School to commemorate “Music In Our Schools” month. This year's Choral Festival themed “Ave Maria, Mary Sing With a Joyful Heart” wouldn't be possible without all the schools, choir directors (pictured below), choir performers, Maryknoll School, and Unity AV Services.
Mahalo for your help and participation in making this event a success!
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Nominate Favorite Educator and Administrator for the Golden Pine"apple" Awards
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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 2025-2026 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.
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Rachel's Vineyard Weekend Retreat, Apr 17-19
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Friday, April 17 - Sunday, April 19, 2026
(Arrival at 5:30pm on Friday / Departure on Sunday at 5:00pm)
If you or a friend are hurting from a past abortion and are searching for a confidential, non- judgmental, safe place of healing and support to express and reconcile painful emotions and begin the healing process, look no further, and come join us!
Both women and men are impacted by abortion and greatly benefit from the retreats. Singles, couples and family members of aborted children have come to Rachel's Vineyard for peace and inner healing. You are not alone.
Retreats are held at a private retreat center for 3 days and 2 nights. A retreat fee of $200.00 covers materials, accommodations, and daily meals/snacks. Space is limited. Need-based scholarships are available. Calls us today for personalized assistance!
To register, contact Lisa Shorba at (808) 490-4702 or email rvinhawaii@gmail.com.
Registrations are Strictly Confidential.
Visit the national website at: www.rachelsvineyard.org.
Flyer available HERE. Brochure available HERE.
A Ministry of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii’s Respect Life Office
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Healing Mass, Apr 17
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Friday, April 17, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Pearl City
Join this healing mass celeberated by Fr. Santhosh Thottankara, SS.CC. and the HCCRS Praise and Worship Team.
Flyer available HERE.
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ʻOhana Mass, Apr 25
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Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Honolulu
From the Office for Social Ministry
At Mary, Star of the Sea Church on Oahu, parishioners established their Ministry for Persons with Disabilities by welcoming persons with varying gifts and abilities to celebrate the “’Ohana Mass.” Ushers who are members of the Knights of Columbus offer a warm welcome and escort them to the designated pews where they were able to better participate in the Eucharist. After Mass, the community continues fellowship together through a potluck supper where all joyfully serve each other with nourishing food and aloha. These “‘Ohana Masses” and potluck fellowship normally take place on the fourth Saturday each month, 5:30 p.m. at Mary, Star of the Sea where all are welcomed to celebrate and share their gifts as one ‘Ohana.
Live stream available at Mary, Star of the Sea's YouTube Channel.
For more information, please call the parish office at (808) 734-0396 or email rafmendoza@rcchawaii.org.
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Word of Life for April
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
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Saint of the Week
John Baptist de la Salle
1651–1719
Memorial - April 7
Saint John Baptist de La Salle died on Good Friday, perhaps as a divine sign of the sacrificial life he had lived for the salvation of souls. This wasn’t his first death. His first death was of the life he had lived and the renunciation of the world for the sake of the unexpected mission God gave him. Read more...
(Image credit: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission. www.mycatholic.life
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Online Giving for Parishes
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!
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Subscribe to the Hawaii Catholic Herald
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Members of Hawaii Catholic parishes may receive a subscription free through the Hawaii Catholic Herald Parish Plan.
Others: $28 Hawaii, $32 Mainland, $35 foreign.
Visit: www.hawaiicatholicherald.com/subscriptions
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