Tuesday within the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time (V28)
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John Jacob Akau stands between Father EJ Resinto, left, and Father Lazarus Anondee outside Sacred Heart Church in Honolulu as they bless animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. Akau spent a year at Sacred Heart as part of his formation.  (Courtesy John Jacob Akau)

By Celia K. Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald

John Jacob Akau can trace his “long and winding” journey to becoming a priest back to his childhood in Pahala, on Hawaii island.

Akau, 39, would celebrate pretend Mass — “playing priest with sandwich bread,” he said, a towel tied around his neck to resemble a vestment. And while he doesn’t recall saying so, he said his grade-school CCD teachers recently reminded him that he also told them he wanted to be a priest.

The call to priesthood faded in his teenage years, when he was a student at Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama on Oahu, and returned when he was a young adult, only to be tamped down as he sought to “experience life as a working adult” after earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Hawaii-Hilo. Read more...

(Photo Courtesy of Diocesan Staff)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“We who live here in Hawaii are very blessed and privileged to be the heirs of the story of Saints Fr. Damien and Mother Marianne, who served the poorest and most needy among us.” - Bishop Larry Silva, “Following Footsteps” OSM YouTube Video

This month, word is spreading that the Diocese of Honolulu is preparing for a special milestone in 2027: the bicentennial anniversary of the Catholic faith’s arrival in Hawaii. It will be a very blessed time to celebrate 200 years of Witness to Jesus, including by following in the footsteps of saints Fr. Damien and Mother Marianne, two of the first Catholic missionaries responding to Christ’s call to share their faith in Hawaii. Read more...

Sunday, July 13 - Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Blessed Sacrament Church, Honolulu

Jesse Romero, dynamic Catholic author, speaker, and radio host will present Preparing Your Hands for Battle for three consecutive evenings. This event is sponsored by the Catholic Men's Fellowship of Hawaii. For more information, please contact Ron Gochenouer at (808) 306-7502.

Flyer available HERE.

Friday, July 18, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
Japanese Cultural Center, Honolulu

Join the 2nd Annual "Sip & Savor" Wine Tasting and Dinner Fundraiser for the Catholic Men's Fellowship of Hawaii. The evening will feature guest speaker Jesse Romero. This event will help fund future events for the  CMFH including conferences, seminars, and other speaker events.

Flyer available HERE.

Friday, July 18, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Immaculate Conception Church, Lihue

Come together as one 'ohana in faith for a Night of Worship at Immaculate Conception Church in Lihue. This free event is open to the whole family for a night of praise & worship music led by the Immaculate Conception Youth Choir, an inspirational talk by Kauai's own Fr. EJ Resinto, and a moment to spend with our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. The event is free, no registration is needed!

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
St. Catherine Church, Kapa'a

You are invited to the Jubilee 2025 Day of Study on Kauai – a special opportunity to reflect, learn, and grow alongside others seeking deeper understanding and renewed hope.

CLICK HERE to watch the promo video.

What’s special about this Day of Study?
• Local theologian and master catechist Dallas Carter will be offering the keynote and facilitating breakout sessions
• Special sessions just for YOUTH in grades 6 – 12 on identity and purpose in Christ
• Incredible breakout sessions with great presenters to choose from to help deepen your understanding and faith

Whether you serve in a parish ministry or are simply hungry to grow in faith, this day is for you. REGISTER TODAY and invite friends, family members, your ministry or youth group, or fellow parishioners to come with you!

Cost: $20 for the day! (Optional box lunch add-on)
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jubilee-2025-day-of-study-kauai-tickets-1400236387729

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Honolulu

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 “ʻOhana 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 “ʻOhana Masses” and potluck fellowship normally take place on the fourth Saturday each month, 5:30 PM 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.

Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
St. Anthony Church, Wailuku

As we journey through this Jubilee Year of Hope, we are invited to rediscover the beauty of our faith by studying the documents of the Second Vatican Council and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

You are invited to the Jubilee 2025 Day of Study on Maui – a special opportunity to reflect, learn, and grow alongside others seeking deeper understanding and renewed hope.

CLICK HERE to watch the promo video.

Why attend?
• Learn what the Jubilee Year is all about
• Deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith
• Be inspired to live as a Pilgrim of Hope
• Connect with others in our diocesan ʻohana

Whether you serve in a parish ministry or are simply hungry to grow in faith, this day is for you. REGISTER TODAY and invite friends, family members, your ministry or youth group, or fellow parishioners to come with you!

Cost: $20 for the day! (Optional box lunch add-on)
Register Here: https://mauidayofstudy.eventbrite.com

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Church, Pahoa

Clergy and couples are invited to attend a Living Sacred Sexuality workshop, to better understand and live the concepts of St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body. Unlock passion, reignite conversation, and expand the meaing of marital intimacy. Don't just study Theology of the Body - live it!

Register by Sunday, August 3rd at WWMEBigIsland@gmail.com.
A $10 fee will be collected at the workshop.

For more information go to https://tinyurl.com/5629ztx7, email WWMEBigIsland@gmail.com, or text (808) 478-6071.

Flyer available HERE.

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Renee Thronas, who passed away on Kauai the evening of July 14, 2025. She is the mother of Mandy Thronas-Brown, Associate Superintendent of Hawaii Catholic Schools. May she rest in peace, and may the Lord comfort her family.

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

Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Late Twelfth–Early Thirteenth Century
Memorial - July 16

At the base of Mount Carmel, on the northwest coast of Israel, lies a Carmelite monastery named Stella Maris, Latin for “Star of the Sea.” This monastery is built over a cave believed to have been where the prophet Elijah, inspired by God, challenged 450 prophets of Baal in a contest to the death. Elijah triumphed. Shortly after, Elijah prophesied the end of a three-year drought when, in the passage above, his servant reported to him that he saw a “cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.” That small cloud quickly transformed into a heavy rainfall over the parched earth. Later Carmelites interpreted Elijah’s vision as a prefiguration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was seen as the small cloud rising from the sea, a true “Star of the Sea,” and the rain that would emerge from her to end the three-year drought was perceived as the grace and mercy poured out by her Son, Jesus. Read more...

(Pietro Novelli, 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!

JULY

"Preparing Your Hands for Battle" with Jesse Romero, Jul 13-15

"Sip and Savor" Fundraiser, Jul 18

Kauai Night of Worship, Jul 18

Kauai Jubilee Day of Study, Jul 19

'Ohana Mass, Jul 26

AUGUST

Maui Jubilee Day of Study, Aug 2

Mass of the Holy Spirit for Catholic School Educators, Aug 14

Hawaii State Admissions Day Holiday, Aug 15

50th Anniv. Mass for Vietnamese Catholic Community, Aug 15

Mass for the Deacon Summer Institute, Aug 16

Living Sacred Sexuality Workshop, Aug 16

Installation of Fr. Tui as Pastor of Sacred Heart, Punahou, Aug 16

Mass for 155th Anniv. of Our Lady of the Mount, Kalihi, Aug 17

Installation of Fr. Resinto as Pastor of St. Catherine, Kapaa, Aug 24

NEWS

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

Planting Seeds of Hope

Priests Are on the Move as New Assignments Take Effect July 1

Chicago to Hawai‘i: Sharing Christ’s Love in the Year of Hope

Saint of the Week - Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and 119 Companions

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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