Tuesday within the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (V8)
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Above from left to right: Emilio Macalalad (St. Damien of Molokai, Kaunakakai), Peter Gumataotao (Holy Trinity, Kuliouou), Alvin Sniffen (Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ewa Beach), Robert Sean Berg (St. Anthony of Padua, Kailua), Cliff Villareal (Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ewa Beach), Julian Taifmai (St. Joseph, Hilo), Jared Zick (St. Elizabeth, Aiea), Stephen Lee Sr. (St. Ann, Kaneohe), John Pollard (Sacred Heart, Hawi), Barry Danielson (St. Jude, Kapolei). (Photo courtesy of Photo by Dann Ebina)

From the Office of Permanent Deacon Formation

Bishop Larry Silva instituted to the Ministry of Acolyte ten Cohort 11 candidates to the Order of the Permanent Diaconate on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at St. Stephen Diocesan Center Chapel. The candidates are in their fourth year of formation, with the remaining months in 2025 and 2026 spent in academics, and practical training for the diaconal ministry before ordination in 2027 to those who are selected.

The candidates and their wives have been meeting one weekend a month since January 2022 at St. Stephen's Diocesan Center, for academic formation by Chaminade University, homiletics lab, and meetings with the Cohort 11 Core Team leaders. Half of the candidates completed one-year rotations in Prison Ministry and Hospital/Hospice Ministry in 2024 and the other half in 2025.

Deacon Keith Cabiles and Hazell Cabiles co-direct the Office of Permanent Deacon Formation.

St. Peter’s Parish, now the mother church for Heilige Marianne Cope Heppenheim, bore banners celebrating the occasion during the Jan. 12 events. (Photo courtesy Sabine Schmidtmeyer)

Hawaii Catholic Herald

Winter coats and scarves replaced aloha shirts and lei, but the mood was just as joyous as St. Marianne was celebrated half a world away from Hawaii in her German hometown of Heppenheim.

The occasion Jan. 12 was the formal inauguration of Heilige (“Saint”) Marianne Cope Heppenheim, a new parish resulting from the merger of four smaller parishes in the city.

Guided by the parish’s motto, “In the Light of the Fire: Starting a New Era Together,” the day featured Mass and a reception. During Mass, the founding decree formally establishing Heilige Marianne Cope Heppenheim was read by Father Sebastian Lang, vicar general of the Diocese of Mainz (which includes Heppenheim). The decree, issued and signed by Mainz Bishop Peter Kohlgraf, announced the new parish as well as the parameters for how it will operate on an organizational level. Read more...

Group shot of attendees after blessing by Vicar John Molina of the East Hawaii Vicariate of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii. (Photo courtesy of Hope Services Hawai’i)

From Hope Services Hawaiʻi

HILO–Three nonprofit organizations held a blessing today for a new youth homeless outreach center in downtown Hilo. The center is a multi-agency nonprofit partnership among Hope Services Hawaiʻi, Neighborhood Place of Puna, and The Salvation Army.

Located on Kinoʻole Street across from Hilo Central Fire Station, the building is master leased by Hope Services Hawaii. It includes three commercial spaces and 22 residential units, and both homeless services and long-term supportive rentals will be provided on-site.

The residential units, located on the upper floor, will be available as affordable housing for youth aged 18-24 who are overcoming homelessness or are at imminent risk of entering homelessness.
Read more...

A group of migrants entered the U.S. from Mexico through a hole in the border fence near Sasabe, Arizona in July 2023. The group turned themselves in to a waiting CBP agent. (Aaron Wells / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“The journey from slavery to freedom that the People of Israel traveled, as narrated in the Book of Exodus, invites us to look at the reality of our time, so clearly marked by the phenomenon of migration, as a decisive moment in history to reaffirm not only our faith in a God who is always close, incarnate, migrant and refugee, but also the infinite and transcendent dignity of every human person.” - Pope Francis Letter to US Conference of Catholic Bishops-USCCB, February 10, 2025

In many ways, the ancient scriptural story of the Exodus is a timeless lesson about human resilience, the pursuit of freedom, and the call to show compassion with those in need. Pope Francis refers to this biblical narrative in addressing what he describes as a "major crisis taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations." In an extraordinary letter to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Holy Father reaffirms Catholic Social Teaching on migration that calls us to uphold the inherent dignity of all people. Pope Francis reminds us that migration is not merely a political issue but also profound human and moral concern of our Christian faith in the Incarnation. “Even a cursory examination of the Church’s social doctrine emphatically shows that Jesus Christ is the true Emmanuel who lived the experience of being expelled from his own land because of an imminent risk to his life, and of having to take refuge in a society and a culture foreign to his own. The Son of God, in becoming man, also chose to live the drama of migration.” Read more...

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 till the end of March. For more details, click HERE for Teacher of the Year and click HERE for Administrator of the Year.

From the Office of Worship

2025 is the Jubilee Holy Year, the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord, an "event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church." The concept of "Jubilee" has its origins in the Book of Leviticus (chapter 25) as a special year of reconciliation, pilgrimage, and coming home. Pope Francis has designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as "Pilgrims of Hope."

The following resources were prepared by Fr. Manny Hewe, Pastor of the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu.

• Jubilee Year of Prayer
• Aid for Prayer and Reflection Before the Jubilee Cross

Looking for a dynamic and engaging speaker to lead your Lenten mission or parish presentation? Local Speaker Anthony Selvanathan is available to partner with parishes in the Diocese of Honolulu to offer parish missions, days of reflections, and catechetical presentations during this Lenten Season, tailored to deepen the faith of your faith communities during this Jubilee Year of Hope as we prepare our hearts for Easter.

With a passion for sharing the Gospel and helping others grow in their relationship with Christ, his Lenten missions and presentations are designed to resonate with all ages and inspire a deeper commitment to prayer, repentance, and renewal, especially during this Jubilee Year of Hope.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Anthony Selvanathan holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Chaminade University of Honolulu, a master's degree in theology, and a master of business administration, both from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. At his home parish, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, he serves in pastoral ministry and also serves as an episcopal master of ceremonies for the Diocese of Honolulu. Anthony currently works in the banking industry and is an approved speaker in the Diocese of Honolulu.

If your parish is interested, please contact Anthony Selvanathan directly at aselvanathan@rcchawaii.org to discuss how he can serve your parish this Lenten season.

February 26–27, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
St. John Apostle & Evangelist Church, Mililani

Join us as we learn how to be committed to following Jesus through Eucharistic Encounter, leading to Eucharistic Identity poured out in a Eucharistic Life, all on the way to Eucharistic Mission. The two days will feature guest speaker Sister Alicia Torres, F.E., a member of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. She has been honored to serve the National Eucharistic Revival in a plethora of ways since 2021. All are welcome!

Flyer available HERE.

February 28–March 2, 2025
St. Anthony Retreat Center, Honolulu

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, you are invited to simply experience a sense of peace and renewal that only a weekend retreat can provide. This dedicated time will allow you to explore and deepen your spiritual practices. Taking place in the cool hills of Kalihi Valley where the beauty of nature abounds, you will be offered a space for prayer, reflection, and connection with the teachings of the Catholic faith in a loving Christian community. The theme of Retreat #128 is “I am yours.”

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
St. Michael the Archangel Church, Kailua-Kona

Big Island Youth Day is BACK! Big Island Youth Day (BIYD) is an opportunity for youth to rediscover their faith, build meaningful relationships, and experience the peace and joy of Christ's presence by stepping away from distractions in their everyday lives.  This year’s event is grounded in the Universal Church’s Jubilee Year – Pilgrims of Hope. Big Island Youth Day is open to the entire diocese but is primarily geared toward Hawai’i Island youth in grades 6-12. The theme is "Disconnect to Reconnect: Find Hope in Christ’s Presence."

More information is available HERE. Flyer available HERE.

Mondays & Thursdays, February and 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.

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Jim Walsh, formerly Diocesan Director of Pastoral Planning and a long-time parishioner of St. John Apostle & Evangelist Church in Mililani, who died last week. Condolences can be sent to his wife, Ann Walsh, at 94-304 Kamalei Street, Mililani Hi 96789. Funeral Services are pending. May he rest in peace.

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

Saint Polycarp
c. 65–c. 155 (or 166)
Memorial – February 23

Imagine learning about Christ from someone who knew Jesus personally. What a blessing that would be! This is the blessing today’s saint enjoyed. Saint Polycarp came to know Jesus through the preaching of Saint John the Apostle, the beloved disciple of our Lord.

Saint John’s preaching touched many lives, including that of a young man named Polycarp. It is believed that Saint John ordained Polycarp a bishop and sent him to the town of Smyrna, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Polycarp might have been only a teenager when he was ordained, and he shepherded the Church in Smyrna for more than sixty or seventy years. Read more...

(See page for author, CC BY 4.0, 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"

FEBRUARY

"Being a Disciple of Christ" A Eucharistic Mission, Feb 26-27

"I Am Yours" BCCH Spiritual Retreat, Feb 28-Mar 2

MARCH

Big Island Youth Day, Mar 1

Mass for Ash Wednesday, Mar 5

Rite of Election for the Maui Vicariate, Mar 8

Rite of Election for Oahu Vicariates, Mar 9

Chrism Mass for the Maui-Lanai Vicariate, Mar 20

Prince Kuhio Day Holiday, Mar 26

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Educators Celebrate Their Peers at Annual Conference

Encounter, Gift, and Sharing

Saint of the Week - Peter Damian

Restoring Communion from the Cup

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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