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December 12, 2023 - Second Week of Advent

Tuesday within the Second Week of Advent (V50)
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Bishop's Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent

(M-Production / Shutterstock.com)

[Sacred Heart Church, Waianae]

I was speaking to a woman who was very distressed because she raised her daughter to be a faithful Catholic, taking her to Mass every Sunday, and assuring that she regularly attended religious education classes as she was growing up; but as a young adult, her daughter no longer attends Mass. This weighs heavily on the mother. (Sound familiar?) So I asked the mother, “Do you ever talk to your daughter about how in the Mass we physically encounter Jesus, who loves us so much, and who wants to be with us to show us his love?” She looked at me with surprise and said, “No, I was never taught to talk to her about Jesus and his love. I am not sure I would be comfortable doing that.” I told her that it was unlikely her daughter would return to Mass unless she felt some attraction of love, and that is certainly what the Mass is all about. Read more...

New Norm Regarding Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion taking Communion to the Homebound

Bishop Silva requests every parish to place the following announcement in its weekly bulletin for three consecutive weeks:

In order to safeguard the sacredness of the Holy Eucharist, Bishop Silva has forbidden that the Eucharist be given to anyone presenting a pyx in the Communion line.  Only those who are authorized by the parish priest to take Holy Communion to the sick may receive the Eucharist from the priest after the Communion of the faithful, and never during the Communion procession.

Island Youth Join Thousands of Other Teens ‘Expressing their Faith with no Boundaries’

The group from the Diocese of Honolulu at this year’s National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis included high school students, young adults and chaperones. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Gomes)

By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald

Twelve high school students from the Diocese of Honolulu traveled across the country last month to join 12,000 other young Catholics at this year’s National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The youth filled Lucas Oil Stadium Nov. 16-18, their enthusiasm fulfilling this year’s theme, “Fully Alive,” inspired by Genesis 1:23-27 and John 10:10.

“Over the course of the weekend, participants explored the meaning of being created in the image of God,” said Lisa Gomes, director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Honolulu. Read more...

Hawaii Holiday Season Highlights Vulnerable Persons

(IgorAleks / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

At the heart of the Christmas season is the Nativity Scene and at its center are the images of a young houseless migrant couple, Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in a stable where their newborn son, the infant Jesus lays in a manger. These sacred images draw our hearts to focus on the vulnerable persons in our midst. From families seeking refuge in the midst of ravaging war in the Middle East, Ukraine and Africa, to those fleeing catastrophic wildfires from the Amazon to Maui, the world is full of compelling examples that move our hearts, crying out for our prayers and actions.

Here in Hawaii, the holiday season has plenty examples of how the vulnerable persons in our midst not only contribute their gifts to society, but draw out the best in others. These examples include the monthly 'Ohana Mass celebrated every 4th Saturday which incorporates the contributions of “specially gifted persons” and the Christmas Keiki Day in the Women’s Community Correction Center in Oahu where the children and care-givers related to incarcerated women have a holiday celebration with their moms which includes puppet shows and Christmas Carols and family gifts with Santa all organized by Christian volunteers from nearby communities. Read more...

Advent Resources from the USCCB

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.

Bishop's Misa de Gallo and Simbang Gabi Mass Schedule

This year Bishop Larry Silva has scheduled five early morning Misa de Gallo Masses and four evening Simbang Gabi Masses from December 16th through December 24th on Oahu and Hawaii Island. 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

  • Saturday, Dec. 16, 5:00 am, St. Michael, Waialua
  • Sunday, Dec. 17, 5:00 am, St. Elizabeth, Aiea
  • Friday, Dec. 22, 5:00 am, St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani
  • Saturday, Dec. 23, 5:00 am, Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu
  • Sunday, Dec. 24, 4:30 am, St. Joseph, Waipahu

Simbang Gabi Mass

  • Saturday, Dec. 16, 5:00 pm, St. Philomena, Salt Lake
  • Monday, Dec. 18, 6:00 pm, St. Michael, Kailua-Kona
  • Thursday, Dec. 21, 6:30 pm, St. Roch, Kahuku
  • Saturday, Dec. 23, 6:00 pm, St. George, Waimanalo

’Ohana Mass, Dec 23

Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Honolulu

From the Office for Social Ministry

This year, including all during summer at Mary, Star of the Sea Church on Oahu, parishioners have shared 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 PM at Mary, Star of the Sea where all are welcomed to celebrate and share their gifts as one ‘Ohana.

Livestream 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.

EPIC Ministry Christmas Banquet, Jan 5

Friday, January 5, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Hawaii Okinawa Center
94-587 Ukeʻe Street, Waipahu

All are invited to EPIC Ministry's annual Christmas Banquet, a "Christmas Lūʻau",  on January 5, 2024!

This year, in addition to the great food, live entertainment, silent auction, wine pull, photo booth, and more, they will also be honoring a couple who have dedicated their lives in service to the youth and young adults of our local Church and community. This year's EPIC Award will be presented to Dcn. Wally and Gwen Mitsui at our banquet!

Early bird discount on tickets until November 30. So get your tickets today. Visit www.epicministry.net to reserve your space.

Flyer available HERE.

Saint of the Week

Our Lady of Guadalupe
Feast – December 12

Between 1428 and 1521, the Aztec Empire thrived in present-day central Mexico. This empire began with an alliance among three city-states: Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan, allowing them to dominate the region. In 1521, the Spanish conquistador, Hernán Cortés, led his army of Spaniards and members of the indigenous Tlaxcalans tribe in a battle against the Aztecs, defeating them and capturing their capital city. The conquerors then established New Spain in the territory and rebuilt the capital that would become Mexico City.

Over the next ten years, Franciscan missionaries arrived on Spanish ships to serve the spiritual needs of the new settlers and to share the Gospel with the natives. Read more...

Copyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission. www.mycatholic.life

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!

Live-streaming Masses for the Diocese of Honolulu

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.cathedralofourladyofpeace.com/LiveStream.html

Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Kalihi
Sundays at 10:30 AM
Mondays to Thursdays at 6:30 AM, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 AM
https://www.facebook.com/hicocathedral

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

Newman Center, Manoa
Sundays at 5 PM
https://www.facebook.com/NewmanHawaii/

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

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ewa Beach
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/olphparishewabeach

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

Our Lady of the Mount, Kalihi
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/olmkalihi/

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

St. Anthony, Kalihi
Sundays at 8:30 AM, Weekdays at 6:30 AM, Saturdays at 7 AM
https://www.facebook.com/saintanthony.kalihi

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

St. Elizabeth, Aiea
Sundays at 10 AM
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_bh9hK77HA3nwfXpaoZgww

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. Michael, Waialua
Sundays at 11 AM, Wednesdays at 7 AM
https://www.facebook.com/stsmichaelpeterpaul
or https://stsmichaelpeterpaul.org

St. Rita, Nanakuli
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/stritananakuli/
or YouTube

St. Roch, Kahuku
Sundays at 7:30 AM
https://www.facebook.com/KahukuHawaii

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

HAWAII

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Papaikoi & St. Anthony, Laupahoehoe
Sundays at 8 AM (St. Anthony, Laupahoehoe)
Sundays at 10 AM (Immaculate Heart of Mary, Papaikoi)
Saturdays at 5 PM (Immaculate Heart of Mary, Papaikoi)
https://www.facebook.com/Hamakua-Catholic-Community-110985457198038/

Our Lady of Lourdes, Honokaa
Sundays at 9 AM & 6:30 PM, Saturdays at 5:30 PM
https://www.facebook.com/ourladyoflourdeshonokaa
 

KAUAI

St. Catherine, Kapaa
Sundays at 9:30 AM, Mondays to Saturdays at 7 AM
https://www.kauaistcatherine.church
or https://www.facebook.com/stcatherinekauai
 

MAUI

Our Lady Queen of Angels, Kula
Daily at 7 AM
https://www.facebook.com/ourladyqueenofangels/

St. Joseph, Makawao
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Josephs-Church
 

Resources to Prepare for Watching a Livestream Mass:

Events and Previous Announcements

DECEMBER

Misa de Gallo at St. Michael, Waialua, Dec 16

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Philomena, Honolulu, Dec 16

Misa de Gallo at St. Elizabeth, Aiea, Dec 17

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Michael, Kailua-Kona, Dec 18

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Rock, Kahuku, Dec 21

Misa de Gallo at St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani, Dec 22

Christmas Eve Holiday (Observed), Dec 22

Misa de Gallo at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Dec 23

‘Ohana Mass for December, Dec 23

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. George, Waimanalo, Dec 23

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

Christmas Day Holiday, Dec 25

Christmas Midnight Mass, Dec 25

Mass for Christmas Day, Dec 25

New Year's Eve Holiday (Observed), Dec 29


JANUARY

New Year's Day Holiday, Jan 1

EPIC Ministry Christmas Banquet a "Christmas Lūʻau," Jan 5

Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate of Anthony Tran, Jan 6

Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Deacon Aspirants of Cohort 11, Jan 14

Annual Red Mass, Jan 16

Mass for the March for Life, Jan 18

March for Life, Jan 19

Deacon Ordination of Cohort 10, Jan 20

Deacon Ordination at St. Joseph, Makawao, Jan 27

Breakfast with Bishop at St. John Vianney, Kailua, Jan 28


NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the First Sunday of Advent

Aiea Pastor Encouraging His Parishioners to ‘Adopt a Tree’

Hawaii Holiday Season Highlights Vulnerable Persons

Word of Life for December 2023

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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