Tuesday within the Octave of Easter (V16)
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(Romolo Tavani / Shutterstock.com)

[Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa; Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace]

If Jesus had died and risen from the dead, but was never seen again, that would probably be worth celebrating. Quite an accomplishment, rising from the dead!  It might make the Guinness Book of World Records. It probably would be noted somewhere in history books. It certainly would be one of the most noteworthy of human accomplishments. Definitely unusual and worthy of note!

If simply rising from the dead was the end of the story, it would be a wonderful story, but I truly doubt that people all over the world would gather for 2,000 years to celebrate this event with such rich and sumptuous joy. I doubt that some would dedicate their lives to proclaiming his continued presence to others, even when it meant they would be ridiculed, and perhaps even persecuted or put to death. It is unlikely that the apostles, who proved to be such a cowardly bunch, would leave everything behind, go to the ends of the earth, and joyfully tolerate their own suffering and death, if the resurrection was simply a past event to be noted. Read more...

Christ Appears in front of Mary Magdalene (Noli me tangere), 1681. (Claude Lorrain, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, “I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her. (John 20:16-18)

Jesus had died and his beloved friend Mary of Magdala was beside herself with grief. Then, all of a sudden, Jesus appears to her – very much alive! -- and calls her by name. She naturally embraced him, kissed him, and hugged him tight, hoping she would never again be separated from him. He says something strange, “Stop holding on to me.” Surely, he understood how thrilled she was to see him alive, and how her love drove her to give him a prolonged embrace. Yet he says, “Stop holding on to me,” because he has a mission for her. He sends her as the “apostle to the Apostles,” the first one to announce the resurrection to them. This gift of the resurrection that gave Mary so much hope and joy was not only a gift for her, but a gift to be shared with all she met, beginning with the Apostles of Jesus. She was the first evangelizer, telling the Good News to others who did not yet know it. Read more...

(Pavel Mikheyev / Shutterstock.com)

Bishop Larry Silva of the Diocese of Honolulu said in a statement late April 20: “After many prayers for his recovery, Pope Francis has passed to his eternal rest. How blessed is Pope Francis to have died on this Easter week, after dedicating his life and his papacy to proclaiming the Lord Jesus as alive and active in our world!”

“May he be raised up to eternal life with the risen Lord he loved so much. May his apostolic ministry bear much good fruit for generations to come!”

Vicar General Msgr. Gary Secor of the Diocese of Honolulu said late April 20 that “I was surprised and saddened by the death of Pope Francis which occurred late this evening/early morning in Rome.”

For resources and news related to the passing of Pope Francis, please visit https://www.catholichawaii.org/popefrancis.

By Deacon Marlowe Sabater
Hawaii Catholic Herald

“A leaf floating along the gentle stream.” That is how my wife, Maggie, and I described our lives and our journey in diaconate formation. For some reason, we found ourselves being carried by the steady flow of God’s providence.

Both Maggie and I are cradle Catholics who grew up in the faith through the Catholic education system in the Philippines. I was born and raised by devout Catholic parents and spent my elementary years under the care of the Franciscan sisters and my high school years with Salesian priests and brothers.

I thought that with devout parents who raised me to pray at every meal, attend church every Sunday and spend all that time in Catholic school, I would be equipped to live a morally upright life. My goal was simply to be a good person and cruise through life until I grew old. But God had other plans. Read more...

From the Office for Social Ministry

“Let the Church and the world rejoice, for today our hopes no longer come up against a wall of death, for the Lord has built us a bridge to life.” - Pope Francis Easter Message on the Vatican 2025 Easter Card from the Dicastery for Integral Human Development

As we celebrate this joyful Easter season, the declaration of “Alleluia!” reminds us to rejoice in new life—a message more vital than ever in a world overwhelmed by crisis and conflict. For many, the Lenten journey was one of deep reflection on suffering and sacrifice leading up to the Passion and Death of Jesus. But Easter transforms all into hope: Christ’s Resurrection proclaims the victory of life over death.

This powerful theme is beautifully captured in Pope Francis’s message featured on the 2025 Easter card from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Human Integral Development. Indeed, Christ’s rising invites us to break down the walls of death that divide and instead build bridges of hope to life full of peace and joy. Read more...

(Photo credit: CRS Social Media)

From the Office for Social Ministry

As the Easter Season celebrates the culmination of our Paschal in the joyful Resurrection, CRS wants to thank all for sharing in the Lenten journey and how the pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving impact not only our lives but also the lives of our sisters and brothers in our local community and around the world. As we strive to live in true global solidarity and are nourished by the Bread of Life, let us share bread for life to ensure everyone has enough to eat amid this global food crisis. When we come together to tackle hunger, there is no limit to what we can achieve. Read more...

Friday, April 25 - Sunday, April 27, 2025
(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.

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. Confidential intakes.

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

Saturday, April 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, April 26, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
Mystical Rose Oratory at Chaminade University

All are invited to the Hope Springs Concert at the Mystical Rose Oratory. The evening will feature contemporary spiritual musical with Jim Muneno & Friends, Czarina Del Mar Lai, and the Mystical Rose Oratory Choir. The suggested donation is $10 per person. All proceeds will be donated to the Mystical Rose Oratory Pavilion project.

Flyer available HERE.

On Sunday April 27, the first Millennial Saint, Carlo Acutis, will be canonized in Rome. That same day, a movie about his life will be in theaters nationwide entitled Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality. Please consider encouraging your parishioners, especially young people, to see the movie. This is a great opportunity for individuals to invite people to an evangelistic event during this mission year of the Eucharistic Revival.

View Trailer here: https://youtu.be/keMMRdzMrN4?si=skQT-_RHNaZLIqNC

Learn more and buy tickets here: https://carloacutisfilm.com/

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Bachelot Hall at Sacred Heart Church, Punahou

How would you like to learn about demonic oppression and possession and the Christian Church’s theology around it. Spiritual warfare is real. Why not learn how real non-Hollywood movie exorcisms happen?

Join us in taking the mask off the demonic with the help of Catholic exorcist Fr. John Szada. He will teach us about demonic oppression, obsession and possession, how to distinguish demonic intrusion from mental illness, and what we can do to protect ourselves and others. Fr. Szada will share real stories about real people and real exorcisms. The evening will include time for Q&A. This event is open to the public, tickets are limited.

Learn more and register at https://www.himonline.org/lits2025.

Flyer available HERE.

This event is presented by Hawaiian Islands Ministries in conjunction with the Diocese of Honolulu.

Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Catholic Charities Hawaii, Honolulu

All are invited to join the 45 Annual Catholic Charismatic Regional Conference "The Harvest is Ready!" The day will feature guest speaker John Beaulieu, Catholic Lay Evangelist and creator of Romans 5:5 Ministry. Registration costs $25 (with lunch) or $15 (without lunch). For more information, please visit www.hccrs.org.

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.

Bishop Kolio Tumanuvao from American Samoa will be in the islands from July 8-14, 2025 with the Samoan Community on Oahu for a seminar. All of the Samoan Communities in each parish are encouraged to be present for this event.

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 George
Died c. 303
Memorial - April 23

Very little is known about Saint George, other than that he was martyred by the Roman Emperor Diocletian around the year 303 for refusing to renounce his Christian faith and offer sacrifice to the Roman gods. Eusebius, a fourth century bishop, stated that Constantine the Great, Roman Emperor from 306–337, dedicated a church to “a man of the highest distinction.” This unnamed man is believed to be Saint George. Read more...

(Donatello, CC BY-SA 3.0, 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!

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"

APRIL

Rachel's Vineyard Retreat, Apr 25-27

ʻOhana Mass, Apr 26

Hope Springs Concert, Apr 26

MAY

Mass for Bishop Silva's 50th Anniversary of Priesthood, May 2

Priesthood Ordination of Preston-Jay Castro and Lawrence Denis III, May 16

Hawaii Catholic Charismatic Regional Conference, May 17

Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate of Taylor Mitchell, May 17

Annual Priests Retreat, May 19-23

Baccalaureate Mass for Damien Memorial School, May 24

Memorial Day Holiday, May 26

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for Palm Sunday

Daily Mass for the Cathedral Basilica

Love, Family, Community

Call for Solidarity at ‘Encuentro’ for Migrants

CRS Rice Bowl Story of Hope from Bangladesh

CRS Rice Bowl Lenten Recipes - Bangladesh

Saint of the Week - Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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