Tuesday within the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time (V32)
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View of the Altar of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in downtown Honolulu. (Bill Perry / Shutterstock.com)

[St. Anthony of Padua Church, Kailua]

I have been spending a good bit of time lately planning for several events. One of them is the renovation of our beautiful and historic Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, which this coming Saturday will celebrate the 182nd anniversary of its dedication. We had to plan what exactly was going to be renovated, choose materials and designs, and make sure the congregation that worships there is at least adequately cared for. Then, of course, there is the fundraising! Another event is the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the first Catholic Missionaries in Hawaii, which we will celebrate in 2027. We have been meeting to plan not only for the events at which we will celebrate this momentous occasion, which is a very detailed plan, including a POSSIBLE visit from the Pope, God willing. But there are also plans about helping us all to become more effective missionaries right here in Hawaii, bringing the Gospel to a very secularized culture, just as the first missionaries brought the Gospel to a religious culture, but one that knew nothing of Jesus Christ. Read more...

Maria Lanakila Church’s spire glows at night with strings of Christmas lights, as seen May 9 during Sacred Hearts School’s Ho‘ike celebration. (Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)

Hawaii Catholic Herald

Two years after wildfires tore through West and Upcountry Maui — devastating the historic beachfront town of Lahaina and killing more than 100 people — the community spirit remains strong despite the continued challenge of rebuilding homes, businesses and livelihoods.

Construction has ramped up in Lahaina, allowing for some businesses to reopen and some residents to return. The public can now drive through more areas as debris removal is completed (some are still open only to residents or remain completely closed).

The wider access includes streets surrounding Maria Lanakila Church, which was miraculously spared in the deadly Aug. 8, 2023, blaze while other properties around it were destroyed. This has allowed the church to reopen its doors and welcome parishioners — many still displaced from their homes in town — as well as other local residents and visitors. Read more...

(Maria Marganingsih / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“Many migrants, refugees and displaced persons are privileged witnesses of hope. Indeed, they demonstrate this daily through their resilience and trust in God, as they face adversity while seeking a future in which they glimpse that integral human development and happiness are possible.” - Pope Leo XIV Jubilee Year Message for 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2025

As the Catholic Church celebrates the Jubilee Year under the theme Pilgrims of Hope, our new Pope Leo XIV has chosen “Migrants as Missionaries of Hope” as the focus for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees in 2025. In his message released this August, Pope Leo emphasized the deep connection between migration and hope: “The search for happiness, and the prospect of finding it beyond one’s place of origin, is certainly one of the main motivations for the movement of people today.” Our Holy Father also highlighted some ways migrants and refugees can contribute to where they are welcomed. “In a special way, Catholic migrants and refugees can become missionaries of hope in the countries that welcome them, forging new paths of faith where the message of Jesus Christ has not yet arrived or initiating interreligious dialogue based on everyday life and the search for common values.”  Their presence, he said, should be recognized not only as a gift to the Church, but also an opportunity for renewal. “In this way, migrants and refugees are recognized as brothers and sisters, part of a family in which they can express their talents and participate fully in community life.” Read more...

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Mrs. Alice Secor, the mother of Monsignor Gary Secor, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Honolulu. She died peacefully around noon on Sunday, August 10, at her home in Lanikai (Kailua). May she rest in peace, and may the Lord comfort Monsignor Gary Secor and his family.

Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Holy Family Church, Honolulu

All men are invited to join the 2025 Catholic Men's Conference. The day will feature guest speakers Bishop Larry Silva, John Edwards, and Sean Berg. The event costs $40 and is free for men under the age of 25. For more information, contact Ron Gochenouer at (808) 206-4420.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
via Zoom

Broken By Design: How Modern Law and Technology Are Tearing Children from Their Roots

Across America—and increasingly here in Hawaii—the family is under intense cultural and political pressure. From no-fault divorce to surrogacy markets and gender ideology, today’s trends often prioritize adult desires at the expense of children’s needs. In this eye-opening presentation, we’ll examine the powerful forces pulling apart the family, including the redefinition of marriage, the rise of the fertility industry, and emerging legal threats to parental rights.

Rooted in both faith and evidence, we’ll explore why children flourish best when raised by both their mother and father—and why this foundation matters in everything from education and reproductive technologies to modern family law. Together, we’ll reflect on what it means to be a truly pro-child society—one that challenges adults to sacrifice for the sake of the next generation.

Visit www.hawaiifamilyforum.org/them-before-us-webinar to register for this webinar.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, August 23, 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 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.

Friday, August 29, 2025 at 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Kalihi Union Church, Honolulu

Helping your children graduate with their faith and values intact

Are you concerned that your children’s faith and values will be negatively impacted in a public school? You are not alone.

At this seminar parents, grandparents & ministry workers will discover:  A powerful way to teach children discernment in class; how to address a concern with a teacher in a gracious way; students’ religious liberties at school; how to teach children a biblical definition of tolerance and more!

Tickets are complimentary but you must register. For more information please visit www.gogateways.org/hawaii2025.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
St. John Apostle & Evangelist Church, Mililani

This professional development seminar is for public school educators and school leaders. It is not about “education theory.” You’ll learn practical ways to appropriately and lawfully include teaching about the Bible and Christianity as it relates to history, culture, and values across the curriculum.

You’ll also learn how the separation of church and state applies and does not apply in schools. You’ll receive the latest updates on federal and state religious liberty issues affecting students and teachers…and more!

Tickets are $25, register soon! For more information please visit www.gogateways.org/hawaii2025.

Flyer available 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 Jane Frances de Chantal
1572–1641
Memorial - August 12

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, born Jeanne-Françoise Frémiot in Dijon, France, was born into an influential and noble family. Her father held the position of President of the Parliament of Burgundy. Tragically, Jane lost her mother at the tender age of eighteen months, an event that profoundly impacted her early life. Despite this hardship, her deeply religious father ensured that Jane and her siblings received an excellent education and were raised as devout Catholics. Jane was recognized for her intelligence and piety from an early age, and her beauty, faith, strong moral character, and personal virtues were widely acknowledged. Read more...

(Unknown Artist, 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!

AUGUST

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

"Them Before Us" Webinar on Family, Aug 23

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

"Keeping Their Faith in Public Schools" Seminar, Aug 29

"Faith, Freedom, and Public Schools" Seminar, Aug 30

SEPTEMBER

Labor Day Holiday, Sep 1

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Isle Faithful Joyfully Welcome Samoan Bishop

Alleged Miracle Attributed to the Intercession of Joseph Dutton

The Good Samaritan: Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart

Saint of the Week - Transfiguration of the Lord

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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