Wednesday within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord (V52)
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(Romolo Tavani / Shutterstock.com)

[Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu; Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu; St. Elizabeth Church, Aiea (with Chuukese Community)]

A man I know who grew up in Bethlehem and who has many relatives there, wrote to me last week, pleading that I speak about the Palestinian Christians and Palestinian Catholics who live in the Holy Land. He wants the world to know that, while there are Palestinian terrorists, most Palestinians are peace-loving, and many are actually disciples of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amidst the terrible war and suffering that is going on there right now, he and his relatives cling to this Holy Child whose birth brought the announcement of “peace on earth and goodwill to all,” and who alone keeps that vision alive in a people suffering so much from war.

Two of our priests on Maui are from Myanmar, or Burma, and yesterday I received word that the village of one of them was bombed by the military regime that has taken over the country so violently, and that one of the priests there has been kidnapped. Yet the Christians who live there, though filled with terror, have a peace that only the Prince of Peace can bring. Read more...

(Gorodenkoff / Shutterstock.com)

[St. George Church, Waimanalo; St. Joseph Church, Waipahu]

Promises, promises!

We can become very cynical when someone makes promises but never fulfills them. We are disappointed when family members do this, critical when politicians do it, and scandalized even when religious leaders make promises they do not seem to keep. But is God always true to his promises? Some would say he is not, but we are here to say that he is always true to his promises, even if we do not see their fulfillment right away.

God made a promise to David. The great King David wanted to build a house, a temple, to glorify God for the many wonderful deeds he had done for Israel. But God turned the tables and promised that instead he would build a house for David, a dynasty that would last forever, so that until the end of time a descendant of the House of David would rule over Israel. And David had a long line of successors rule over Israel after him, until the people turned so far away from God that they became weak and were overcome by the Babylonians, who destroyed their land and dethroned their king. They never had a king since then. Did God break his promise? Read more...

A statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe is displayed on a bed of flowers in the sanctuary of St. John Apostle and Evangelist Church in Mililani during a Mass on her feast day, Dec. 12. (HCH photo | Jennifer Rector)

By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald

In Mexico every year on Dec. 12, as the sun peeks over the horizon, fireworks burst through the sky to greet Our Lady of Guadalupe on her feast day.

On this day dedicated to her, thousands of pilgrims travel to see the miraculous image she left behind on the hill of Tepeyac 492 years ago, an image that’s become one of the most recognized and mysterious icons in the Catholic Church.

Thousands of miles away from where she first appeared to St. Juan Diego, Catholics across Hawaii share in those traditions in love and devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“The celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe has a great importance to our Hispanic community here in Maui,” Father Ornoldo Cherrez from St. Theresa Church in Kihei told the Hawaii Catholic Herald in his native Spanish tongue, “especially for our people from Mexico.” Read more...

From the Office for Social Ministry

"The Son of God was born an outcast, in order to tell us that every outcast is a child of God.” - Pope Francis’s message in the 2023 Christmas Card Promoting Integral Human Development

In this joyous holiday season, Pope Francis calls us all to reflect on the deeper truth of Christmas – that all people are children of God, including all on the “outcasts” of society. By focusing on the vulnerable characters in the Christmas crèche made famous by St. Francis, we can recognize the revelation of Emmanuel, “God with us.” This theme of the divine revealed in unexpected places (such as a humble manger) mirrors the very essence of Christʻs message. Indeed we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

Here in Hawaii, we are blessed to have two inspirational saints who dedicated their lives to serving with some of the most vulnerable outcasts of society in their time, the victims of leprosy or Hansens disease, and to treating each person as a beloved child of God. St. Damien de Veuster and St. Marianne Cope of Molokai showed compassionate care to outcasts banished to exile on Kalaupapa, Moloka’i. Read more...

From Catholic Charities Hawaii

Transportation Friends for Kupuna Project

Are you 60 years old or older, who lives independently on Oahu and need transportation and/or chaperone assistance?

Catholic Charities Hawaii’s volunteer drivers and chaperones in the Transportation Friends for Kupuna Project are ready to assist you!

If you are interested in this service, please call the Catholic Charities Hawaii Senior Help Line at 808-527-4777.

This project is funded by a grant from AmeriCorps Senior Demonstration Project grant.

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 John the Apostle and Evangelist
Early First Century–c. 101
Feast – December 27

Saint John the Apostle stands out from the other Apostles in many ways. He is believed to be the author of the Gospel of Saint John, three letters in the New Testament—John 1, 2, 3— and the Book of Revelation. In the Gospel attributed to him, he refers to himself not as “John,” but as “the one whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7). Tradition holds that he outlived the other Apostles, dying around the year 101. He is the only Apostle who died of natural causes rather than martyrdom. His writing style is mystical, reflective, and contemplative, and he includes rich symbolism. His Gospel and letters focus upon divine love and the intimacy to which we are called to love and be loved by God. Read more...

Copyright © 2023 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.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:

• "Creating a Sacred Home Environment for the Live-Stream Viewing of Mass"
• "Mass Texts"

JANUARY

New Year's Day Holiday, Jan 1-2

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 Third Sunday of Advent

Bishop to Ordain Eight Permanent Deacons in January

Hawaii Saints Remind Us to Focus on the Vulnerable

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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