Tuesday within the First Week of Advent (V49)
Click on Web Version above for best viewing of this eNewsLetter.

(Sync Design Solutions / Shutterstock.com)

[St. Stephen Church, Honolulu (Adult Confirmation & First Communion)]

Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25? Nowhere in Scripture are we told the actual date – or even the season – of the birth of Jesus. The short answer is that the early Christians “stole” a pagan feast and made it their own.

Back before there was electricity, people did pay much more attention to the sun, the moon, and the stars. They noted that the darkest day of the year was around December 21, and after that, the sun began to give a little more light every day. The ancient Romans had a festival around December 25 that they called “Sol Invictus,” which means “unconquered sun,” because the sun, which seemed to be in decline, was now showing its power to revive. Christians interpreted this with Christ as the true Sun, the light that rises over the whole world. Given that he, too, had his light dimmed in the crucifixion, but rose again in triumphant glory, they began celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25. Read more...

By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald

The former longtime pastor of St. Jude Church in Kapolei has taken on new responsibilities alongside Bishop Larry Silva as his priest-secretary.

Father Khanh Hoang was pastor of St. Jude from 2003-2007 and from 2014 until earlier this year, when he left on a medical sabbatical.

He is loved by the community in Kapolei, where one of his biggest impacts was starting St. Jude on the path toward building a new church.

“When I came back to St. Jude in 2014, that’s when we worked with the diocese to buy the 11 acres at Leihano (in Kapolei),” said Father Hoang. “I started the capital campaign in 2015 for the new church. So far, we collected $3.5 million, and I signed the contract for schematic design of the new church before I left St. Jude.”

Now, as priest-secretary to Bishop Silva, Father Hoang is in a way returning to familiar territory. Read more...

(Ostanina Anna / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“This is how God loves to act: He does great things, starting from those small things, those freely-given ones. This logic of smallness and giving is so different from ours. We try to accumulate and increase what we have, but Jesus asks us to give, to diminish. We like to add, we like addition; Jesus likes subtraction, taking something away to give it to others. We want to multiply for ourselves; Jesus appreciates it when we share with others, when we share.” - Pope Francis Angelus Reflection on Giving and Sharing, 2021

Advent marks the beginning of a holiday season that often gets swept up in a frenzy of buying and receiving. But at its heart, this season invites us to focus on something much deeper: the beauty of giving and sharing in small significant ways. Pope Francis, in his reflections on the Gospel, reminds us that generosity isn’t measured by how much we give, but by the love with which we give it. In the Gospel story of the miracle of multiplying the loaves and fishes, a young poor boy offers his humble food—five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus uses this small, freely given gift to feed thousands. Pope Francis points out that in the Gospel, instead of the word “multiply” to describe this miracle, we hear the words “to break,” “to give,” and “to distribute.” It’s an important lesson: God takes what little we are willing to give with love out of our shared need and multiplies it in ways beyond our imagination. This miracle is about the abundance available when we give and share freely even when it feels like we don’t have enough. Pope Francis reflects on how the Gospel calls all to "Give what little you have, your talents, your possessions, and make them available to Jesus and to your brothers and sisters in need. Do not be afraid—nothing will be lost, because if you share, God will multiply." Read more...

This year Bishop Larry Silva has scheduled eight early morning Misa de Gallo Masses and three evening Simbang Gabi Masses from December 16th through December 24th on Oahu and Kauai. 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

• Tuesday, Dec. 17, 5:00 am, St. Anthony, Kalihi
• Wednesday, Dec. 18, 5:00 am, St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani
• Thursday, Dec. 19, 5:00 am, Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa
• Friday, Dec. 20, 5:00 am, Holy Cross, Kalaheo
• Saturday, Dec. 21, 5:00 am, St. Catherine, Kapaa
• Sunday, Dec. 22, 5:00 am, Immaculate Conception, Lihue
• Monday, Dec. 23, 5:30 am, St. Michael, Waialua
• Tuesday, Dec. 24, 4:30 am, St. Joseph, Waipahu

Simbang Gabi Mass

• Monday, Dec. 16, 7:00 pm, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ewa Beach
• Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7:00 pm, St. Roch, Kahuku
• Wednesday, Dec. 18, 6:00 pm, St. Philomena, Honolulu

(Kara Gebhardt / Shutterstock.com)

From the Hawaii Catholic Herald

SECOND SUNDAY (DECEMBER 8, 2024)

Two candles are lighted on the second Sunday by the oldest child and allowed to burn as before. The prayer for the second week is:

Leader: Let us pray. O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for your only begotten Son, that through his coming we may be made worthy to serve you with pure souls. Through Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

(Beskova Ekaterina / Shutterstock.com)

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.

• Advent Calendar for 2024
• Blessing of an Advent Wreath
• The "O Antiphons" of Advent
• Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene
• Commentary on the Proper Prayers of Advent from the Roman Missal
• Festival of Lessons and Carols
• Lectio Divina for Advent

Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu

Join this special Mass for Naming and Commendation of an Infant who Died before Birth, also known as the Miscarriage Mass, with Bishop Larry Silva. This Mass is sponsored by the Respect Life Office. For more information, contact Dcn. Gary Streff at (808) 673-3074 or gstreff@rcchawaii.org.

Flyer available HERE.

Friday, December 6, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
St. Francis Kūpuna Village Courtyard in Liliha
2230 Liliha Street, Honolulu

Please join St. Francis Healthcare System for their 45th Annual Light Up a Memory Tree Lighting Ceremony and Fundraiser. Let's cherish the memories of our loved ones who are no longer with us.

For questions, please contact (808) 547-6500 or lightupamemory@stfrancishawaii.org.

(Ali Sabbagh, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

On Saturday, December 7, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, will peal its bells at 2pm ET, coinciding with the Rite of Opening the Doors of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, whose doors had been closed since the devastating fire of April 15, 2019.

The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in downtown Honolulu will join the celebration by pealing its bells on Saturday, December 7th at 9:00 a.m. (HST).

Please join us in celebrating the reopening of this iconic cathedral that holds a special place in the hearts of all believers and people of good will throughout the world.

Friday, December 13 - Sunday, December 15, 2024
St. Anthony Retreat Center, Honolulu

Basic Christian Community of Hawaii presents "Do Whatever He Tells You" an Advent Spiritual Retreat. When we are constantly on the go, there is not much time to think about the things that are truly important in life. At the wedding at Cana, the Blessed Mother says to the servants who are gathered in Jesus' presence, "do whatever He tells you." (John 2:5). On a BCCH retreat weekend, experience peace and solitude to hear God speak to your heart and renew your commitment to be a follower of Christ and to do His will.

This two-night advent retreat for adult men and women will led by spiritual directors, Very Reverend Msgr. Gary Secor of the Diocese of Honolulu, and Sr. Meristella Umdor, a Missionary Sister of Mary Help of Christians.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1072770267749.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.  - 2:00 p.m.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Waikane

Join this fundraising endeavor for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church's Christmas Country Craft and Farmers Market. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is small parish in Waikane, nestled amongst the Koolaus in the country. The fair will have farm vendors, arts and crafts, Hawaiian food, music and entertainment.

Vendors are still welcome to sign up to participate in the fair. Please call (808) 436-7377 or (808) 421-9331 if interested.

Flyer available HERE.

From the Office of the Bishop

All are invited to the ordination to the transitional diaconate of Preston-Jay Castro, to be celebrate at St. Joseph Church, Waipahu, on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. (the anticipated Mass for the Third Sunday of Advent). Please keep Deacon-elect Castro in your prayers.

Friday, December 20, 2024 at 6:45 p.m.
Ala Moana Beach Park (Ewa side), Honolulu

All are welcome to join the Summer Sunset Rosary and Potluck. The rosary and potluck will be held on the third Friday of each month through December at Ala Moana Beach Park. Sponsored by the Catholic Men's Fellowship of Hawaii & Knights of Columbus Council 5000. Questions? Please contact Ron Gochenouer at (808) 306-7502.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024
at 5:30 p.m.
Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Honolulu

From the Office for Social Ministry

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 “’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.

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.

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

From Most Reverend Clarence (Larry) Silva
Bishop of Honolulu

General Decree Concerning the 2024 Solemnity of the Immaculate  Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

While this very important celebration is usually on December 8, since that is a Sunday of Advent this year, all the Masses for December 7/8 must be for the Second Sunday of Advent. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is transferred to Monday, December 9. Although the Paulist Press Ordo says it is not a day of obligation this year, in order to give due honor to our national patroness, and since the Diocese of Honolulu only observes this Solemnity and the Solemnity of Christmas as holy days of obligation, I hereby decree that the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is to be celebrated on Monday, December 9, 2024, as a HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION in the Diocese of Honolulu. Pastors are to schedule Masses so that all may observe this holy day of obligation and to publicize that it is a holy day of obligation well in advance of December 9. Any Vigil Mass celebrated on Sunday, December 8 is to be a Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent, not for the Immaculate Conception.

This decree is to be promulgated as law through publication in the Hawaii Catholic Herald and in the diocesan eNews.

Given at the Office of the Bishop on September 26, 2024.

Saint Francis Xavier
1506–1552
Memorial – December 3, 2024

Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta (Francis) was born into a noble family at the Castle of Xavier in the Kingdom of Navarre, the youngest of several children. His father was seneschal (administrator) to the royal court of the King of Navarre, giving him important administrative, financial, and judicial authority. In 1512, when Francis was six, the King of Aragon and regent of Castile attacked the Kingdom of Navarre, with devastating consequences for Francis’ family’s wealth and power. Three years later, Francis’ father died. At the age of nineteen, Francis moved to Paris to study philosophy and the arts. As was common at that time, he went by the name Francis Xavier, identifying himself with his place of origin, the Castle of Xavier. Read more...

Joseph-Marie Vien, CC0, 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"

DECEMBER

St. Francis Healthcare of Hawaii's "Light Up a Memory," Dec 6

Mass for 140th Anniversary of Immaculate Conception, Lihue, Dec 8

Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Dec 9

Mass at Immaculate Conception, Ewa, Dec 9

Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. John the Baptist, Kalihi, Dec 12

Our Lady of Mount Carmel's "Christmas in the Country," Dec 14

Deacon Ordination of Preston Castro, Dec 14

Simbang Gabi at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ewa Beach, Dec 16

Misa de Gallo at St. Anthony, Kalihi, Dec 17

Simbang Gabi at St. Roch, Kahuku, Dec 17

Misa de Gallo at St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani, Dec 18

Simbang Gabi at St. Philomena, Honolulu, Dec 18

Misa de Gallo at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Dec 19

Misa de Gallo at Holy Cross, Kalaheo, Dec 20

Sunset Rosary & Potluck, Dec 20

Misa de Gallo at St. Catherine, Kapaa, Dec 21

Misa de Gallo at Immaculate Conception, Lihue, Dec 22

Misa de Gallo at St. Michael, Waialua, Dec 23

Christmas Eve Holiday, Dec 24

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

Christmas Midnight Mass, Dec 24

Christmas Day Holiday, Dec 25

Christmas Day Mass, Dec 25

New Year's Eve Holiday, Dec 31

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King

Hawaii's Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement Celebrates 25 Years

Giving Thanks for Those Who Witness Through Their Lives

Saint of the Week - Solemnity of Christ the King

Restoring Communion from the Cup

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

Members of Hawaii Catholic parishes may receive a subscription free through the Hawaii Catholic Herald Parish Plan.
Others: $28 Hawaii, $32 Mainland, $35 foreign.

Visit:  www.hawaiicatholicherald.com/subscriptions