Tuesday within the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time (V35)
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[St. Rita Church, Haiku (Installation of Pastor); Holy Spirit Parish/Newman Center, Manoa (Installation of Pastor)]

Which would be more humiliating: being moved to a lower place at a banquet, or having some fault or indiscretion you committed publicly revealed? I think I would personally choose the banquet scene, because the other choice could be much more humiliating. But what if we freely admitted to someone that we had committed some mistake or indiscretion, and even ask forgiveness for it? Yes, it would be humiliating, but also very freeing, not only for the person we offended but for us as well.

Marriage and family life are extremely important. They are the bedrock of our culture and provide a context in which – we hope! – everyone will feel the security of being loved. Yet sometimes, we can offend a spouse, a child, a parent, or a sibling in ways we may not even be aware of. Read more...

The Vietnamese Holy Martyrs Catholic Community’s anniversary celebration Aug. 15 included a procession by the Daughters of the Society of St. Monica at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. (Photo courtesy of Dann Ebina)

By Father Anthony Tran
Special to the Hawaii Catholic Herald

On Aug. 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of Mother Mary, the Vietnamese Holy Martyrs Catholic Community in the Diocese of Honolulu celebrated its 50th anniversary, a profound milestone marking five decades of faith, resilience and community building.

This special occasion, held at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu, was not merely a commemoration of time but a heartfelt tribute to the founding members who, starting in 1975, fled their homeland, leaving everything behind for the freedom to practice their Catholic faith in the United States.

Their enduring legacy of sacrifice and devotion laid a solid foundation for generations to come. Read more...

Guests in the newly renovated kitchen of Hale Ulu Lehua. (Photo courtesy of HOPE Services Hawaii)

HONOKAʻA, HAWAIʻI – Wed. August 27, 2025 – HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, in partnership with Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and community leaders, hosted a blessing ceremony on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, to celebrate the grand opening of Hale Ulu Lehua, a new supportive housing project for kūpuna.

The ceremony marked the forthcoming opening of a transformative project that converted the former convent house on the church grounds into 10 single-occupancy, permanent, affordable rental units. The facility is designed to address the critical need for housing for Hāmākua kūpuna, providing not only a home but also vital wraparound services to help residents live independently and with dignity. Read more...

The LARC Vocations Subcommittee has Religious Sisters, Brothers, and Priests available to speak at your parish or school—especially during the week of October 4–12 for the Jubilee Year celebration of Consecrated Life (October 8 & 9). If you are interested, please email larcvocations@rcchawaii.org or contact the Religious Community directly.

(Photo courtesy of HOPE Services Hawaii)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“May hope fill your hearts…Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring.” - Pope Francis Opening Message for Jubilee Year December 2024

One of the many memorable actions Pope Francis did before he passed was to decree that the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica be opened on Christmas Eve 2024, inaugurating the Jubilee Year calling all to be pilgrims of hope with the marginalized suffering around the world. “Each day we meet people who are poor or impoverished; they may even be our next-door neighbors. Often, they are homeless or lack sufficient food for the day. They suffer from exclusion and indifference on the part of many. It is scandalous that in a world possessed of immense resources… the poor continue to be the majority of the planet’s population, billions of people.”

Pope Leo XIV echoes his predecessor’s call connecting hope with the poor in his message for the 2025 World Day of the Poor this fall: "The poor can be witnesses to a strong and steadfast hope, precisely because they embody it in the midst of uncertainty, poverty, instability and marginalization.” The new pope’s letter also acknowledged the everyday saints who regularly bear Witness to Jesus through works of charity in soup kitchens, shelters, schools, care homes and community centers where people are welcomed, seen, and heard. “How many of these quiet signs of hope often go unnoticed and yet are so important for setting aside our indifference and inspiring others to become involved in various forms of volunteer work!”

Here in Hawaii, that same spirit of hope in service with others in need shines strongly through an organization that consistently lives up to its name. HOPE Services Hawaii is celebrating its 15th anniversary of inspiring hope and changing lives. Read more...

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Deacon Joseph T. Soon, who died on September 1, 2025 at age 54. He was ordained a deacon of the Diocese of Honolulu on January 21, 2015 and served at Blessed Sacrament Church, Honolulu (Pauoa). He is survived by his wife, Onolata Soon and his young daughter Leocretia Soon. Funeral services are pending.

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Patricia Tossey, who died on September 1, 2025. She served the Diocese of Honolulu faithfully for many years as the Executive Secretary to Bishop Larry Silva, Bishop Francis Di Lorenzo, and Bishop Joseph Ferrario. May she rest in peace.

Saturday, September 6 - Sunday, September 7, 2025

Founded in 1887 by the U.S. bishops, The Catholic University of America is the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States, educating seminarians, religious, bishops, and laity to advance the dialogue between faith and reason. As a comprehensive institution of higher education, Catholic University seeks to impart the truth through excellence in teaching and research, in service to the Church, the nation, and the world.

With five Catholic University alumni up for canonization, the University embraces the mandate of Pope Leo XIII at its founding to “give to the Church and the nation her best citizens.”

Join us in forming the next generation of Catholic leaders by supporting the National Collection for the Catholic University of America.

Donate at your parish this weekend or online HERE.

Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m - 2:00 p.m.
St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Kaneohe

Are you a young adult leader or passionate about building up ministries for young adults in your parish or community? Join us at the Young Adult Symposium, a dynamic day of connection, collaboration, and Spirit-led strategy as we gather leaders from across the Diocese to shape the future of young adult ministry together.

Whether you're new to ministry or have been leading for years, your voice matters. Lunch and materials will be provided. Please RSVP by August 31st.

For more information or to RSVP, please visit https://yasymposium.eventbrite.com.

Flyer available HERE.

Monday, September 8, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Christ the King Church, Kahului

Join this special workshop “Proclaiming the Heart of the Gospel: Kerygmatic Catechesis” with Marilyn Santos, Associate Director for the USCCB Secretariat on Evangelization and Catechesis. Put the kerygma at the heart of your ministry! Join us to explore how proclamation of Jesus Christ can shape catechesis, renew parish life, and inspire deeper discipleship.

RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/8rQNmMBaWCkJaFKr9

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
St. Anthony of Padua Church, Kailua

You are invited to the next Jubilee 2025 Day of Study in Windward Oahu – a special opportunity to reflect, learn, and grow alongside others seeking deeper understanding and renewed hope.

What’s special about this Day of Study?
• Marilyn Santos, from the USCCB Office of Evangelization & Catechesis, travels to us to start the day with an awesome keynote
• Incredible breakout sessions with great presenters to choose from to help deepen your understanding and faith
• A great opportunity for all parish, school, and ministry members including youth!

Why attend?
• Learn what the Jubilee Year is all about
• Deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith
• Be inspired to live as a Pilgrim of Hope
• Connect with others in our diocesan ʻohana

Whether you serve in a parish ministry or are simply hungry to grow in faith, this day is for you. REGISTER TODAY and invite friends, family members, your ministry or youth group, or fellow parishioners to come with you!

Cost: Only $20 for the day! (Includes lunch)
Register Here: https://dayofstudywindward.eventbrite.com

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 Gregory the Great
c. 540–604
Memorial - September 3

Saint Gregory the Great was born in the city of Rome into an aristocratic family whose members filled political and religious offices. Gregory’s father was a senator and later became the Prefect of Rome, similar to the role of mayor. His mother, Silvia, was a virtuous woman who was later recognized as a saint, as were two of his aunts. Thus, Gregory’s influential, wealthy, and saintly family provided him with a stellar education and nurtured him in the Catholic faith from a young age. Read more...

(Francisco Goya, 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!

SEPTEMBER

Young Adult Symposium, Sep 6

Oahu Jubilee Day of Study - Kailua, Sep 13

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time

Dominican Sisters Mark Founding 100 Years Ago

HOPE Services Hawai‘i Marks 15 Years of Faith in Action

Saint of the Week - Augustine of Hippo

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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