Tuesday within the Third Week of Advent (V51)
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[Ordination to the Diaconate of Preston-Jay Pascua Castro, St. Joseph Church, Waipahu]

Singing at festivals can be loud and joyful.  I think of an Octoberfest scene in Germany (or in Mount Angel, Oregon, where you went to college, Preston), with a lively oompah band playing and the singer belting out a tune.  Or, closer to home, maybe a karaoke session, where the singer croons full-throated and unsparingly!  This is the image given us by the prophet Zephaniah: “The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love; he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.”  We come here to raise our voices in praise to God, and it is truly right and just that we do so.  But God first raises his voice to sing proudly and loudly of his love for us – and of his love for you, Preston.

Throughout our lives, there are times when we simply cannot hear the voice of God singing joyfully of his love for us.  We are deafened by our own voices or by the great chaotic cacophony of life, with all its peaks and valleys. But you, Preston, have heard that voice, and you have found such joy in hearing God’s voice that you now lay down your life in a special way to follow Jesus and to serve him as his deacon, and soon after that as his priest. Read more...

The Hawaii contingent included high school students, young adults, chaperones, seminarians and priests from across the diocese. (Courtesy of Lisa Gomes)

By Lisa Gomes, Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
Hawaii Catholic Herald

Our pilgrimage to Long Beach, California, for the National Catholic Youth Conference Nov. 14-16 may be over, but our journey of faith continues — and for some attendees, it might just be the beginning.

This year’s NCYC theme, “El Camino: The Way,” inspired by Isaiah 30:18-21, called us to embrace a journey of faith and trust in God’s guidance. Ninety-seven pilgrims from the Diocese of Honolulu, representing 10 parishes and one Catholic high school, were among the more than 3,200 participants at the three-day conference.

Of the Hawaii attendees, 77 were young people under the age of 35 — 43 were high school youth. Read more...

(Jaime Salamanca / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“For everyone, may the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the door of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere and to all as our hope.Let us help each other discover this encounter with Christ who gives us life and let us set out on a journey as pilgrims of hope to celebrate that life.” - Pope Francis on the Jubilee Year 2025 theme ~ Pilgrims of Hope

Hope is an important hallmark of the Catholic Church mission to share the light of God’s love through encountering Christ with others, especially those experiencing difficult situations. This Christmas Eve, Pope Francis invites us all to celebrate the opening of the Jubilee Year 2025 which embraces the theme: Pilgrims of Hope. “To hope is to welcome this gift that God offers us every day to savor the wonder of being loved, sought, desired by a God who has made Himself flesh and blood, history and days, to share our lot. Hope is also a task that Christians have a duty to cultivate and put to good use for the sake of all their brothers and sisters.” Read more...

(Photo courtesy of Mel C. Labrador)

By Mel C. Labrador

On December 8, 2024, St. George Catholic Church in Waimanalo marked a significant milestone in its 70th anniversary celebrations with the installation and blessing of a new shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The event, which coincided with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, brought together the parish community in a joyous celebration of faith and culture.

A Gift of Devotion
The Mexican members of the congregation, led by Luisa Gallardo, and Jesus and Nancy Gallardo, generously donated a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe and built the shrine. This act of devotion reflects the diverse and vibrant community that makes up St. George Parish. The shrine has been officially named “Ermita de la Virgen de Guadalupe” or “Hermitage of the Virgin of Guadalupe,” emphasizing its significance and cultural roots. 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

FOURTH WEEK

All four candles are lighted on the fourth Sunday by the father. The prayer for the fourth week is:

Leader: Let us pray. Stir up your power and might, O Lord, and come. Rescue us through your great strength so that salvation, which has been hindered by our sins, may be hastened by the grace of your gentle mercy. 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

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, December 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.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, downtown Honolulu

The Red Mass has been a tradition since 1955 for government officials and the community to gather at the beginning of the Legislative Session to pray together.

Bishop Larry Silva will be the principal celebrant and this year will feature guest speaker Kerry Alys Robinson, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, speaking on “Blessed Are the Peacemakers: Reflections on Servant Leadership.”

The general public is welcome to attend the Red Mass.

The Red Mass will also be livestreamed at https://honolulucathedral.org/live-stream

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 Peter Canisius
1521–1597
Memorial – December 21

On October 31, 1517, Father Martin Luther, a German Augustinian monk and theologian, nailed his Ninety-five Theses that criticized various Catholic Church practices to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This event is often considered to be the beginning of the Protestant Reformation that threw the Church into turmoil over the next century. Theological debates were fierce, the Church began to splinter, and cities and nations fought, leading to violence and deaths. Though the sixteenth century was chaotic for the faith, many saints emerged to defend the truth and reform the Church. We honor one of those saints today—Saint Peter Canisius. Read more...

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

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

‘Ohana Mass for December, Dec 28

New Year's Eve Holiday, Dec 31

JANUARY

New Year's Day Holiday, Jan 1

Mass with the Rite of Institution of Acolytes for Deacon Candidates, Cohort 11, Jan 12

Annual Red Mass, Jan 14

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday, Jan 20

March for Life Mass and St. Marianne Cope’s Feast Day, Jan 23

March for Life, Jan 24

Mass for Annual Conference of Catholic Educators, Jan 31

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the Second Sunday in Advent

Make Time for Immaculate Conception Solemnity

Embracing the Spirit of Giving and Sharing This Advent

Saint of the Week - Damasus I

Restoring Communion from the Cup

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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