Tuesday within the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time (V2)
Click on Web Version above for best viewing of this eNewsLetter.

The Diocese of Honolulu's weekly eNews will be on summer break for the next two weeks and will resume publication with the Tuesday, June 30th edition. We look forward to reconnecting with you then and sharing the latest news and events from around the diocese. Mahalo!

Father Taylor K. Mitchell, left, and Father John Jacob Akau, right, paused after their ordination Mass May 22 to take a photo with Bishop Larry Silva and Honolulu’s bishop-elect, Jesuit Father Michael Castori. (Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)

By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald

Bishop Larry Silva ordained Deacon Taylor K. Mitchell and Deacon John Jacob Akau to the priesthood May 22 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu before family, friends and parishioners.

In the overflowing church, some 68 priests — including Honolulu’s bishop-elect, Jesuit Father Michael Castori — and more than a dozen deacons from parishes throughout the diocese witnessed the joyful presbyteral ordination, which incorporated olelo Hawaii (the Hawaiian language) and other local touches.

The first reading was delivered in olelo Hawaii by Karen Victor of St. Rita Church in Nanakuli. Later, Deacons Mitchell and Akau responded in olelo Hawaii during the election of the candidate, and some hymns were also sung in olelo Hawaii. Read more...

The Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa was filled with laypeople and clergy May 7 who witnessed Jesuit Father Michael Castori’s celebratory Mass a day after his announcement as the next bishop of Honolulu. (Photo by Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)

Hawaii Catholic Herald

The Diocese of Honolulu’s announcement May 6 that it would have a new shepherd in two months’ time marks a rare and joyful milestone in its 85-year history.

When Jesuit Father Michael Thomas Tupou Castori is ordained and installed July 28, he will become just the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Honolulu.

But wait: Isn’t Hawaii gearing up to mark 200 years since the arrival of Catholic missionaries on its shores next year? How is it possible that there have been only six bishops over two centuries?

Skeptical faithful are correct to note that Hawaii must have had more than six shepherds since priests and brothers of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary first arrived in 1827. Read more...

(BERMIX STUDIO / Shutterstock.com)

From Catholic Charities Hawaii

“Freedom Is Not Free” is more than a phrase—it’s a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served our nation. For many Veterans, the challenges don’t end after service. Thousands face homelessness, mental health struggles, and barriers to stability.

At Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, we believe those who served deserve more than recognition—they deserve support. Through our Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families (SMVF) program, we walk alongside Veterans with compassion and care.

We provide:

• Case management and access to benefits
• Housing support and navigation
• Temporary financial assistance

Our specialized programs also offer mental health support, suicide prevention services, and legal assistance to help Veterans achieve stability and healing. Together, we provide a path forward—offering hope, dignity, and a second chance.

If you are a veteran or know of a veteran who needs help contact us at: SMVF Help Line: (808) 527-4986.

Learn more: https://www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org/veteran-services/

(Samuel Boivin / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“In order to protect the human person in the age of artificial intelligence, today we must once again reflect on the common good… The civilization of love begins when we choose compassion over power.” - Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas

Every year, the Feast of Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit — often called the birthday of the Church — when people with different languages were able to share and spread the Christian faith worldwide. This year, the day after Pentecost, Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, offering a message of insightful, inspiring reflection for our modern world. At a time when artificial intelligence, rapid technological change, and digital culture are reshaping nearly every part of life, the Holy Father reminds us not to lose sight of what makes us beautifully and uniquely human.

Communication has increasingly become faster and more accessible than ever. Yet Pope Leo challenges us to ask an important question: Are our human connections growing stronger — or becoming diluted? Read more...

(Sabrina Bracher / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

The Vatican’s video on Magnifica Humanitas contains very compelling text. Here are 9 brief excerpts:

• Magnifica Humanitas is the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV --an encyclical dedicated to you…dedicated to your magnificent humanity. This humanity that is created by God; a humanity that we must care for and protect.
• A humanity that in this era of artificial intelligence, of historic transformations, faces a crucial decision: to build a new tower of Babel or to build a Holy City to dwell in with God. A decision that confronts our human conscience.
• A humanity that chooses Babel decides to remove its own limits and rejects God, sacrifices the weak, erases differences, becomes uniform. It claims to create a single language that in fact reduces people to data, it dehumanizes us. Read more...

From the Hawaii Catholic Schools

KA HO‘OULU INNOVATION AWARDS
OFFERED BY THE HAWAI‘I CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE AND CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY

Overview: The National Catholic Education Association has an Innovation in Catholic Education annual awards program to foster creativity and growth in Catholic schools nationwide. In 2020 Hawaii Catholic Schools and Chaminade University initiated a new award to recognize innovation by our grades preK-12 educators.

The Ka Ho‘oulu Hawai‘i Catholic Education Innovation Award focuses on ‘Innovation for Mission’. There are several themes that will define this program:

1. Innovation as a call to remain relevant and attractive to our stakeholders, to continue to thrive in a competitive landscape, to best serve our students and to glorify God through our work.
2. An emphasis on capturing and celebrating the current creativity of our educators, as well as fostering new directions and initiatives.

Read more...

Nominate an individual or team HERE.

Help advance the Cause for Canonization for Joseph Dutton. Most famous for his volunteer efforts on the island of Molokai (Hawaii) caring for people with Hansen’s disease for nearly 44 years. A devout Catholic, Joseph Dutton had left all to serve the people in Molokai after hearing about Saint Damien’s work there.

Donate online at www.josephdutton.org/donate

Catholic Scouts are invited to participate in the Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII religious emblem programs. Meetings will be held in person at St. Louis School on the 2nd and 4th Sundays, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., through summer and fall.

For more information contact Charmaine Garcia at (808) 780-2450, or Laura Wise at (202) 276-7514 / laurabwise@gmail.com.

Flyer available HERE.

Friday, June 12, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.
Kamiano Center, downtown Honolulu

All are invited to the Global Rosary Relay for the Sanctification of Priests on Friday, June 12 at 11:30am, just before the 12noon Mass at the Kamiano Center. Fr. Pascual Abaya IV, our beloved pastor and rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, will open the event. You can join at the Kamiano Center, pray on your own or with your family, or go to the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace Facebook page.

Catholic churches worldwide participate in this event, with each station linked to the next, forming a strong global encirclement through the rosary to pray for our priests: their sanctification, good health, and their personal intentions. The Hawaii participation links our recitation of the Sorrowful Mysteries at the Kamiana Center to the recitation of the Luminous Mysteries from the Basilica Nuestra Señora del Pilar in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and then to the Glorious Mysteries recited by participants at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Flyer available HERE.

Sunday, June 12 - Friday, June 26, 2026
Damien Memorial School, Honolulu

All are invited to the inaugural Diocesan Formation Institute, June 21–26, at Damien Memorial School. Whether you serve in ministry, are discerning a greater role in your parish, or simply desire to learn more about the Catholic faith, the Institute offers practical and engaging formation led by experienced clergy, religious, educators, and ministry leaders from across the islands.

Courses are designed for adults of all backgrounds and levels of experience. No prior theological training is required.

For more information or to register, visit formationInstitute.eventbrite.com

Flyer available HERE.

Friday, July 3 - Saturday, July 5, 2026

Join EPIC Ministry for a weekend young adult retreat rooted in Matthew 11:25–30, Yoked to Christ: Finding True Freedom in Jesus.

Throughout the weekend, participants will be guided in prayer, reflection, and formation by Bishop Larry Silva, who will serve as spiritual director for the retreat. The retreat will include daily Mass with Bishop Silva, prayer experiences, small group sharing, community time, and opportunities to reflect.

Register at yokedtochristretreat.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 Ephrem
c. 306–373
Memorial - June 9

Ephrem was born in the town of Nisibis, near Syria’s border with present-day Turkey. At the time of Ephrem’s birth, Nisibis was part of the Roman Empire. Nisibis was a diverse city of Syrians, Arameans, Arabs, Greeks, Jews, Parthians, Romans, and Iranians. Among the religious beliefs were Judaism, Christianity, and polytheism. Aramaic was commonly spoken, and to a lesser extent, Greek and Latin.

When Ephrem was just a boy, Emperor Constantine the Great issued the Edict of Milan, legalizing Christianity throughout the empire. Ephrem likely learned the faith from his mother at an early age. Read more...

(Image credit: Unkonwn artist, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) Copyright © 2026 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!

NEWS

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

Bishop-Elect Father Michael Castori: Ministry in Pacific Provides a Strong Foundation

Choosing Humanity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Magnifica Humanitas

Saint of the Week - Marcellinus and Peter

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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