Tuesday within the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time (V7)
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[Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu]

Harsh words, unkind thoughts, in-your-face challenging – these are all things we normally would think are contrary to love. As we recently celebrated Valentine’s Day, we think of love as romantic, sentimental, and always heart-warming. But Jesus challenges us today to look at things differently, to see them not as human beings normally see them, but as God sees them.

In this “Sermon on the Plain” in the Gospel of St. Luke, Jesus starts off pronouncing blessings on the poor, the hungry, the sorrowing and the mistreated. We like that! Jesus is advocating for the “underdog,” something we admire and even try to imitate. How wonderful to have these blessings, when other people and the circumstances of life are otherwise difficult. Then Jesus turns the tables, pronouncing “woes” on those who are rich, who laugh, who are spoken of well. Did Jesus suddenly become unloving because he was upset with some people? Read more...

Twelve of the service award honorees gathered for a photo Jan. 31 after the Annual Conference for Catholic School Educators’ opening Mass at St. Patrick Church in Kaimuki. (Jennifer Rector / Hawaii Catholic Herald)

By Celia K. Downes

Hawaii Catholic HeraldAt the annual conference dedicated to Hawaii’s Catholic school educators Jan. 31, it was perhaps not a surprise that many of the hundreds of teachers and staff attending from across the state arrived early for the first part of the day — Mass, followed by the distribution of service awards.

The pews and aisles of St. Patrick Church in Kaimuki were overflowing by the time Msgr. Gary Secor, the morning’s celebrant, two deacons and a dozen priests from parochial schools processed in. The Annual Conference for Catholic School Educators got underway, with a jolt of energy provided by the Maryknoll School choir and enthusiasm for the day’s events rippling through the congregation.

Msgr. Secor began his homily by proudly outlining his Catholic school upbringing, from St. Anthony School in Kailua to Maryknoll School in Honolulu to Chaminade University of Honolulu (and later St. Patrick’s Seminary in California). Read more...

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From the Office for Social Ministry

“Dear brothers and sisters, We are celebrating the 33rd World Day of the Sick in the Jubilee Year 2025, in which the Church invites us to become “pilgrims of hope.” Hope does not disappoint; indeed, it strengthens us in times of trial. Let us stop for a moment to reflect on how God remains close to those who are suffering in three particular ways: through encounter, gift and sharing.” - Pope Francis Jubilee Message for World Day of the Sick, February 11, 2025

Even in the most challenging moments of sickness and suffering, Pope Francis encourages us to find a deeper promise—a promise of hope and healing. While it may feel overwhelming, he calls us to seek a presence greater than ourselves, a higher power found in God and the gift of His Spirit. Illness, as Pope Francis explains, is not only a way to encounter our frailty but also an opportunity to experience the closeness and compassion of God. “God does not abandon us and often amazes us by granting us a strength that we never expected and would never have found on our own.” Read more...

From the Office of Worship

2025 is the Jubilee Holy Year, the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord, an "event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church." The concept of "Jubilee" has its origins in the Book of Leviticus (chapter 25) as a special year of reconciliation, pilgrimage, and coming home. Pope Francis has designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as "Pilgrims of Hope."

The following resources were prepared by Fr. Manny Hewe, Pastor of the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu.

• Jubilee Year of Prayer
• Aid for Prayer and Reflection Before the Jubilee Cross

Looking for a dynamic and engaging speaker to lead your Lenten mission or parish presentation? Local Speaker Anthony Selvanathan is available to partner with parishes in the Diocese of Honolulu to offer parish missions, days of reflections, and catechetical presentations during this Lenten Season, tailored to deepen the faith of your faith communities during this Jubilee Year of Hope as we prepare our hearts for Easter.

With a passion for sharing the Gospel and helping others grow in their relationship with Christ, his Lenten missions and presentations are designed to resonate with all ages and inspire a deeper commitment to prayer, repentance, and renewal, especially during this Jubilee Year of Hope.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Anthony Selvanathan holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Chaminade University of Honolulu, a master's degree in theology, and a master of business administration, both from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. At his home parish, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, he serves in pastoral ministry and also serves as an episcopal master of ceremonies for the Diocese of Honolulu. Anthony currently works in the banking industry and is an approved speaker in the Diocese of Honolulu.

If your parish is interested, please contact Anthony Selvanathan directly at aselvanathan@rcchawaii.org to discuss how he can serve your parish this Lenten season.

Robert Mondoy, who was born and raised on Molokai, has served for decades as the Music Minister at St. John Vianney Church, Kailua. He is a composer and has also shared his talents in many diocesan liturgies. He was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor, which is now being evaluated regarding origin and treatment. We are asking for prayers for his healing through the intercession of Servant of God Joseph Dutton, Layman, whose cause the Diocese of Honolulu has proposed for canonization. You may use the following prayer, and we thank you for your love and faith!

Loving and eternal Father, you chose Joseph Dutton as an ardent apostle of your divine compassion.  We humbly ask you, through his intercession, that you heal Robert Mondoy of his brain tumor.  Dear Joseph Dutton, please pray for this intention as we thank you for presenting this request to God with your great faith.

Saturday, February 22, 2025 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 “ʻOhana 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 “ʻOhana 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.

February 26–27, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
St. John Apostle & Evangelist Church, Mililani

Join us as we learn how to be committed to following Jesus through Eucharistic Encounter, leading to Eucharistic Identity poured out in a Eucharistic Life, all on the way to Eucharistic Mission. The two days will feature guest speaker Sister Alicia Torres, F.E., a member of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. She has been honored to serve the National Eucharistic Revival in a plethora of ways since 2021. All are welcome!

Flyer available HERE.

February 28–March 2, 2025
St. Anthony Retreat Center, Honolulu

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, you are invited to simply experience a sense of peace and renewal that only a weekend retreat can provide. This dedicated time will allow you to explore and deepen your spiritual practices. Taking place in the cool hills of Kalihi Valley where the beauty of nature abounds, you will be offered a space for prayer, reflection, and connection with the teachings of the Catholic faith in a loving Christian community. The theme of Retreat #128 is “I am yours.”

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
St. Michael the Archangel Church, Kailua-Kona

Big Island Youth Day is BACK! Big Island Youth Day (BIYD) is an opportunity for youth to rediscover their faith, build meaningful relationships, and experience the peace and joy of Christ's presence by stepping away from distractions in their everyday lives.  This year’s event is grounded in the Universal Church’s Jubilee Year – Pilgrims of Hope. Big Island Youth Day is open to the entire diocese but is primarily geared toward Hawai’i Island youth in grades 6-12. The theme is "Disconnect to Reconnect: Find Hope in Christ’s Presence."

More information is available HERE. Flyer available HERE.

Mondays & Thursdays, February and March at 7:00 p.m.
St. Patrick Church, Kaimuki

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1231 states “By its very nature infant baptism requires a post baptismal catechumenate. Not only is there a need for instruction after baptism but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth.

All are welcome to join these talks on Mondays and Thursdays from 7-8pm at St. Patrick Church in Kaimuki. These talks will be given by the missionary team of the Neocatechumenal Way in Hawai’i: Jonathan & Nazarena Stenger with their seven children, Fr. John Wadeson, and Benjamin Paz a seminarian for the Diocese of Philadelphia.

The Neocatechumenal Way is a post-baptismal catechumenate for adults to help people grow in their faith by living with the Scriptures and liturgy so as to experience it in small communities within the structure of the Parish. Pope Saint John Paul II wrote in a letter: “I acknowledge the Neocatechumenal Way as an itinerary of Catholic formation, valid for our society and for our times.”

For more information, please contact Jonathan and Nazarena Stenger at (808) 268-3993.

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 Damian
1007–1072
Memorial – February 21

Orphan, laborer, student, monk, hermit, priest, theologian, teacher, writer, poet, ascetic, penitent, prior, reformer, bishop, cardinal, saint…these are but a few words to describe today’s courageous saint.

Peter was the youngest child born into a poor but noble family in Ravenna, Italy. His parents died when he was young, so he went to live with one of his older brothers who mistreated him and forced him to labor as a swineherd. Eventually, another brother, a priest from Ravenna named Father Damian, took him in and provided him with an excellent education in which he greatly excelled. Peter was so grateful to his priest brother that he added his brother’s name to his own, making him Peter Damian. Read more...

(Andrea Barbiani, Public domain, 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"

FEBRUARY

"Being a Disciple of Christ" A Eucharistic Mission, Feb 26-27

"I Am Yours" BCCH Spiritual Retreat, Feb 28-Mar 2

MARCH

Mass for Ash Wednesday, Mar 5

Rite of Election for the Maui Vicariate, Mar 8

Rite of Election for Oahu Vicariates, Mar 9

Chrism Mass for the Maui-Lanai Vicariate, Mar 20

Prince Kuhio Day Holiday, Mar 26

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Local Couple Helps Make Kalaupapa Accessible to All

Encounter, Gift, and Sharing

Saint of the Week - Our Lady of Lourdes

Restoring Communion from the Cup

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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