Tuesday within the Fourth Week of Advent (V51)
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[Christ the King Church, Kahului; St. Anthony Church, Wailuku]

God can often seem absurd! In today’s readings we see two examples of this and the hint of a third.

Ahaz was the King of Judah, and his two most powerful enemies had made an alliance to invade him. He consults with the prophet Isaiah about whether he should form a military alliance with Assyria in order to have the strength to resist this invasion. After consulting with God, Isaiah advises him to do what seems absurd: to do nothing, but simply rely on God to take care of the situation. He even tells the unbelieving Ahaz to ask for a sign, which Ahaz considers absurd. Then Isaiah makes a prophecy to assure him that God will take care of everything in the end: “The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel,” which, as we know, means “God-with-us.” The sign itself seems absurd! A virgin conceiving a child?! Read more...

The newly ordained Father Suraj Kumar Sonwani blesses the congregation at his Nov. 16 ordination Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Malkharoda, Sakti, India. (Photo courtesy of Father Lane Akiona, SSCC)

By Anna Weaver
Hawaii Catholic Herald

A long and culturally rich Mass, large attendance, and a huge reception with copious amounts of rice. Those elements all stood out to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary’s U.S. provincial superior when he traveled to India last month for a priestly ordination of a member of his province.

Sacred Hearts Father Lane Akiona, pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Waikiki, attended fellow Sacred Hearts Father Suraj Kumar Sonwani’s Nov. 16 ordination at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Malkharoda, Sakti, India. Lordship Victor Henry Thakur, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Raipur, presided at the ordination.

During his eight-day trip to India, Father Akiona first spent time in eastern India before traveling west by train for six hours and then by car for another 3-plus hours to make it to the ordination in the rural area where Father Sonwani is from. Because the train was delayed almost 4.5 hours, Father Akiona didn’t arrive until 1.5 hours into the Mass. However, since the Mass was over 3 hours, he still made it just as the vesting of the new priest started. Read more...

From Bishop Larry Silva

In conjunction with the National Eucharistic Revival taking place in dioceses and parishes throughout the United States, a National Eucharistic Congress will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from July 17 to 21, 2024. Wide participation is encouraged, and until the end of this month bishops are able to pre-order discounted tickets for those who plan to participate. The normal registration fee is $350 per person, but if tickets are reserved before December 31, 2022, each bishop may order up to 250 tickets at the reduced rate of $200 per person. This registration fee does not include transportation, hotel accommodations, or meals, for which each participant will be personally responsible.

If you or a group of you would like to reserve tickets at this discounted rate, you must submit the names of all who wish tickets along with a contact email address. These should be sent to euchcongress2024@rcchawaii.org no later than Tuesday, December 27, 2022. Payment will be due shortly thereafter. After the bishop’s office receives these orders, he will place an order for the proper number of tickets. Groups may include parishes, schools, young adults, youth, families, or clubs, but all must pay for the tickets (at $200 each) during the month of January, 2023 or the order will be canceled.

We hope many will be able to join in this unique and inspiring experience!

This year Bishop Larry Silva has scheduled seven early morning Misa de Gallo Masses and four evening Simbang Gabi Masses from December 16th through December 24th on Oahu, Maui, and Lanai. 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

• Sunday, Dec. 18, 5:00 am, Christ the King, Kahului.
• Monday, Dec. 19, 6:00 am, St. Joseph, Makawao.
• Tuesday, Dec. 20, 5:00 am, St. Theresa, Kihei.
• Wednesday, Dec. 21, 5:00 am, Sacred Hearts, Lanai City.
• Thursday, Dec. 22, 5:00 am, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Pearl City.
• Friday, Dec. 23, 5:00 am, St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani.
• Saturday, Dec. 24, 4:30 am, St. Joseph, Waipahu.

Simbang Gabi Mass

• Friday, Dec. 16, 7:00 pm, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ewa Beach.
• Sunday, Dec. 18, 5:00 pm, St. Anthony, Wailuku.
• Monday, Dec. 19, 6:00 pm, Maria Lanakila, Lahaina.
• Friday, Dec. 23, 6:00 pm, St. Philomena, Honolulu.

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.

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 2022
• Prayer for 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 30, 2022, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Hawaii Okinawa Center Ballroom
94-587 Uke'e St.
Waipahu, HI 96797

Join us as we kick-off the 10 year anniversary of EPIC Ministry at this year's Christmas Banquet, "A White Christmas".

For more information, visit www.epicministry.net.

Flyer available HERE.

Sunday, January 1, 2023 at 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Library of St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Kaneohe

Bishop Larry Silva invites all to an Open House to view his 200+ Nativity sets, collected over a period of over 40 years from all over the world. It will be held on Sunday, January 1, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Library of St. Stephen Diocesan Center, 6301 Pali Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome!

Saturday, January 14, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

January is Kalaupapa Month! Ka 'Ohana O Kalaupapa invites everyone to save the date for their first webinar of 2023: "Kalaupapa Month: A Time To Remember" on Saturday, January 14, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. (Hawai`i Standard Time)

This webinar of historical and modern-day photographs will look at how January became designated annually as Kalaupapa Month. We will talk about the people connected to the significant dates that occurred during January throughout the history of Kalaupapa -- and discuss ways each of you can observe this time to remember the people and history of Kalaupapa. There is no charge.

Information on how to register for the webinar will be sent out in early January. We look forward to you joining us!

For more information, please visit: www.kalaupapaohana.org/webinars

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 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 Robert Van Tassel, President and CEO of Catholic Charities Hawaii, on “75 years of hope that transforms, action that heals and charity that brings justice.”

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

Join us as we reflect upon Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who calls us by name; refresh ourselves in the joyful company of fellow catechists; and renew our catechetical approach to teaching about the Sacrament of Eucharist.

Our day will be filled with Sacred Scripture, peaceful silence, artful calligraphy, and practical new ways to teach about the Eucharist. Register HERE.

Saturdays from 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
January 14: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Papaikou, Hawaii
January 28: St. Theresa, Kihei, Maui
February 4: St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Oahu
March 11: St. Raphael, Kauai
March 25: St. Damien of Molokai, Molokai
April 29: Sacred Hearts, Lanai

Flyer available HERE.

There is still time to sign-up for World Youth Day happening THIS SUMMER (2023) in Lisbon, Portugal. There are two options to choose from. Visit our website for more information: www.catholichawaii.org/oyyam/yam/wyd.

The last day to sign-up is January 31, 2023.

Flyer available HERE.

Saint Peter Canisius
1521–1597
Memorial – December 21

The deep impact of today’s saint so shook Germany that the reverberations of his work were still being felt centuries after his death. Saint Peter Canisius composed question and answer German-language catechisms for every educational level. These catechisms were clear, scriptural, and of the purest doctrine. Hundreds of editions were printed during his own lifetime and for centuries afterwards. Pope Benedict XVI, a German, said that in his father’s generation in the last half of the nineteenth century, a catechism in Germany was still known simply as “the Canisius.” This was three hundred years after Peter Canisius had died! If Saint Boniface was the Apostle of Germany in the eighth century, then Saint Peter Canisius was the Catechist of Germany in the sixteenth. Read more...

Copyright © 2022 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.cathedralofourladyofpeace.com/LiveStream.html

Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Kalihi
Sundays at 10:30 AM
Mondays to Thursdays at 6:30 AM, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 AM
https://www.facebook.com/hicocathedral

Mystical Rose Oratory, Kaimuki
Sundays at 10 AM
https://www.facebook.com/mysticalroseoratoryHI/

Newman Center, Manoa
Sundays at 5 PM
https://www.facebook.com/NewmanHawaii/

Mary, Star of the Sea, Waialae-Kahala
Saturdays at 5:30 PM
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVaHZ63dLgyxEujc20LzkAw

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ewa Beach
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/olphparishewabeach

Our Lady of Sorrows, Wahiawa
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/olswahiawa/live
or https://www.olswahiawa.org

Our Lady of the Mount, Kalihi
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/olmkalihi/

Resurrection of the Lord, Waipio
Sundays at 9:30 AM
https://www.facebook.com/ResurrectionHI/live

St. Anthony, Kalihi
Sundays at 8:30 AM, Weekdays at 6:30 AM, Saturdays at 7 AM
https://www.facebook.com/saintanthony.kalihi

St. Augustine, Waikiki
Saturdays at 5 PM
https://www.facebook.com/StAugustineHawaii

St. Elizabeth, Aiea
Sundays at 10 AM
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_bh9hK77HA3nwfXpaoZgww

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. Michael, Waialua
Sundays at 11 AM, Wednesdays at 7 AM
https://www.facebook.com/stsmichaelpeterpaul
or https://stsmichaelpeterpaul.org

St. Rita, Nanakuli
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/stritananakuli/
or YouTube

St. Roch, Kahuku
Sundays at 7:30 AM
https://www.facebook.com/KahukuHawaii

St. Stephen, Nuuanu
Sundays at 10 AM
https://www.facebook.com/St-Stephens-Catholic-Church-Nuuanu-100906711581421/live
 

HAWAII

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Papaikoi & St. Anthony, Laupahoehoe
Sundays at 8 AM (St. Anthony, Laupahoehoe)
Sundays at 10 AM (Immaculate Heart of Mary, Papaikoi)
Saturdays at 5 PM (Immaculate Heart of Mary, Papaikoi)
https://www.facebook.com/Hamakua-Catholic-Community-110985457198038/

Our Lady of Lourdes, Honokaa
Sundays at 9 AM & 6:30 PM, Saturdays at 5:30 PM
https://www.facebook.com/ourladyoflourdeshonokaa
 

KAUAI

St. Catherine, Kapaa
Sundays at 9:30 AM, Mondays to Saturdays at 7 AM
https://www.kauaistcatherine.church
or https://www.facebook.com/stcatherinekauai
 

MAUI

Our Lady Queen of Angels, Kula
Daily at 7 AM
https://www.facebook.com/ourladyqueenofangels/

St. Joseph, Makawao
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Josephs-Church
 

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. Theresa, Kihei, Dec 20

Misa de Gallo at Sacred Hearts, Lanai City, Dec 21

Misa de Gallo at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Pearl City, Dec 22

Christmas Eve Holiday (Observed), Dec 23

Misa de Gallo at St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani, Dec 23

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Philomena, Honolulu, Dec 23

Misa de Gallo with Bishop Silva at St. Joseph, Waipahu, Dec 24

Christmas Midnight Mass, Dec 25

Christmas Day Mass, Dec 25

Christmas Day Holiday (Observed), Dec 26

New Year's Eve Holiday (Observed), Dec 30

EPIC Ministry Christmas Banquet "A White Christmas," Dec 30

JANUARY

New Year's Day Holiday (Observed), Jan 2

Island Treasures for the West Hawaii Vicariate, Jan 7

Catechist Retreat - Hawaii Island, Jan 14

Kalaupapa Month "A Time To Remember" Webinar, Jan 14

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday, Jan 16

Annual Red Mass, Jan 17

Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan 18

Mass for the March for Life, Jan 19

The March for Life, Jan 20

Mass for the Memorial of St. Marianne Cope, Jan 23

Ordination to Priesthood of Michael Kamauoha, SS.CC., Jan 24

Catechist Retreat - Maui, Jan 28

Breakfast with Bishop at St. John Vianney, Kailua, Jan 29

NEWS

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

The latest updates regarding the Diocese's response to COVID-19 can be found at www.catholichawaii.org/covid19.

Bishop's Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent

Youth Conference Attendees Share Their Excitement

Protection from Covid-19 Through the Holidays

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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