Tuesday within the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time (V24)
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Deacon Mike Browning, left, Bishop Larry Silva, center, and Sacred Hearts Father Lane Akiona spoke June 17 during a press conference at Sacred Hearts Academy in Kaimuki. (Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)

By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald

The Diocese of Honolulu on June 17 formally announced the start of its yearlong celebration of the 200th anniversary of Catholicism’s arrival in Hawaii, which will culminate on the exact date of the bicentennial in July 2027.

Missionary priests and brothers from the French Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary reached Honolulu on July 7, 1827.

The diocese held a press conference at Sacred Hearts Academy in Kaimuki, drawing a diverse in-person audience — ranging from clergy and religious women and men to diocesan staff members to laypeople from the wider community. A livestream provided virtual access.

Media outlets across Hawaii as well as international news network EWTN covered the event. Read more...

(New Africa / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

"Many migrants, refugees and displaced persons are witnesses of hope…they demonstrate this daily through their resilience and trust in God." - Pope Leo XIV, Message for the 2026 World Day of Migrants and Refugees

On July 4, 2026, Americans will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation's independence. Across the country, families will gather with gratitude for the blessings of liberty, democracy, and freedom. On that very same day, thousands of miles away, Pope Leo XIV will travel to the small Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, where another story of freedom and hope continues to unfold.

The timing is striking. While America celebrates the gift of liberty, the Holy Father will stand at one of the world's most significant gateways for migrants and refugees fleeing war, persecution, violence, trafficking, and crushing poverty. His pilgrimage follows the path first taken by Pope Francis in 2013, when he mourned those who had perished at sea and challenged the world to reject what he called the "globalization of indifference." Pope Leo now returns to continue that same Gospel witness. 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 by July 31st 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

Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Wahiawā

Improving Your Serve: Creating a Culture of Welcome in Our Parishes will explore how hospitality—the first pillar of stewardship—is at the heart of parish life. This practical workshop will offer simple, effective ways to create a culture of welcome so that every person who enters your parish feels seen, valued, and invited into a deeper relationship with Christ and the parish community.

Flyer available HERE.

Friday, July 17 - Sunday, July 19, 2026
St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Kaneohe

Island Leadership Retreat: Remain in Me is a retreat for ministry leaders to step away from the busyness of ministry, renew their relationship with Christ, and reflect on what it means to lead as faithful stewards and missionary disciples.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Catholic Charities Hawaii, Honolulu

All are invited to the 46th HCCRS Catholic Charismatic Regional Conference "God is a Consuming Fire" with Fr. Alfred Guerrero, Dcn. Ken Bissen Jr., Dcn. Raffy Mendoza, and the HCCRS worship team.

Admission is free, love offereing appreciated. Lunch is available for purchase onsite while supplies last.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, July 25, 2026 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 p.m. 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.

Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Kaneohe

Workshops for Evangelization: Practical Training for Parish Mission is a free day of formation featuring workshops on Alpha, family-centered faith formation, and small group host training to help strengthen parish evangelization efforts.

Flyer available HERE.

The journey of a lifetime awaits. Save the Date!

In 2027, retrace the sacred roots of 200 years of Catholic faith in Hawaiʻi — from the cobblestone streets of Paris to the birthplace of St. Damien in Belgium. Join Bishop Emeritus Larry Silva, Bishop-Elect Fr. Michael T. T. Castori, SJ, and Fr. Lane Akiona, SS.CC., Provincial Superior, on a once-in-a-generation Heritage Pilgrimage to France & Belgium — a living celebration of Two Hundred Years of Faith. One Family. One Hawaiʻi. Contact Deacon Mike Browning to reserve your place on the interest list: mbrowning@rcchawaii.org. Pricing and registration available after January 1, 2027.

Learn more at https://catholichawaii200.org/#pilgrimage

Flyer available HERE.

World Youth Day 2027 Pilgrimage to Seoul, South Korea
July 31 – August 10, 2027

Registration is open for our diocesan pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea. This once-in-a-lifetime experience invites young adults to encounter Christ, celebrate the universality of the Church, and be inspired alongside millions of young Catholics from around the world.

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 Augustine Zhao Rong and 119 Companions, Martyrs
1648–1930
Memorial - July 9

The Syro-Persian Church of the East is believed to have first reached China around the year 630 when two monks arrived to engage in silk trade. Although they were Christians, they followed the Nestorian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. The Chinese emperor welcomed them and permitted them to share their faith. Over the next two centuries, some Christian churches were erected and converts were made. However, by the mid-ninth century, Christians were being persecuted. Read more...

(Image credit: Courtesy of the Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 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's Homily for the Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

A Lifetime of Service and Gratitude

I Was Homeless You Gave Me Shelter

Saint of the Week - First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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