Tuesday within the Third Week of Advent (V51)
Click on Web Version above for best viewing of this eNewsLetter

(Ryzhkov Oleksandr / Shutterstock.com)

[St. Philomena Church, Honolulu; St. Elizabeth Church, Aiea]

Don’t you love all the lights you see at Christmas time? Trees are lit, houses are aglow, city streets are decorated with festive lights. There are clear lights and colored lights, steady lights and flashing lights, bright lights and dim lights. They all bring us joy in this time of the year when the darkness of night is longest. And then there is New Year’s Eve! In the dark of midnight, the sky is filled with flashes of brightly colored and festive lights that bring us a joyful hope for many blessings in the coming year. I can testify to the power of light to bring joy!

“A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.” Of course, we know that the light is Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Mary, the fulfillment of God’s promise to King David to set his descendent upon a throne from which he would rule forever. He is the longed-for Messiah, and he brings light in the darkness. Read more...

Bishop Silva requests every parish to place the following announcement in its weekly bulletin for three consecutive weeks:

In order to safeguard the sacredness of the Holy Eucharist, Bishop Silva has forbidden that the Eucharist be given to anyone presenting a pyx in the Communion line.  Only those who are authorized by the parish priest to take Holy Communion to the sick may receive the Eucharist from the priest after the Communion of the faithful, and never during the Communion procession.

Deacon candidates of Cohort 10 stand with Bishop Larry Silva at St. Stephen Diocesan Center, from left, Michael Browning, John Metz, Derek Wong, John Thomas, Jason Jacinto, Darryl Salvador, David Bruce, Marlowe Sabater. (Photo by Dann Ebina)

By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald

A psychologist, war veterans, a baker, an electrician, a former prison warden, a truck driver. These are some of the men who make up the diocese’s 10th class of permanent deacons to be ordained next month.

Eight men, collectively called Cohort 10, are closing in on five years of deaconate formation in the Diocese of Honolulu. In January, Bishop Larry Silva will ordain them permanent deacons and assign them to parishes to live out their new vocation. Six will be ordained at 10 a.m. Jan. 20 at the Co-Cathedral St. Theresa. Two will be ordained at 10 a.m. Jan. 27 at their parish of St. Joseph in Makawao, Maui.

Here are profiles of the future deacons of 2024. Read more...

From the Office for Social Ministry

"The Son of God was born an outcast, in order to tell us that every outcast is a child of God.” - Pope Francis’s message in the 2023 Christmas Card Promoting Integral Human Development

In this joyous holiday season, Pope Francis calls us all to reflect on the deeper truth of Christmas – that all people are children of God, including all on the “outcasts” of society. By focusing on the vulnerable characters in the Christmas crèche made famous by St. Francis, we can recognize the revelation of Emmanuel, “God with us.” This theme of the divine revealed in unexpected places (such as a humble manger) mirrors the very essence of Christʻs message. Indeed we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

Here in Hawaii, we are blessed to have two inspirational saints who dedicated their lives to serving with some of the most vulnerable outcasts of society in their time, the victims of leprosy or Hansens disease, and to treating each person as a beloved child of God. St. Damien de Veuster and St. Marianne Cope of Molokai showed compassionate care to outcasts banished to exile on Kalaupapa, Moloka’i. Read more...

From Catholic Charities Hawaii

Transportation Friends for Kupuna Project

Are you 60 years old or older, who lives independently on Oahu and need transportation and/or chaperone assistance?

Catholic Charities Hawaii’s volunteer drivers and chaperones in the Transportation Friends for Kupuna Project are ready to assist you!

If you are interested in this service, please call the Catholic Charities Hawaii Senior Help Line at 808-527-4777.

This project is funded by a grant from AmeriCorps Senior Demonstration Project grant.

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 2023
• 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

This year Bishop Larry Silva has scheduled five early morning Misa de Gallo Masses and four evening Simbang Gabi Masses from December 16th through December 24th on Oahu and Hawaii Island. 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

• Saturday, Dec. 16, 5:00 am, St. Michael, Waialua
• Sunday, Dec. 17, 5:00 am, St. Elizabeth, Aiea
• Friday, Dec. 22, 5:00 am, St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani
• Saturday, Dec. 23, 5:00 am, Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu
• Sunday, Dec. 24, 4:30 am, St. Joseph, Waipahu

Simbang Gabi Mass

• Saturday, Dec. 16, 5:00 pm, St. Philomena, Salt Lake
• Monday, Dec. 18, 6:00 pm, St. Michael, Kailua-Kona
• Thursday, Dec. 21, 6:30 pm, St. Roch, Kahuku
• Saturday, Dec. 23, 6:00 pm, St. George, Waimanalo

Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Honolulu

From the Office for Social Ministry

This year, including all during summer at Mary, Star of the Sea Church on Oahu, parishioners have shared 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.

Livestream 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.

Friday, January 5, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Hawaii Okinawa Center
94-587 Ukeʻe Street, Waipahu

All are invited to EPIC Ministry's annual Christmas Banquet, a "Christmas Lūʻau",  on January 5, 2024!

This year, in addition to the great food, live entertainment, silent auction, wine pull, photo booth, and more, they will also be honoring a couple who have dedicated their lives in service to the youth and young adults of our local Church and community. This year's EPIC Award will be presented to Dcn. Wally and Gwen Mitsui at our banquet!

Early bird discount on tickets until November 30. So get your tickets today. Visit www.epicministry.net to reserve your space.

Flyer available HERE.

Please pray for the happy repose of the souls of Michael and Diana Colton. Michael is the brother of Father Gary Colton (retired on Maui). Michael passed away in California on December 14, 2023, ten days after the death of his wife Diana. Condolences may be sent to Father Gary Colton, c/o St. Theresa Church, 25 W. Lipoa Street, Kihei, HI I 96753-8128.

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 © 2023 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

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Rock, Kahuku, Dec 21

Misa de Gallo at St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani, Dec 22

Christmas Eve Holiday (Observed), Dec 22

Misa de Gallo at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Dec 23

‘Ohana Mass for December, Dec 23

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. George, Waimanalo, Dec 23

Misa de Gallo at St. Joseph, Waipahu, Dec 24

Christmas Day Holiday, Dec 25

Christmas Midnight Mass, Dec 25

Mass for Christmas Day, Dec 25

New Year's Eve Holiday (Observed), Dec 29

JANUARY

New Year's Day Holiday, Jan 1

EPIC Ministry Christmas Banquet a "Christmas Lūʻau," Jan 5

Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate of Anthony Tran, Jan 6

Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Deacon Aspirants of Cohort 11, Jan 14

Annual Red Mass, Jan 16

Mass for the March for Life, Jan 18

March for Life, Jan 19

Deacon Ordination of Cohort 10, Jan 20

Deacon Ordination at St. Joseph, Makawao, Jan 27

Breakfast with Bishop at St. John Vianney, Kailua, Jan 28

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent

Island Youth Join Thousands of Other Teens ‘Expressing their Faith with no Boundaries’

Hawaii Holiday Season Highlights Vulnerable Persons

Word of Life for December 2023

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

Members of Hawaii Catholic parishes may receive a subscription free through the Hawaii Catholic Herald Parish Plan.
Others: $28 Hawaii, $32 Mainland, $35 foreign.

Visit:  www.hawaiicatholicherald.com/subscriptions