Tuesday within the Fourth Week of Lent (V13)
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[St. Anthony of Padua Church, Kailua; St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Church, Mililani]

What’s for dinner?

That may very well be a question that you are already asking yourself right now. Here, of course, we have so many choices. But for the Israelites in the desert, the answer was usually “quail and manna;” or sometimes “manna and quail.” In their complaints that they would rather be slaves in Egypt, with a variety of foods, than die of hunger in the desert, God took care of them with a steady diet of manna and quail. But today we hear that they have reached the Promised Land, and now they are eating from the produce of this rich land, flowing with milk and honey. The manna ceased, and I would bet they never thought of eating quail again for decades! Read more...

The 10 a.m. Mass at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea on March 16 was well-attended with a wide range of ages and family types. (Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)

By Celia K. Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald

Young adults, families with children, ethnic communities and people seeking greater connection with fellow parishioners are among the groups helping to drive up Sunday Mass attendance in the Diocese of Honolulu.

In the annual count of faithful attending Saturday vigil and Sunday Masses conducted last October, the total average across all parishes was about 37,283 — an increase of about 2,741, or 7.35%, over 2023.

(For the count, which is done manually, volunteers tally people who attend a parish’s Masses each weekend in October. The weekly figures are added up and divided over the total number of weekends, resulting in the parish’s October count average.) Read more...

(Nitr / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

And Jesus told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ The gardener said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not, you can cut it down.’” - Luke 13:1-9, Third Sunday of Lent Gospel

The Lenten season invites us to deepen our faith and cultivate it so that it bears fruit. Bishop Joseph Tyson of the Diocese of Yakima recently reflected on the Lenten Gospel parable of the barren fig tree, connecting this scriptural passage to his own family’s farming background and the agricultural life of the Yakima Valley, often called the “Fruit Basket of the United States.” Each year, thousands of migrant farm workers labor in the fields with the local community, harvesting apples, pears, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, and grapes. Bishop Tyson recalls his mother’s cousin, Sonny, spent over 25 years growing cherries—an endeavor that requires patience, skill, and care: "Harvesting cherries is delicate work. Farmworkers rise early to pick during the cooler morning hours because the midday heat draws the fruit’s natural sugars back into the tree. Cherries must be picked with finesse to avoid bruising, and even the way they are placed in the bag matters—gently released from the bottom to prevent damage." Read more...

(Photo by Lauren Carroll for CRS)

Paying it Forward as a Lead Mother

Ana Belén and her husband, José, have four children and a baby on the way. They live in a small house in Santa María Chiquimula, Guatemala. Francisco, their 9-year-old son, says his neighborhood is, “a very happy place to live, but sometimes it’s also very hard to live here.” He is not wrong. In their community, malnutrition affects over half of the population mainly because people can’t afford to put food on the table.

Almost five years ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic started, José lost his job as a driver. This created serious challenges for the family. Even after the pandemic, things never went back to normal. Food prices went up and eggs became twice as expensive. Bad weather made things worse—strong rains damaged the crops, causing the prices of vegetables, including tomatoes, onions and corn to go up. Read more...

(Lauren Carroll / CRS)

Each Friday of Lent, we abstain from eating meat as a way to experience a little of the hunger that many experience daily. Journey with us around the world and incorporate these Lenten recipes into your meatless Fridays. Give the money you saved each week by not eating meat to your CRS Rice Bowl to feed those in need around the world.

Black Bean Soup
Black bean soup is a dish made with black beans, vegetables, and spices, and is often enriched with ingredients like tomatoes, onions, garlic, and cilantro. In Guatemala, it is a traditional dish due to its nutritional value and the local availability of beans.

See the full recipe at https://www.crsricebowl.org/recipe/black-bean-soup.

Friday, April 4, 2025 at 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
St. John Vianney Church, Kailua

Knights of Columbus Council 6307 is having a fish fry to raise money for students of St. Anthony and St. John Vianney Schools who are in financial need, and for Ho’ola Na Pua, a local organization that is committed to the renewal of girls trafficked in the sex trade, through health, education, advocacy, and reintegration.

Enjoy the “Best Fish Fry Ever” and make some new friends while supporting two great causes.

You can eat in the Parish Hall between 5:00-7:30 p.m. or pick up your meals at the drive-thru between 4:30-6:30 p.m. and eat at home.

Purchasing Tickets:

• Only a limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
• Order tickets now at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/kofccouncil6307/1516354

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Annunciation Church, Waimea

During this Jubilee Year, all are invited to deepen their faith by exploring the Catechism, Vatican II, and more. These Days of Study will feature prayer, keynotes, workshops, and fellowship—engaging gatherings to inspire and equip participants in their faith journey.

Registration link for Waimea HERE.

Flyer available HERE.

Friday, April 25 - Sunday, April 27, 2025
(Arrival at 5:30pm on Friday / Departure on Sunday at 5:00pm)

If you or a friend are hurting from a past abortion and are searching for a confidential, non- judgmental, safe place of healing and support to express and reconcile painful emotions and begin the healing process, look no further, and come join us!

Both women and men are impacted by abortion and greatly benefit from the retreats. Singles, couples and family members of aborted children have come to Rachel's Vineyard for peace and inner healing.

Retreats are held at a private retreat center for 3 days and 2 nights. A retreat fee of $200.00 covers materials, accommodations, and daily meals/snacks. Space is limited. Need-based scholarships are available. Calls us today for personalized assistance!

To register, contact Lisa Shorba at (808) 490-4702 or email rvinhawaii@gmail.com. Confidential intakes.

Registrations are Strictly Confidential.
Visit the national website at: www.rachelsvineyard.org.

Flyer available HERE. Brochure available HERE.

A Ministry of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii’s Respect Life Office

Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Catholic Charities Hawaii, Honolulu

All are invited to join the 45 Annual Catholic Charismatic Regional Conference "The Harvest is Ready!" The day will feature guest speaker John Beaulieu, Catholic Lay Evangelist and creator of Romans 5:5 Ministry. Registration costs $25 (with lunch) or $15 (without lunch). For more information, please visit www.hccrs.org.

Flyer available HERE.

June 22–27, 2025
St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Kaneohe

Empower young people in your parish for leadership
The Christian Leadership Institute – Hawaii (CLI) is a week-long leadership development program for high school youth (grades 9–12) who show leadership potential. It equips young people with practical skills for Christian leadership and ministry, fostering personal and communal faith growth through workshops, prayer experiences, and reflection. CLI emphasizes peer collaboration and hands-on leadership opportunities. The 2025 session runs from June 22–27 at St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Oahu.

More details here: https://www.catholichawaii.org/oyyam/ym/cli-hi.

Flyer available HERE.

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Will Rauckhorst, the 40-year-old son of Jerry & Cheri Rauckhorst. He died at his apartment of an apparent accident. Jerry Rauckhorst is the retired CEO of Catholic Charities Hawaii, and Cheri Rauckhorst is a retired teacher who taught at Mary, Star of the Sea School in Honolulu. Will was formerly a teacher at Maryknoll School, Honolulu. May he rest in peace!

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 Francis of Paola
1416–1507
Memorial - April 2

James Martotille and his bride wedded and lived in the town of Paola, in the southernmost region of Italy. During the first years of their marriage, they were unable to conceive a child. Being devout Catholics, they turned to prayer and beseeched the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi. Their prayers were answered when they were blessed with the birth of a son. As an expression of gratitude to Saint Francis of Assisi, the couple named their son Francis. Read more...

(Judgefloro, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.) Copyright © 2025 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"

APRIL

Annual Mass for Clergy and Religious Jubilarians, Apr 5

Chrism Mass for the Kauai Vicariate, Apr 8

Chrism Mass for the East and West Hawaii Vicariates, Apr 10

Bagels with Bishop at St. Joseph School, Hilo, Apr 11

Jubilee Year Days of Study in Waimea, Apr 12

Mass for Palm Sunday, Apr 13

Chrism Mass for Oahu-Molokai Vicariates, Apr 15

Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Apr 17

Good Friday Holiday, Apr 18

Good Friday Morning Prayer, Apr 18

Good Friday Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, Apr 18

Holy Saturday Morning Prayer, Apr 19

The Easter Vigil, Apr 19

Mass for Easter Sunday, Apr 20

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent

New Support Center Puts Focus on Front-Line Workers

Growing Faith with Patience

CRS Rice Bowl Story of Hope from Guatemala

Saint of the Week - Annunciation of the Lord

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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