Tuesday within the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time (V31)
Click on Web Version above for best viewing of this eNewsLetter.

The deacons and spouses of Cohort 9 attended Mass July 18 at St Catherine Church in Kapaa, celebrated by Father EJ Resinto, center left. (Courtesy Deacon Joel Narusawa)

By Deacon Joel Narusawa
Special to the Hawaii Catholic Herald

My brother deacons and our wives of Cohort 9 gathered July 16-19 for a retreat on the island of Kauai. Our trip was a communal gathering to celebrate the journey of God’s calling and to share, as a community, God’s blessings in our lives since we were first called in 2015 and ordained in January 2021.

The trip also honored one of the wives in our cohort, Debra Soto (wife of Deacon Averiet Soto), who passed away in September 2023.

For us, it has been a 10-year journey as a spiritual community of God, sharing good times and sad ones. Our communal journey started with five years spent in deacon formation as we took classes, learned more about our church and about each other, and discerned God’s will in our lives. Read more...

(lucas_moore / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“For this 112th World Day, the theme, ‘Even just one of these children,’ draws our attention to the minors directly involved in the experience of migration and flight, to the care owed to them, and to the Lord’s promise that ‘whoever receives one such child in my name receives me’” (Mark 9:37). - Pope Leo XIV, Message for the 2026 World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Migration in the news can often seem like a story of statistics. Millions of people around the world have been forced to flee their homes because of natural disasters, poverty, wars, violence and other crises. Pope Leo XIV urges us to look beyond the numbers and focus our gaze on the faces and stories of migrants persons, and the most vulnerable among them—the children. According to United Nations data, roughly two out of every five migrant refugees are children. Many have been separated from their families. “Their dignity,” our Holy Father writes, “is trampled upon in countless ways.”

But Pope Leo also points us toward hope and ask us to really see the person before us. He emphasizes the Gospel tells us each and every person matters. Onefrightened child at a border matters. One refugee child beginning school in an unfamiliar language matters. One child separated from a parent matters. One young person carrying memories of violence matters. Why? Because, as Pope Leo reminds us “every child, every human being, possesses an infinite dignity.” Each is created in the image of God. Read more...

From Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi

When Paulette moved to Hawaiʻi five years ago, she was looking for a place to heal.

After recovering from breast cancer surgery in California, she relocated to Oʻahu to be closer to her daughter. Soon after arriving, however, Paulette suffered a serious fall that caused a brain bleed and left her in a coma for three and a half days.

“I woke up in the hospital and thought I had fainted,” Paulette recalled. “The doctor said, ‘You’ve been in a coma for three and a half days.’”

After days in the trauma unit at The Queen’s Medical Center, Paulette began the difficult process of recovery. Along with the physical challenges, she faced financial hardship and uncertainty about finding stable housing.

Her daughter encouraged her to reach out to Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi. Read more...

By Dr. Llewellyn Young
Superintendent, Hawaii Catholic Schools

As the doors of our Catholic schools once again open to welcome students, families, faculty and staff, we begin a new academic year with hearts full of gratitude, hope and anticipation.

This school year holds special significance as the Diocese of Honolulu joins the universal church in celebrating 200 years of Catholicism in Hawaii. This is a remarkable milestone that reminds us of the enduring legacy of faith, service and education that has shaped our islands since the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries in 1827.

This bicentennial celebration provides us with an opportunity not only to reflect on our rich history but also to look confidently toward the future. Read more...

For two hundred years, the Catholic faith has taken root and flourished across these islands. Your gift to the Bicentennial sustains the celebrations by defraying the costs of speakers, venues, and events, so that we can better carry this mission into its third century.

Every contribution – of any size – will help us all to be better motivated and equipped to help write the next chapter of the Catholic faith in Hawai’i.

Give today at https://catholichawaii200.org/donate

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 Bartholomew the Apostle
First Century
Memorial - August 24

Today, the Church honors one of the Twelve Apostles whom Jesus handpicked to form His Church and to go forth to the ends of the earth to share the Good News. Bartholomew, as he is named in the Synoptic Gospels, is most likely not his name, but a description of his lineage. His name in Aramaic is bar-Tôlmay, translated as “son of Tolmai.” Most scholars agree that the Bartholomew mentioned in the Synoptics is the same person as Nathanael in John’s Gospel. It might be that “Nathanael, the son of Tolmai,” is the full name of today’s saint. Read more...

(Image credit: Peter Paul Rubens, Public domain, 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.

‘The Islands Put Their Trust in You’

Damien Students’ Peru Trip Helps Form Missionary Disciples

Building the Kingdom Through Aloha

Saint of the Week - John Eudes

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