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January 6, 2026 - Happy New Year!
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Tuesday within the last week of Christmas (V01)
Click on Web Version above for best viewing of this eNewsLetter.
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Revamped Annual Appeal to Focus on Supporting Ministries
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Bishop Larry Silva, center left, paid a visit to this year’s Christian Leadership Institute at St. Stephen Diocesan Center in Kaneohe. The annual gathering for high school students is one of many initiatives of the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, which will be supported by the new annual appeal. (Courtesy Lisa Gomes / HCH file photo)
By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald
The Diocese of Honolulu has given its annual appeal a new name and is taking a new approach to communicating and sharing its mission.
The Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal: Sharing God’s Gifts, or CMAA, replaces the Ohana in Christ campaign. It begins in February and ends June 30.
“It is really a refocusing, and it offers some clarity that this campaign is really to help strengthen the ministries so we can serve the needs of the people in our diocese,” said Father Konelio “Lio” Faletoi, director of stewardship for the Diocese of Honolulu and pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Kailua-Kona. “All the ministries we are supporting have a direct connection to the parishes, including hospital ministry and prison ministry.”
The funds raised in the new annual appeal will go toward a number of ministries and services that touch all of the diocese’s 65 parishes, some 124,000 Catholics and those in the community who turn to the church for support regardless of faith. Read more...
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Welcoming Emmanuel in Hawaiʻi
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(mojekadry / Shutterstock.com)
From the Office for Social Ministry
When the fragility of others penetrates our hearts, when their pain shatters our rigid certainties, then peace has already begun.” Pope Leo XIV Christmas Day Homily 2025
Reflecting upon that peaceful night of the very first Christmas, we often think of the humble stable where Jesus was born. We can picture the rough wood of the manger, animals breathing warmth into the cold air, and shepherds standing in awe at an invitation they never expected to receive. The Holy Family appears front and center—poor, displaced, fragile, and yet entrusted with the hope of the world. It is a scene so familiar that we risk overlooking how radical it truly is.
In his Christmas message this year, Pope Leo XIV invites the Church not to rush past the manger, but to linger there long enough to be changed by it. “God comes to us in the lowliness of a child...the Word became flesh. Human flesh asks for care; it pleads for welcome and recognition, it seeks hands capable of tenderness.” This is not sentimentality—it is revelation. The stable shows us who God is, and His loving missionary outreach to all. Read more...
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Find Food Assistance Across Hawaiʻi
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(Drazen Zigic / Shutterstock.com)
From the Office for Social Ministry
Hawaiʻi Foodbank is committed to providing safe food access to everyone who needs it. You may be eligible for federally funded programs like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), or you may just need temporary food assistance until you get back on your feet. Additionally, other food pantries and food distribution sites remain open across the state. With more than 250 hunger relief partners across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, help is likely available in or near your neighborhood. Read more...
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Annual Red Mass, Jan 14
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Bishop Larry Silva blesses the leaders of Catholic Charities Hawaii and Catholic Charities Housing Development Corp. at the 2025 Red Mass. (Photo courtesy of the Hawaii Catholic Herald)
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, 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 celebrate the Mass and will also feature keynote speaker Connie Mitchell, executive director of the Institute for Human Services. Mitchell’s topic is “Radical Justice in Tumultuous Times.” Her talk will explore how each generation presents unique challenges to people of faith as they strive to heed God’s call to “do justice, while loving mercy and walking humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).
The general public is welcome to attend the Red Mass. Parking at the Co-Cathedral is free.
The Red Mass will also be livestreamed at honolulucathedral.org/redmass.
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Ecumenical Taizé Service, Jan 21
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Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Newman Center-Holy Spirit Parish, Honolulu
Join us for an hour of sacred music, scripture, and prayer in observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. All are welcome! Free parking is available at the former St. Francis School.
For more information, contact the Office of Worship at
alguerrero@rcchawaii.org or (808) 585-3342.
Flyer available HERE.
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Saint Marianne Cope Feast Day Celebration, Jan 23
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ʻOhana Mass, Jan 24
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Saturday, January 24, 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.
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Talks for Families, Adults, and Youth, Jan 20 - Mar 10
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All are warmly invited to join talks on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7–8 PM at St. John the Baptist Parish in Kalihi. These sessions share the Good News of Christ, who offers guidance and hope in the challenges of life, along with the gift of love and forgiveness. Through this program of Catholic formation in small parish communities, we can explore and deepen the richness of our baptism. For more information, please contact Dr. Anthony Ramos at 808-721-0557.
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Big Island Youth Day, Feb 21
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Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
St. Joseph High School, Hilo
Join Us for Big Island Youth Day!
All middle school and high school youth are invited to Big Island Youth Day (BIYD) — a joyful day to rediscover your faith, grow in community, and encounter Christ in a fun, spirit-filled environment!
Bring your friends, your energy, and your heart — this is a great chance to deepen your relationship with God and connect with other Catholic youth from around the diocese.
Learn more and register: https://www.catholichawaii.org/oyyam/ym/biyd
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Word of Life for January
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
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Saint of the Week
Saint John Neumann
1811–1860
Memorial - January 5
Born in Prachatitz, Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic), the young John Neumann received a fine education. Upon completing his childhood schooling, he considered becoming a medical doctor. His mother, however, being a woman of much faith, could see that her son’s true desire was to be a priest, so she encouraged him to apply to the seminary. To his surprise, he was accepted and began his seminary studies for the Diocese of Budweis on November 1, 1831 at the age of twenty. Read more...
(Image: http://neumanneum.cz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) Copyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission. www.mycatholic.life
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Online Giving for Parishes
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!
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Events and Previous Announcements
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Subscribe to the Hawaii Catholic Herald
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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
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