Tuesday within the Fourth Week of Lent (V11)
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The Newman Center/Holy Spirit Parish at the University of Hawaii at Manoa has improved attendance and engagement is through spiritual education, such as this Bible study session last November. (Photo courtesy of Dann Ebina)

By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald

The Diocese of Honolulu is continuing its steady increase in Mass attendance, with several parishes reaching numbers higher than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the most recent October count results.

Each October, parishes throughout the diocese manually count the number of people attending all weekend Masses for the entire month. The parish count is based on the average of all their Masses for the month.

The 2025 total average of Sunday Mass attendees, which includes the Saturday vigil, was about 38,966, an increase of more than 9% among the 66 churches, 21 missions and two ethnic communities in the diocese. Though most parishes have not yet reached pre-COVID attendance levels, the gap is slowly narrowing. Read more...

Hawaii Catholic Herald

Father Roland Emmanuel Duterte Pacudan, affectionately remembered by many as “the Singing Priest,” passed away suddenly on Feb. 16 at age 68.

He was born on Oct. 21, 1957, in Alicia, Bohol, Philippines. At age 9 he moved to Hawaii, where his life of faith and service would ultimately flourish.

Father Pacudan returned to the Philippines in 1970 to pursue his high school and college education at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in the Bohol province’s capital city, Tagbilaran. He completed his theological studies at Seminario Mayor de San Carlos in Cebu City. Read more...

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Deacon Jerome Vito of Sacred Heart Parish, Waianae, who passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026. He was 77 years old. Funeral services are pending. May he rest in peace.

(Photo credit: CRS Rice Bowl social media)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“Today we lift up our prayer for peace in the world, asking that nations renounce weapons and choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy.” - Pope Leo XIV, Prayer Intention for March 2026

As bombs were falling in the Middle East, Pope Leo XIV lifted his hands and spirit in a worldwide prayer for peace. News of conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has stirred deep anxiety across the globe. Images of destruction, fear among civilians and the threat of further escalation remind us how fragile peace can be. During his Angelus in St. Peter’s Square on March 1, our Holy Father spoke with urgency and clarity. “I am following with deep concern what is happening in the Middle East and in Iran during this tumultuous time.” He then spoke about the urgent need for dialogue and disarmament: “Stability and peace are not achieved through mutual threats, nor through the use of weapons, which sow destruction, suffering and death, but only through reasonable, sincere and responsible dialogue.” The Holy Father went on further, calling world leaders to halt “the spiral of violence before it becomes an unbridgeable chasm.” Read more...

(Photo credit: CRS Rice Bowl social media)

Eating a simple meatless meal during Lent can helps us reflect on the hunger that many people face worldwide and make a donation to help ensure all the members of our global family have access to enough nutritious food.

Tostadas - Guatemala
Though often eaten as an appetizer in Guatemala, tostadas are also great served as a snack or a fast meal on a busy night. Toppings are spread across three tortillas, leaving room to play with any additions you may want.

See the full recipe at https://www.crsricebowl.org/recipes/tostadas-guatemala

Friday, March 20 - Sunday, March 22, 2026
St. Anthony Retreat Center, Honolulu

What does it mean to truly hold nothing back? In the hustle of daily life, we often offer only pieces of ourselves—our time, our energy, our spare moments. But what happens when we offer the whole? Join us for a transformative weekend retreat, where we will explore the profound theme: "I Offer My Life." This is an invitation to pause, breathe, and surrender the burdens of control. Through quiet reflection, guided sessions, and shared community, we will explore what it means to live a life fully offered—in service, in love, and in faith.

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982864428884

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
Rose Hill Chapel, St. Anthony Retreat Center, Honolulu

The HCCRS Lenten Statewide Prayer Meeting has been rescheduled due to the severe weather from this past weekend. All are invited to join the HCCRS Worship Team and speaker Jorge Samaniego for this time of prayer.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, March 28, 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.

June 11-23, 2026 in Greece & Turkey

All are invited to join Fr. Eric Castro on this 13-day pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey, visting the seven churches of St. Paul.

For more information, please visit trip.nativitypilgrimage.com/frcastro-2026.

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 Patrick
c. 387–c. 460 or 493
Memorial - March 17

Patrick was born in Roman-ruled Britain to loving parents, perhaps as an only child. His father was a senator and a deacon, and his grandfather was a married priest. Despite his Christian upbringing and the clerical influences of his father and grandfather, Patrick struggled with his faith, stating later that when he was young he “did not know the true God.” This testimony, and the quotes to follow, come from his own hand, preserved in his Confessio, Saint Patrick’s short autobiographical confession about the workings of God’s grace in his life and ministry. Read more...

(Image credit: Sicarr, CC BY 2.0, 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 Third Sunday of Lent

St. Anthony High School in Wailuku to Close in May

CRS Rice Bowl - A Lenten Call for Peace

Meatless Recipes from CRS Rice Bowl - Guatemala

Saint of the Week - Frances of Rome

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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