Tuesday within the Fourth Week of Easter (V19)
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Bishop Larry Silva gave a moving homily at his jubilee Mass. (Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)

Hawaii Catholic Herald

A seam-bursting crowd of family, friends, clergy, religious and faithful from near and far filled the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu on May 2 to celebrate Bishop Larry Silva as he marked his 50th jubilee of priestly ordination.

The anniversary Mass took place on the exact date in 1975 when Clarence “Larry” R. Silva was ordained in the Diocese of Oakland, California; among the many special touches was the inclusion of the same Bible that was used when Larry Silva became Father Silva at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Oakland.

The congregation included scores of special guests — Bishop Silva’s family from the mainland and decades-old friends among them.

More than 50 priests concelebrated Mass and some two dozen deacons were on hand for the celebration. Read more...

From the Office for Social Ministry

On May 8, 2025, the Catholic Church witnessed a historic moment as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th Pope, taking the name Leo XIV. This marks the first time an American has ascended to the papacy. The announcement was made from St. Peter’s Basilica by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti, following the traditional declaration, “Habemus Papam” (“We have a Pope”)

In his first public address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV greeted the faithful with the words, “Peace be with you.”

Born in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV also holds dual citizenship with the United States and Peru. His extensive missionary work in Latin America, including his time as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, has shaped his pastoral approach and his commitment to accompanying marginalized communities. His leadership role in the Vatican’s bishop appointments under Pope Francis further underscores his dedication to social justice and pastoral care. Continuing in the spirit of Pope Francis, he thanked the late Pope for his years or service and emphasized the need to foster peace and unity by building bridges through dialogue. Read more...

(Gerlach Photos / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“God of love, show us our place in this world, as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth for not one of them is forgotten in your sight. Enlighten those who possess power and money so that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live. The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty. Praise be to You!”
~ Pope Francis, Laudato Si (Praise Be to God): On Care for Our Common Home, May 6, 2015

Two Days before the Conclave elected Pope Leo XIV, on May 6th we marked the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis encyclical, Laudato Si’s calling all to respond to the compelling “cry of the earth and cry of the poor.” In this groundbreaking papal letter, Pope Francis called for an “ecological conversion” defined as the “transformation of hearts and minds toward greater love of God, each other, and creation.” Just as his namesake St. Francis, Pope Francis believed that protecting God’s creation is integral to a Christian life. “The care of the ‘common home’ is a responsibility we take on towards our neighbor and at the same time a way to recognize the infinite beauty of God” Laudato Si awakens our conscience, to recognize how the exploitation of the earth is connected to the exploitation of the poor, and how our response to one is directly tied to the other. “Everything is connected. Concern for the environment, thus, needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.” Read more...

Carmen (Silva) Kiyabu, Bishop Larry Silva’s cousin, will share a story in the book. She is pictured second from left with her daughter, Stacie Caires, left, Bishop Silva and Easter Almuena. (Courtesy photo)

Hawaii Catholic Herald

Be a part of a special gift for Bishop Larry Silva by submitting short stories of your memories of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace for a forthcoming book.

Your story (between 200-500 words, please) can be about events, sacraments received, spiritual journeys, familial or historical ties, sacred architecture, ministry involvement, services rendered or caring hands, among other topics.

Spiritual journeys may include the Eucharist, music, uplifting homilies, prayer services and devotions.

You may also send two to three sentences of thanks or congratulations to Bishop Silva for his 20 years of service in Hawaii.

The finished book will be dedicated to Bishop Silva. Proceeds will go to the renovation of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.

Send written contributions to Easter Almuena at Easter.Almuena@gmail.com or mail to Deacon Joe Almuena at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, 1184 Bishop St., Honolulu, HI 96813.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Bachelot Hall at Sacred Heart Church, Punahou

How would you like to learn about demonic oppression and possession and the Christian Church’s theology around it. Spiritual warfare is real. Why not learn how real non-Hollywood movie exorcisms happen?

Join us in taking the mask off the demonic with the help of Catholic exorcist Fr. John Szada. He will teach us about demonic oppression, obsession and possession, how to distinguish demonic intrusion from mental illness, and what we can do to protect ourselves and others. Fr. Szada will share real stories about real people and real exorcisms. The evening will include time for Q&A. This event is open to the public, tickets are limited.

Learn more and register at https://www.himonline.org/lits2025.

Flyer available HERE.

This event is presented by Hawaiian Islands Ministries in conjunction with the Diocese of Honolulu.

Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Pearl City

Join the HCCRS Young Adults Prayer Gathering "The Lord, the Giver of Life" with speaker John Beaulieu and the HCCRS Worship Team.

Flyer available HERE.

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.

Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Honolulu

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 “ʻOhana 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 “ʻOhana 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.

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.

Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays during May and June
at 6:00 p.m.
St. Michael the Archangel Church, Kailua-Kona

All are welcome to join these talks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6-7pm at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Kailua-Kona. These talks will be given by the missionary team of the Neocatechumenal Way in Hawai’i: Jonathan & Nazarena Stenger with their seven children, Fr. John Wadeson, Benjamin Paz a seminarian for the Diocese of Philadelphia, and Paulo Da Mata a seminarian for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

These talks are an announcement of the Good News where Christ has an answer to the difficult situations we experience and gives us the possibility of love and forgiveness. This itinerary of Catholic formation lived in small communities within the parish will help us to discover the richness of our baptism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1231 states that by its very nature infant baptism requires a post baptismal catechumenate. Not only is there a need for instruction after baptism but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth.

For more information, please contact Jonathan and Nazarena Stenger at (808) 268-3993.

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.

Bishop Kolio Tumanuvao from American Samoa will be in the islands from July 8-14, 2025 with the Samoan Community on Oahu for a seminar. All of the Samoan Communities in each parish are encouraged to be present for this event.

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 Isidore
c. 1070–c. 1130
Memorial - May 15

Saint Isidore, whom we honor today, is often called Isidore the Laborer, or Isidore the Farmer. He was an ordinary man, husband, and father who lived a humble and simple life working the fields for a landowner. His extraordinary faith, by which he always sought first the Kingdom of God, sets for us an excellent example of achieving extraordinary sanctity in the ordinary grind of daily work. Read more...

(Nheyob, CC BY-SA 4.0, 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!

MAY

An Evening with An Exorcist, May 14

Priesthood Ordination of Preston-Jay Castro and Lawrence Denis III, May 16

Hawaii Catholic Charismatic Regional Conference, May 17

Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate of Taylor Mitchell, May 17

Annual Priests Retreat, May 19-23

Baccalaureate Mass for Damien Memorial School, May 24

‘Ohana Mass for May, May 24

Memorial Day Holiday, May 26

JUNE

King Kamehameha Day, Jun 11

Juneteenth Holiday, Jun 19

Christian Leadership Institute – Hawaii, Jun 22-27

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter

Committed to His Flock, Dedicated to Mission

Hawai‘i Lives the Spirit of Laudato Si

Saint of the Week - Damien of Molokai

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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