Tuesday within the Fourth Week of Advent (V52)
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[Immaculate Conception Church, Lihue]

About a month ago, I attended the National Catholic Youth Conference in Long Beach, California.  It gathered over 3,000 youth from throughout the country, including over 90 from Hawaii.  There were many moving moments, but most of the young people themselves identified the most moving part as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  It was inspiring even to see many of the youth leave their seats and kneel closer to the stage where the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, so that they could be closer to Jesus.  They knew that this was not just some sacred wafer encased in a beautiful vessel to show it off, but rather the true presence of Jesus.  They felt his presence there, and it was very moving to them – to all of us!

Today we hear of Mary traveling some 90 to 100 miles from Nazareth in Galilee to the hill country of Judea to visit her relative Elizabeth, who, as a very old woman, thought to be past the years of childbearing, was now in her sixth month of pregnancy.  Just before this passage, we see Mary being told by the Archangel Gabriel that she herself, as a virgin, was to conceive and bear the Son of God Most High, and that his name was to be Jesus.  Mary already carried Jesus in her womb when she met Elizabeth.  Now remember, this was way before texts, emails, and telephones, so Mary only became aware of Elizabeth’s pregnancy through the Archangel Gabriel.  And Elizabeth only became aware of Mary’s pregnancy through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Elizabeth – and even the child in her womb, John the Baptist – just sensed that the Lord was truly present in Mary.  The babe leaped for joy in the presence of Jesus, and Elizabeth gave Mary a greeting that revealed she already knew Mary was carrying the Lord himself.  Read more...

(Romolo Tavani / Shutterstock.com)

I will never forget the bright Christmas morning when the faithful gentleman who opened our church for years did so, then suffered a fatal heart attack on the front steps of the church. Nor could I forget the Christmas night, when, after a lively family Christmas celebration, my mother died peacefully in her sleep.

As we approach Christmas, we know that some will be in hospital beds and others will be gathered around them keeping prayerful vigil. Some will be hiding away in fear of the bombs exploding near their homes in war-torn countries. Others will be working dutifully to serve others, while longing to be with their own families and loved ones. Read more...

Deacon Castro prepared the altar for the Eucharistic prayer with seminarian John Akau, left, and Deacon David Bruce. (Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald.)

By Celia K. Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald

Waipahu welcomed home one of its own Dec. 14 as Preston Castro took one step closer to priesthood.

Bishop Larry Silva ordained Castro, now Deacon Castro, to the transitional diaconate at St. Joseph Church — the new deacon’s home parish — in front of hundreds of family members, friends, parishioners and other well-wishers.

Dozens of priests and deacons took part in the celebration, bedecked in rose-hued vestments to mark the third Sunday of Advent — Gaudete Sunday, a day of rejoicing as Jesus’ birth draws near. Read more...

(Jaime Salamanca / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“For everyone, may the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the door of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere and to all as our hope.Let us help each other discover this encounter with Christ who gives us life and let us set out on a journey as pilgrims of hope to celebrate that life.” - Pope Francis on the Jubilee Year 2025 theme ~ Pilgrims of Hope

Hope is an important hallmark of the Catholic Church mission to share the light of God’s love through encountering Christ with others, especially those experiencing difficult situations. This Christmas Eve, Pope Francis invites us all to celebrate the opening of the Jubilee Year 2025 which embraces the theme: Pilgrims of Hope. “To hope is to welcome this gift that God offers us every day to savor the wonder of being loved, sought, desired by a God who has made Himself flesh and blood, history and days, to share our lot. Hope is also a task that Christians have a duty to cultivate and put to good use for the sake of all their brothers and sisters.” Read more...

(Beskova Ekaterina / Shutterstock.com)

Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.

The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas.

• Advent Calendar for 2024
• Blessing of an Advent Wreath
• The "O Antiphons" of Advent
• Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene
• Commentary on the Proper Prayers of Advent from the Roman Missal
• Festival of Lessons and Carols
• Lectio Divina for Advent

Saturday, December 28, 2024 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 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.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, downtown 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 be the principal celebrant and this year will feature guest speaker Kerry Alys Robinson, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, speaking on “Blessed Are the Peacemakers: Reflections on Servant Leadership.”

The general public is welcome to attend the Red Mass.

The Red Mass will also be livestreamed at https://honolulucathedral.org/live-stream

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.

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Aurora Navarro Guzman, 85, mother of Fr. Ronaldo Guzman, MS, pastor of St. Rafael Church, Koloa, Kauai. She peacefully departed at the hospital in the Philippines on December 13, 2024.

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Mr. Leoncio Perez, 95, father of Deacon Raul Perez, assigned to St. Jude Church, Kapolei, Oahu. Mr. Perez passed away on December 18, 2024, in Los Angeles.

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 John of Kanty (Cantius)
c. 1390–1473
Memorial – December 23

As a youth, John proved to be both intelligent and devout, receiving his early education in his hometown. Around the age of twenty-three, he enrolled in the Kraków Academy where he studied philosophy. Kraków Academy was the only university in the Kingdom of Poland at that time, being founded in 1364 by King Casimir III the Great. In 1817 it was renamed the Jagiellonian University and is where Pope John Paul II studied. During John Cantius’ studies, he was introduced to the spiritual movement called Devotio Moderna (Modern Devotion), which emphasized personal devotion, humility, and interior conversion, especially through the meditation upon Sacred Scripture and personal prayer. Read more...

Donszakal, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Copyright © 2024 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"

DECEMBER

Christmas Eve Holiday, Dec 24

Misa de Gallo at St. Joseph, Waipahu, Dec 24

Christmas Midnight Mass, Dec 24

Christmas Day Holiday, Dec 25

Christmas Day Mass, Dec 25

‘Ohana Mass for December, Dec 28

New Year's Eve Holiday, Dec 31

JANUARY

New Year's Day Holiday, Jan 1

Mass with the Rite of Institution of Acolytes for Deacon Candidates, Cohort 11, Jan 12

Annual Red Mass, Jan 14

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday, Jan 20

March for Life Mass and St. Marianne Cope’s Feast Day, Jan 23

March for Life, Jan 24

Mass for Annual Conference of Catholic Educators, Jan 31

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the Third Sunday in Advent

A Pilgrimage of Faith and Fellowship

The Christmas Spirit of Aloha

St. George Church Celebrates 70th Anniversary

Saint of the Week - Peter Canisius

Restoring Communion from the Cup

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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