Wednesday within the last week of Christmas (V1)
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[Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu]

A few days ago, some of my family who are visiting joined me in a Mass for the thirtieth anniversary of the death of my mother. Shortly after my mother died, I remember being very touched when my father said to us children, “The best decision I ever made was to marry your mother.” I always knew my parents loved each other, even though, like most couples, they could get on each other’s nerves at times. But it was not until after Mom died that Dad was so free and public in his expression of love and devotion for her. It was as if the love they had shared for over fifty years, in good times and bad, had taken on a new dimension, a deeper meaning.

And so it is that we see these two very old figures of Simeon and Anna in the temple. Their love for God was something that was very much alive throughout their lives, yet there came that special day when they recognized God’s love in the person of the infant Jesus in a way they had never recognized it before. It became tangible, palpable, something – or rather someone – they could wrap their arms around.  And so they gave praise to God. Read more...

(Kent Raney / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

As we begin the New Year, we remember that in 2021 Governor Ige designated January as Kalaupapa month in Hawaii. On January 3rd, we celebrate the birthday of St. Damien de Veuster and on January 23rd we celebrate the birthday of St. Marianne Cope. Through their service in Kalaupapa, these beloved saints lived out Christ’s call to share with the those marginalized by society, echoing the very essence of the Christmas message that we are all children of God. As the Sisters of St. Francis still serving on Kalaupapa remind us, the “outcasts” in Hawaii made saints out of Damien and Marianne by bringing out the best in them, just as on Christmas and the Feast of the Epiphany, the outcast Christ in the manager made saints of Mary and Joseph, and millions more down through the ages. This is the true blessing, the gift, and the hope of the season from the Feast of Christmas through the Feast of the Epiphany. Read more...

Aloha Night: Ivy and Boogie Kahilihiwa embrace after being introduced as Queen and King of Aloha Night at Kalaupapa in 2012. (Photo by Rafael Torres)

By Valerie Monson
Special to the Hawaii Catholic Herald

As a 9-year-old girl on the North Shore of Kauai, Ivy Laamea climbed a tree to survive the deadly 1946 tsunami that killed four members of her immediate family. Barely eight years after that, she was diagnosed with leprosy and forced to give up her son at birth. At Kalaupapa, she would reluctantly agree to have her two daughters adopted, feeling she had no other choice.

Such personal trials tested the woman who would become Ivy Kahilihiwa, but they would not defeat her. Ivy became one of the strongest women of Kalaupapa, finding her way forward even during the darkest days through prayer and her own resolve.

“All my feelings, deep down, I try not to think about (the hard times),” she said in an interview with this writer. “I keep myself strong. There is prayer — prayer makes you strong. What has happened, has happened already.” Read more...

From Catholic Charities Hawaii

Transportation Friends for Kupuna Project

Are you 60 years old or older, who lives independently on Oahu and need transportation and/or chaperone assistance?

Catholic Charities Hawaii’s volunteer drivers and chaperones in the Transportation Friends for Kupuna Project are ready to assist you!

If you are interested in this service, please call the Catholic Charities Hawaii Senior Help Line at 808-527-4777.

This project is funded by a grant from AmeriCorps Senior Demonstration Project grant.

Friday, January 5, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Hawaii Okinawa Center
94-587 Ukeʻe Street, Waipahu

All are invited to EPIC Ministry's annual Christmas Banquet, a "Christmas Lūʻau",  on January 5, 2024!

This year, in addition to the great food, live entertainment, silent auction, wine pull, photo booth, and more, they will also be honoring a couple who have dedicated their lives in service to the youth and young adults of our local Church and community. This year's EPIC Award will be presented to Dcn. Wally and Gwen Mitsui at our banquet!

Early bird discount on tickets until November 30. So get your tickets today. Visit www.epicministry.net to reserve your space.

Flyer available HERE.

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 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 Eva Andrade, President of Hawaii Family Forum & Director of Hawaii Catholic Conference, speaking on “Navigating Politics with Positivity and Purpose.”

The general public is welcome to attend the Red Mass.

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

Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE SICK is celebrated on the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11. Msgr. Gary Secor will preside at a Mass with Anointing of the Sick at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace at 12:00 noon. Any Catholic in good standing who is seriously ill is invited to receive this sacrament of healing and strength. (Note: Only those who are sick are to receive the Anointing of the Sick. No one may receive the sacrament as a proxy for someone else.)

Flyer available HERE.

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Deacon Stephen Kula, who died the morning of January 1, 2024, immediately after assisting at Mass at Holy Trinity Church, Honolulu. We extend our sympathy to his wife Debbie and his family. May he rest in peace.

Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen
St. Basil: 329–379, St. Gregory: c. 329–389
Memorial – January 2

Saints Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzen were among the most devoted defenders of the faith in the fourth century. Both were bishops and both are now saints and doctors of the Church. These two men met while studying in Caesarea Cappadocia and strengthened their tight friendship in Athens. After Basil’s death, Gregory wrote of their bond, “We seemed to have one soul, inhabiting two bodies” (Orationes of Saint Gregory 43:20). Read more...

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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.cathedralofourladyofpeace.com/LiveStream.html

Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Kalihi
Sundays at 10:30 AM
Mondays to Thursdays at 6:30 AM, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 AM
https://www.facebook.com/hicocathedral

Mystical Rose Oratory, Kaimuki
Sundays at 10 AM
https://www.facebook.com/mysticalroseoratoryHI/

Newman Center, Manoa
Sundays at 5 PM
https://www.facebook.com/NewmanHawaii/

Mary, Star of the Sea, Waialae-Kahala
Saturdays at 5:30 PM
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVaHZ63dLgyxEujc20LzkAw

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ewa Beach
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/olphparishewabeach

Our Lady of Sorrows, Wahiawa
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/olswahiawa/live
or https://www.olswahiawa.org

Our Lady of the Mount, Kalihi
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/olmkalihi/

Resurrection of the Lord, Waipio
Sundays at 9:30 AM
https://www.facebook.com/ResurrectionHI/live

St. Anthony, Kalihi
Sundays at 8:30 AM, Weekdays at 6:30 AM, Saturdays at 7 AM
https://www.facebook.com/saintanthony.kalihi

St. Augustine, Waikiki
Saturdays at 5 PM
https://www.facebook.com/StAugustineHawaii

St. Elizabeth, Aiea
Sundays at 10 AM
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_bh9hK77HA3nwfXpaoZgww

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. Michael, Waialua
Sundays at 11 AM, Wednesdays at 7 AM
https://www.facebook.com/stsmichaelpeterpaul
or https://stsmichaelpeterpaul.org

St. Rita, Nanakuli
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/stritananakuli/
or YouTube

St. Roch, Kahuku
Sundays at 7:30 AM
https://www.facebook.com/KahukuHawaii

St. Stephen, Nuuanu
Sundays at 10 AM
https://www.facebook.com/St-Stephens-Catholic-Church-Nuuanu-100906711581421/live
 

HAWAII

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Papaikoi & St. Anthony, Laupahoehoe
Sundays at 8 AM (St. Anthony, Laupahoehoe)
Sundays at 10 AM (Immaculate Heart of Mary, Papaikoi)
Saturdays at 5 PM (Immaculate Heart of Mary, Papaikoi)
https://www.facebook.com/Hamakua-Catholic-Community-110985457198038/

Our Lady of Lourdes, Honokaa
Sundays at 9 AM & 6:30 PM, Saturdays at 5:30 PM
https://www.facebook.com/ourladyoflourdeshonokaa
 

KAUAI

St. Catherine, Kapaa
Sundays at 9:30 AM, Mondays to Saturdays at 7 AM
https://www.kauaistcatherine.church
or https://www.facebook.com/stcatherinekauai
 

MAUI

Our Lady Queen of Angels, Kula
Daily at 7 AM
https://www.facebook.com/ourladyqueenofangels/

St. Joseph, Makawao
Sundays at 9 AM
https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Josephs-Church
 

Resources to Prepare for Watching a Livestream Mass:

• "Creating a Sacred Home Environment for the Live-Stream Viewing of Mass"
• "Mass Texts"

JANUARY

EPIC Ministry Christmas Banquet a "Christmas Lūʻau," Jan 5

Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate of Anthony Tran, Jan 6

Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Deacon Aspirants of Cohort 11, Jan 14

Annual Red Mass, Jan 16

Mass for the March for Life, Jan 18

March for Life, Jan 19

Deacon Ordination of Cohort 10, Jan 20

Deacon Ordination at St. Joseph, Makawao, Jan 27

Breakfast with Bishop at St. John Vianney, Kailua, Jan 28

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for Christmas Day

Bishop's Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Our Lady of Guadalupe: Isles Honor Our Indigenous Mother

Hawaii Saints Remind Us to Focus on the Vulnerable

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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