Tuesday within the First Week of Advent (V49)
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[St. Stephen Church, Honolulu (Confirmation & First Communion; 90th Anniversary of the Parish)]

It is amazing all the preparation that has gone into this special day of your Confirmation and First Holy Communion! You have been learning about the Holy Spirit you will receive in a special way in the sacrament of Confirmation, and about Jesus, whom you will receive in a special way in Holy Communion. You have rehearsed how you are to walk in procession and how to receive these sacraments. You have prepared the special clothes you wear to indicate how special this celebration is. Your parents and others have prepared celebrations at home or at a favorite restaurant. But one thing you have to be very careful about is that you do not become so distracted by all these preparations – important as they are – that you miss the reality of these sacraments. Read more...

Bishop Silva requests every parish to place the following announcement in its weekly bulletin for three consecutive weeks:

In order to safeguard the sacredness of the Holy Eucharist, Bishop Silva has forbidden that the Eucharist be given to anyone presenting a pyx in the Communion line.  Only those who are authorized by the parish priest to take Holy Communion to the sick may receive the Eucharist from the priest after the Communion of the faithful, and never during the Communion procession.

Cat palm trees are lined up at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea on Nov. 3. Each tree will display a saint quote or a Bible verse chosen by the donor of the tree as part of the “Adopt a tree” program. (HCH photo by Jennifer Rector)

By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald

Father Sebastian Soosai is planting roots he hopes will grow for generations to come. Literally. His “adopt a tree” program has kicked off at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea where he is pastor.

This initiative asks parishioners to buy a cat palm tree that will be planted on church grounds. Each tree will display a poster with the donor’s family name on it along with their favorite saint quote or a Bible verse. The trees will be positioned leading up to the front of the church.

“I want to familiarize the parishioners with Bible quotations and the different saints and their images. That way they can learn as they walk inside the church,” said Father Soosai.

The idea of planting trees simply popped into Father Soosai’s head. Some may say it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Regardless, he said, he has never done anything like this before. Read more...

(IgorAleks / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

At the heart of the Christmas season is the Nativity Scene and at its center are the images of a young houseless migrant couple, Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in a stable where their newborn son, the infant Jesus lays in a manger. These sacred images draw our hearts to focus on the vulnerable persons in our midst. From families seeking refuge in the midst of ravaging war in the Middle East, Ukraine and Africa, to those fleeing catastrophic wildfires from the Amazon to Maui, the world is full of compelling examples that move our hearts, crying out for our prayers and actions.

Here in Hawaii, the holiday season has plenty examples of how the vulnerable persons in our midst not only contribute their gifts to society, but draw out the best in others. These examples include the monthly 'Ohana Mass celebrated every 4th Saturday which incorporates the contributions of “specially gifted persons” and the Christmas Keiki Day in the Women’s Community Correction Center in Oahu where the children and care-givers related to incarcerated women have a holiday celebration with their moms which includes puppet shows and Christmas Carols and family gifts with Santa all organized by Christian volunteers from nearby communities. Read more...

Hawaii Catholic Herald

Two religious communities in Hawaii last year received more in combined financial support from the national Retirement Fund for Religious than Hawaii parishioners contributed that year.

In 2022, parishioners contributed $101,261.18 to the national collection. From this fund, Hawaii’s Carmelite Monastery and the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts received a combined total of $112,682.99.

This year, the National Religious Retirement Office’s (NRRO) annual collection is scheduled in parishes throughout the Diocese of Honolulu Dec. 9-10. Read more...

The December 2023 issue of Word of Life is now available.

Word of Life is a monthly parish resource containing: Feature of the Month, Intercessions for Life, Bulletin Quotes, and Bulletin Art.

Click HERE for the December 2023 issue of Word of Life.

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 2023
• Prayer for 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

This year Bishop Larry Silva has scheduled five early morning Misa de Gallo Masses and four evening Simbang Gabi Masses from December 16th through December 24th on Oahu and Hawaii Island. All throughout the diocese are warmly welcomed to experience and become part of this great tradition. Please contact the parishes for more information.

Misa de Gallo

• Saturday, Dec. 16, 5:00 am, St. Michael, Waialua
• Sunday, Dec. 17, 5:00 am, St. Elizabeth, Aiea
• Friday, Dec. 22, 5:00 am, St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani
• Saturday, Dec. 23, 5:00 am, Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu
• Sunday, Dec. 24, 4:30 am, St. Joseph, Waipahu

Simbang Gabi Mass

• Saturday, Dec. 16, 6:00 pm, St. Philomena, Salt Lake
• Monday, Dec. 18, 6:00 pm, St. Michael, Kailua-Kona
• Thursday, Dec. 21, 6:30 pm, St. Roch, Kahuku
• Saturday, Dec. 23, 6:00 pm, St. George, Waimanalo

Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Mary, Star of the Sea Church, Honolulu

From the Office for Social Ministry

This year, including all during summer at Mary, Star of the Sea Church on Oahu, parishioners have shared 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.

Livestream 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.

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.

Saint Nicholas
c. 270–c. 346
Memorial – December 6

Saint Nicholas of Myra, also known as Nicholas of Bari, Nicholas the Wonderworker, and Saint Nick, was a fourth-century bishop in Myra, Asia Minor, modern-day Demre, Turkey. His life is also the origin of the legend of Santa Claus. By the sixth century, his tomb had become widely venerated because of the numerous reported miracles worked through his intercession. In the eleventh century, his body was transferred to Bari, Italy, where it remains today. Read more...

Copyright © 2023 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.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"

DECEMBER

Second Collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, Dec 8-9

Misa de Gallo at St. Michael, Waialua, Dec 16

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Philomena, Honolulu, Dec 16

Misa de Gallo at St. Elizabeth, Aiea, Dec 17

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Michael, Kailua-Kona, Dec 18

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Rock, Kahuku, Dec 21

Misa de Gallo at St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani, Dec 22

Christmas Eve Holiday (Observed), Dec 22

Misa de Gallo at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Dec 23

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. George, Waimanalo, Dec 23

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

Christmas Day Holiday, Dec 25

Christmas Midnight Mass, Dec 25

Mass for Christmas Day, Dec 25

New Year's Eve Holiday (Observed), Dec 29

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King

HOPE Services Blesses Its First Affordable Rental Housing

Sacred Hearts School Sends Their Thanksgiving

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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