Tuesday within the Third Week of Ordinary Time (V04)
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(Theodore Trimmer / Shutterstock.com)

[St. John the Baptist Church, Kalihi (with Installation of Pastor), St. George Church, Waimanalo (Santo Niño Celebration)]

Hawaii, as we know, has a very diverse population. We have people of many different ethnic backgrounds, young and old, liberal and conservative and everything in between. Some cultures have been a part of our landscape for many generations, and many are newer arrivals, such as the 2,000 Ukrainian refugees who live on Oahu. And although we do have some tensions, I think we have a remarkable attitude of acceptance of one another – at least compared to many other places. In a sense, we are like the “Galilee” described in the first reading, the region where Jesus himself chose to live. This was a very diverse region, located on the trade routes between Asia, Europe and Africa. Since there was such a diverse population, there were often tensions, a spiritual darkness that enveloped the region. Read more...

By Deacon Marlowe Sabater
Special to the Hawaii Catholic Herald

The recently established Unit 419 of the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary continues to support the foreign longline fishermen working in Hawaii’s longline fishery, working with the Apostleship of the Sea-Hawaii Ministry in its mission to minister to the “people of the sea.”

In collaboration with the Apostleship of the Sea-Hawaii Ministry, the Social Ministry at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu and the Hawaii Longline Association, the Knights of the Council of St. Damien de Veuster and the Ladies of the Court of St. Marianne Cope assisted the Honolulu-based Philippine Consul General Arman R. Talbo and his staff in distributing new clothing to Filipino fishermen on Dec. 23. Read more...

(Photo courtesy of Dann Ebina)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“And what does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

One scripture passage that has powerfully shaped social ministry is the Old Testament prophet Micah’s message about what God requires of everyone: “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” Micah 6:8 offers a fundamental framework for very heart of social ministry. This was compellingly expressed by Connie Mitchell, the Executive Director of the Institute of Human Services-IHS on Oahu, during her address at this year’s Diocesan Red Mass in St. Theresa’s Co-Cathedral on January 14. She is a Hawaiian born Anglican Christian who has been serving with persons suffering homelessness on Oahu for 40 years. Her lived experience provides an insight into social ministry community collaborations grounded in the Gospel. Read more...

(DC Studio / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

Hawaiʻi Foodbank is committed to providing safe food access to everyone who needs it. You may be eligible for federally funded programs like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), or you may just need temporary food assistance until you get back on your feet. Additionally, other food pantries and food distribution sites remain open across the state. With more than 250 hunger relief partners across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, help is likely available in or near your neighborhood.

If you live on Oʻahu, use the interactive map on the Hawai’i Food Bank website Homepage - Hawaiʻi Foodbank to find a food pantry or ʻOhana Produce Plus distribution near you. Food Assistance handouts are also available for Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, as well as links to our partners on the neighbor islands. Read more...

We’d like to invite anyone interested in starting or leading small groups to participate in our upcoming Small Group Leader Training on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Thanks to a grant from the McGrath Institute at the University of Notre Dame, this training is free. The Huaka‘i Project itself is designed to support young adult small groups (ages 18–39) that will run under the project during its upcoming season.

That said, we also recognize that many parishes are discerning how to grow small-group ministry more broadly. For that reason, all are welcome to attend the training itself, regardless of age, if you are exploring small-group ministry in your parish.

To help clarify expectations, here are a few important distinctions:

If you are participating as part of the Huaka‘i Project:

• Small groups are specifically for young adults (ages 18–39)
• Groups are part of the Huaka‘i Project network
• Curriculum, formation framework, and ongoing support are provided

If your parish team attends the training only:

• Participants may be of any age
• Small groups formed in your parish would not be part of the Huaka‘i Project unless they are specifically young adult groups
• Your parish would need to select or develop your own curriculum (e.g., Ascension or other resources)
• Ongoing support after the training would not be available through the Huaka‘i Project, but is available more broadly through the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.

Register here: https://form.jotform.com/oechawaii/huakai
Questions? Email Kainoa Fukumoto at kfukumoto@rcchawaii.org.

Friday, February 6 - Sunday, February 8, 2026
St. Joseph Church, Waipahu

Join this special weekend that will feature the Mass with the installation of the First Class Relic of St. Faustina celebrated by Bishop Larry Silva and guest speaker Fr. Kazimierz Chwalek.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
St. Anthony Retreat Center, Honolulu

Jesus recognized that even the most faithful disciples reach their limit. Rest is not a luxury—it is a command and a vital act of faith. BCCH's annual 1-day retreat "Come Aside and Rest Awhile" is designed to help you downshift from constant activity and find true restoration for your body, mind, and soul.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/basic-christian-community-of-hawaii-adult-spiritual-retreat-feb-7-2026-registration-1979300083832

Flyer available HERE.

Scholarships for Students in Hawaii Catholic Schools

Our Catholic schools provide a quality education to students from all ethnic, religious, and financial backgrounds. The Augustine Educational Foundation provides tuition scholarships to students with a financial need in our Hawaii Catholic Schools in grades K-12. Please take a moment and give the gift of education and make a difference in a student’s life.

Here are the ways you can make a gift:

Online: Visit augustinefoundation.org/donate

Check: Payable to Augustine Educational Foundation. Mail your check to Augustine Educational Foundation, 6301 Pali Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744. Please include your parish/island on the memo of your check for proper parish acknowledgement.

Last year, over $110,000 was generously donated to the Second Collection.

Your gift to our Second Collection goes to support tuition scholarships in your parish and/or vicariate for the 2026-2027 School Year.

For more information, please call (808) 203-6748 or visit www.augustinefoundation.org.

Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
St. Joseph High School, Hilo

Join Us for Big Island Youth Day!

All middle school and high school youth are invited to Big Island Youth Day (BIYD) — a joyful day to rediscover your faith, grow in community, and encounter Christ in a fun, spirit-filled environment!

Bring your friends, your energy, and your heart — this is a great chance to deepen your relationship with God and connect with other Catholic youth from around the diocese.

Learn more and register: https://www.catholichawaii.org/oyyam/ym/biyd

Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
Chaminade University of Honolulu

Join the Marianist Lecture, "Why Hope: Claiming the Promise and the Responsibility" with Dr. Carolyn Woo, former president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services. Dr. Woo is a global leader in humanitarian service and ethical leadership.

Learn more at chaminade.edu/marianist-lecture

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Bachelot Hall, Sacred Heart Church, Punahou

Join us for a joyful evening celebrating the stories, laughter, and beautiful spirit of our kūpuna at the Forever Young Kūpuna Prom. The evening will feature music, dancing, fellowship, and refreshments.

Flyer available HERE.

All are warmly invited to join talks on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7–8 PM at St. John the Baptist Parish in Kalihi. These sessions share the Good News of Christ, who offers guidance and hope in the challenges of life, along with the gift of love and forgiveness. Through this program of Catholic formation in small parish communities, we can explore and deepen the richness of our baptism. For more information, please contact Dr. Anthony Ramos at 808-721-0557.

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 Thomas Aquinas
1225–1274
Memorial - January 28

Among the greatest intellectuals in the history of the Church, Saint Thomas rises far above the rest. He is not only a Doctor of the Church but is given the titles Angelic Doctor, Common Doctor, and Universal Doctor. It is difficult to understate the impact that Saint Thomas has had on the Church’s doctrine and intellectual understanding of the faith.

Thomas was born in a grand castle in central Italy near the town of Aquino. His father was a nobleman, a knight in the army of the Emperor Frederick II. Thomas began his studies when he was only five at the famous Benedictine monastery, Monte Cassino, where his uncle was abbot. Read more...

(Image: Antonio del Castillo y Saavedra, Public domain, 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!

JANUARY

Mass for Annual Conference of Catholic Educators, Jan 30

FEBRUARY

BCCH Annual One-Day Spiritual Retreat, Feb 7

Presidents' Day Holiday, Feb 16

Big Island Youth Day, Feb 21

Kūpuna Prom "Forever Young," Feb 28

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the Red Mass

Bishop's Homily for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

St. Joseph Church, Waipahu, to Welcome St. Faustina Relic

Listening, Light, and Love

Saint of the Week - Fabian

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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