Tuesday within the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time (V9)
Click on Web Version above for best viewing of this eNewsLetter.

(Puwadon Sang / Shutterstock.com)

By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald

The Diocese of Honolulu saw another uptick in catechumens this year, continuing a positive trend since the numbers plummeted in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Easter Vigil liturgies across the state on April 19, 284 catechumens will receive the sacraments of initiation — baptism, first holy Communion and confirmation.

That is 43 more catechumens than last year, and 62 more than in 2023.

There is a three-way tie for the parish with the most reported catechumens. Mary, Star of the Sea Church and its Chinese Catholic Community in Honolulu have 14 catechumens, along with St. Ann Church in Kaneohe and St. Joseph Church in Waipahu. Read more...

(Photo credit: CRS Rice Bowl social media)

From the Office for Social Ministry

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the annual CRS Rice Bowl, the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services-CRS, which is the official relief and development agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops-USCCB. The CRS Rice Bowl originated during the preparation for the 1975 World Eucharistic Congress in the United States, when Catholics in Pennsylvania, prayed, fasted and gave alms to help people suffering from famine in the Sahel region of Africa. This was the beginning of what would become CRS Rice Lenten Bowl experience in U.S. Catholic parishes and schools. Since then, generations of Catholics across the United States have come together each Lent with one common goal: eliminate global hunger. In the 50 years since, CRS Rice Bowl has brought Stories of Hope about how our sisters and brothers are engaged in activities that break the cycle of hunger and build health and resilience. Read more...

A group of migrants entered the U.S. from Mexico through a hole in the border fence near Sasabe, Arizona in July 2023. The group turned themselves in to a waiting CBP agent. (Aaron Wells / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“The journey from slavery to freedom that the People of Israel traveled, as narrated in the Book of Exodus, invites us to look at the reality of our time, so clearly marked by the phenomenon of migration, as a decisive moment in history to reaffirm not only our faith in a God who is always close, incarnate, migrant and refugee, but also the infinite and transcendent dignity of every human person.” - Pope Francis Letter to US Conference of Catholic Bishops-USCCB, February 10, 2025

In many ways, the ancient scriptural story of the Exodus is a timeless lesson about human resilience, the pursuit of freedom, and the call to show compassion with those in need. Pope Francis refers to this biblical narrative in addressing what he describes as a "major crisis taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations." In an extraordinary letter to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Holy Father reaffirms Catholic Social Teaching on migration that calls us to uphold the inherent dignity of all people. Pope Francis reminds us that migration is not merely a political issue but also profound human and moral concern of our Christian faith in the Incarnation. “Even a cursory examination of the Church’s social doctrine emphatically shows that Jesus Christ is the true Emmanuel who lived the experience of being expelled from his own land because of an imminent risk to his life, and of having to take refuge in a society and a culture foreign to his own. The Son of God, in becoming man, also chose to live the drama of migration.” Read more...

Every journey begins with a single step. This Lent, take the next step in your faith by joining a small group through The Huaka‘i Project. Young adults, ages 18-39, are invite to walk alongside others as you grow in faith, deepen friendships, and discover God’s purpose for you.

Sign up for a small group today: https://form.jotform.com/250488078289169. Questions? Contact the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis at 808-203-6763 or email: oyyam@rcchawaii.org.

From the Hawaii Catholic Schools

Hawaii Catholic Schools and Chaminade University with the support of John C. and Mary Lou Brogan presents The Golden Pine"apple" Awards for both Administrator and Educator of the Year. Both awards recognize excellence in outstanding teachers/specialists and administrators within the Catholic Schools in the State of Hawaii.

The recipients of the 2024-2025 school year's award will be announced at the Recognition Ceremony in May and will receive the Golden Pine”apple” trophy and a monetary award. The recipients’ school will also receive $1,500 to be used for Staff Development from the Augustine Educational Foundation.

Nominations are being accepted till the end of March. For more details, click HERE for Teacher of the Year and click HERE for Administrator of the Year.

Looking for a dynamic and engaging speaker to lead your Lenten mission or parish presentation? Local Speaker Anthony Selvanathan is available to partner with parishes in the Diocese of Honolulu to offer parish missions, days of reflections, and catechetical presentations during this Lenten Season, tailored to deepen the faith of your faith communities during this Jubilee Year of Hope as we prepare our hearts for Easter.

With a passion for sharing the Gospel and helping others grow in their relationship with Christ, his Lenten missions and presentations are designed to resonate with all ages and inspire a deeper commitment to prayer, repentance, and renewal, especially during this Jubilee Year of Hope.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Anthony Selvanathan holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Chaminade University of Honolulu, a master's degree in theology, and a master of business administration, both from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. At his home parish, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, he serves in pastoral ministry and also serves as an episcopal master of ceremonies for the Diocese of Honolulu. Anthony currently works in the banking industry and is an approved speaker in the Diocese of Honolulu.

If your parish is interested, please contact Anthony Selvanathan directly at aselvanathan@rcchawaii.org to discuss how he can serve your parish this Lenten season.

Mondays & Thursdays in March at 7:00 p.m.
St. Patrick Church, Kaimuki

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1231 states “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.

All are welcome to join these talks on Mondays and Thursdays from 7-8pm at St. Patrick Church in Kaimuki. 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, and Benjamin Paz a seminarian for the Diocese of Philadelphia.

The Neocatechumenal Way is a post-baptismal catechumenate for adults to help people grow in their faith by living with the Scriptures and liturgy so as to experience it in small communities within the structure of the Parish. Pope Saint John Paul II wrote in a letter: “I acknowledge the Neocatechumenal Way as an itinerary of Catholic formation, valid for our society and for our times.”

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

Saturday, March 22, 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.

Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.
St. Anthony Retreat Center, Honolulu

Join the HCCRS Lenten Statewide Prayer Meeting. Fr. Sebastian Soosai will lead a Lenten Reflection and the HCCRS Worship Team will lead praise and worship.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
St. Michael the Archangel Church, Kailua-Kona

Clergy, couples, and singles are invited to attend a Languages of Love enrichment based of the book "The Five Love Languages" by Dr. Gary Chapman.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/4uz45mju. For more information or assistance with registration email WWMEBigIsland@gmail.com or text 808-478-6071.

Flyer available HERE.

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.

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 Casimir
1458–1484
Memorial – March 4

Saint Casimir was born on October 3, 1458, the second son and third child in the Polish royal family. King Casimir IV’s father had converted to Catholicism from paganism and introduced Christianity to Lithuania. King Casimir IV was, therefore, raised in a good Catholic home which he also provided to his children. A faithful Catholic herself, Queen Elizabeth was the loving mother of her thirteen children. Read more...

(Carlo Dolci, Public domain, 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"

MARCH

Mass for Ash Wednesday, Mar 5

Rite of Election for the Maui Vicariate, Mar 8

Rite of Election for Oahu Vicariates, Mar 9

Chrism Mass for the Maui-Lanai Vicariate, Mar 20

Prince Kuhio Day Holiday, Mar 26

APRIL

Annual Mass for Clergy and Religious Jubilarians, Apr 5

Chrism Mass for the Kauai Vicariate, Apr 8

Chrism Mass for the East and West Hawaii Vicariates, Apr 10

Bagels with Bishop at St. Joseph School, Hilo, Apr 11

Mass for Palm Sunday, Apr 13

Chrism Mass for Oahu-Molokai Vicariates, Apr 15

Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Apr 17

Good Friday Holiday, Apr 18

Good Friday Morning Prayer, Apr 18

Good Friday Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, Apr 18

Holy Saturday Morning Prayer, Apr 19

The Easter Vigil, Apr 19

Mass for Easter Sunday, Apr 20

NEWS

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

Cohort 11 Institution to the Ministry of Acolyte

St. Marianne’s German Hometown Celebrates New Parish

New Youth Homeless Outreach Center in Hilo

Upholding the Dignity of Migrants

Saint of the Week - Saint Polycarp

Restoring Communion from the Cup

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

Members of Hawaii Catholic parishes may receive a subscription free through the Hawaii Catholic Herald Parish Plan.
Others: $28 Hawaii, $32 Mainland, $35 foreign.

Visit:  www.hawaiicatholicherald.com/subscriptions