Tuesday within the First Week of Lent (V08)
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[St. Joseph Church, Hilo (Rite of Election); Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu (Rite of Election)]

Who do you think you are?

That question is not a put-down but a very important question. We can sometimes forget who we really are, and then all kinds of troubles develop.

Notice how the most cunning serpent “hooked” Adam and Eve into disobeying God, thus bringing sin and death into the world. The serpent said to them, “On the day you eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you will be like gods, knowing good from evil.” Was it wrong to want to be like God, who is all-loving and wise? Or to be able to discern good from evil? They took the bait, bit the hook and were caught. The truth of the matter was that they already were like God, since God had made them in his own image and likeness; and they already had a way of knowing good from evil, just by listening to God, who taught them himself. But that wily serpent made them think they needed to eat some fruit or do some other thing in order to be who they already were. This deception is what brought sin and death into the world. They had forgotten who they really were. Read more...

The Model Progress Building on Fort Street Mall in downtown Honolulu is steps away from the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and the Diocese of Honolulu’s chancery office building. Its most recent primary occupant was Hawaii Pacific University. (Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)

By Celia K. Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald

The Diocese of Honolulu is expanding its footprint in downtown Honolulu with the purchase of a historic building on Fort Street Mall.

The sale of the Model Progress Building to the diocese by a subsidiary of the Alexander C. Waterhouse Sr. Foundation closed Feb. 13 for $5.8 million, according to Michael Yee, director of real estate for the diocese.

The purchase will be “an investment in the future ministries of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and of the Diocese of Honolulu,” Bishop Larry Silva told the Hawaii Catholic Herald.

The ongoing top-to-bottom renovation of the cathedral basilica in downtown Honolulu will include the addition of a reliquary chapel for a relic of St. Damien and the remains of St. Marianne Cope, Bishop Silva said. As a result of the new chapel, “we anticipate that it (the cathedral basilica) will become a very active pilgrimage site for local people and pilgrims from all over the world.” Read more...

(Photo credit: CRS Rice Bowl social media)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“Lent is a time in which the Church, guided by a sense of maternal care, invites us to place the mystery of God back in the center of our lives, in order to find renewal in our faith and keep our hearts from being consumed by the anxieties and distractions of daily life.”
- Pope Leo XIV, Message for Lent 2026

As we begin this sacred season of Lent, Pope Leo XIV calls us to create space in our hearts for compassion and conversion. Even amid the demands of daily life, the Holy Father reassures us that peace of mind and heart is possible when we intentionally listen—to God and to one another—and abstain from whatever distracts us. Lent, then, is not about merely giving things up; it is about tuning our lives to listen closely to Christ’s call to merciful love. Read more...

(Photo credit: CRS Rice Bowl social media)

Eating a simple meatless meal during Lent can helps us reflect on the hunger that many people face worldwide and make a donation to help ensure all the members of our global family have access to enough nutritious food.

Red Red Bean Stew - Ghana
“Red Red” is a beloved Ghanaian dish of black-eyed peas cooked in a red sauce and often served with fried plantains. This hearty and protein-rich meal is popular not just for its taste but also for its affordability and nutritional benefits. This dish requires soaking dried black-eyed peas overnight. You can substitute canned black-eyed peas or another canned variety, like garbanzo beans, to decrease the preparation and cook time.

See the full recipe at https://www.crsricebowl.org/recipes/red-red-bean-stew-ghana

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
St. Ann Church, Kaneohe

Looking for something more this Lent? Join us at our Huakaʻi Project Kickoff Night (Feb 24 | 6:30 PM | St. Ann’s, Kāneʻohe) and get connected to a young adult small group. Walk through Lent with others, deepen your faith, and make a real difference together. More information: https://www.catholichawaii.org/huakai.

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.

Saturday, February 28, 2026 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 p.m. 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 7, 2026
St. Theresa Catholic Church, Kihei

Join the Maui & Lanai Stewardship Day beginning with Mass with Fr. William Kunisch and followed by a morning program and fellowship. This year’s theme is “One Body, Many Gifts: Stewards of God’s Church”, and will welcome guest speakers Brandee Menino, CEO of Hope Services Hawaiʻi, and Fr. Konelio “Lio” Faletoi of St. Michael Church in Kailua-Kona.

This gathering is open to parishioners throughout Maui and Lanaʻi to encourage stewardship, faith formation, and engagement within our local Church.

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.

Friday, March 20 - Sunday, March 22, 2026
St. Anthony Retreat Center, Honolulu

What does it mean to truly hold nothing back? In the hustle of daily life, we often offer only pieces of ourselves—our time, our energy, our spare moments. But what happens when we offer the whole? Join us for a transformative weekend retreat, where we will explore the profound theme: "I Offer My Life." This is an invitation to pause, breathe, and surrender the burdens of control. Through quiet reflection, guided sessions, and shared community, we will explore what it means to live a life fully offered—in service, in love, and in faith.

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982864428884

Flyer available HERE.

June 11-23, 2026 in Greece & Turkey

All are invited to join Fr. Eric Castro on this 13-day pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey, visting the seven churches of St. Paul.

For more information, please visit trip.nativitypilgrimage.com/frcastro-2026.

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Mr. Anthony Li, who died in China on Sunday, February 22, 2026. He is the father of Father Paul Li, Pastor of St. Philomena Church, Honolulu. May he rest in peace!

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 Polycarp
c. 65–c. 155 (or 166)
Memorial - February 23

Imagine learning about Christ from someone who knew Jesus personally. What a blessing that would be! This is the blessing today’s saint enjoyed. Saint Polycarp came to know Jesus through the preaching of Saint John the Apostle, the beloved disciple of our Lord.

Saint John’s preaching touched many lives, including that of a young man named Polycarp. It is believed that Saint John ordained Polycarp a bishop and sent him to the town of Smyrna, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Polycarp might have been only a teenager when he was ordained, and he shepherded the Church in Smyrna for more than sixty or seventy years. Read more...

(Image credit: CC BY 4.0, 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!

FEBRUARY

Kūpuna Prom "Forever Young," Feb 28

NEWS

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

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Saint of the Week - Peter Damian

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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