Tuesday within the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time (V41)
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The Waimea Catholic Cemetery, linked to Annunciation Church in Waimea, is about half a mile away from the parish. A dedicated group of volunteers has tended to the cemetery for the past 15 years, even though its location is still unknown to many parishioners. (Lisa Dahm / Hawaii Catholic Herald)

Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald

As faithful who believe in the resurrection of the body, Catholics in Hawaii have been entrusting their burial after death to the hallowed ground of their parish home for the past 200 years — the place where they received their sacraments and found a peaceful community to strengthen their faith.

All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, offers Catholics an opportunity every year to honor those buried in their cemeteries who trusted their community to pray for them and care for their remains once their earthly life was over.

While all Catholic cemeteries on Oahu are now closed and most on the neighbor islands have limited space, Deacon Keith Cabiles, chancellor for the Diocese of Honolulu, said that both the corporal work of mercy of burying the dead and the spiritual work of mercy of praying for the dead are vital actions that all Catholics should practice. Read more...

(AnnaStills / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“The Lord is the refuge of the poor” (cf. Psalm 14:6)
Pope Leo XIV’s theme for the 10th World Day of the Poor, November 15, 2026

Where do we turn when life becomes overwhelming? For this year’s World Day of the Poor, November 15, Pope Leo XIV chose a theme that offers both reassurance and responsibility: “The Lord is the refuge of the poor.” God never abandons those who suffer, and we are called to make his compassion visible.

At a time when millions face poverty hunger, homelessness, war, and displacement, the Pope asks us to recognize those too often overlooked. “The poor of our day are the forgotten and the marginalized,” he writes, “robbed not only of bread, but also of a voice and a face.”

His words resonate here in Hawaiʻi, where the beauty of our islands can conceal the hardships facing our neighbors: families struggling to pay rent, kūpuna choosing between groceries and medication, working parents living paycheck to paycheck, and people without a place to call home. For many, one unexpected illness, lost paycheck, or natural disaster can turn stability into uncertainty. Read more...

November 1, 2026

"The Lord is the refuge of the poor."
Psalm 14:6

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Peace be with you!

Sunday, November 15, 2026, is the 10th World Day of the Poor, whose theme this year is "The Lord is the refuge of the poor." In his message for this day, Pope Leo XIV says, "Christians are called not only to seek refuge in God, but also to become a refuge for others in God ... sharing as an expression of the Kingdom of God."

That same Sunday, our diocese parishes will hold the annual second collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). Through this U.S. Bishops' national initiative, support for CCHD assists the participation of persons experiencing poverty in our country to address this complex challenge and build a better future for all. Twenty-five percent of the funds collected for CCHD in our diocese stay right here in Hawai'i. Your contributions have helped local survivors to recover after natural disasters, provided transitional housing and job training for women coming out of prison, and supported non-profit organizations helping low-income families build and own affordable housing.

I wholeheartedly encourage all to give generously to this year's CCHD collection. During November, as we prepare our Thanksgiving tables, let us make room in our hearts – and in our giving – for all working to "build the Kingdom." Let us all celebrate the holidays as "one 'ohana," sharing our blessings and the words Jesus taught us and called us to pray and to live; "Thy Kingdom Come---E Hiki Mai Kou Aupuni." Mahalo!

Devotedly in Christ,
Most Reverend Michael T.T. Castori, SJ
Bishop of Honolulu

See Bishop Castori's letter as a PDF HERE.

Saturday, October 24, 2026
St. Joseph Church & School, Waipahu

The Office of Evangelization & Catechesis invites catechists, parish ministers, Catholic educators, OCIA teams, liturgical ministers, and anyone seeking to deepen their Catholic faith to a day of formation centered on Sacred Scripture.

Participants can choose from nine courses exploring topics including biblical typology, the Gospel of Matthew, Marian typology, Scripture in the liturgy, women in the Bible, and more. No prior theological or biblical training is required.

Schedule:
7:00 AM Mass | 8:00 AM Check-in | 8:30 AM Welcome & Prayer
Sessions: 9:00 AM, 10:45 AM & 1:00 PM
Lunch on your own

Early Bird Registration through October 9: $12 per session or $36 for the full day
After October 9: $15 per session or $45 for the full day

Register: https://app.jotform.com/catholichawaii/oec

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, November 7 - Sunday, November 8, 2026
St. Rita Church, Haiku

Do your early Christmas shopping and find Christmas gifts and decor, holiday clothing, plants, silent auction, baked goods, sushi, and more!

Flyer available HERE.

Friday, December 11 - Sunday, December 13, 2026
Kilauea Military Camp, Kilauea, Big Island

Step away this Advent for prayer, renewal, and fellowship with parish leaders and volunteers as we prepare our hearts with Mary to welcome Christ anew led by Pat Kane.

Learn more and register at https://app.jotform.com/catholichawaii/oec.

Flyer available HERE.

For two hundred years, the Catholic faith has taken root and flourished across these islands. Your gift to the Bicentennial sustains the celebrations by defraying the costs of speakers, venues, and events, so that we can better carry this mission into its third century.

Every contribution – of any size – will help us all to be better motivated and equipped to help write the next chapter of the Catholic faith in Hawai’i.

Give today at https://catholichawaii200.org/donate

Flyer available HERE.

The journey of a lifetime awaits. Save the Date!

In 2027, retrace the sacred roots of 200 years of Catholic faith in Hawaiʻi — from the cobblestone streets of Paris to the birthplace of St. Damien in Belgium. Join Bishop Emeritus Larry Silva, Bishop-Elect Fr. Michael T. T. Castori, SJ, and Fr. Lane Akiona, SS.CC., Provincial Superior, on a once-in-a-generation Heritage Pilgrimage to France & Belgium — a living celebration of Two Hundred Years of Faith. One Family. One Hawaiʻi. Contact Deacon Mike Browning to reserve your place on the interest list: mbrowning@rcchawaii.org. Pricing and registration available after January 1, 2027.

Learn more at https://catholichawaii200.org/#pilgrimage

Flyer available 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

All Souls' Day
Commemoration - November 2

On All Souls’ Day, we turn our eyes from those who are in heaven to those who have gone before us in death before being purified of every venial sin and all of sin’s effects. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it this way: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.” (#1030–31). Read more...

(Image credit: William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 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!

NEWS

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

Bishop Castori’s Reflection for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Young Adults, Bishop Hold Engaging Meet-and-Greet

Called to Care: The Church’s Ministry of Healing

Saints of the Week - Simon and Jude

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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