Tuesday within the First Week of Advent (V47)
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[Sacred Heart Church, Waianae (Installation of Pastor)]

When I was a pastor in Oakland, I lived in a very large rectory. Even though it was a poor parish, I tried very hard to make sure the rectory was always in good repair and clean. About ten years after I left that parish, I became Vicar General of the diocese and moved back into that parish in residence. Unfortunately, it had fallen into serious disrepair and neglect. One day I was in the kitchen with the pastor. The paint was peeling off the walls. I said “Is there someone in the parish who could paint this kitchen? I will be happy to pay for the paint, if someone could paint it.” He looked around and said, “Why? You don’t like the color?” He had been so close to the situation for so long that he did not even notice that the paint was peeling or that the house was in disrepair. Read more...

Deacon Gary Streff, standing at right, asked Father Shenan Boquet a question during the event at St. John Apostle and Evangelist Church. (Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)

By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald

In light of recent federal action regarding fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization, the diocesan Respect Life Office invited people to hear two experts discuss the processes and ethics of reproductive medicine Nov. 8 in an event hosted by St. John Apostle and Evangelist Church in Mililani.

About four dozen participants observed the Zoom discussion — most gathered in-person in the parish hall, while others logged on remotely.

Speaking one after the other from the East Coast were Father Shenan Boquet, president of Human Life International and a leading expert on the international pro-life and family movement; and Jozef Zalot, director of ethics at the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. Read more...

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From the Office for Social Ministry

“When Jesus looked up, he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury, and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” Luke 21:1–4

Every year, as the holidays approach, we hear that familiar phrase “the season of giving.” The Christmas season provides the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of “giving”, including almsgiving or “charity” from a Christian perspective. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus notices a poor widow quietly dropping two small coins into the temple treasury. Her gift is tiny, yet her offering is huge. Jesus tells His disciples she has given more than anyone else — because she gave all she had humbly and wholeheartedly. Her offering may be small in monetary value, but it is immeasurable in love.This is the wholehearted almsgiving or charity that a prayerful Advent and the Christmas season can inspire. Read more...

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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...

This year Bishop Larry Silva has scheduled five early morning Misa de Gallo Masses and three evening Simbang Gabi Masses from December 16th through December 24th on Oahu and Maui. 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

• Tuesday, Dec. 16, 5:00 am, St. Elizabeth, Aiea
• Wednesday, Dec. 17, 5:00 am, Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa
• Friday, Dec. 19, 5:00 am, St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani
• Monday, Dec. 22, 5:00 am, Our Lady of Sorrows, Wahiawa
• Wednesday, Dec. 24, 4:30 am, St. Joseph, Waipahu

Simbang Gabi Mass

• Thursday, Dec. 18, 7:00 pm, St. Jude, Kapolei
• Saturday, Dec. 20, 7:00 pm, St. Anthony, Wailuku
• Tuesday, Dec. 23, 6:00 pm, St. Philomena, Honolulu

(Kara Gebhardt / Shutterstock.com)

From the Hawaii Catholic Herald

FIRST WEEK

For the first week of Advent, the youngest child lights the first candle. The prayer for the first week is:

Leader: Let us pray. O Lord, we ask you to stir up your power and come; that by your protection we may be saved from the dangers that threaten us because of our sins. Through Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Leave one candle burning during the evening meal, at family prayers, or before bedtime.

(Beskova Ekaterina / Shutterstock.com)

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 2025
• Blessing of an Advent Wreath
• The "O Antiphons" of Advent
• Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene
• Blessing of a Christmas Tree
• Commentary on the Proper Prayers of Advent from the Roman Missal
• Festival of Lessons and Carols
• Lectio Divina for Advent

Friday, December 5, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
St. Francis Kūpuna Village Courtyard in Liliha, 2230 Liliha Street

Please join St. Francis Healthcare System for our 46th Annual Light Up a Memory Tree Lighting Ceremony and Fundraiser. Let's cherish the memories of our loved ones who are no longer with us.

Click HERE to RSVP.

Friday, December 5 - Sunday, December 7, 2025
St. Anthony Retreat Center, Honolulu

This Advent, approach the holiday season with wonder and awe of God's greatest gift to mankind, the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We invite you into a retreat weekend to cultivate the practice of being fully aware and present in every moment of daily life to the presence of Jesus Christ. On this retreat, grow in holiness by cultivating peace and joy through God's nearness. You will realize right here and right now that God is love, you are loved, and being in God's presence is more than enough for you to be happy.

Sign up for this retreat at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1968501624349.

Flyer available HERE.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
St. Anthony Retreat Center, Honolulu

Join the Hawaii Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services for their Statewide Advent Prayer Meeting. Praise and Worship will be held at 10:00 a.m. and will be followed by a talk "The Beauty of Advent" with Fr. Adondee Arellano, MS.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Kaneohe

As we bring the Jubilee Year to a close, this Advent retreat invites you to pause, reflect, and rejoice. Led by Bro. Alphonse “Al” Vu, SDB, we will explore how true joy flows from our hope in the Lord and how we are called to carry that joy into the world as Pilgrims of Hope, Bearers of Joy. Come encounter Christ’s presence in prayer, community, and reflection.

RSVP at https://adventretreat.eventbrite.com.

Flyer available HERE.

Called to lead? Called to serve? Join the GIVEN Leadership Program! Apply before December 31, 2025.

The GIVEN Institute’s Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Program offers leadership development, faith formation, and dedicated mentorship for Catholic young women ages 21-35 seeking to live out their unique vocation and mission. Women accepted to the program participate in The Leadership Forum from June 24-28, 2026 at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and are then paired with an established Catholic female leader for 1-on-1 mentorship and support to develop and launch an Action Plan – a new initiative activating personal gifts in service to others. GIVEN is also accepting applications from lay and consecrated women (ages 36+) who would like to serve as mentors or volunteer at the 2026 Forum. All women are encouraged to become part of GIVEN!

To learn more and apply for the 2026 Cohort, please visit: https://giveninstitute.com/leadership-program/.

The diocese has had a few young women participate in this program. If you are a young woman interested in this and would like to talk with someone locally about this program, please email oyyam@rcchawaii.org.

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

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...

(Image: Jaroslav Čermák, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) Copyright © 2025 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!

DECEMBER

46th Annual "Light Up a Memory" Tree Lighting Ceremony, Dec 5

"The Gift of Your Presence" BCCH Spiritual Retreat, Dec 5-7

Women's Advent Reflection "Mary, Bearer of Christ's Light," Dec 12

HCCRS Advent Statewide Prayer Meeting, Dec 13

Misa de Gallo at St. Elizabeth, Aiea, Dec 16

Misa de Gallo at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Dec. 17

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Jude, Kapolei, Dec. 18

Misa de Gallo at St. John Apostle & Evangelist, Mililani, Dec 19

Jubilee Year Advent Retreat, Dec 20

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Anthony, Wailuku, Dec. 20

Misa de Gallo at Our Lady of Sorrows, Wahiawa, Dec. 22

Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Philomena, Honolulu, Dec. 23

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

Christmas Eve Holiday, Dec 24

Christmas Day Holiday, Dec 25

New Year's Eve Holiday, Dec 31

NEWS

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

Bishop's Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King

Rising Need Sparks Outpouring of Support

Find Food Assistance Across Hawaiʻi

Walk with Migrants, Workers, and the Excluded

Saint of the Week - Andrew Dung-Lac and his Companions

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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