Tuesday within the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time (V25)
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Homily of the Most Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop Emeritus and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Honolulu
[Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Honolulu]

Arrivals are never the beginning of a journey. As we prepare to celebrate the momentous event of the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries in Hawaii at this time in 2027, we recall that it was probably at this time 200 years ago that the journey began. First, the newly formed Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, had to decide to accept the Holy Father’s mission to Oceania. They then had to discern which of their members would be sent on this dangerous journey, going to unknown territory with no assurance of the success of their mission. Money had to be raised for the long voyage of at least six months for the three missionaries who were to be sent. Prayers were offered for their safety and the success of their mission. Without any resources to learn the Hawaiian language from their place in Europe, they had to resolve to be good and attentive students, so that they could quickly and effectively speak to their new flock. Provisions had to be gathered not only for the long journey, but for the proper flourishing of the faith once they arrived. Father Alexis Bachelot, who was appointed the head of the mission, visited the King’s Garden in Paris and took the seed of an algaroba three growing there, with the intention of planting it in their new mission so that, just as it would take root and propagate throughout the islands, so would the Catholic faith. The arrival of the missionaries in 1827 was not the beginning of the journey. Read more...

Ron and Teresa Gochenoeur gathered with their children to celebrate their son Matthew’s marriage several years ago. (Courtesy Mychal Bohart)

By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald

On the screen of Ron Gochenouer’s phone is the quote: “Work hard in silence. Let success make the noise.”

“That’s kind of how Ron rolled,” said his wife, Teresa Gochenouer. “He didn’t talk about stuff — he got into motion.”

The passing of the man of few words and effective action on June 18 was known almost immediately due to the many events that Gochenouer had already planned for that week alone — his absence leaving an emptiness much louder than the man himself. Read more...

(Image courtesy of Catholic Charities Hawaii)

From Catholic Charities Hawaii

As we celebrate the 200-year anniversary of the Catholic Church in Hawaiʻi, we also honor the enduring legacy of service carried forward by Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, the social arm of the Church since 1947.

In the Gospel of Matthew 25, Jesus calls us to recognize Him in the hungry, the homeless, the stranger, the sick, and the vulnerable—reminding us that “whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for me.” This is not just a message to reflect on; it is a call to action rooted in compassion, dignity, and justice.

Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi lives out this Gospel mandate every day through its mission to serve and advocate for all people in need, regardless of faith or background, guided by the values of dignity, compassion, social justice, and excellence. Read more...

(Rawpixel / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“God always loves us first. The beauty of the sea, this island and your faces is a reflection of his gratuitous initiative: love precedes us, surrounds us and brings us together. The Gospel resounds where peoples meet, people welcome one another, their lives intertwine and different cultures engage in dialogue.” - Pope Leo XIV, Homily at Lampedusa July 4, 2026

Sharing a meal with others is deeply rooted in the Gospel. Jesus gathered people around meals. There Christ welcomed the stranger, restored relationships, forgave sins, and reminded everyone that all are invited to the table of the Lord. Throughout the Gospels, meals became moments of encounter, healing, reconciliation, and hope.

In this Gospel spirit, on July 11 one week after celebrating Eucharist with migrants and refugees on the island of Lampedusa, Pope Leo XIV welcomed 200 poor and vulnerable guests to a special summer celebration in the Borgo Laudato Si papal gardens of Castel Gandolfo. Pope Leo’s pastoral ministry is continually encountering and celebrating with persons suffering on the margins, reminding the world that the Gospel comes alive when we are compassionately accompanying one another with dignity, gratitude, and love. Read more...

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.

From the Hawaii Catholic Schools

KA HO‘OULU INNOVATION AWARDS
OFFERED BY THE HAWAI‘I CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE AND CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY

Overview: The National Catholic Education Association has an Innovation in Catholic Education annual awards program to foster creativity and growth in Catholic schools nationwide. In 2020 Hawaii Catholic Schools and Chaminade University initiated a new award to recognize innovation by our grades preK-12 educators.

The Ka Ho‘oulu Hawai‘i Catholic Education Innovation Award focuses on ‘Innovation for Mission’. There are several themes that will define this program:

1. Innovation as a call to remain relevant and attractive to our stakeholders, to continue to thrive in a competitive landscape, to best serve our students and to glorify God through our work.
2. An emphasis on capturing and celebrating the current creativity of our educators, as well as fostering new directions and initiatives.

Read more...

Nominate an individual or team by July 31st HERE.

Friday, July 17 - Sunday, July 19, 2026
St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Kaneohe

Island Leadership Retreat: Remain in Me is a retreat for ministry leaders to step away from the busyness of ministry, renew their relationship with Christ, and reflect on what it means to lead as faithful stewards and missionary disciples.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Catholic Charities Hawaii, Honolulu

All are invited to the 46th HCCRS Catholic Charismatic Regional Conference "God is a Consuming Fire" with Fr. Alfred Guerrero, Dcn. Ken Bissen Jr., Dcn. Raffy Mendoza, and the HCCRS worship team.

Admission is free, love offereing appreciated. Lunch is available for purchase onsite while supplies last.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, July 25, 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, August 1, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Kaneohe

Workshops for Evangelization: Practical Training for Parish Mission is a free day of formation featuring workshops on Alpha, family-centered faith formation, and small group host training to help strengthen parish evangelization efforts.

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.

World Youth Day 2027 Pilgrimage to Seoul, South Korea
July 31 – August 10, 2027

Registration is open for our diocesan pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea. This once-in-a-lifetime experience invites young adults to encounter Christ, celebrate the universality of the Church, and be inspired alongside millions of young Catholics from around the world.

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 Bonaventure
c. 1217–1274
Memorial - July 15

Saint Bonaventure was born during the last decade of Francis of Assisi’s life and would be closely tied to the saint and his Franciscan order throughout his own life. Born in Civita di Bagnoregio, present-day Italy, the baby was baptized Giovanni di Fidanza, after his father. As a child, Giovanni received a miraculous healing from Francis of Assisi and is said to have exclaimed, “O Buona ventura!” (“O good fortune!”) The miracle forever compelled him to credit and praise Saint Francis. Read more...

(Image credit: Claude François, 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.

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Celebrating Migrants as Witnesses

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Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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