Tuesday within the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time (V36)
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Volunteers turned out Sept. 11 to help clean up St. Theresa School in Kekaha, Kauai, and the area around its campus. (Courtesy Wendy Souza / St. Theresa School)

Faithful on Kauai make sure everyone is taken care of in the wake of the latest storm to buffet Hawaii

By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald

When Hurricane Lowell swept past Kauai Sept. 7 and 8, it was no match for this seasoned island community. Residents did what Kauai locals do best — they banded together and helped one another with food, water and cleanup efforts.

“We’re tough people in Kauai,” said Father EJ Resinto, pastor of St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Kapaa, on the island’s east side.

Born and raised on the island, Father Resinto said his main concern was to make sure everyone was safe before the storm hit.

“I think what everyone was worried about, with it headed toward Kauai, was just another Iniki (the devastating hurricane that hit Kauai in 1992 and caused $3.1 billion in damage),” Father Resinto said. “I lived through Iniki; I was only about 6 years old at that time, but this really cannot even compare.” Read more...

Aerial view of storm-damaged pavement in Poipu, Kauai after Hurricane Lowell. (Tsunami Photgraphy / Shutterstock.com)

From the Office for Social Ministry

“Your support today is a powerful reminder that our island communities do not face these challenges alone." - Bishop Michael T.T. Castori, S.J.'s appeal letter for Hawaii Storm Relief and Recovery Fund 2026

Sometimes it takes stormy weather to remind us how much we need one another. When Hurricane Lowell brought destructive winds, torrential rains and flooding across Hawaiʻi, we witnessed painfully familiar scenes: damaged homes, blocked roads, disrupted power and communications, displaced families, and communities wondering what would happen next.

But alongside those images, another story emerged —a story of resilient aloha in action.

Even before Hurricanes Lowell and Nolo arrived, diocesan personnel connected with Kaua‘i and Big Island parish pastors to listen, understand their concerns and prepare together. A Zoom meeting helped share reliable information from trusted county and state partners. Generators and Starlink communication equipment were positioned where needed, while telephone calls and text messages established regular check-ins before, during and after the storm. That listening and sharing—walking together—is an example of synodality in practice. And it made a difference. Read more...

The Diocese Office for Social Ministry wants to give thanks to God for the inspiring efforts of the Kauai parishes who were a vital part of their community’s collaboration before, during and after Hurricane Lowell. These parishes were also supported by the generous efforts of members of the diocese from all around Hawaii who were instrumental in getting generators and communication equipment to Kauai parishes so they could be distribution centers for food and other supplies, and safe places where the community could come together to pray and give thanks for Gods presence during these difficult moments, witnessing to Jesus and building the Kingdom. We also want to recognize the generous, compassionate coordination of relief and recovery efforts in Kauai County and their website with vital information about how the community can come together to care for each other, www.KauaiRecovers.org.

Contributions may be made via the QR code, online at hawaiicatholiccommunityfoundation.org, or mailed to:

Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation
Storm Relief and Recovery
1184 Bishop St.
Honolulu, HI 96813

Flyer available HERE.

Our diocesan pilgrimage to Seoul, South Korea is nearly full. We now have just 9 spots remaining for young adults ages 18–35.

World Youth Day is an opportunity to encounter Christ, experience the universal Church, deepen your faith, and pilgrimage alongside young Catholics from around the world.

Learn more: catholichawaii.org/wyd

Friday, October 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Church, Waipahu

All are invited to the First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. For questions, please contact the St. Joseph Church office at (808) 677-4276.

Flyer available HERE.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
Chaminade University

Join young adults from across the islands for an evening to meet and get to know our new bishop! Enjoy pupus and fellowship, and sit down with Bishop Castori for a Q&A where we can ask him the fun questions, the important questions…and everything in between!

Have something you’ve always wanted to ask a bishop? Be sure to submit a question for Bishop Castori when you register!

Register and submit your questions HERE by September 30.

Flyer available HERE.

Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Church, Waipahu

All are invited to bring their pets for a special blessing! Be sure your pet is restrainted with a leash or carrier. For questions, please contact the St. Joseph Church office at (808) 677-4276.

Flyer available HERE.

Monday, October 5, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
St. Joseph Church, Waipahu

Flyer available HERE.

Friday, October 9 - Sunday, October 11, 2026
(Arrival at 5:30pm on Friday / Departure on Sunday at 5:00pm)

If you or a friend are hurting from a past abortion and are searching for a confidential, non-judgmental, safe place of healing and support to express and reconcile painful emotions and begin the healing process, you've found the right place and are welcomed!

Both women and men are impacted by abortion and greatly benefit from the retreats. Singles, couples and family members of aborted children have come to Rachel's Vineyard for peace and inner healing. You are not alone.

Retreats are held at a private retreat center for 3 days and 2 nights. A retreat fee of $200.00 covers materials, accommodations, and daily meals/snacks. Space is limited. Need-based scholarships are available. Calls us today for personalized assistance!

To register, contact Lisa Shorba at (808) 490-4702 or email rvinhawaii@gmail.com.

Registrations are Strictly Confidential.
Visit the national website at: www.rachelsvineyard.org.

Flyer available HERE. Brochure available HERE.

A Ministry of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii’s Respect Life Office

Saturday, October 17 at 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Kapiolani Regional Park, Honolulu

Join us as we commemorate 200 years of Catholic faith in the Hawaiian islands. As an ethnic group within the Diocese, the Micronesian Community celebrates this special day of heritage, reflection, and island fellowship. For more information, please contact Mavin Bernard at kinapis@yahoo.com.

Flyer availalbe HERE.

Sunday, October 18, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
Chaminade University, Mystical Rose Oratory, Honolulu

Join the Marianist Lecture Timely Technology, Timeless Questions: AI and the Human Person with Kyle Ballarta & Louis Kim.

For more information, please visit https://chaminade.edu/marianist-lecture. Registration is encouraged but not required.

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.

Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Father Paul Fitzpatrick, SM who died on September 23, 2026, in Dayton, Ohio. He was 80 years old with 61 years of religious profession and served in the Diocese of Honolulu for 13 years with the Marianist Community at Chaminade University in 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 Vincent de Paul
c. 1581–1660
Memorial - September 27

Vincent de Paul was the third of six children born to peasant farmers in the village of Pouy in the Kingdom of France, about 100 miles north of the border with the Kingdom of Spain. As a child, he worked the fields and tended the livestock, but he also showed great intelligence. Although he was quite devout as a child, he was ashamed of his poverty and longed to advance in society. He later shamefully admitted that he was even embarrassed by his father when he was young: “I was ashamed to walk with him and to acknowledge him as my father because he was badly dressed and a little lame.” Read more...

(Image credit: Simon François de Tours, 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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Young Adult Initiative’s Journey Continues

Saint of the Week - Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and Companions, Martyrs

Diocesan Guidelines for Speaker Approval

How to Order a Papal Blessing?

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