What transpired after the dinner

After dinner the boys and young men went upstairs and did the Liturgy of the Hours with Bishop Larry and two other priests, Fr. Peter Dumag and Fr. Jon Cabico. When that was over, questions about vocation and priesthood were asked by the participants. I heard some of the questions elicited a funny response, which was possibly a way to keep these young gentlemen feel at ease -- a really good thing to do.

Bishop Larry gave everyone his final blessing.

I waited for my son downstairs and was happy to see these boys and young men with a joyful look on their faces!

What was served at Dinner with Bishop?

Find out what was served at the Dinner with Bishop. Visit the blog, Diocese of Honolulu Spiritual Moms Apostolate.

Dinner with Bishop

Here in our diocese, our clergy for vocations puts together, once a year, a boys' and young men's dinner with our bishop. Fr. Peter Dumag, who is the priest behind the scene, does a great job of doing that.

On Tuesday of this week, Bishop Larry Silva of the Diocese of Honolulu spent a good three-hour dinner and chat with 17 boys and young men! That is the biggest number ever that we had in our diocese.

Many of our seminarians have graduated from that simple yet warm approach to get to know our most humble, hardworking and very dedicated bishop. If you had the chance to know him, you'd be amazed at how simple and warm he is. He is the guy next door, the priest who shows up unannounced to say Mass at the Cathedral, the listener when Mass has ended, and the authority who creates positions, encourages and advices.

I must say that our bishop has a lot to do with our increase of attendance at his annual dinners and the increase in number of local young men going into the seminary (about 3 locals to now a total of 9 seminarians, and growing). That is so true, but in truth, our work in the diocese is collaborative. Many of those who already have been employees of the diocese have been tapped at greater degrees, an awakening to a level of more consciousness: putting passion in the work force by creating positions to attain goals that meet the needs of the parishioners.

My son, Joseph who is twelve, had the chance to attend the Dinner with Bishop. Unsure about going at first, my husband encouraged him to go and just enjoy himself. He did! Now, he looks forward to attending the next one.

A blog by teens discerning priesthood

This is a blog put together by young men

who are seriously considering the call to the priesthood.

Apparently, it was nominated for

Best Group Blog and Best Overall Catholic website for the year 2009.

A Vocation to be a Priest?

I found this site at Anne Bender's blog, Imprisoned in my Bones-Releasing my Inner Jeremiah!

The Church and the 'vampire industry'

Please listen to what Fr. Robert Barron has to say about our Church and the 'vampire industry.' You may post it on your blogs or forward it to the youth of today. Mahalo!

Priesthood Sunday

Praying for Priests:
Site: http://www.intercessionforpriests.org/

Serra Club:Priesthood Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

An invitation.. .

On This Special Day...
Please join me on this special day, Priesthood Sunday, in praying for our priests, in praising God for their courage and their generosity. As your bishop I urge you to make your appreciation for your parish priest known. A simple note, a smile or a phone call to assure him of your loving care and gratitude for his presence in the life of your local church will go a long way to serve the greater good of our wonderful and growing Catholic Church.
-Bishop Joseph Gossman, Diocese of Raleigh
http://www.priestsunday.org/



Suggestions for Couples and Families to Celebrate World Priest Day

1. Send a card to your parish priest or bishop telling them what their sacrament and/or friendship means to you. A special World Priest Day Note Card is found on page 14 and 15 of this document and can be downloaded for your use.

2. Introduce yourself and family to your priest or bishop you have not met.

3. Invite a priest or bishop you know, or do not know, to breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

4. If you invite them to dinner, you may make it a candle-lighted dinner with china, linens, and maybe soft music. Be creative! Kids could be included in this too! Let the kids help set the

table and prepare for his arrival. Or make it a down home barbecue or something unique and special to your family

5. Send them flowers or a balloon bouquet.

6. Invite them on a family picnic and pick them up if possible.

7. If you know a priest or bishop out of town, give them a call; send a note, flowers, balloon bouquet.

8. Bake them cookies, etc. (Kids love to get involved).

9. Have the kids color a picture for them or write them a letter.

10. Invite them to your home.

11. Go on an outing together, such as a dinner and a play, concert, bowling, movie, hunting, fishing, golf, tennis, etc.

12. Cook together in the kitchen.

13. Pray the Prayer Intentions during WPD Day. (Found on page 12 of this document)

14. Be creative and have fun with this special event. Let us know what you dreamed up to honor
priests so that we can pass on the ideas.


Thanks to my good friend, Melissa!

on my notebook

Prayer For Priests

Lord Jesus,
You have chosen your priests
From among us
To proclaim your word
And act in your name.

By your Spirit put your word on their lips
And your love in their hearts
To bring good news to the poor
And healing to the broken-hearted.

Since they are earthen vessels,
We pray that your power
Shine through their human weakness,
In their afflictions sustain them;
In their doubts reassure them;
From temptation deliver them.

May Mary your mother
Help them not to lose heart
But remain strong in the Spirit
To the glory of God the Father

Amen.

(Taken from Down and Connor prayer card issued for the occasion)

Thank you, Anne, of Poetry, Prayer, and Praise.