Aloha, with Apology

Fr. Paulo officiating Mass for homeschoolers

Aloha, Everyone!

May your Advent be filled with joyful expectations of the coming of our Lord!

My apology to all. I have to temporarily close this blog for lack of time to update it, mostly due to a densely streamed schedule in school. I do love learning and sharing what I learn, but the sharing part must come at a later time. Should that time not come at all through this blog, I am certain God will bring it to completion somehow. My husband's call to the diaconate formation is most crucial to him, to me and our children. (No, I am not saying that he will definitely make it, but we are giving it our best. Please pray for him; his name is Joe.) I must acquiesce to the will of the One whose voice is stronger than mine. Perhaps, we will encounter each other again.

Update: My husband was ordained into the permanent diaconate on January 31 of this year 2015. We thank you for your prayers! He has been assigned to the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu, HI. Come visit the Cathedral Basilica if you are in the area! Mahalo!

The most visited post on this blog, which precipitated nearly 100,000 hits, is the one that has my poem for priests: Poem: A Tribute to Our Priests. You may copy it, all of it: Title, Name of author, and the full Content of the poem without rewording it or claiming is as your own, since it is how copyrights are protected and respected. I do thank you. 

This poem has been printed in numerous newsletters, church bulletins, and cards. It is recited at anniversary gatherings in celebration of a priest's birthday or ordination, which served as a gift for priests. It will be printed in my next book -- my gift for all priests.

I will be at Passionate about LIFE as often as time allows. You are welcome to visit the blog Spiritual Mom's Apostolate that I share with Esther Gefroh. My dearest friend Esther runs several blogs, the most popular one being A Catholic Mom in Hawai'i.

May God richly bless each one of us. May our journeys toward him be one of joyful experience and encounter of the God whose love is boundless, shapeless, and most inconceivably enormous. May we never turn away from strangers, but be a joyful light for them.

Aloha nui,
Easter Almuena

Happy Thanksgiving, Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ!

May the joy of Thanksgiving be not just a faint glow but a breaking of the feast that was the Thanksgiving of the God who gave all he's got.

May the heart of love be a welling of praise and thanksgiving to the Master of Creations, to the Greatest Lover of all, to the Best Friend one can have for all eternity.

May grace be outpoured to one and all that beauty may not only be in words but in gestures of true thanksgiving to our Lord, whose grace knows no bounds.

May God forever bless you and yours!

St. John Crysostom, September 13

"If Christ is with me, whom shall I fear? Though the waves and the sea and the anger of princes are roused against me, they are less to me than a spider's web. Indeed, unless you, my brothers, had detained me, I would have left this very day. For I always say: Lord, your will be done; not what this fellow or that would have me do, but what you want me to do. That is my strong tower, my immovable rock, my staff that never gives way. If God wants something, let it be done! If he wants me to stay here, I am grateful. But wherever he wants me to be, I am no less grateful."

St. John Chrysostom
September 13

Pono, Living the Aloha Spirit

Aloha!

What you will read are the last paragraphs of Fr. Daren J. Zehnle's blogpost and homily. This homily was delivered at the 6:00 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace on the 2nd of September, the day before Fr. Daren left for his present home Springfield, Illinois. Fr. Daren has been a regular visitor to the Islands -- mostly Oahu for about seven years now -- and he hopes to one day become a kama'aina. He already is to many of us, who have known him for many years now, and even to those who had just met him when he was here on Oahu for a 17-day visit. His spirit embodies aloha as we Islanders know it. He blends in -- perfectly! Perhaps, if you didn't know that he was a visitor, you might have thought that he was a local.

The homily below touches my heart in a special way. I have always regarded Communion of Saints as one of God's most beautiful inventions. Pono most certainly gives communion of God's saints a definitive message that we love each other in the spirit of righteousness -- always with God's spirit -- and letting that spirit live on as we encounter more brothers and sisters -- even those who are not so like us -- and always, with an ultimate loving and natural gesture and desire to walk hand in hand towards our heavenly home, as brothers and sisters in Christ would! Our brother and sister saints in heaven would agree, as they pray for pono to become more and more a reality in our daily life here in our earthly home.

Praise our Lord and Master for Pono!

A few days ago I walked past a young man wearing a t-shirt that read, “Keep Calm and Live Pono.”  That simple phrase stuck with me.  It is taken, in part, from that poster of the Ministry of Information and, of course, from the motto of the Kingdom and State of Hawai‘i: “Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ‘Aina i ka Pono,” “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness”. 

Pono is generally translated as either “righteous” or “righteousness.”  Biblically speaking, to be righteous is to live in right relationship with God and in right relationship with man, it is to live as one should be living.  As you know, pono can also mean goodness and morality and duty and virtue and proper.  In short, we might well say that to live pono is to live justly and we know that the “one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.”  So it is that we could paraphrase the motto of Hawai‘i: “The life of the Christian is perpetuated in righteousness” because the one who lives justly will make their way to the Father’s house. 

To live pono is to live a life of love, a life of aloha; it is to conform ourselves always to Christ crucified, to love as he has loved.  It is this law that has been placed within us and that we must observe carefully because it will save our souls.  May the Lord strengthen us in this holy endeavor and bring us safely into his presence.  Amen.

On What is Right and Moral

Simple. Straight to the point. There are no in-betweens when we speak of and practice what is moral and what is right.

Source: FB

Upcoming movie: Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine

Published on Jun 13, 2012 by ignatiuspress
430 AD. The Roman Empire is beginning to crumble. The Vandals and other marauding tribes spill through the gaps in Roman defenses. And one of the greatest saints of the Christian church stands between his flock and the barbarian invaders. As he attempts to negotiate between the proud Roman authorities and the implacable Vandal king, Bishop Augustine recalls his own life before Christianity...
In this stirring and epic new film on the life of St. Augustine of Hippo, follow the great saint as he rises from his reckless days as a youth to his accomplishments as a renowned but dissolute orator. Though worldly success and riches come his way, including a position in the imperial court of Milan, satisfaction and peace elude him. It takes a confrontation with the Christian bishop Ambrose and the countless prayers offered by his patient mother, Monica, to break through his intellectual pride.
Starring Alessandro Preziosi, Monica Guerritore, Johannes Bandrup, and Franco Nero.
Coming Fall 2012. Find out more at www.RestlessHeartFilm.com

Video: Why Become a Priest

Prayer Song for All Beloved Priests: A Priest Forever

Pray for this Athlete Going to the Seminary

From CNA, find out who among the athletes of the 2012 Olympic Games is going to the seminary afterwards? Let us keep him in prayer!

Pope Benedict's Message on the Summer Olympics 2012

30th Summer Olympics 2012 in London.

There is no other sporting event quite like the Olympics and the Pope knows this very well. Benedict XVI talked about the London summer games by calling on all countries to see beyond the competition.

Invitation to Pray the Rosary Weekly for Your Bishop

                                                         Source: http://rosaryforthebishop.org/

Heaven knows that our good Bishops are under fire for standing up for our Catholic Faith nowadays. What can we do about it? Support them with our prayers!
Rosary for the Bishop is a campaign that aims to support Catholic Bishops through prayer of the Rosary. Please take a few minutes to join in praying for your Bishop.

We bishops rely each and every blessed day on the prayers of the good and holy people of our diocese and of all those who have gone before us. We have no better intercessor than our Blessed Mother, the Mother of all the Apostles, the Mother of the Church. It gives me great serenity to know that so many women and men are turning to Mary, asking her special care and intercession for the bishops. As the Lord blesses the bishops through the intercession of Mary, may every person who takes part in the Rosary for the Bishop project also be blessed.

- Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Diocese of Madison

As a Bishop, I am humbled and privileged to be prayed for by name each time Mass is celebrated in my Diocese. Knowing that many others are also praying for me every day by participating in the program Rosary for the Bishop, is a special blessing and source of encouragement for me. The intercession of our Blessed Mother through the praying of the rosary is a powerful tool to help me in my mission as a Shepherd of the Church. Thank you to all who participate in the program and for all who make it possible. It means more to me than you will ever know and I do indeed feel the grace of your prayers for me.
- Bishop R. Walker Nickless, Diocese of Sioux City

Commitment to the Jesuit Vocations

Published on May 3, 2012 by BellarmineJesuitsFr. John Kavanaugh shares his wisdom regarding commitment to one's calling. For more information on the Society of Jesus, visit www.jesuit.org.

Commitment: If the vocation is there, stick with it. Such is the advice of Fr. John Kavanaugh, regardless of what vocation one has entered into. 

Discernment Day in the Diocese of Honolulu, July 29, 2012

If you are in Honolulu, HI on the last week of July and are discerning where God might want you to be or need to go, I invite you to consider joining this vocations day mini retreat.

                                                                      photo by Dann Ebina

Vocations Discernment Day
When:	Sunday, July 29 2012 @ 02:00 PM HST - 04:00PM
Event Type:
Where:	St. Anthony Retreat Center Rose Hill, 3351 Kalihi Street Honolulu, HI 96819
Description:	For young adults between the ages of 18 and 35. Father David Lupo, SS.CC. will present during this informational afternoon of reflection, prayer, and discussion. Father David will look at how best to be ready for religious life or diocesan priesthood. RSVP or for more information contact Sr. Ivy Yim, SS.CC. at 845-4353 x239 or Fr. David Lupo, SS.CC. at lupo.david@yahoo.com.

Funny Vocation Remix

Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession Hawai'i 2012

Procession from the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace on the Feast of the Body & Blood of Christ on June 10, 2012.


Thank you, Dann Ebina, for this video!

Seventh Anniversary and Going Strong

To our beloved pope, Pope Benedict XVI, we continue to support you. May God forever bless you!

Pray for Priests Before Mass

It is most important to come to church a few minutes early, so that an ample amount of time will be spent in prayer. We do not just pray for ourselves, but also for the priest who will be officiating the Holy Mass. Here is text from Magisterium Fidei, to remind us how important the role is of our priests in celebrating the Sacred Liturgy.

32... For such a Mass brings a rich and abundant treasure of special graces to help the priest himself, the faithful, the whole Church and the whole world toward salvation—and this same abundance of graces is not gained through mere reception of Holy Communion. 

33. And so, We recommend from a paternal and solicitous heart that priests, who constitute Our greatest joy and Our crown in the Lord, be mindful of the power they have received from the bishop who ordained them—the power of offering sacrifice to God and of celebrating Mass for the living and for the dead in the name of the Lord. (79) We recommend that they celebrate Mass daily in a worthy and devout fashion, so that they themselves and the rest of the faithful may enjoy the benefits that flow in such abundance from the Sacrifice of the Cross. In doing so, they will also be making a great contribution toward the salvation of mankind.

Source:

MYSTERIUM FIDEI ENCYCLICAL OF POPE PAUL VI ON THE HOLY EUCHARIST SEPTEMBER 3, 1965

The Catholic Priesthood

Thanks to my good friend Esther G. for sharing this at our blog for the Diocese of Honolulu!

Reflection on entrance to Holy Week by Fr. Robert Barron

                                                                  picture source


Reflection on entrance to Holy Week by Fr. Robert Barron, found on Word on Fire, founded by Fr. Robert Barron.

Entering Holy Week, we see numerous stirring examples of Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies. From the direction he enters Jerusalem to his mode of transport, we find again and again how he is the one intended to reclaim the temple and prove to the world that he is indeed the son of God, chosen to save us through his revolutionary example of love and forgiveness.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput invites us to fast today, March 30

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput

In times of need we turn to God through the acts of prayer and fasting. These practices draw us closer to the Lord as we seek His assistance and protection. I, along with my brother bishops in Pennsylvania, have asked Catholics across the Commonwealth to join us in dedicating the regular Lenten Friday practices of prayer, fasting, and abstinence on Friday, March 30th to the preservation of religious liberty.

An assault by the federal government on religious liberty continues in the form of the HHS mandates and we must stay vigilant in our fight to preserve this important and basic right. I ask you to join me on March 30th in offering your Lenten sacrifice for the cause of religious freedom. May God bless you.

-Archbishop Charles J. Chaput

Continue to pray for Fr. Trigilio

Please pray for Fr. Trigilio who was in a car accident, in intensive care for observation for 3 days and is now resting at home. 

The Benedictines at Mount Angel Abbey in Oregan

Do you desire to enter a more contemplative community? Check out the Benedictines in Oregan, Mount Angel Abbey.

What is Lent for you?

What is Lent to you? What does it meant to enter into Lent and participate in this extraordinary season of our Church?

Fr. Jack Collins, CSP, walks in the streets of New York to interview individuals to share their own understanding of Lent or Ash Wednesday. Let's explore what people think of it.

What we can do to protect our rights as faithful citizens

How to write a letter to Washington to defend our rights and to defend life: USCCB.

There is an urgent need to understand the issues we face today. It's alright; they are not easy to grasp. Let us pray to learn eagerly what they are about and be guided by the Holy Spirit to do what is right.

To have a basic understanding of the teachings of the Catholic Church, go to the pdf file called Forming Consciences for the Faithful Citizen.

Who is Fr. Sammie L. Maletta, Jr.? Read about him at Courageous Priest.

Take part. Take an active role in defending our rights as Catholics.

A good priest in Rome!

Fr. Daren J. Zehnle with Pope Benedict XVI

You have to encounter this good priest on his blog to know that he is the real thing! Servant and Steward.

Getting Ready for Lent

Archbishop Charles Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia, reflects on the meaning of Lent and explains the fasting, prayer and almsgiving that Catholic are called to during the six week preparation for Easter.

How many Cardinal Electors are there and where are they from?

Pope Benedict's Message on Power/Authority

January 30, 2012. (Romereports.com) During Sunday's Angelus, the pope talked about abuse of power in both the workforce and social life. The pope said those in authority should be guided by an attitude of service.

Benedict XVI
“Often, authority means possession, power, dominance and success. To God, however, authority means service, humility and love. It means entering into the logic of Jesus Christ, Who leans down to wash the feet of His disciples.”


The pope also took time to talk about “World Leprosy Day.” Every year about 230,000 people contract the disease, especially in India, Brazil and Indonesia.

Benedict XVI
“I express my support to everyone affected by this disease as well as their caregivers, who in many ways strive to eliminate poverty and marginalization, which are the true causes of its continuance.”

The Pope also talked about the International Day of Intercession for Peace in the Holy Land, which is celebrated on January 30th. To honor the cause, a group of Italian families and young adults gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray for world peace.

At the end of the Angelus, the Pope released white doves from his window. But after being released they decided to go back into the Pope's study.

Benedict XVI
“They want to be in the Pope's home.”

The doves were released to symbolize peace. Some saw it as a metaphor, of the long road that still lies ahead.

Moderation, Key to Healthy Living

Fr. Michael Sliney LC

Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends in Christ,

“Drink because you are happy, but never because you are miserable.”
― G.K. Chesterton, Heretics: The Annotated

How much is too much? How often is too often? It seems that too many people "need" to have 2 glasses of wine or a few beers after a long day at the office or with the kids. Certain dinner parties can resemble more of a college fraternity party than a mature adult gathering. Kids do notice and many assimilate this behavior. Although this escape can provide a short term "fix", it does not address the deeper needs of the soul. Moderation and self control are critical habits for so many other aspects of our lives. Pray more, do physical exercise to burn off the stress, and try to "offer up" the excess drinks for those you love; this will bring peace.

God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Mahalo to Fr. Michael Sliney, LC, for letting me share this with you!

Padre Pio's Incorrupt Body

This week, as we continue to lift up our priests on retreat, we ask for the intercessions of Padre Pio whose life exemplifies obedience to God, love of God, and love of neighbors.

God continue to strengthen our priests!

Uploaded by richinmercy on Jun 26, 2010

Seeing is believing!..Padre Pio is sign for our times...This video shows footage of Saint Pio's incorrupt body on public display in San Giovanni Rotondo Italy...It certainly reinforces belief in God and the existence of the after life in paradise....Padre Pio, a humble Capuchin priest from San Giovanni Rotondo, was blessed by God in many wonderful and mysterious ways. The most dramatic was the stigmata. Padre Pio bore the wounds of Christ for fifty years! Padre Pio, who died in 1968 at age 81, bore a "stigmata," or wounds like those Jesus suffered at his crucifixion, on his hands and feet. He was made a saint in 2002. Church officials exhumed the body in 2008 and they said there was no sign of the so-called stigmata on his limbs after an initial examination, and that the body was in good condition......Padre Pio pray for us!

If you like the lovely sound track music 'LORD YOU ARE MY SHEPHERD' you can download it here at;
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jimkeohan

A New Blog on my Sidebar -- CATHOLIC WEBPHILOSOPHER

Here's from the sidebar of  CATHOLIC WEBPHILOSOPHER,, a blog created and maintained by a priest and a professor of a university in Florida. I have enjoyed reading his reflective posts. I hope you will, too.


Thoughts in Solitude (Thomas Merton)

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
And the fact that I think
that I am following your will
Does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire
in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything
apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me
By the right road
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore I will trust you always
though I may seem to be lost
And in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
And you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Amen.

National Vocation Awareness Week January 9-14

Title:		National Vocation Awareness Week January 9-14
Date:		Monday January 9, 2012
Time:		12:00 am - 1:00 am
Notes:		National Vocation Awareness Week January 9-14, 2012 From Fr. Peter Dumag, Vocations Director The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, January 9-14. God calls us all to live our faith and seek out our vocation to become a deacon, priest, and religious sister, married or single person. Perhaps God is calling you to the priesthood or consecrated life. Will you have the courage to follow your heart? We are all called to love and serve Him and one another. As we continue to walk in the light of Christ and to serve our Lord with our whole heart, mind and soul, may we be filled with the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and seek to forgive all who have hurt us. National Vocation Awareness Week is a time for reflection. During the week of January 9th-14th, we encourage all Catholics to: •Take time to pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. •Reflect on our own vocation and strengthen our personal relationship with Christ. •Educate our young people about the importance of silent prayer and taking the time to truly •Listen to God's voice in our hearts. Please feel free to download these files for your classroom use. Resources for National Vocation Awareness Week 2012 - nvaw_english(2012a).pdf Contact Fr. Dumag at manao@rcchawaii.org if you have any questions. Mahalo.

Thank you, Melissa Crisostomo, for this information.

Greetings: January 1, 2012

Today marks the end of Christmas Octave and the beginning of the New Year 2012.

Mele Kalikimaka and Hauoli Makahiki Hou to all priests, seminarians, spiritual mothers, and to all of you who come to visit this blog!

May this day, the first of the New Year, as well as our days to come be fully blessed with God's ageless grace and strength, healing and renewal, joy and birth, love and mercy, and all that we need to keep ourselves ever so focused on God!


With confident hearts, we walk with Mary towards Christ.


A Blessed Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” (Num 6:24-26).