Priests for Life in Hawaii

Fr. Frank Pavone's stay in Honolulu, though it seemed short, was a big impact to the prolifers in Hawaii. Many members of the clergy came to hear him at the event called Dinner with Fr. Pavone held in Hale Koa on Sunday, September 20. Our own bishop, Bishop Larry Silva, and vicar general, Fr. Marc Alexander came; a few deacons were present with their wives, and also church leaders and volunteers.

I was blessed to have attended the dinner with my daughter, Cy, and my good friend, Rose Zabanal. Esther G. of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii was seated with her friends with the Prayer Group of Our Lady of Peace. I was able to connect with so many wonderful Catholic/Christian brothers and sisters in Christ who believe in the sanctity and preservation of life.

At the dinner, many prolifers asked Fr. Pavone questions, and he was able to enlighten, educate and encourage us to continue to fight for the right of the unborn.

Fr. Pavone came to the kick-off of the 40 Days for Life - Honolulu held last night at the State Capitol; 40 Days for Life starts today and ends on November 1st.




This fall, from September 23 - November 1, Honolulu will be one of many global cities participating in the largest and longest coordinated pro-life mobilization in history -- the 40 Days for Life campaign. 40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life effort that consists of:

•40 days of prayer and fasting
•40 days of peaceful vigil
•40 days of public outreach
We are praying that, with God's help, this groundbreaking effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in Hawai'i and around the world.

Take a stand for life

While all aspects of 40 Days for Life are crucial in our effort to end abortion, the most visible component is the peaceful, public prayer vigil. You can help make a life-saving impact by joining our local vigil at:

Planned Parenthood of Hawai'i
1350 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96814

The building is on the mauka side of King, 1/2 block 'ewa of Ke'eaumoku. We pray on the sidewalk in front of the building.

Sign up to participate in the 40 Days for Life Honolulu public prayer vigil by clicking here. Those with questions may contact our prayer vigil coordinator, Mary, at marytom100@gmail.com or 389-2784.

Contact us

To learn more or let us know how you feel called to serve God in this effort, please contact 40 Days for Life Honolulu:


Isaiah, Campaign Director, 383-5137, isaiah40daysforlife@gmail.com

Source: http://www.40daysforlife.com/Honolulu/

Pope Benedict's next book

"Jesus of Nazareth" due to be released in the early part of 2010.

International Convocation for English Speaking Priests and Deacons

SAN DIEGO, CA (JUNE 19, 2009) - The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy (a national association of 600 priests and deacons) has joined Pope Benedict XVI’s inauguration of a “Year for Priests” by launching a new web site and announcing, an international convocation for English speaking priests and deacons to take place in Rome [...]

Please click on Catholic Clergy to read the rest of the article.

I have been encouraged by our dear priest from Australia, Fr. John Speekman, to post this. Please read his letter below and post the event on your blogs. Do send me an email at easter4g@yahoo.com so I can forward to you the graphics. Please also send the information to your bishops, vicars for clergy, all priests, and deacons you know. Much mahalo. God bless you all abundantly!



Dear Easter,

I have been asked to advertise the Year of the Priest Clergy Conference for English-speaking priests in Rome in 2010 so I've had some graphics of varying sizes produced hoping one of them might find an appropriate place on your site. You might put a banner at the top of your blog or something in the column, it's up to you. It is important that those who read the ad are directed to the official website: http://www.yearforpriests-clergyconferencerome2010.org/ either by clicking on the graphic or on a link beneath it.

It's a big ask but I'm hoping you will do this for me and for all those priests who would benefit from a conference such as this. Many thanks. (It's my pleasure, Fr. John!)

By the way, if you want to send this email on to other bloggers .. do it! Again, I would be most grateful.

God bless,

Fr John Speekman

Homilies and Reflections from Australia

Dedicated to our Priests

Ave Maria comes in many versions, my most favorite being the one composed by Schubert, which we sing in our choir. I love music, maybe not as passionately as I would have liked to, but I love it anyway. I love it for the reason that it brings me to a oneness with God. It also soothes my soul and gives me the fuel I need that I may move forward in all my journeys in a more joyful fashion.

This one brought tears to my eyes. I am not familiar with this version as it is entirely new to me. But just the same, I think it is beautiful. And I dedicate it to all our priests.

We pray to Mary to embrace our priests as they perform their ministerial functions.

Mary, how we praise God for you! How we thank God for you! Thank you for being the mother of all priests.

Shifting to the Call, Dedicated to John

There is a teen by the name of John who is discerning the call to live as a priest. He is very young, and yet, in his heart, one will find maturity with a touch of childlike joy. A very good mix, I might say.

You will find John talking about his day. Yet simple it may be, he is able to connect it to God. As a result, one will find God working through him.

What touched me today was his courage in revealing to his class that he is discerning a call to the priesthood, a tough thing to do these days. He senses the teasing he might be getting from his classmates; but, nevertheless, he stood his ground. He chose to speak the truth about himself.

Do follow John, if you haven't. And, most of all, leave a note of love -- we call that aloha -- or perhaps, a note of encouragement. Our young ones, especially the teens who are in continuous search of their place in this world, need it.


I am proud of you, John. Know that you are not alone in this journey. You mom is 100% behind you, that's for sure -- and how wonderful that is! We are here, too, praying and rooting for you.

Here's a video you may have seen already. I have seen it countless times because it helps me to understand our priests, and perhaps, deep inside of me is a mother's longing that my sons too would have a calling such as yours.

Enjoy!

Fishers of Men

John maintains two blogs. One of them is called Writings of a boy discerning God's call.

In Adoration

Red roses on the front left situated beside the altar
where the Monstrance sits was my inpiration


Adoration is a great way of praying for our priests. Any type of prayer will do, even a poem such as this...


In Adoration
By Easter A.

Wine-colored contours
In graceful stand
Elegant and poised
Yet soft and dainty

Bordered by flowerets
Looking like angels
Lime blades akin to guards
Held by vintage vase

All in pursuit
Of the Beloved’s gaze
In the quiet of a corner
While adoring

I sit in the same nook
To get a glimpse
Of the peaceful Bread
With its life beating in me

Red roses with entourage
Their beauty their prayer
And mine this poem
For Jesus in adoration
8/13/09
All rights reserved.


This poem is also found at Diocese of Honolulu, Spiritual Moms Apostolate.

Easter Almuena and Esther Gefroh formed the Spiritual Mothers Apostolate in our diocese in Febraury 2008. Approved by Bishop Larry Silva, we are a group of women devoted to praying for the priests and seminarians of our diocese.

For Catholic women belonging to our diocese and desiring to spiritually adopt a priest or seminarian, please contact Esther Gefroh at estherjoeysmom@gmail.com.

Happy 25th Anniversary, Fr. John!

Happy 25th Anniversary,

Fr. John Speekman!

I am honored to greet my favorite priest there in Down Under, Fr. John Speekman, who celebrates 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Monday, August 17.

I had the privilege of interviewing him before lent this year, which was done through email. His response was full of fond memories of his youth and how he was raised by very devout Catholic parents.

Read his profile below and then get to know him better through the interview right here.

I have to admit I'd read it more than once because it inspires me to raise my own children the way Catholic parents should raise God's precious ones entrusted to them.

Fr. John Speekman runs a blog called Homilies and Reflections from Australia. Do send him your greetings. Mahalo.

Here is his profile:

I was born in Holland and migrated to Australia with my family at age 5 - grew up in Victoria and attended Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools. After a BA and Secondary Teacher training at Melbourne University I taught for 12 years - completed 2 years National Service in the Army (PNG) and entered the Seminary in 1981 - was ordained priest on 17th August 1984 by bishop Eric D'Arcy and have served in the Diocese of Sale and the Archdiocese of Sydney.