Message from Fr. Dan Kroger, O.F.M.

Fr. Dan Kroeger, O.F.M.

Publisher of St. Anthony Messenger Press

and Franciscan Communications

December, 2009: A Year-end Message from Father Dan:

"Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle. O Re del cielo..." "You go down from the stars, O King of Heaven..." This traditional Italian Christmas carol depicts the wondrous image of the infant Jesus descending from the heavens, to be born into poverty in the cold comfort of a stable. Did you know that, in 1223, St. Francis of Assisi, while at Grecchio, Italy, designed the first creche as a teaching aid, to educate the masses about the birth of Christ? We owe the popular Christmas creche tradition to the very practical needs of a saint.

In imitation of the first Franciscans, Sts. Francis, Clare and Anthony, we at St. Anthony Messenger Press are more committed to spreading the Gospel than ever. This year, St. Anthony Messenger magazine and our newsletters received 13 awards from the Catholic Press Association. Our books earned 14 awards. Our web site, AmericanCatholic.org has been largely re-designed, with easier navigation and news content that's updated daily. The site now serves 667,000 unique visitors monthly. Have you seen our profiles on Facebook and Twitter? Our mission is to engage those online communities in meaningful conversations about the Faith. You made Minute Meditations one of the most visited pages on our web site, so, in February, we launched it as an e-newsletter, inspiring over 7,000 subscribers each day.

As part of your year-end tax planning, would you consider remembering St. Anthony Messenger Press? Your tax-deductible donation in any amount helps us pay the costs of sending this e-newsletter.

Use our secure online donation form or you can mail a donation to Evangelization Fund, St. Anthony Messenger, 28 W. Liberty St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. If you prefer, you can phone in a credit-card donation to our Evangelization Fund at (513) 241-5615 or, in the U.S., at 800-488-0488.

We wish you all the blessings of the Christmas season and the coming New Year as we celebrate the Lord in our midst.

Peace and good,
Fr. Dan Kroger, O.F.M.
Publisher, St. Anthony Messenger Press and Franciscan Communications

Homily by Msgr. Charles Pope

A reality check for everyday living, even this Christmas Season...

Listen to the funeral homily by Msgr. Charles Pope. Death talk on Christmas? Death is the beginning of the life everlasting to come to those who are faithful; it is the key to the resurrection of the living.



Visit Monsignor Charles Pope at the Archdiocese of Washington to read his latest post.

Thanks, Tina Mahar, for this post on Facebook!

Fr. Ed Sousa saying Mass

Here's sharing with you Ed Sousa Sr.'s picture of his son, Fr. Ed Sousa, celebrating Mass in their home on Christmas Day.

Thank you, Ed, for sharing this picture with us! Having my own son say Mass in my home is a dream I hope to see in my own life someday.

But, of course, I'll take what God gives me. After all, we all possess the gift of priesthood. By virtue of baptism, my sons can exercise that gift in their marriage or single life.

Our God who knows best be praised!

Merry Christmas!

A joyful Christmas to one and all!

We especially greet our beloved priests a very Merry Christmas, from all of us who pray for you.

May your days of serving our High Priest, of being his ministerial representative, be filled with his joy and peace. May you always remain faithful to your vocation, and may you be surrounded by people who will help to keep the torch of Life and Light burning in you. This we ask in Jesus name, amen!

Mele Kalikimaka to you all!

Message

Thank you for your patience, dear friends and loved ones. My blogs will be closed for the rest of the Advent season.

Please have special prayers for our priests this Advent and the coming Christmas. Mahalo!

I will be back after midnight Mass.

May you all have a joyful and blessed Advent. You can be assured of my prayers. Till then...

A Joyful First Sunday of Advent!

Fr. Joseph Diaz of St. Jude Catholic Church,

where I sold my book Serving God Joyfully Right Here in Hawaii

I invite you all to read my post at Diocese of Honolulu Spiritual Moms Apostolate.

Thank you, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin!

Thank you, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin! You are an inspiration! May we learn from your example of courage and commitment to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church. Putting our faith into action, may she forever stand untarnished and her teachings unwatered down.

E Pule Kakou

The next E Pule Kakou, Hawaii Uniting in Prayer is scheduled for Thanksgiving Week, November 25-29, 2009. I encourage all parishes to register and participate in this event.

To register and for more information on what your parish can do, go to
http://www.epulekakou.com/register_church.html Answer the call of “E Pule Kakou” for all PASTORS AND CHURCHES who believe in the Lordship and salvation of Jesus Christ and the authority of the Bible to open their doors and set aside a time for prayer and repentance in their services on the week of November 25 to 29, and to invite ALL of the PEOPLE of Hawai’i, EVERY BELIEVER of Hawai’i, to go to participating churches to pray on November 25 to 29.

Timothy 2:1-5: “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority . . .

Source: E Pule Kakou

In this video: vicar general, Very Rev. Marc Alexander, and Fr. Gary Secor, pastor of Holy Trinity Church and former vocations director.

What transpired after the dinner

After dinner the boys and young men went upstairs and did the Liturgy of the Hours with Bishop Larry, Fr. Peter Dumag and Fr. Jon Cabico. When that was over, questions about vocation and priesthood were asked by the participants. Some of the questions elicited a funny response from our priests, which made these young men feel at ease.

Bishop Larry then gave everyone his final blessing.

I waited for my son downstairs, and was happy to see them all 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.

Story about Fr. Joe Hessing

No one will ever truly know the urgency of a man's destiny to be with his Creator. This story will touch your soul, as it unravels the mystery of God's design and will for his children. Only God, the author of life, can take back life, or at least decide the time and place when his precious child should come home.

Read the story about Fr. Joe Hessing.

Tribute to St. Damien de Vuester

Ordained saint on October 11, 2009.

Our seminarians at Mt. Angel

Source: Humbled Servant in Hawaii

I am so proud of the seminarians in our diocese, Diocese of Honolulu. They are quite handsome, certainly well-picked by our Lord to represent His very own handsome image.

Do visit Alfred, one of them, and read his journey towards priesthood on his blog Humbled Servant in Hawaii. Please pray for him and the others. Though they all are studying to become priests, in truth, they are still in discernment. Our prayers will help to keep them strong in their faith as they learn and allow themselves to be molded by the teachings of Christ for the life they are pursuing.

Fr. Gary Secor interviewed by Scout Zach

On the video are Fr. Gary Secor and Saint Damien Scout Zach Fielding; Zach interviews Fr. Secor. This was produced before the troop left Honolulu Airport yesterday, October 1st.

Follow the trip of Saint Damien Scouts who are on their way to Tremelo, Belgium, the birthplace of Fr. Damien.

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.

Asian Priesthood Influence

Asian Priests, The New Irish?
June 14, 2006 8:44 AM

Watch: Only On The Web: Byron Pitts and Rev. Mark Catalana, the vocational director of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose, explore the reasons why the number of Asian priests is rising.
Source: CBS News

A Tribute to St. John Mary Vianney

It is my hope that this Year for Priests will help all priests to appreciate the immense grace of their vocation, consecration and mission. During this Year may the whole Church pray and work more fervently for the sanctification of priests, an increase of priestly vocations, and a greater appreciation of the role of the priest in the life of the ecclesial community." Pope Benedict XVI

The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI’s proclamation of a “Year for Priests” in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the death of John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests worldwide.
www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/letters/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20090616_anno-sacerdotale_en.html

The Nature of the Priesthood by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 1990
www.vocations.com/benedictxvi/natureofpriesthood.html

Pope John Paul II’s 1986 letter to priests highlighting the “matchless example of the Cure of Ars” St. John Vianney
www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2CUR.HTM

Vatican Website for the Year for Priests
www.vatican.va/special/anno_sac/index_en.html


Archdiocese of Baltimore Vocations Page
www.becomeapriest.org/

YouTube Videos on St. Jean Baptiste Vianney–
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9-UL9cRQGg
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBiHz4x0Zn8

Information Regarding the Life of Saint John Vianney
www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1097
www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/stjeanvianney.HTM
www.catholic-forum.com/saints/stj18011.htm
www.osv.com/Portals/0/images/pdf/P950_Sample.pdf
www.arsnet.org/index_en.php
www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/CURE.htm

Prayers
A Novena in honor of St. John Vianney
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/Vianney.htm

Litany in Honor of St. John Vianney
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=1130

Franciscan Friars Trudge 300 Miles

Franciscan Friars Trudge 300 Miles in Va. and Find Kindred Souls along the Way - washingtonpost.com

Make sure to view the photos of the friars. There will be a commercial so just wait for it to end. When you see the picture above, click on autoplay.

Friars of the Immaculate

"Our community is a Roman Catholic religious institute of pontifical rite. Our charism is founded on the spirituality of St. Maximilian Kolbe, which is both Franciscan and Marian. The purpose of this site is to continue in the tradition of St. Maximilian and use the most modern means of communication to promote the welfare of souls by preaching the faith of the Church and making Our Lady known and loved."

Damien Page

Fr. Damien of Molokai


I have been looking for a novena prayer to pray through Fr. Damien. I feel called to seek Fr. Damien's intercession as I am getting close to finishing a project I've been working on for over a year. My dear friend Esther of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii will be surprised to know that I found the liturgical text for Blessed Damien's Feast Day through an old site of hers. It may be old, but it's still very useful. Thanks, Esther!

Damien Page: "Father of mercy,
in Blessed Damien
you have given a shining witness of love
for the poorest and most abandoned.
Grant that, by his intercession,
as faithful witness of the heart of your Son Jesus,
we too may be servants of the most needy and rejected.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever. Amen."

Meet Fr. Loren Gonzales

Overheard in the Sacristy
Dedicated to the Restoration of a Catholic Identity




My family's been under the weather for over a week now. I am recuperating from a flu myself, so thanks for your patience.

Every now and then I'd check on my twitter account. It is something so easy to do since all I have to do is sign in and I see and meet people from different parts of the world.

It is an interesting place also to connect with people I already know.

This Year for Priests, what I am thankful about twitter is that I get to meet many wonderful priests.

Meet Fr. Loren Gonzales, a priest of the Diocese of Phoenix AZ currently shepherding a parish in Peoria, right here on his blog Overheard in the Sacristy. Read his profile here.

I am pleased to meet you, Fr. Loren Gonzales! God bless you abundantly for all you do!

Congratulations, Fr. Marvin!

“Life is not just a succession of events or experiences:
it is a search for the true, the good and the beautiful.
It is to this end that we make our choices;
it is for this that we exercise our freedom; it is in this –
in truth, in goodness, and in beauty –
that we find happiness and joy..”
-Benedict XVI, World Communications Day, 2009

Congratulations, Fr. Marvin!

Father Marvin Samiano named as diocese’s new judicial vicar

By Anna Weaver of the Hawaii Catholic Herald

Ordination of Jon Cabico

It has been a joyful experience for me to take an active part in the preparation of Jon Cabico's ordination which will be held today. There will be about 50 priests coming. I love it when I see our priests gather and process at special Masses here at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. Most beautiful to behold is when they all pray as one during consecration. The Body and Blood of Christ! What an honor this must be for our Father in heaven!

Our choir met for practice a few times to rehearse the songs to be sung. One of those songs is Ave Maria by Shubert, my favorite song in honor of Mary our Mother.

My husband and I and our children will sing at the ordination Mass.

Afterwards, we will gather with John Cabico, Bishop Larry Silva, the priests and the rest of the congregation just outside of the church for some refreshments and entertainment, a typical ohana (family) tradition. Part of the entertainment will be a song to be presented by my children and a friend and altar server. Cy and Joseph will sing; Charity Therese will play the violin; Faithy will play the recorder.

Well, meet John Cabico, the once-seminarian and deacon of the Diocese of Honolulu. Pray for him.

Rejoice with us.

Jon Cabico
c/o Hawaii Catholic Herald
Photo by Anna Weaver

Meet Jon, soon to be Hawaii’s newest diocesan priest
By Anna Weaver

Litany for Priests

Cross found at Our Lady of Good Counsel

Litany for Priests

Jesus, you emptied yourself for our sake
fill our priests with your spirit of selfless love.
Jesus, you became poor for our sake,
enrich our priests with your spirit of generosity.
Jesus, you are the Word made flesh,
give our priests strength and energy to preach your Good news.
Jesus, you sought out the sick and rejected,
touch our priests with your healing power.
Jesus, you always trusted in the Father,
help our priests to trust in your promises.
Jesus, you were strong in the face of temptation and dejection,
support our priests in times of trial.
Jesus, you became the servant of all,
strengthen our priests for your service.
Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood,
nourish our priests with your compassionate concern for all.
Jesus, you died for us so that we may be free,
grant our priests the ability to bring that freedom to all people.
Jesus, you rose to glory and conquered death,
enliven our priests as messengers of hope to all.
Jesus, you are the image of the unseen God,
show your face to our priests.
Bless and care for our priests,
give them joy and peace in their service,
love for you and all your people,
confidence in your loving kindness, and
an ability to recover from their mistakes.
May the Holy Spirit give them renewed energy and
a creative impulse to proclaim the Good News to the
ends of the earth. Amen.
Mary, mother of us all, watch over all your children
especially our priests.
St. John Marie Vianney, patron of priests,
protect our priests with your constant intercession.

Franciscan Missionary Union 135 West 31st St.
Toll free: 1.888.372.6478 New York, New York 10001
www.hnp.org/fmu

Holy Father's Letter for Year for Priests

The Holy Father’s Letter for the Year for Priests

Pray for Priest and 2 Seminarians Killed

Source: Zenit dated July 16

Please pray for Father Habacuc Hernández Benítez, 39, Eduardo Oregón Benítez, 19, and Silvestre González Cambrón, 21, who were killed in Mexico. They were on their way to a vocational meeting when they were shot.

Please pray for the protection of all priests and seminarians.

St. John Vianney, pray for God's priests!




A short video about St. John Vianney

Prayer for Year for Priests

Prayer for Year for Priests

"Jesus, we honor You as the Supreme Shepherd. You live in the Pope, in the bishops, in the priests. You have said to them: 'Whoever listens to you, listens to me. As the Father as sent me, so I send you. Go into the whole world.'

Divine Shepherd, the harvest is always great, but the workers are still very few. Give us holy priests who love Your people as you love them. Bless their labors. Grant us the grace to cooperate in their zeal, and to be among Your sheep on the day of judgment when You will return as the Shepherd. Amen." --Blessed James Alberione, SSP

found on Hell Burns
a blog by Sr. Helena Burns, fsp
Chicago, IL, United States

E Pule Kakou

There was something different about Pentecost Sunday here in Hawaii. It wasn't just the "outpouring" of the Holy Spirit in the Liturgy of the Word and in the consecration that made that day special. For the people of Hawaii, it was called "E Pule Kakou."

During Mass, as I was singing with the choir, looking down at the priest, the altar, and the people gathered, I caught glimpse of - and experienced - God's immense power. I thought of our bishop and his humble collaboration with the other church leaders of Hawaii in uniting ALL islanders in prayer. I sang with passion for God that day - for his goodness and greatness, and I'd hoped that others were doing the same thing. Just perhaps in their own special way.

E Pule Kakou
From Bishop Larry Silva

What is E Pule Kakou?
“E Pule Kakou” simply means “Let Us Pray Together” in the Hawaiian language. It was a phrase that was repeated in families all across the islands. It was a call to the family to come together to seek the Lord Jesus Christ in prayer on a regular if not daily basis. It was used in almost every home, church, business, government and community gathering. Unfortunately, it has all been lost in our world today… But God is bringing it back to us!

On May 31, 2009 the call of “E Pule Kakou” will be heard once again to encourage ALL PEOPLE of Hawaii and EVERY BELIEVER of Hawaii to go to their churches to pray, and to ALL PASTORS and CHURCHES of Hawaii to open their doors to the many people who come seeking and set aside a time for prayer and repentance during their service.

We will call all of Hawai‘i to pray through:
- Local Churches
- Cable and Network TV Spots
- Radio on KGU, The FISH, KHLT, and KSSK
- Word of Mouth
- The Honolulu Advertiser
- Midweek Magazine on Oahu
- KITV.com
- Neighbor Island Newspapers
- http://www.epulekakou.com/
- Posters
- Church Bulletin Inserts

Each church will set its own program and method. If you cannot do a service on May 31st, please plan for a date with in proximity of May 31. Also, as we believe that there is a need for repentance along with prayer, each parish can plan that repentance in whatever fashion desired.

Participating parishes are asked to use the Prayer for the Global Day of Prayer (4-5” long). A DVD of the Prayer produced by an ensemble of different “Spiritual Fathers and Mothers”, is available for use if you so desire. The DVD as well as other materials to help publicize E Pule Kakou can be downloaded from the http://www.epulekakou.com/ website.

Please encourage your parishioners to invite others to church and join us as we e pule kakou on May 31st. Let’s watch and see how God answers our prayers. And let’s thank God together as He answers those prayers!

Pray for Fr. Cutie and our Priests

Please pray for Fr. Cutie that he will truly follow the commands of God. Let us pray for all our priests that they may always be guided by the Holy Spirit as they perform the ministerial tasks God entrusted to them. May they be shrouded not by earthly desires and pleasures, but by God's immense love and joy - for God alone suffices. May they be so infused with a great desire to always seek ways to demonstrate love and faithfulness to God. Amen.

Newly Ordained Priests

taken at our family adoration

Good news from Evann's blog, Homeschool Goodies, for this post:

Four seminarians in the Archdiocese of St. Louis were ordained into the priesthood on May 23. Please keep them in your prayers:

Rev. Mr. Mark Chrismer
Rev. Mr. John Mayo
Rev. Mr. Eric Olsen
Rev. Mr. David Skillman

Blessed Damien of Moloka'i

Shortly before his death in 1889



I've come across a very interesting story about a woman who lived almost all her life as a domestic housekeeper for the Priests of the Sacred Hearts. Check it out. I've taken an interest in including the link in lieu of the much anticipated canonization of Blesssed Damien of Moloka'i, of the Priests of the Sacred Hearts. Check out the interesting photographs relating to the life of the island's soon-to-be declared saint.

It is not only a privilege but a joy to support my own diocese, the Diocese of Honolulu, for all its efforts in making sure that the event goes well. As far as I know, there will be hundreds of islanders who will go to Rome to attend the special occasion slated on October 11, 2009.

May the journey of those going to witness the canonization of Blessed Damien solidy their faith and exude an invitation for the rest of us the desire to become saints ourselves.

Fr. Norman Weslin Arrested

I have been battling flus and coughs and colds that I have not been actively blogging once again. My daughter, CT, asked me to check out Esther's blog to view this video. I was crying the whole time; it was inevitable. Somehow I didn't see this coming so soon, but it is here; and this is NOW. Persecutions. I can only surmise that there will be more to come. Christ never said that those who follow him will not be persecuted.

Remember the word I spoke to you, "No slave is greater than his master." If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours (NAB John 15:20).

In fact, all who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (NAB 2 Timothy 3:12).

We stand tall and fight. Because Christ is life and he chose us to defend life!

Priestly Celibacy

My beloved cathedral, Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace

taken on Mother's Day, May 10

Priestly celibacy from Esther's blog, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii

Let us not condemn our priests. Offer them to God, instead,

and offer many prayers for them.

Into your hands, Lord,

we commend their spirits to you.

The Joy of Being a Priest

The joy of being a priest at The Catholic News

(my thanks to Sr. Margaret Kerry, fsp, for this info.)

Most High Priest, Jesus Christ,

may your joy ever abide in our priests

as they perform all the functions

you have ordained for them.

May the love of Mary

emcompass them with

warmth and gentleness and temperance.

May all they do and say

bring out the joy of your resurrection.

Amen.

Fr. Daren's Vocation Story

The Reverend Father, Daren J. Zehnle,

is Parochial Vicar of St. Anthony of Padua Parish

in Effingham, Illinois.

We know that vocations, callings to the service of the Church, do not simply arise within vacuums or in the silence of individual hearts alone. Vocations very often arise within families and within parishes. Future priests do not simply drop out of heaven; they arise from within the people of God. - Fr. Daren

Read Fr. Daren's inspiring vocation story right here.

Fr. Daren is a good friend of mine, and Esther's of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii. He has become a frequent visiting priest here in Hawaii, which I'm positive is, for him, a place of restful and joyful connection with God. When on the island of Oahu, he says Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. I can't say that he has acquired the spirit of ohana (family) and the spirit of aloha (love). I believe he's always got them within him.

Here are some pictures I took when Fr. Daren was here

sometime in February this year.

An interview with Fr. Daren

HAPPY 29th ANNIVERSARY, FR. MARK!

Fr. Mark del Rosario

Congratulations, Fr. Mark!

Fr. Mark celebrated his 29th year into the priesthood

on the 19th of April, 2009. He belongs to the

Blessed Sacrament order and is the parish priest

of Star of the Sea Church in Honolulu.

God continue to shower upon you

an abundance of blessings!

Happy Easter!

Dole Plantation



A joyful Easter to all you beautiful people!

May the joy of the risen Christ shine brightly
through all of us for others to see

that they, too, will relish

in the joy that comes

with Christ's resurrection!

A Tribute to Fr. John Speekman

Fr. John Speekman

Homilies and Reflections from Australia

I thank Fr. John Speekman once again for his generosity.

I appreciate very much his loving spirit and willingness

to share with us a part of his life that he treasures.

I ask that you all think of Fr. John this week and the next,

and include him in your daily prayers.

He is a very dedicated blogger who takes the time

to echo to us the love of God.

His homilies speak of his love for his Creator,

especially through the Lectio Divina,

a form of prayer using the scriptures.

Fr. John, we thank you for all you do!

Most of all, thank you for YOU!

The strongest influence in my life was and, in a way, still is, my parents. They were the greatest blessing a child could wish for. Times were not always easy but what they gave their children was a clear, living, powerful example of a couple of individuals who really believed the Gospel. They worked double jobs to keep us in Catholic school and it was only years after we left home that they finished paying the fees. I remember the parish priest telling them it was no longer necessary but they had made the commitment and paid off the invoices one by one. We were 7 children and then one adopted, making eight.

Mum and dad gave another important example, especially for these slack times, in that they never, and I mean never, missed Mass. I recall the way dad used to ferry us all to Mass from the country farm we lived in to the local church about ten kilometres away. He had a small BMW motorbike and took two of the younger ones on the petrol tank and an older one on the back and somehow managed to get us all there on time. Again the parish priest told him it was too big an effort and that the obligation didn't apply. Of course that made no difference to mum and dad, they weren't just meeting an obligation. The local ambulance officer took pity and used to bundle us all into the ambulance and drive us to Mass.

One other thing my father, particularly, gave us was a desire to know our faith intimately. He was always reading and discussing it. When Pope Paul VI reaffirmed Catholic teaching on birth control my father had prepared us well for this teaching and we did not share the surprise of other catholics. Nor when the Latin Mass became the Novus Ordo was he in any way disturbed. He had the wisdom, so lacking today, to understand which teachings of the Church were from Christ, and couldn't be changed, and which were merely changeable Church teachings.

I will mention one more thing about my parents - they were people of prayer. Not only did they pray together at night in their bedroom (we children could hear them), but they always said the family rosary after the evening meal with all their children. This was a non-negotiable. The legacy of this practice is, I believe, that all my siblings still practice the Faith; all are happily married; and there is in our family no 'feuding'. We all still love to be together and though we live at great distances are always in contact.

A second strong influence on my life was the Catholic schools I attended, both primary and secondary. The Josephite Sisters, Marist priests and Marist brothers were absolutely wonderful. This is not to say there were no problems when we misbehaved, etc. but on the whole, they totally reinforced the values and Catholic beliefs of our family. They gave me a love, too, for knowing the content of my faith. This made my father rather happy. Nevertheless, I am now ashamed to have to admit, I ceased regularly practising my faith soon after I began university studies.

By the age of 21 I began teaching in a High School as a qualified French, English, History teacher; priesthood was far from my mind. A two year stint in the Army and some further study saw me return to teaching, first in an Anglican (Episcopalian) school and then in a Catholic school.

At about the age of 24 I returned to the practice of my faith. One night the Lord in his kindness showed me the emptiness of my life. It was not a pleasant experience. I gradually became a daily Mass goer and for the next few years I gradually grew in a more mature understanding of my faith. When I was thirty I listened to Fulton Sheen's retreat to the priests of the Diocese of Gary, Indiana, and decided to give up smoking and to do the daily holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament. Three years later I entered the seminary for late vocations and four years later I was ordained a priest. By the grace of God I did not miss a single day doing my holy hour during those years.

I celebrate my 25th year of priesthood this year. The last few years have been turbulent, as you already know. Yet I would not want anything to be different. I have learned so much and God has blessed me beyond what I even begin to deserve.

About 10 years ago I spent three months at St Meinrad, Indiana, on sabbatical and was blessed to 'discover' the Sacred Scriptures and the practice of Lectio Divina. It has been the mainstay of my life ever since, though I have not forsaken my daily rosary. I really wish people, priests and laity, would come to realise that praying the Scriptures is far more fruitful than almost any other form of daily personal prayer. I exclude the Divine Office, of course, and the Mass, which is the official public prayer of the Church, and a solemn obligation for priests.

You ask about encouraging youth. My answer is simple; Sunday Mass and the daily rosary. I encourage youth also to adopt the wearing of the scapular, particularly the young men. The Scapular can be such a jolly nuisance to wear that it constantly reminds one of things spiritual. It is the hand of Mary, our Mother, on our shoulder, and if we persevere in wearing the Scapular it brings us great blessings. It is a great thing to see the scapular claim the neck of a young man, rather than a shark's tooth or a star sign. We should not doubt that Mary will look after those who wear her scapular.

I don't need to tell you, Easter, that my computer is my 'hobby' these days. Blogging my homilies has forced me to prepare them well in advance. I would encourage Catholic bloggers. My niece has a lovely pro-life blog at http://lifesubjects.blogspot.com/.

You ask about movies. I guess there are many good movies and each one is a discovery. I love Sci-Fi and adventure movies. Other than that I enjoy visiting with people and having them visit me.

Don't get me started on describing 'the trends of the modern times'. I suppose my blog makes my thoughts clear enough so I'll resist boring you again with a long dissertation.

(The questions):

Here are the questions (you may choose only those you wish to answer):
1. Who was most influential to you when you were growing up? (you may site an incident)
2. Who was most influential to you in your discernment to enter the priesthood?
2. Do you have an experience in your life as a teenager which you can share with us to encourage our youth to be active in church? What is it?
3. What do you do to entertain yourself? Or, what are some hobbies you have which you find entertaining and relaxing?
4. How would you describe the trends of the present times? (political, moral, anything you wish to emphasize)
5. What do you do to encourage people to participate actively in our Church (aside from blogging)?
6. Who is the one person in this world who makes you laugh?
7. What is your favorite scripture passage?
8. What is your favorite movie?
9. What keeps you grounded?
10. Who is the one person you admire the most? Why?