Mele Kalikimaka

Here was the card from our dear bishop, Bishop Larry Silva -- just in case you didn't see it here at the Catholic Hawaii website.

Bishop Larry's message this Christmas is found in the Hawaii Catholic Herald.

Christmas is Still Here!

I had to be someplace for some very good reasons. Family is the main reason, and how wonderful that is! Taking time off from many parts of my life to be with family is not only refreshing; it prepares me for the tasks ahead of me that are new, challenging, and certainly worth my time.

Christmas isn't over yet! Hurray!

My good friends at the Pauline Books and Media Center in Honolulu have the best Christmas greeting for all of us -- especially for our priests who are their good friends!

Merry Christmas, everyone! May all our priests be blessed more than ever as they face the coming new year full of challenges and hope. May they always experience the joy of Christ in all their ministries, and personal life.

Our Most High Priest be praised now and always!

Thank you to our Priests!

Source: Catholic greetings

We thank all our priests for their dedication

and all their love for the Church and its people.

May God continue to bless you in all you do.

May you always walk united in Christ Jesus,

who is the Most High Priest.

May you always exude his

priestly, prophetic, and kingly presence to all.

May God forever hold you in his arms!

Amen!

In Honor of Christ the King, Most High Priest

Cristo Redentor statue on top of Corcovado, a mountain towering over Rio de Janeiro. In the background the Ipanema and Leblon beaches separate the lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean.
Source of pics: Wikipedia

A new statue of Jesus was built in Swiebodzin, Poland, which is smaller than Cristo Redentor, but stands more majestically as it wears a crown. I was amazed at the engineering of this statue and the efforts put into it by all those involved.

Created by Rev. Sylwester Zawadzki, a 78-year-old priest, says that it rises 108 feet, or 33 meters to signify the total number of years Jesus lived on earth. Including the mound where it stands, it rises 67 feet or 51 meters.

The Christ statue in Brazil's Rio is 125 feet or 38 meters tall.

Watch the final stages of completion of Christ the King statue in Poland:

What Kind of a Friend are You? By Fr. Bill Casey

Fr. Bill Casey presents friendship in the light of the gospel. What kind of a friend are you? What kind of a friend Jesus would like us to be?

Be 100% Catholic

“I believe that it’s important that if you’re going to be Catholic, that you have to be 100% Catholic... that you stand by the church, you believe what the church believes and you pass that on to your sons and daughters and your grandsons and granddaughters.” -Archbishop John Nienstedt: No Luke Warm Catholics!

Read the article of Craig Lassig, AP.

Being lukewarm in our faith is not a good place to be. We are called to embrace fully the teachings of our Catholic Church and, more importantly, to live them. If our actions speak otherwise, we will confuse fellow Catholic Christians. When we avoid the truth, we deface it by our actions, thus, watering it down. We are called to proselytize with a genuine heart that bears the truth of the Catholic Church.

May we all be guided always by the Holy Spirit to know the truth, receive it, and live it fully.

Fr. Robert Barron's Biblical Analysis Relating to Present Scandal

Fr. Robert Barron, Catholic priest writer and author

What does the Bible tell us in relation to the present church scandal we are seeing once again? Will it ever end? What do statistics tell us? Let us see Fr. Robert Barron's thoughts on the issue. Take note of the biblical implications, as they are worth pondering upon. Here's his analysis.

Fr. Robert Barron writes for The Integrated Catholic Life website; he is currently in Rome as a visiting professor. Read about Fr. Barron here, found on the left-hand side of the site.

Let us continue to pray for our Church, our pope, and all our clergy. Mahalo!

Diocese of Charlotte, Ordination, 6/10/10

Diocese of Charlotte Ordination 6-10-2010 from Diocese of Charlotte on Vimeo.

Diocese of Charlotte Ordination 6-10-2010
vimeo.com
Four men were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Peter J. Jugis on Saturday, June 5 2010 at St. Mark Catholic Church in Huntersville, NC.
Source: Divine Intervention Media

Fr. C. John McCloskey, III on Cardinal Newman

Cardinal Henry Newman

Source of pic: Wikipedia

Fr. C. John McCloskey, III, discloses to us the amazing personality of Cardinal Newman. Here is a portion of what he wrote about this clergy whose beatification was first celebrated on the 8th of this month.

That Newman was profoundly religious by temperament is quite clear from his autobiography, in which he speaks of his religious sense from a very early age. Unlike a goodly number of his contemporaries of the Oxford Movement he did not come from a long line of clergymen. During his university years he felt a call to the clerical life and even to celibacy, not common at that time. Yet, in many other ways he was a man of the world. He drank deeply of the study of the classics and history during his undergraduate years, formed many deep friendships, and had a keen interest in the world of music, literature, and politics, as is evidenced by his letters and diaries. Indeed, he even chose the wine for his college. He played the violin, a hobby to which he returned in later life. He exercised vigorously by frighteningly long walks and enjoyed the fresh air of the sea while sailing with his close friend, Hurrell Froude. He was a poet, a novelist and a Latinist of the highest order. (The curia officials of the Vatican were astonished at the level of his classical Latin in their correspondence with him. He was able to express in a paragraph what took them a page!) He was also, arguably, the greatest master of English prose style of the nineteenth century.5 This emphasizes that while Newman was eminently religious, he was not monastic. He had a keen appreciation for the world in all its positive aspects and enjoyed the company and friendship of many laymen, as is evidenced particularly by his letters and diaries.

Read here.

Thanks to Sr. Margaret Kerry, fsp, for this info!

Sr. Margaret Kerry, fsp
50 St Paul’s Ave
Boston, MA 02130
617-510-5409

Association of Pauline Cooperators

Living the gospel in every dimension of life in a world of communication.

Focusing on the Coming Election

Father Richard Perozich, a priest of the Diocese of San Diego, speaks boldly about having the right attitude towards the coming election. Read here. Source: Renew America.

Support Archbishop Nienstedt

Support Archbishop Nienstedt:

Archbishop John Nienstedt refused to allow the Holy Mass turn into a political protest. A group of 25 activists who are opposed to the Catholic Church's teaching on marriage wore rainbow sashes at a Mass celebrated by the Archbishop.

Not only did these protesters attend Mass wearing these sashes, but they tried to receive Communion despite publicly denouncing Church teaching. The protest organizer told the media: "We were making a statement during the Eucharist."

Continue reading here.

Pope Benedict XVI: Responsibility and Sin

Studies in Theology have been back, so my posts have become limited once again. I thank you for your patience. I have also been busy taking some of our priests around, who are on the island of Oahu for the Divine Mercy Conference. It's been a great pleasure experiencing agape with them at different levels of communication, including an exchange of jokes and interesting thought provoking punches. I feel so blessed to have been given the grace -- as Fr. Mark Wheelan, SOLT, calls it -- to show them God's wonderful creations on the Island and to let them experience aloha.

Divine Mercy in Hawai'i is scheduled on October 7-10. Here's info.

For the meantime, here's something to share with all of you:

vatican September 25, 2010
The salvation brought by Jesus is obtained through the assumption of responsibility, the recognition of sin, the will to become new men. The Pope reiterated this in a speech to a group of bishops from Eastern Brazil at the end of their ad limina visits. The Pope noted that forgiveness and reconciliation are two concepts that today are overshadowed by a misinterpretation of freedom, though they are fundamental aspects for a proper Christian life and the salvation brought by Christ. In his speech, Pope Benedict also asked the bishops to pay closer attention towards a renewed youth ministry.

SUSAN BOYLE SINGS FOR THE POPE - PAPAL VISIT TO SCOTLAND

Scottish Roman Catholics sing along with Susan Boyle's performance for the Pope when he came on an official visit to Britain.

Thanks to my good friend, Ghee Se, for sharing this post.

Novena for Pope Benedict on Papal Visit to UK

This post below is from the Diocese of Honolulu Spiritual Mothers Apostolote blog which Esther G. and I run and maintain. The post below was posted by Esther yesterday, September 15. I apologize for not seeing it right away, but do jump in and join the many Catholics in praying for Pope Benedict XVI.



The Novena period which precedes the Feast begins on Wednesday
15th of September - Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

As this Novena period surrounds the Papal Visit - (September
16th to 19th) it is suggested that people pray the Novena for
the following intentions:

"For God's mighty blessing and protection upon the Papal Visit
and for the Holy Father's intentions".

For overseas readers, perhaps the best way of joining in the Novena is to say the Rosary each day, or at least one decade, for this intention.

Here at this blog, we are asking that you offer your Holy Rosary prayers for the Holy Father's intentions for nine consecutive days, along with the following prayer from the Knights of Columbus' prayer card, for his intentions:

PRAYER FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI

Lord, source of eternal life and truth,
give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit
of courage and right judgment, a spirit
of knowledge and love. By governing
with fidelity those entrusted to his care,
may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter
and Vicar of Christ, build your Church
into a sacrament of unity, love and peace
for all the world. Amen.

V. Let us pray for Benedict, the pope.
R. May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.
V. May your hand
be upon your holy servant.
R. And upon your son,
whom you have anointed.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

Virtual Tour of the Vatican - Part 2

Virtual Tour of the Vatican - Part 1

Keep our Priests in Mind

It was easy during the old times: families have given priests a special place in their homes. Now, however, as more and more marriages and families are breaking up, priests have not been given that same special place.

Here is a an article about a sad story that, perhaps, can help us to remember our priests. In our homes and in our hearts we welcome and treat them as a dear friend.

OPINION: It is hardly fair to sneer at a new association of Irish priests as a mere clerical trade union, writes DAVID RICE

THE ITALIAN alpine village of Villaretto was drowsing under its blanket of snow when, on January 26th, 1985, the parish priest hanged himself, just before the Saturday evening Mass. He left three farewell letters, one addressed to the altar servers. It read: “Be more friendly and generous with your next priest: do not leave him alone at the altar.”

Those words have haunted me for years, for we do leave our priests alone at the altar and the loneliness of many a priest is a crucifixion.

I know, for I once was one. I left and am no longer lonely, but many truly heroic men have stayed and live their crucifixion daily, a far worse one than I ever had to endure.

The loneliness of many priests today is infinitely crueller than anything I experienced 30 years ago. Just to give one example: last month a priest friend of mine in Dublin was talking to a boy after Sunday Mass, when the boy’s father came up to him and said: “Father, I’d rather you stayed away from my son.”

The rest of the article is found here.

Thanks to Esther G., who first shared this article with us.

Meet Fr. Francis Ferry

Saturday, September 4, 2010. Father Francis Ferry of Donegal, Ireland gave a homily in Medjugorje at St. James Church. Before Mass, he attended a talk given by the visionary Ivan and he spoke about the messages that Ivan had stressed in his testimony.

Father Ferry said, ‘We need to change ourselves first and experience peace through prayer. We need to witness this peace to our families, in our villages and cities, and then the world will change.’ He received his vocation to the priesthood here in Medjugorje while on pilgrimage to this Holy place. He had been away from the Sacraments of the Church for many years.

Father Ferry’s first pilgrimage to Medjugorje was not planned. He had become lost while traveling and ended up here. He knew Our Lady had planned it that way. He was ordained a priest three years ago. Father gave the pilgrims attending Holy Mass some good advice.

Father Francis Ferry, one of many vocations received through a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. “It is good being in Medjugorje again. This is my twenty-eighth time. My first trip was in 1995. You that have been here fifty times, it means nothing, if you do not listen and put into action Our Lady’s words. It would be better to come once and hear Her message and respond to Her call. Remember, She thanks us for responding to Her call.”

Father was asking the pilgrims to respond concretely to Our Lady. Father Ferry is one of many vocations birthed through Medjugorje. We believe one of thousands; the actual number of vocations that began in Medjugorje may never be known.

Cardinal Schönborn, from Austria once stated, ‘If I was an opponent of Medjugorje, I’d have to close down my seminary, since almost all the candidates have received their call to the priesthood through Medjugorje.’ Yet another testament of the power of what God is doing through Our Lady, here in Medjugorje. Source-Medjugorje Com
Posted by Ed Sousa, Sr. at 2:23 PM

Thank you to my good friend, Ed Sousa of In God's Company 2! He is the father of Fr. Ed Sousa, Jr.

The Cooking Priest: Fr. Leo Patalinghug

My family has had the opportunity to listen to the talks Fr. Patalinghug gave at a mini retreat at St. Augustine Church in Waikiki. He is a great speaker!

What he is most remembered as many of us know is winning a cooking challenge against Grill Master Bobby Flay of the Food Network.

Watch the video below to see a simple way of making those scrumptious fajitas. Fr. Leo cooks with his brother and sister-in-law who homeschool their children.

Here's Fr. Leo sharing with us the joy of cooking:

Priest Teaches Kids How to Skateboard!

I have totally enjoyed this video. So very cool! Please, please don't miss it.

Thank you to my friend, Dann E., for sending me the link.



Source: Deacon's Bench

Archbishop Chaput Speaks Up

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput @Catholic Online

Proud to be a Catholic? If it means having to boast because Christ is one who establihed the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church then so be it.

He warned of the rise of 'inhuman humanism' and called for a Catholicism of Resistance

"We live in a time when the Church is called to be a believing community of resistance. We need to call things by their true names. We need to fight the evils we see. And most importantly, we must not delude ourselves into thinking that by going along with the voices of secularism and de-Christianization we can somehow mitigate or change things." -Archbishop Charles J. Chaput.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - I have long believed that Archbishop Charles J. Chaput is one of the preeminent Churchmen of our age. He calls all Catholics to live with what Pope Benedict XVI refers to as "moral coherence". This is not easy under the oppressive boot of what the same Pope called "the Dictatorship of Relativism." He challenges us to avoid what the Second Vatican Council called the "greatest error of our age...the separation between faith and life". His book "Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by living our Catholic beliefs in Political Life" is already a classic. It succinctly addresses the vital obligation of integrating our Catholic faith into our obligations of citizenship.

-Article written by Deacon Keith Fournier.

Read more on Catholic Online.

Looking Back: End of Year for Priests - III

The liturgy interprets for us the language of Jesus’ heart, which tells us above all that God is the shepherd of mankind, and so it reveals to us Jesus’ priesthood, which is rooted deep within his heart; so too it shows us the perennial foundation and the effective criterion of all priestly ministry, which must always be anchored in the heart of Jesus and lived out from that starting-point.

The most important of those texts in today’s liturgy is Psalm 23(22) – "The Lord is my shepherd" – in which Israel at prayer received God’s self-revelation as shepherd, and made this the guide of its own life. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want": this first verse expresses joy and gratitude for the fact that God is present to and concerned for humanity. The reading from the Book of Ezechiel begins with the same theme: "I myself will look after and tend my sheep" (Ez 34:11). God personally looks after me, after us, after all mankind. I am not abandoned, adrift in the universe and in a society which leaves me ever more lost and bewildered. God looks after me. He is not a distant God, for whom my life is worthless.

-Pope Benedict XVI

Looking Back: End of Year for Priests - II

Together with the whole Church we wanted to make clear once again that we have to ask God for this vocation. We have to beg for workers for God’s harvest, and this petition to God is, at the same time, his own way of knocking on the hearts of young people who consider themselves able to do what God considers them able to do. It was to be expected that this new radiance of the priesthood would not be pleasing to the "enemy"; he would have rather preferred to see it disappear, so that God would ultimately be driven out of the world. And so it happened that, in this very year of joy for the sacrament of the priesthood, the sins of priests came to light – particularly the abuse of the little ones, in which the priesthood, whose task is to manifest God’s concern for our good, turns into its very opposite. We too insistently beg forgiveness from God and from the persons involved, while promising to do everything possible to ensure that such abuse will never occur again; and that in admitting men to priestly ministry and in their formation we will do everything we can to weigh the authenticity of their vocation and make every effort to accompany priests along their journey, so that the Lord will protect them and watch over them in troubled situations and amid life’s dangers.

Had the Year for Priests been a glorification of our individual human performance, it would have been ruined by these events. But for us what happened was precisely the opposite: we grew in gratitude for God’s gift, a gift concealed in "earthen vessels" which ever anew, even amid human weakness, makes his love concretely present in this world. So let us look upon all that happened as a summons to purification, as a task which we bring to the future and which makes us acknowledge and love all the more the great gift we have received from God. In this way, his gift becomes a commitment to respond to God’s courage and humility by our own courage and our own humility. The word of God, which we have sung in the Entrance Antiphon of today’s liturgy, can speak to us, at this hour, of what it means to become and to be a priest: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart" (Mt 11:29).

-Pope Benedict XVI

Looking back: End of Year for Priests - I

Fr. John Berger

Rector, Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu

The priest is not a mere office-holder, like those which every society needs in order to carry out certain functions. Instead, he does something which no human being can do of his own power: in Christ’s name he speaks the words which absolve us of our sins and in this way he changes, starting with God, our entire life. Over the offerings of bread and wine he speaks Christ’s words of thanksgiving, which are words of transubstantiation – words which make Christ himself present, the Risen One, his Body and Blood – words which thus transform the elements of the world, which open the world to God and unite it to him.

The priesthood, then, is not simply "office" but sacrament: God makes use of us poor men in order to be, through us, present to all men and women, and to act on their behalf. This audacity of God who entrusts himself to human beings – who, conscious of our weaknesses, nonetheless considers men capable of acting and being present in his stead – this audacity of God is the true grandeur concealed in the word "priesthood". That God thinks that we are capable of this; that in this way he calls men to his service and thus from within binds himself to them: this is what we wanted to reflect upon and appreciate anew over the course of the past year. We wanted to reawaken our joy at how close God is to us, and our gratitude for the fact that he entrusts himself to our infirmities; that he guides and sustains us daily. In this way we also wanted to demonstrate once again to young people that this vocation, this fellowship of service for God and with God, does exist – and that God is indeed waiting for us to say "yes".

-Pope Benedict XVI, at the papal Mass on the feast of the Sacred Heart that marked the end of the Year for Priests.

Why do People Faint in Church?

Msgr. Charles Pope, 2008

(a picture of him that I can relate to)

Msgr. Charles Pope summarizes for us reasons why people faint in church. I love how he put this article together! Find out why he wrote this article and read all the way to the bottom to embrace the goodness of God in this type of situation.

I recall as a child fainting in church -- a number of times. Quite embarassing! But maybe, if I had read a similar article back then, I'd have an entirely different feeling and approach to fainting. I also thought that this article was timely because I did a post yesterday about one of our priests, Fr. Dennis Koshko, at the Diocese of Honolulu Spiritual Mothers Apostolate blog; he almost collapsed while saying Mass. I do have a better understanding of what happened to him.

Msgr. Pope leaves us in his article a funny video to watch. Don't miss it!

Mahalo, Msgr. Charles Pope!

Local: Fr. Marvin at the Convention

In case you're wondering how Fr. Marvin Bearis' talk went, I heard it was good! My oldest daughter, Cyrene, was with Sr. Laura Brown, fsp, at the Annual Charismatic Convention to help with book sales.

What my daughter remembers most is that Fr. Marvin encouraged everyone to make an effort to spend some time with our youth. This is a message so important, especially these days; not only because they are the future of our country, and our Church, but because it is so needed in the present times. With the rapid growth of technology, our youth can get lost in the many forms it comes with. Technogy is wonderful, but without guidance, our youth can become immersed in the misleading areas it offers them. What might some of those be? To name a few: consumerism, pornography, meeting the wrong kind of people, and forming of bad habits.

A smile, pat it the back, word of encouragement, hug, or a short time to chat with our youth, laugh with them, being a mentor, are all of many ways of encouraging them to continue their own walk of faith. Most importantly, these are ways of planting vocations to our Church.

Mahalo, Fr. Marvin Bearis, for all you do for our youth!

My thanks to Dann Ebina and Cyrene Almuena for sharing your pictures with us!

Renew All Things in Christ

Pope: Renew All Things in Christ.
Pope Benedict XVI recalled Pope Pius X during his weekly general audience on Wednesday.
Source: Pope YouTube

He said St. Pius X taught us all that the basis of our apostolic activity in the various fields in which we operate, must always be an intimate personal union with Christ, which grows and increases day by day.

The Pope mentioned the motto of the saint's pontificate, "To Renew All Things in ChristChrist", and pointed out the early years of his tenure were dedicated to the reorganization of the Roman Curia and the drafting of the Code of Canon Law.

Pius X also promoted the reform of the studies for the training of future priests, and the work towards a single catechism. Pope Benedict also mentioned Pius X's dedic ... Pope Benedict XVI recalled Pope Pius X during his weekly general audience on Wednesday.

He said St. Pius X taught us all that the basis of our apostolic activity in the various fields in which we operate, must always be an intimate personal union with Christ, which grows and increases day by day...

Local priest to speak at Charismatic Conference

Fr. Marvin Bearis, OFM.Cap

It's that time again. A good time for sure - to be on fire, be rejuvenated, rekindled! Not that the wonderful charismatic people of Hawaii don't get enough of it, but it's that weekend of gathering as a larger body for spiritual growth and empowerment. A very good thing!

What: 2010 Hawaii Regional Charismatic Conference
Where: Catholic Charities Hawaii Center: Catholic Charities Hawaii Community Hall, 1822 Keeaumoku St., Honolulu
When: Friday - Sunday, August 13-15, 2010
What to expect: Praise and Worship, Four General sessions, Eucharist, Fellowship, Prayer Ministry, Life in the Spirit session, and Healing Service.



Featured speakers:

Fr. Tom Dilorenzo

• A native of Boston, ordained in 1979 for the Archdiocese of Boston
• Administrator of Holy Rosary Church in Winthrop, Mass.
• A popular conference and retreat speaker in charismatic renewal for over two decades
• Host of the weekly radio preaching ministry, "In Season and Out of Season"
• Has an outreach ministry to the poor

Fr. Marvin Bearis, OFM.Cap

• Ordained last year, serves with the Capuchins on Oahu
• Active in youth and young adult ministry
• Attended the Steubenville Charismatic Priests Conference this summer

Fr. Tom Fragas will present Life in the Spirit Seminar: Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gifts that accompany it, and the renewal of charisms.

Registration: $35.00; $10 for youth; Free for clergy and religious. No registration for Sunday.

Visit: http://www.hccrs.net/, or call Flo Andrade at 455-3224

Time to pray for deacons!

I read yesterday from the Hawaii Catholic Herald that Bishop Silva announced that Deacon Thomas Contrades is now Chairperson of the Deacon Council; Deacon Billy Whitfield, Co-Chairperson; Deacon Modesto Cordero, Secretary; and Cora Constantino, Treasurer. This had taken into effective July 1, 2010, and will continue to be through June 30, 2012.

"Wait a minute!" I told my husband, "Isn't that Deacon Tom of the formation team for the aspirancy program leading to the diaconate formation?" He nodded. Deacon Modesto Cordero, who is also in the formation team, is more known to me because I met him at St. John's in Mililani when I sold my book there.

Wonderful news! And what perfect timing this is for, today, we celebrate the life of St. Lawrence who was a deacon and martyr of our Church! Read about him here, or here.

A well-known legend is attached to the name St. Lawrence who was once Deacon of Rome. Before his persecution, he distributed the goods of the church to the poor. When asked to produce the riches and be returned to where they once belonged, St. Lawrence came back, indeed, and presented its treasures:

Lawrence replied that the Church was indeed rich. “I will show you a valuable part. But give me time to set everything in order and make an inventory.” After three days he gathered a great number of blind, lame, maimed, leprous, orphaned and widowed persons and put them in rows. When the prefect arrived, Lawrence simply said, “These are the treasure of the Church.”

Let us pray for our deacons:

Dear Lord,
we present to you all deacons of the world.
Indeed, they too, are treasures of the Church.
Bless them for all their good works,
they who toil and ask not to be repaid.
Bless them in many ways you only can give
and bless their families without reserve.
In Christ Jesus, we pray.
Amen.


Please pray for the men, including my husband Joe, who are in the last few months of aspirancy. May they fully discern God's will and way for them. Mary, Mother of God, Mother of us all, pray for us!

Go Light Your Candle

Now that I have Feedjit on my two major blogs I am able to see what posts are most visited by people from different parts of the world. This gives me an idea of what I can work on. I have been blogging for many years now, so it's become more challenging just to think of what to share in the blogosphere. For this reason, and my being back to school mainly, my posts have become sparse.

Anyway, today, I share with you a video that was recently visited. I dedicate it to all our priests and seminarians. Go light your world! Wherever God takes you or where he has planted you, light that world!

For the rest of us, let us help our priests and seminarians continue to light their candles -- that the light may not be extinguished, but remain as bright as the Son's that brought much illumination to the world when he once was one of its many pilgrims.

Let us continue to pray for our priests and seminarians, and for an increase in vocations to the church. God bless our priests and seminarians!

Celebrating St. John Vianney, a Priest

St. John Mary Vianney

St. John Mary Vianney was born in Lyons in 1786. He was an ordinary man with an extraordinary calling. Unwilling to yield to God's call because of numerous trials and challenges he was faced with, God persisted to prod him to get him to finally give his fiat. With God's grace he became a priest, and was entrusted with a parish in the town of Ars in the Diocese of Belley. He cared for the people in his parish in many a marvelous way by his preaching, his mortification, prayer, and good works. He became a renowed priest so much so that people from many regions came to Ars seeking his counsels. He died in 1859.

Today we pray to Our Most High Priest Jesus Christ, with the intercession of St. John Mary Vianney, to bless all our priests, especially those in our respective dioceses. May God bless each one of them, fill them with his strength and wisdom that in their times of trials and challenges, they many never give up but be inspired to be the priest God calls them to be. We pray for our seminarians that they will continue to persevere in their studies. We ask this of the Father, in Jesus' name. Amen.

A Tribute to Fr. Benedict Groeschel

You must have seen the video below, but it's quite alright. We all need to be reminded of our priests' accomplishments - more than a few imperfections that media has spotlighted. The world will always remember the bad, but almost hardly the good. We who understand and know that many, many deeds have been performed by many, many priests, should echo to the world that goodness abounds - because of what our priests do, or have done.

We praise and thank God for having given us a good priest who has accomplished much that we may know, receive, and understand much.

Thank you, Fr. Benedict Groeschel!

A Chaplain's Quest for Peace

I know a few chaplains whose hearts are filled with the love of God. One of them is Fr. Patrick McCormick. Read his answers to 8 questions posted by Anna Weaver in the Hawai'i Catholic Herald.

Here's a song that takes a chaplain over Bhagdad, in prayer, and perhaps, in search of anyone who might be in need of help.

Let us pray for all chaplains.

Fr. Larry Richards' New Book!

Fr. Larry Richards

Congratulations, Fr. Larry Richards! His book "Be a Man!" challenges all men to rise to be who God has ordained them to be: fully alive called to a higher cause.

Here are excerpts from Catholic Online:

His new book "Be a Man!" goes into great detail on what that means as a challenge to men who live in a culture that is working hard to remove their masculinity.

"Men are created to be protectors, supporters and providers," Fr. Richards remarked. "We are, by definition, givers. So, the way men relate to God, then, is different from a woman, they are action oriented. I challenge men to give themselves to a higher cause."

Whether speaking to a men's conference or in parishes, Fr. Richards' call to men involves living a life of sacrifice, being willing to do God's will not their own. He warns them that it's not easy, it's going to cost them something and it's going to hurt; but it's for a higher purpose.

"When I work with boys I always ask them, 'Are you man enough to be a priest? Are you willing. when others tell you to do what you want, are you willing to die to yourself and give yourself to a higher cause?

Thanks to my good friend, Melissa C., for this info.

Apostleship of Prayer

So I discovered a website that centers on the Christ whom we ought to embrace, know more, and please every second of our life! Apostleship of Prayer is very dedicated to bringing to the world hope and encouragement – what we need in our journeys. We, the body of Christ, should uplift one another in our endeavors so Christ's light may always burn brightly where it is visibly seen, and spread to where it is inconspicuous.

The videos are presented to us by Fr. James Kubicki, S.J., who has been a Jesuit since 1971, a priest since 1983, and the national director of the Apostleship of Prayer since 2003.

Thank you, Fr. Kubicki!

Priest Heroes Who Finished the Race

Who are the true priest heroes of the Catholic Church?

It's not a question of faith, but one that requires "seeing through the heart." Pondering with the heart requires prayer and the exercise of wisdom, not that faith doesn't seek out of any of these. The heart sees differently and approaches things differently. While faith manifests itself through its bold demeanor, pondering through the heart appears to be clothed with a sense of beauty and mysticism. To be able to see, for instance, grace that is found in a soul, one has to know how and be able to discern and "see" grace, not with the mind but with the heart.

So who are the true priest heroes of the Catholic Church? This video shows the many names who finished the race, but in our own church, in our own parishes or dioceses, they are there too. They toil, and they never stop being the representatives of Christ here on earth. The truth is, they need us; they need us to get to the finish line. So let's truly see them, recognize them, these priests of good heart and soul. They will be the better priests of today and tomorrow, if we journey alongside them as they strive to be obedient to God and the magisterium.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary

Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary

If you are searching for a seminary, be sure to check out Our Lady of Guadalupe. (Thanks to my good friend, Gary!) This place of formation for the priesthood is located in Denton, Nebraska, United States. Lincoln and Omaha are the two largest cities nearby. The seminary itself is located within the territorial boundaries of the Diocese of Lincoln.

Two years are spend in the study of Philosophy, followed by four years of Theology. Philosophy is foundational in the study of Theology -- something that I am learning these days on my pursuit of M.A. in Theology. Philosophy is not an easy subject to deal with, but it stretches the mind and gives it the basics for a sound theological reasoning and learning. I am most certainly learning to appreciate it.

If you are searching, or in discernment, or know of someone who is, please leave your name or a name, and I will pray for you.

Congratulations, Bishop McFadden!

Source: Archdiocese of Philadelphia

"Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, announced at a news conference at the Archdiocesan Office Center in Philadelphia this morning that Pope Benedict XVI has named Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, currently Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, as the Tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg. Cardinal Rigali also announced that the Holy Father has appointed Monsignor Michael J. Fitzgerald as Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia."

Read all about it here.

Pope Benedict on the Eucharist

vatican — June 16, 2010 — Tuesday evening in the Roman Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Pope opened the proceedings of the conference of the Diocese of Rome, dedicated to the Sunday Eucharist and the witness of charity. The celebration of the Eucharist, Benedict XVI explained in his address, is a meeting with the Risen Christ "present in our day," requires us to become, and at the same time makes us capable of becoming, the bread broken for our brothers and sisters, meeting their needs and giving of ourselves." Pope Benedict XVI: "For this reason, a Eucharist celebration that does not lead us towards men and women where they live, work and suffer, to bring them the love of God, fails to express the truth it contains." The ge ...

Opening communication

vatican — June 14, 2010 — Full adhesion to the Pope and the Magisterium and a passion for the ecclesial community should characterize those who are formed by the Holy See's diplomatic service. This was the message underlined by Benedict XVI today in his address to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. He said to represent the Roman Pontiff means being able to secure a channel of communication between particular the churches and the Apostolic See: first, by providing the Pope and his assistants with an objective, accurate and in-depth perspective of the ecclesial and social realities where they live. Secondly, it means transmitting the information of the Holy See, at the same time respecting and valuing the efforts of the bish ...

End of Year for Priests

We praise God for the Year for Priests!

This year has given me an opportunity to give more importance to our priests. Though not exactly reflected on my blog posts in terms of content and quantity, I've, however, allowed myself to spend more time in looking at the life of priests. I've assisted a priest in a huge project for a catholic television network and embraced the call to be more supportive of our orthodox priests in general. I am, in fact, looking forward to having a priest come to our diocese who will be a speaker for a marian conference. He happens to be one of my spiritual sons whom I met through the blogosphere. I'd welcome the opportunity of serving our Lord through him. I also look forward to having my children spend some time with him, to get to know him, and ask him questions relating to discernment of vocations.

My classes in Theology have a great bearing on this segment of my life. I am enjoying learning more about the Catholic Church, and I hope to be able to apply what I learn more fully in the future.

My first book Serving God Joyfully Right Here in Hawaii supports my bishop's diocesan road map, with an emphasis on its social service: I am raising funds for our homeless through sales of this book. My next book will be for support of his plans for our priests and seminarians. Though my goals are focused on supporting my diocese, I am really just an individual, a parishioner, and a Catholic stay-at-home mom who desires to use God-given gifts for the unity of the body of Christ. I do not work for my diocese and all funds raised are strictly donations.

Plenary indulgence, anyone, for the end of the Year for Priests? Here's the info from Spiritual Mothers Apostolate in the Diocese of Honolulu.

Bishop Clark Speaks on Vocation

It's good to see our seminarians back to our parishes in our diocese. I talked to one of them, a joyful time for me. He is one of the spiritual sons whom the Lord has chosen for me to pray for everyday.

So, yes, vocation comes to mind once again. Here's a video filled with inspiration. Bishop Matthew H. Clark of the Diocese of Rochester discusses the importance of discernment and shares with us his own experiences. Our thanks to Bishop Clark!

Awesome Reality of the Holy Mass

Thanks to Esther of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii!

Bearing Witness to Faith in Society

I was so pleased to have read this message of Pope Benedict XVI. For him to mention Fr. Damien de Vuester was an honor. Here were his words and the full text is below it...

Benedict XVI then turned to highlight "an event significant for today and the future: the canonisation of Fr. Damian de Veuster". In this context he mentioned the saint's "inner richness, his constant prayer, and his union with Christ Whom he recognised in his fellow men. Like Christ, he committed himself without reserve and, in this Year for Priests, it is a good idea to present his priestly and missionary example, especially to clergy and religious."



BEARING WITNESS TO FAITH IN SOCIETY

VATICAN CITY, 8 MAY 2010 ( VIS ) - The Holy Father today received prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Belgium, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

Referring to the bishop's individual reports on the situation in their dioceses, the Pope noted "the diminution in the number of baptised people who openly bear witness to their faith and their membership of the Church, the gradual increase in the average age of priests and religious, the lack of ordained and consecrated people who work in the fields of pastoral, educational and social care, and the scant numbers of candidates to the priesthood and consecrated life".

"Other sensitive issues include Christian formation, especially of the young, and questions concerning respect for life and for the institution of marriage and the family", he went on. "We may also mention the complex and often worrying situations concerning the economic crisis, unemployment, the social integration of immigrants, and the peaceful coexistence of the various linguistic and cultural communities of the nation".

Benedict XVI then turned to highlight "an event significant for today and the future: the canonisation of Fr. Damian de Veuster". In this context he mentioned the saint's "inner richness, his constant prayer, and his union with Christ Whom he recognised in his fellow men. Like Christ, he committed himself without reserve and, in this Year for Priests, it is a good idea to present his priestly and missionary example, especially to clergy and religious".

"The fall in the number of priests must not be considered as an inevitable process", said Pope Benedict. In this context he highlighted the urgent need "to give priestly ministry its right place and to recognise its irreplaceable nature. It follows, then, that we need a wide-ranging and serious pastoral care of vocations based on the exemplary sanctity of priests, attention to the seeds of vocation present in many young people, and assiduous and trusting prayer as Jesus recommended".

The Holy Father expressed his thanks to and encouraged priests, religious and missionaries, saying that only "Christ can calm all storms and give the strength and courage to lead a holy life in complete fidelity to one's ministry, consecration to God and Christian witness".

"It is important for priests to celebrate the liturgy with care, especially the Eucharist", the Pope explained. "The liturgical traditions of the Church must be respected in the celebrations, with the active participation of the faithful, each following his or her own role and uniting themselves to the Paschal mystery of Christ".

Benedict XVI went on to note how, in their reports, the bishops had also expressed concern over the formation of the laity. "We need to discern all the possibilities deriving from lay people's shared vocation to sanctity and apostolic work, respecting the essential distinction between priestly ministry and the 'common priesthood of the faithful'", he said.

"All members of the Catholic community, but particularly the lay faithful, are called to bear public witness to their faith and to be a leaven in society while showing respect for a healthy secularism of public institutions and for other religious confessions. Such witness", he concluded, "cannot limit itself to private meetings, but must have the nature of a public proposal, respectful but legitimate, of the values inspired by the evangelical message of Christ".

AL/

VIS20100510


Sr. Margaret Kerry, fsp
50 St Paul’s Ave
Boston, MA 02130
617-510-5409

Association of Pauline Cooperators
Living the gospel in every dimension of life in a world of communication.

A Tribute to St. Damien of Moloka'i, Leper Priest

People lined up to view the relic of St. Damien of Moloka'i at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, before and after the special Mass held in his honor. All viewers could touch the reliquary. This took place on Monday, May 10, 2010, the first time Hawai'i celebrated the feast day of St. Damien. The 12n Mass at the Cathedral was officiated by Fr. Gordon Gomes, Associate Pastor.

Relic of St. Damien of Moloka'i

(right heel)

Photos by Easter A.

Here's an article sent to me by St. Margaret Charles:

AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Hawaii celebrates feast of St. Damien of Molokai for first time since canonization

Honolulu (Agenzia Fides) – Today, the state of Hawaii will be celebrating the feast of their first saint, St. Damien of Molokai, for the first time since his canonization in Rome on October 11, 2009. The state of Hawaii includes the island of Molokai, where the Belgian missionary spent the last sixteen years of his life serving the Lord and the leper colony on the island. The feast day of the “Apostle of the Lepers” is celebrated on May 10, as it marks the day the saint arrived on Molokai: May 10, 1873.

According to a note sent to Fides by Patrick Downes, editor of the “Hawaii Catholic Herald,” the newspaper for the Diocese of Honolulu, the first feast day of the saint will be “celebrated modestly.” In the morning, beginning at 10am, “ the outdoor bronze statue of Father Damien will be the site of the now familiar ceremony of songs, prayers and lei presentations,” organized by the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts. It will begin with a welcome by Sacred Hearts Father Lane Akiona, a performance of Hawaii Ponoi performed by Maryknoll School students, and an invocation by vicar general Father Marc Alexander. The program will include a Scripture reading, a reflection by Sacred Hearts Father Herman Gomes, a hula by students from Sacred Hearts Academy, the draping of the statue with leis, the singing of “E Kamiano” and “Hawaii Aloha,” and a benediction by Sacred Hearts Father Christopher Keahi. In the evening, Bishop Larry Silva of Honolulu will celebrate the feast day Mass at 6 p.m. at the co-cathedral. The relic of St. Damien, now on display at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, will be brought to the Kapalama church for veneration that evening.

Saint Damien of Molokai, with his words and life, is an example for all missionaries and faithful. He once said: “Without the constant presence of our Divine Master upon the altar in my poor chapels, I never could have persevered casting my lot with the lepers of Molokai.” (AR) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2010)



Article sent by:
Sr. Margaret Kerry, fsp
50 St Paul’s Ave
Boston, MA 02130
617-510-5409

Association of Pauline Cooperators
Living the gospel in every dimension of life in a world of communication.

Support Priests in Moments of Difficulty

SUPPORT PRIESTS, ESPECIALLY IN MOMENTS OF DIFFICULTY


VATICAN CITY, 5 MAY 2010 ( VIS ) - In today's general audience, which was celebrated in St. Peter's Square, the Pope focused his remarks on the priest's mission to sanctify humankind.

"Sanctifying a person means putting that person in contact with God", said the Pope, noting how "an essential part of a priest's grace is his gift, his task to establish such contact. This comes about through the announcement of the Word of God, ... and particularly intensely in the Sacraments".

"Over recent decades", he went on, "various schools of thought have tried to make the aspect of announcement prevail in the priest's mission and identity, separating it from sanctification. It has often been affirmed that there is a need to go beyond merely sacramental pastoral care".

"Ordained ministers", the Pope explained, "represent Christ, God's envoy, they ... continue His mission through the 'Word' and the 'Sacrament', which are the two main pillars of priestly service". In this context he identified the need "to reflect whether, in certain cases, having undervalued the faithful exercise of 'munus sanctificandi' has not perhaps led to a weakening of faith in the salvific effectiveness of the Sacraments and, in the final analysis, in the real action of Christ and His Spirit, through the Church, in the world".

"It is, therefore, important to promote appropriate catechesis in order to help the faithful understand the value of the Sacraments. But it is equally necessary, following the example of the saintly 'Cure of Ars', to be willing, generous and attentive in giving the faithful the treasures of grace that God has placed in our hands, treasures of which we are not masters but custodians and administrators. Especially in our own time - in which on the one hand, the faith seems to be weakening and, on the other, there is a profound need and widespread search for spirituality - it is necessary for each priest to remember that ... missionary announcement and worship are never separate, and that he must promote a healthy sacramental pastoral care in order to form the People of God and help them to fully experience the liturgy ... and the Sacraments as gratuitous gifts of God, free and effective aspects of His action of salvation".

The Pope went on to highlight how "each priest knows he is a tool necessary for God's salvific action, but nonetheless just a tool. This awareness must make him humble and generous in administering the Sacraments, respecting the canonical norms but also profoundly convinced that his mission is to ensure that mankind, united to Christ, can offer itself to God as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to Him".

Addressing himself directly to priests the Holy Father encouraged them "to practice liturgy and worship with joy and love". He also renewed his call "to return to the confessional, as a place in which to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but also as a place in which 'to dwell' more frequently, that the faithful may find mercy, counsel and comfort, feel themselves to be loved and understood by God, and experience the presence of Divine Mercy alongside the real presence in the Eucharist".

"I would also like to invite each priest to celebrate and to live the Eucharist intensely", said Benedict XVI. Priests "are called to be ministers of this great Mystery, in the Sacrament and in life".

Likewise, "it is indispensable to strive after the moral perfection which must dwell in each authentically priestly heart", because "there is an example of faith and a witness of sanctity that the People of God expect from their pastors".

Pope Benedict concluded by calling on the faithful "to be aware of the great gift that priests represent for the Church and the world. Through their ministry the Lord continues to save mankind, to make Himself present, to sanctify. Give thanks to God and above all remain close to your priests with prayer and support, especially in moments of difficulty, that they may increasingly become pastors in keeping with God's heart".

AG/ VIS 20100505 (680


From:
Sr. Margaret Kerry, fsp
50 St Paul’s Ave
Boston, MA 02130
617-510-5409

Association of Pauline Cooperators
Living the gospel in every dimension of life in a world of communication.

Thank you, Sr. Margaret Kerry!

Congratulations to our Jubilarian Clerics!

Bishop Larry Silva, looking proud and pleased

Celebration of Mass to honor our Lord Jesus Christ, our Most High Priest

Honoring our priests... and brothers, nuns and sisters, here!

These are just a few of them. I wish I had taken a picture

of each one of our priests with Bishop Larry Silva,

but my camera was slow and I wasn't standing

close enough to the altar. I am learning though!

Bishop Larry with Fr. Gordy of Sacred Heart Parish

Our bishop with Fr. Keahi receiving for Fr. Edward Popish, SS.CC

Fr. Russel Roid, SJ

I had the opportunity to serve food afterwards

so some of the nuns, sisters,

and priests couldn't bypass my table

without me taking a picture of them!

Vicar General Fr. Marc Alexander

celebrates 25 years of ordination

He couldn't join in the celebration due to a Mass

he was presiding in another parish.

My diocese, Diocese of Honolulu, celebrated today, May 1,

the lives of priests, brothers, nuns and sisters on their

50th, 60th, 70th, and 75th anniversary of ordination or profession.

This blog honors them and the Risen Christ present in each one of them.

Congratulations!

Aloha and Mahalo Nui Loa!

Jubilee Celebration for Clergy and Religious
Saturday, May 1, 2010
St. Theresa, Co-Cathedral
75 Years
Sister Maria Seraphina Maziliauskaite, SSCC
70 Years
Brother Patrick Hughes, SSCC, Profession
Sister Alice Roberta Benzing, CSJ
Sister Julie Louise Thevenin, SSCC
60 Years
Reverend Maurice Cardinal, MS, Ordination
Reverend Michael Sawyer, OSB, Profession
Sister Tomasa Marcos, CSJ
Sister Mary Carmen Paas, CSJ
Sister Joan Chatfield, MM
Sister M Jeanette Joaquin, OSF
Sister Georgene Perry, SSCC
Sister Cecile Marie Duarte, SSCC
50 Years
Reverend Francis Peterson, Ordination
Reverend Henry Sabog, Ordination
Reverend Russell J. Roide, S.J., Profession
Brother Robert Hoppe, SM Profession
Sister Linda Quinones, BVM
Sister M. Jovita Agustin, OSF
Sister M. Davilyn Ah Chick, OSF
Sister M. Severine Bartolome, OSF
Sister Rochelle Liu, OSF of Philadelphia
Sister Joan Roddy, OSF of Philadelphia

25 Years
Reverend Gordian Carvalho, Ordination
Reverend Marc Alexander, Ordination
Reverend Napoleon M. Andres, M.S., Ordination
Reverend Edward Popish, SSCC, Ordination
Sister Laura Rhoderica Brown, FSP
Sister Carol Ann Gambsky, OSF of Christian Charity

Source of list: Catholic Hawaii website