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!
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.
Shortly before his death in 1889
