This morning five young people received the Sacrament of Confirmation. We were especially honored to have Bishop Larry Silva perform the ceremony. Our new Youth Choir sang for this special day under the direction of Kainoa Fukumoto. It was a packed crowd with powerful music…but, as Bishop Larry stressed in his homily it IS a time for all of us to be aware of Jesus, risen and active in each of our lives. And as I observe, we are doing just that in a big way.

We are a country parish where people know each other and welcome those who come to visit. We are top notch at pot lucks, “talking story” after Mass, raising $$ for World Youth Day, pilgrimages to Molokai, and “our” school. We step forth to feed the hungry, teach RCIA and little ones on Sunday mornings, or clean up after functions (and our hall is well used). We are active in our Finance Committees, Adult Faith Formation, and SMAPPY (Sts. Michael and Peter & Paul Youth), Parish Councils, and School Boards. We take teenagers on Confirmation retreats, reach out to our elderly and aged, support each other in times of bereavement, and rejoice with our newly baptized, confirmed, and First Communicants. We are ONE parish, ONE people, and we worship Our Risen Lord as ONE. Jesus is ALIVE right here and now. Where Jesus is there also is the Father and the Spirit. We ARE the Face of God to each other, to all others.

Thanks, Bishop Larry, for reminding not only the newly confirmed, but all of us, that “Jesus is doing” through us. May the Fire of the Spirit burn brightly in our hearts, our homes, and our parish!

Tags: News, Reflection

A new Gallup analysis finds that Catholic Americans are more liberal than the rest of the country on a handful of so-called moral issues and that they hold the same views as non-Catholics on other such issues. This graph tells the story:

The Gallup Poll is the division of Gallup that regularly conducts public opinion polls in the United States and more than 140 countries around the world. Gallup Polls are often referenced in the mass media as a reliable and objective measure of public opinion. (wikipedia)

Looking at this Gallup poll reminded me of a book I've found while waking up after an afternoon nap. The book was snuggled under my pillow covered with dusk. I flipped the book showing the front cover and noticed the title "Ten Ways the Church Has Changed" What history can teach us about uncertain times By Christopher M. Bellitto, Ph.D. I remember buying this buying this book in the summer at Daughters of St Paul-Book & Media Center. The book talks about the Catholic Church living in a difficult season of self-examination, prayerful reassessment, and change: change in policies, in practices, in the way we see ourselves as Catholics. Here is a few keypoints the book covers.

• How has Church organization and governance changed?
• How did the papacy evolve?
• How has the Mass developed?
• Were the sacraments ever different?

• How has spirituality changed?

• How did religious orders develop?
• How has the Church related to other faiths?
• What are the greatest challenges the Church has ever faced?

If you are interested in this book, buy it at
Daughters of St Paul-Book & Media Center 
1143 Bishop Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
  (808) 521-2731

Tags: News, World News