Having participated in many a May Day over the years, May Day 2009 was a winner! The weather cooperated to ‘da max’. The acoustics ‘did their thing’. The youngsters’ performances were fantastic (and as an old retired teacher, I can vouch for the effort and work put into the entire program!). Our MC’s did a beautiful job of introducing each class. Mrs. Arecchi’s sweetly introduced the ‘important’ guests…like Fr. Bert, Fr. Johnathan, Sisters Grace & Joan and Sr. William Marie (who did so very much to put St. Michael’s back on the map). The teachers and staff were highly coordinated as they may-poled with brilliant smiles on their faces . And what a delight for this Irish lady to have a dance dedicated to the isle of her ancestors!

The Taste of St. Michael’s was a great success. From Filipino Adobo & Lumpia to good old Hot Dogs & Hamburgers. From Italian Crab Cioppino, Mexican Chili, Samoan Palusami, Tongan smoked pig to Portuguese Vinha D”Alhos and Malasadas. When I heard it was a ‘taste’…I thought it would be only that…but wow! What helpings. Of course, we will have to set up several shave ice areas next year. Above all, our deepest Mahalo to those who provided all this delicious food, cooked it, and served it. And a special thank you to our pastor in his cow hat running around offering extra dinner rolls. That was a Kodak moment!

I arrived at morning Mass at 6:30 to find Fr. Johnathan and buddies already at work. I arrived again before nine to drive around several blocks looking for a parking place. I had to leave my ‘job’ of wrapping plastic forks several times to hug and kiss and love up friends and former students (two with triplets!!!). And I watched the joy on faces as they saw neighbors, fellow parishioners, and much of the North Shore. There is NO place on Oahu that compares to our beloved St. Michael’s.

Tags: Adult Faith Formation, St. Michael, Reflection

Palm Sunday today. Ash Wednesday almost six weeks ago...

On Ash Wednesday, we stood in church and received a mark of ashes on our forehead as a token of penitence. We were reminded of our mortality, our sinfulness, our need for penance and prayer. But those ashes weren’t just scraped together from the bottom of somebody’s fireplace. They were the remnants of burned palms.

I would like to share just one thought about something that is a vital and meaningful part of this weekend. It is the part, in fact, that gives this Sunday its name.

Last week I decided to clean the altar of my mother’s holy statues of Jesus and Mary. It was a very crowded altar with all sorts of candles, angels and fake plants made out of ceramic and plastic. Behind the altar, there was a rosary hanging on the wall along with a bible and a bottle of holy water from somewhere in the world. Tucked in among them was a small folded cross made of palm leaves, a remnant from Palm Sunday’s past.

This week I spent most of my free time at different churches and experiencing different masses . On Wednesday I had the oppotunity to be elected to recieve the newly refined oils. In the midst of the mass I was shocked to hear a full choir with an ensemble. The best thing about the mass is that Bishop Larry celebrated it. The music made me jubilated as the choir’s voice was meant for a prince. I felt that all we did in the past few weeks will lead us to what we are about to experience next week. Take these palms. Let them be a reminder that we are entering the holiest week of the year. These Palms are the iconic symbol of our christian faith.

Today we stand here again, six weeks older. Maybe, hopefully, six weeks wiser. We hold in our hands new palms. New growth.

Ultimately, that is what these weeks are about. Burning away, clearing out, and cultivating something new. That is Lent.

Tags: St. Michael, Reflection, Miscellaneous, Holy Week

To live out the Gospel message of Jesus. Luke 4:18-19
This was the opening to Carol Ignacio’s speech, the keynote speaker of the St. Michael’s Social Justice meeting on thuesday 3/24. The only way we can call ourselves catholic, is by taking care of the homeless and seeing Jesus in them. Carol humbly shared about her personal encounters with the homeless people in Hawaii and said “helping and nurturing for these many homeless people has brought me face to face with God”

One thing that surprised me the most was witnessing her enthusiastic characteristic and bold knowledge of social ministry. She also admits on having the most kinkiest hair among all of us in the room. Overall the speech by Carol Ignacio was a great informative awareness speech that has soften our hearts to be more loving and caring to human-kind . Even-though it takes a lot of work in making social ministry happen at St. Michael - all we need to do it pray. She closed her speech with the sayings “Jesus’s death was not a simple one, if you continue putting homelessness a priority through good friday, there will be many happy easter sunday.

In 2007, there were 6,000 people counted as homeless. 37% were Hawaiian.
Most of the children are 5 years of age and lower.

“The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners . . .” (Isaiah 61)

Our Mission:

To meet the challenges of the ever-changing communities by utilizing spiritual, human and material resources to empower those we encounter to experience dignity and respect.
Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all our services. We believe every person is precious and that people are more important than things. The purpose of the Office for Social Ministry is to enhance lives and promote the dignity of every human being.

Our Goals:

To strive to live out our mission through the four-sided model of action:

• Direct Services:
  OSM addresses immediate crisis needs of all persons without distinction and provides services to sustain the dignity of all people.Justice Education:
  OSM educates people and institutions on issues that affect the poor, powerless and marginalized. We strive to address the root causes of social problems, promoting systemic change by influencing public policy and legislative initiatives.Advocacy:
  OSM empowers people to organize and advocate for themselves and others toward a just society, promoting self-determination for all.
  Community Development:
  OSM seeks partnerships with parishes and other groups to help mobilize and build stronger, more self-reliant communities.

Big Island Carol Ignacio Diocesan Director, OSM Executive Director, OSM, Big Island Branch 140-B Holomua Street Hilo, HI 96720 Phone: (808) 935-3050 Fax: (808) 935-3794 email: Carol Ignacio

Tags: Social Justice, St. Michael