When customers walk off the busy Bishop Street sidewalk and into Pauline Books & Media in downtown Honolulu they are greeted by smiling nuns dressed in simple blue habits and armed with superior knowledge of their product — the Word of God.

Chaminade University of Honolulu closed its busy 50th anniversary year with a warm gathering of several hundred alumni, Marianists, faculty, staff, students and friends on Sept. 16 in the campus Mystical Rose Oratory for Mass and a friendly reception afterward.

The biggest earthquake to shake Hawaii in more than two decades caused minor damage to Catholic churches across the state and major damage to at least one mission church on the Big Island.

Twenty-five Catholic home- schooled children gathered on Oct. 6 in the Pauline Books and Media Chapel in downtown Honolulu for an hour of prayer for peace and the families of the world.

An evening of jazz, fine dining and silent auctioning on Oct. 6 raised money for a new St. Francis Hospice-East and honored the legacy of the Sisters of Saint Francis in Hawaii.

One hundred and forty Catholic Charities Hawaii employees gathered Sept. 22 on the grounds of the former First Presbyterian Church in Makiki to receive a blessing from Bishop Larry Silva, enjoy lunch and explore the site of their future headquarters.

Sister Mary Wilma Halmasy had a special connection with Blessed Marianne Cope. Born three years after Mother Marianne died, she followed in her footsteps, becoming a Sister of St. Francis on the 100th anniversary year of her predecessor’s birth.

Two books have emerged this year from two East Honolulu ministries — one by a priest, one by a deacon. Oratorian Father Halbert Weidner, the pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Kuliouou, has written “Grief, Loss and Death — The Shadow Side of Ministry” (Hayworth Pastoral Press, 2006).

Sacred Hearts Academy will honor three distinguished alumnae at its 11th annual Scholarship Fund Gala on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. The event opens with a silent auction at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and a program at 7 p.m.

“Gentle,” “helpful,” “prayerful” are some of the words repeated by people describing Sister Grace Louise Komine. The Hilo-born Sister of St. Francis died on Aug. 12 at St. Francis Hospice-West in Ewa Beach at age 73. She lived the religious life for 52 years, primarily as a teacher and school administrator.