With grateful hearts!
Thanksgiving Day is a special time to remember the blessings we have received from God, so that we can be more thankful people every day. The reasons for having grateful hearts make up a long litany: the gift of life itself, faith in a God who loves us and is very near to us, good health, loving family, caring friends, opportunities to serve, food on our tables, roofs over our heads. Yes, we have our times of doubt, our aches and pains, our family conflicts, and our economic struggles. But in spite of all these challenges, we are incredibly blessed!
This Thanksgiving I would like to express my particular gratitude for three great blessings.
With Grateful Hearts! Capital Campaign
When we began our diocesan planning process several years ago and went to all the parishes to ask what the priorities of the diocese should be for the next five to 10 years, we came up with the six priorities of our Road Map: leadership development, faith formation, youth and young adult ministry, addressing the problem of homelessness, maintenance of our facilities, and development and management of land and other assets for future growth. Some people were skeptical, thinking that they had been involved in planning processes before without seeing follow through. We knew that in order to implement our plan we would need some serious fundraising, so in spite of a depressed economy we began a capital campaign with a $30 million goal. We are not quite finished with the campaign, and already we have pledges of over $50 million! This happened because pastors and people put their faith in practice and worked countless hours to plan for the campaign, contact fellow parishioners to ask them to contribute, and follow through; because we were trained and motivated by the dedicated staff of CCS. We are filled with thanksgiving to all who worked so hard and gave so generously so that together, as a unified church, we can meet the challenges of ministry that lie before us. Thank you!
St. Damien’s Canonization
It is not every diocese that has the blessing of celebrating the canonization of a saint who actually lived among them. We have been doubly blessed with St. Damien and Blessed Marianne! I was truly amazed how many people stepped forward and so enthusiastically gave of their time, talents, and treasure to help us celebrate the canonization of Father Damien. One group volunteered countless hours and unequalled expertise in conducting a successful fundraiser so that we could take Kalaupapa patients and their caregivers to Europe for the canonization festivities. Members of our diocesan Father Damien/Mother Marianne Commission offered their wisdom and experience in planning the many activities, pilgrimages, liturgies, and logistics that enabled people all over our State — and beyond — to be inspired by this man of faith who dedicated his life to serving those most in need. Pictures were painted, Scouts did interviews, aloha wear was designed and manufactured, a relic was transported to dozens of stations, statues were sculpted, lessons were taught. I want to say Mahalo to all who gave so generously to help us all celebrate a local saint so that we could come closer to being local saints ourselves.
Year for Priests
Many people serve our parishes, schools and institutions with profound faith and devotion. Deacons, religious women and men, laity in all walks of life, young and old, make our Church vibrant. But keeping us all centered around the Table of Thanksgiving, the Eucharist, are our priests. They serve us in hundreds of different ways, seen and unseen. While not perfect, they strive to help others grow in God’s perfection. While they have their own needs, they sacrifice lovingly for the sake of their parishioners and all they serve. Day in and day out they are with us to lead and guide us, to inspire us and challenge us with God’s Word, to shepherd us in large ways and small to the one Good Shepherd of us all. I know I speak on behalf of all the people of this wonderful diocese when I thank our priests for who you are and for what you do.
Gracias! Salamat! Merci! Mahalo! The reasons for praising God are countless. He has graced us with so many wonderful brothers and sisters, with blessings beyond measure!