Calendar briefs

‘Bloodless violence’ the bishop’s homily topic at Red Mass

Bishop Larry Silva’s homily topic at the annual Red Mass, 9 a.m., Jan. 18, in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, is “legal and bloodless violence” — abuse perpetrated by the misuse of media, law and economic policies. The Mass is open to the public.

In a synopsis of his sermon, Bishop Silva wrote, “The word violence is most often understood as some degree of physical or emotional abuse … Yet some of our laws and institutions themselves can lead to violence that is bloodless, but abusive nonetheless.”

The bishop listed those “bloodless” forms of violence as “manipulation of truth in the media, lawsuits that seek vengeance or profits rather than true justice, and economic policies that put profits before people can all be forms of violence.”

The Red Mass is celebrated in Hawaii each January during the week the state legislature opens.

‘Place at the Table’ theme of Social Ministry Gathering

The theme for the diocesan Office of Social Ministry’s Third Annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, Jan. 14-16 at St. Stephen Diocesan Center, is “A Place at the Table.” Each day of the conference will focus on a different aspect of social ministry. The third day will include a field trip to the State Capitol.

On Sunday, Jan. 14, local Catholic Campaign for Human Development board member Tom Peters will lead a session for teens and young adults. Diocesan director of religious education Jayne Mondoy will share an “Ending Poverty in Community Series” lesson with teachers. Cathy Agor and John Minard, who work in outreach ministry to the homeless and poor, will also speak.

Monday’s keynote speaker, vicar general Father Marc Alexander, will discuss faithful citizenship and the responsibility to put faith into action. Break-out sessions will focus on justice and peace in parishes and homes.

On Tuesday, participants will go to the State Capitol to meet with state lawmakers, and visit the Next Step Shelter for the homeless in Kakaako.

The cost is $40 for students and $75 for adults and includes housing, meals, workshop materials, and ground transportation. Airfare scholarships for neighbor islands attendees are available upon request.

Contact the Office of Social Ministry for more information by e-mail at itamashiro@rcchawaii .org or toll free by phone at 1-877-263-8855, ext. 702.

Scrub Bucket Ministries to host discussion of Father Keating’s book

Lay spiritual advisor Maxine Pollock and her Scrub Bucket Gospel Ministries will hold an in-depth discussion of Father Thomas Keating’s book “The Human Condition” on Saturday, Jan. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at St. Stephen Diocesan Center.

There is no charge for the event although free will offerings will be accepted. Call Maxine Pollock at 254-1091 for more information.

Bishop Silva to attend 34th annual March for Life

Bishop Larry Silva will attend the 34th annual March for Life, 3-5:45 p.m., Monday, Jan. 22, at the State Capitol Rotunda.

The event, sponsored by Hawaii Right to Life, marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. The occasion is marked each year by pro-life demonstrations in Washington and around the country against abortion, physician assisted-suicide, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research and cloning.

According to John Long, executive director of Hawaii Right to Life, none of the guest speakers have confirmed yet. Last year, the presenters included the bishop, Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona and New Hope pastor Wayne Cordeiro.

Deacon Walter Yoshimitsu, acting director of the Hawaii Catholic Conference, said that his office has been encouraging parishes to bus people to the event.

Serra Club to host deacon appreciation dinner

The Serra Club of Honolulu will host its annual appreciation dinner for Hawaii’s permanent deacons and their wives the evening of Jan. 26 in the dining room of St. Stephen Diocesan Center.

According to Serra Club president Jack Kampfer, “This dinner is one small way to say thank you to these men who give so much to our church and to the wives who support them in their vocations.”

Any deacon who has not received an invitation via mail by Jan. 10 should contact Kampfer at 621-5109, ext. 226.

Founded in 1970, the Serra Club of Honolulu is part of a worldwide Catholic organization of lay men and women dedicated to promoting and sustaining vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and vowed religious life.

Lt. governor, national chaplain to speak at Holy Name luncheon

Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona and Dominican Father Thomas Hayes will be the main speakers at the Holy Name Society’s eighth annual Pro-life Luncheon and 95th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Holy Name Society, 11 a.m. at Tree Tops Restaurant, 3737 Manoa Road, on Saturday, Jan. 27.

Father Hayes, national spiritual director of the Holy Name Society, will speak about the 95 years of the organization in Hawaii and will install its new officers for the new year.

The luncheon, which costs $20 per person, will feature live entertainment and door prizes. The grand door prize is a 36-inch high statue of Our Lady of Fatima.

The event is a fundraiser for the Pregnancy Problem Center. Call Moses Takemoto at 737-5717 for tickets or information.

Those on Oahu’s leeward side may call George Franks at 668-2692 for tickets and information.

Bishop Silva to preside at Catholic educators Mass

Bishop Larry Silva will preside at the 8:15 a.m. opening Mass of the Hawaii Catholic Schools 2007 Annual Conference for Catholic Educators on Friday, Feb. 2 in the Neil Blaisdell Arena. The Mass will be followed by the presentation of service awards to those who have worked in Hawaii Catholic schools for 20, 30 or 50 years.

A presentation, “The Power of Mind Sets: Nurturing Motivation, Self-Discipline, and Resilience in Students,” will be given by Dr. Robert Brooks at 10:30 a.m.

The Annual Conference for Catholic Educators is a gathering of Hawaii’s Catholic school administrators, teachers and staff coinciding with national Catholic Schools Week.

For information about the event, call Dawn Yogi at the Hawaii Catholic Schools office at 203-6759 or toll free at 1-877-263-8855, ext. 759.

Social Ministry Office urging participation in ‘Souper Bowl’

The Office of Social Ministry is encouraging parish youth groups and other volunteers to participate in the national “Souper Bowl of Caring,” Sunday, Feb. 4, to collect money for parish outreach, community food programs or local charities. As football fans get revved up for the Super Bowl, parishioners can collect money from them as they leave Mass. For more information, go to www.souperbowl.org or contact the Office for Social Ministry on your island: Big Island, Carol Ignacio (808-935-3050); Oahu, Iwie Tamashiro (808-263-8844, ext. 702); Maui, Sr. Roselani Enomoto (808-877-4678).