The Hawaii Council on Portuguese Heritage presents its 29th “Festa,” a two-day festival celebrating Portuguese heritage in Hawaii, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sept. 22-23, at McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park. Admission is $3 and free for children 10 and younger.

Festa — Portuguese for “festival” and pronounced “FESH-tah” — will offer some of Hawaii’s favorite Portuguese fare for sale, including bean soup, sausage hot dogs, sweet bread, cod fish stew, vinha d’alhos sandwiches and, of course, lots of malassadas! There will even be a Portuguese-style “mixed plate” courtesy of Kailua’s Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop.

Local comedian Frank De Lima will perform at 3 p.m. on both days. The festival will also feature craftwork imported from Portugal, local artists and vendors, cooking demonstrations and continuous entertainment. Cultural displays will range from the history of the ukulele to an exhibit on Portuguese paniolo.

The event will also feature a multi-ethnic genealogy research center organized by the Portuguese Genealogy Society of Hawaii and including several ethnic genealogy organizations. The unique range of expertise will offer an opportunity for almost any local person to research his or her family history.

Chartered in 1977 for the purpose of preserving and perpetuating the heritage and culture of the Portuguese in Hawaii, the Hawaii Council on Portuguese Heritage is an umbrella organization for a dozen different organizations statewide.

For more information, call the Hawaii Council on Portuguese Heritage at 845-1616.

Campus Ministry offering evening of Ignatian contemplation

The Catholic Campus Ministry of the University Catholic Center, formerly Newman Center, at the University of Hawaii at Manoa will offer an evening of Ignatian contemplation on the Gospel facilitated by long-time member Lynn Graybeal, 7:30- 9 p.m., Sept. 26.

St. Ignatius taught a method of contemplation that uses imagination to help one gain a deeper understanding of God’s presence in our lives and how we should respond to it. For more information or to register, call 988-6222. Or go to its website, www.newmanhawaii .org.

It’s alumni night at Chaminade women’s volleyball game

It’s Chaminade University of Honolulu’s Alumni, Family and Friends Night, Friday, Sept. 28, at the Chaminade women’s volleyball game, starting with a pre-game rally reception at 6 p.m. at the topside of McCabe Gym on campus.

The cost is $15, (children under 10 are free) and includes ono food, a Silversword Rally souvenir, prizes and more!

The Chaminade vs. UH Hilo game starts at 7:30 p.m. For non-season ticket holders, admission is $5. RSVP to Be-Jay Kodama at 739-8526 or bkodama@chaminade.edu by Sept. 25.

Sacred Heart Parish hosting mini-retreat for married couples

Sacred Heart Parish in Honolulu is hosting a “mini-retreat” for married couples called “Living in Love,” Sept. 29-30, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday including Mass.

The retreat is based on Pope John Paul II’s “theology of the body” of which the late pope’s autobiographer George Weigel said “is going to change the church profoundly.” The retreat gives married couples the inspiration to be the lovers that John Paul II envisioned.

The cost is $75 per couple. Call Ed and Betty Coda at 839-0837 or register online at www.livinginlove.org.

Event at co-cathedral offering ‘Christian response to AIDS’

“Discrimination and violence against persons with AIDS are unjust and immoral.”

“As members of the church and society we have a responsibility to stand in solidarity with and reach out with compassion and understanding to those exposed to or experiencing this disease.”

“We must provide spiritual and pastoral care as well as medical and social services for them and support for their families and friends.”

These are quotes taken from documents written by the U.S. bishops over the 25 years that HIV/AIDS has afflicted humanity worldwide.

The diocesan Office of Social Ministry and the Manoa Punahou Catholic Community AIDS Ministry is offering a presentation to help Catholics in Hawaii take these words to heart.

The event, “A Christian Response to AIDS in Hawaii,” is 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, in the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa Parish Hall. The evening will include refreshments, fellowship, displays and prayer. There is no charge. Call 203-6702 for information.

Lokomaika‘i ‘Aha Himeni songfest brings Hawaiian culture to liturgy

The Hawaiian Arts and Liturgical Inculturation Awareness (H.A.L.I.A.) Committee will celebrate its 14th annual song festival, Lokomaika‘i ‘Aha Himeni, at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12, at St. Ann Church in Kaneohe.

The purpose of this annual event is to help parishes build membership in their choirs and to encourage and support the singing, composing and learning of new Hawaiian cultural expressions in the liturgy.

All church choirs, large and small, are invited to be a part of the program. Or anyone is welcome to simply come, observe, listen and enjoy.

Each choir is asked to share a favorite Hawaiian or Hawaiian-English hymn. Choirs must provide their own accompaniment. A piano and synthesizer will be provided if needed.

The combined choirs will sing three special selections together. Copies of these songs will be available via the internet. If a choir does not have access to a computer, a hardcopy will be mailed.

Participants are asked to dress in aloha attire or choir uniforms. A lei is encouraged.

This year, instead of the regular potluck, the refreshments afterward will be catered. Each choir will be asked to share in the costs of the refreshments.

For more information, call the co-chairpersons Margaret A. K. Peters at 261-3410 or Darlene Ah Yo at 735-0259.

Public rosary will commemorate final Fatima apparition

A group of laity has organized a public square rosary crusade on Oct. 13, the 90th anniversary of the final apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, at Thomas Square in Honolulu between Beretania and King Streets at Ward and Victoria.

The public prayer, organized with permission of the City and County of Honolulu, will begin at 2:30 p.m. and go on until about 4 p.m.

Here is the planned schedule of the Thomas Square activities:

2:30 p.m. — people assemble and set up statue of Our Lady of Fatima with the cape and crown placed properly by the Legion of Mary

3 p.m. — Hour of Mercy Prayer, the Divine Mercy chaplet

3:30 p.m. — Holy Rosary and the Act of Consecration by St. Louis de Montfort

The crusade is open to the public. It is recommended that participants bring mats or blankets to kneel or sit on, and bottled water to drink.

The local event, organized by Renee Morimoto and Josephine Yu of America Needs Fatima, is part of a first ever national Public Square Rosary Crusade. Visit www.tfp.org/rosarycampaign/index.htm for information.

Bishop Larry Silva will be leading a rosary the evening before on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace.

Calling all Star of the Sea High School grads, class of 1981

The Class of 1981 from (the long-closed but fondly remembered) Star of the Sea High School is having its first ever reunion on Oct. 13 at Ala Moana Beach Park. It’s been 26 years!

If you are a 1981 graduate, or know of one, please contact Joslyne Caspillo at 702-286-9100 or Lisa Veneri at 808-286-2850 for more information. Join your old friends for a time of fun, fellowship and the sharing of memories.

Let’s give one more cheer for the old blue and gold! See you there!