(Except the one about the smiley face T-shirt)

By Patrick Downes | Hawaii Catholic Herald

Jesse Manibusan to be featured at these events Multi-cultural church workshop: Oct. 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., in the Mystical Rose Oratory on the Saint Louis/Chaminade campus. $15 in advance, $20 at the door, includes refreshments and a light lunch. Call Marianist Brother Dennis Schmitz at (808) 735-4801 or (808) 232-6691. Mackey Marianist Lecture Series: Oct. 28, 4-5:30 p.m., in the Mamiya Theatre on the Saint Louis/Chaminade campus. Free. Call Marianist Brother Dennis Schmitz at (808) 735-4801 or (808) 232-6691. State Catholic Youth Rally: Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Leeward Community College. Cost is $25. Manibusan will be a guest presenter with Father Tony Ricard, nationally-known speaker from the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Call Edwina Fujimoto on the Big Island at 808-895-7105, or e-mail winz4jesus@msn.com, or contact your parish youth minister.

Jesse Manibusan, the sizzlingly-funny, Texas-Guam- anian, musica-vangelist who is a wildly popular attraction at Catholic youth conferences, rallies and workshops across the country, is returning to Hawaii for several appearances this month and next. (See box for information.)

The Hawaii Catholic Herald caught up with the Texas-based Jesse Manibusan via e-mail while he was traveling from Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Charlottesville, Va., and asked him a few questions. He graciously responded. What’s his personal connection to Bishop Larry Silva? Find out below.

What is your main message?

One of my main messages is that God is love, and anyone who claims to love God, is committed to a life that is the embodiment of God’s love; patient, forgiving, accepting, compassionate, nonviolent, welcoming, inclusive, and respectful of all life.

What is the primary challenge for a young adult American Catholic today?

I think the primary challenge for young adult American Catholics, and all American Christians for that matter, is that we live in America, rather than “in Christ.” American Catholics are at risk because of the worship of success, security, stability, self-centeredness, accumulation, and accomplish-ment, to name a few. Young adult American Catholics don’t participate in the life of faith because of a new church or new parish activity center, but rather because they’re invited, welcomed, acknowledged, affirmed and empowered by the church (aka “by Christ”).

What should the church be doing (that it’s not doing) for young people?

Be Christ more and more and more. Sometimes we’re Christ for the young church, sometimes we’re not. In my opinion, I believe the church thrives when its youth and young adults are thriving with outreach and resources. The challenge for the church will always be “build a people of God” before “building churches.” God’s presence is more known, not by the number of new and renovated church buildings, but rather by the presence of compassion, forgiveness and generosity in the world. But then again, that’s just me!

What talents and gifts can young people offer the church?

Young people bring your very selves. Bring your capacity for rigorous honesty. Bring your hearts, minds and bodies, to share the gifts that God has given you. Bring your passion for justice and peace in all the world. Bring your passionate commitment to asking difficult questions. Challenge our answers. Call out the church when we are hurting others rather than healing. Most importantly, bring your passionate love of God and neighbor!

What is the benefit of having Catholic youth rallies?

Catholic youth rallies are places where fellowship, catechesis, faith formation and celebration of the sacraments are possible. To have a place where young Catholics can gather, listen to the Word of God, share and celebrate God’s presence in the world, and be sent forth to love God, live their faith and serve one another — for a young person to see a bigger picture of Catholic community and life, well, that’s a gift that keeps on giving!

What have youth and young adults taught you as you meet them at events around the country?

Youth and young adults in the church have taught me that they are a gift to be shared, not a problem to be solved or fixed. Youth and young adults have taught me that they hunger for peace, justice, serenity and purpose, just as much as any adult. I have learned that youth and young adults are far more capable than we adults give them credit for, and that they are more than willing to serve, if we would but invite them, trust them, call them, empower them.

Why is music an integral part of your presentations?

Music is a powerful force, having the ability to inspire the heart, ignite the spirit, comfort the soul, melt the fear, and bring calm to chaos. Music is a powerful means of connecting with ourselves, others and God. Music can be used to raise the spirits or dash them. I prefer the raising. Music also helps people reflect, discern, contemplate and pray. Music can gather and connect us. Whether used inside or outside of liturgy, when used well, music is a beautiful and life-giving force!

What special memories do you have of previous visits to Hawaii?

My special memories are BILAC (Big Island Liturgical Arts Conference), Father George (DeCosta), Joe Camacho, Father Alapaki (Kim), Father Tony Ricard, Stevie, Phil and Rennie, Uncle Charlie, Anson Lardizabal, the love in Molokai, Kalaupapa, Topside, Molokai Bread Factory, St. Patrick School children, the Big Island, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Al and Marcie Alamodin, Spam musubi, saimin, and last but not least, knowing that my former classmate Bishop Larry Silva is there! Wow!

Why the smiley face shirt and bleached hair?

The smiley face shirt, I will reveal at the events! The bleached hair because I have been often mistaken for Brad Pitt and Robert Redford.

I hear you’re an ice cream lover. What’s your favorite flavor?

Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey, but hey, I’m a big kanaka. When you see how stocky and hefty I am, you will realize that when it comes to ice cream, I don’t discriminate!