Parishes
Big Island
PAPAIKOU | Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
December was a busy month for all our three parish churches. General church cleaning was held on Dec. 3 at St. Anthony, Papaaloa, and on Dec. 16 at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Papaikou, and Good Shepherd Mission in Honomu. Many, including our new administrator Jesuit Father Mike Scully, turned out to give their time and muscle. … Annual Christmas parties at Immaculate Heart of Mary and Good Shepherd on Dec. 10 and at St. Anthony on Dec. 17 provided fun, fellowship and food for all. … Our Christmas Vigil Masses and Christmas Day Masses were well attended. Our church decorations were simple but beautiful. (Reported by Pat Phillips)
PAHOA | Sacred Heart
Parishioners Pat Woerishofer, Leilani Tagalicod and Nancy Robbins attended the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, Jan. 14-16, at St. Stephen Diocesan Center on Oahu. … Mahalo to Imelda Pitpit for accepting the call of her fellow church members to serve on the pastoral council. … Pastor Father Edgardo Bonghanoy released to the parish a list of major concerns and minor repairs in reference to parish buildings and grounds. The items will be prioritized by the pastoral council and finance committee and completed as finances permit. (Reported by Richard J. Robbins)
Maui
MAKAWAO | St. Joseph Parish
Our parish wants to replace its gym with a new multi-purpose center. The current facility has extensive termite and dry rot damage, its electrical and plumbing systems are outdated and it is not accessible to persons with disabilities. Fundraising begins with a malasada presale on Feb. 20 for $6 per dozen. Pick-up is at St. Joseph Cafeteria, Makawao, or Christ the King Cafeteria, Kahului. Tickets are on sale at the church office, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays, and after all the weekend Masses. Or call Donna Pico at 572-7652 for mail order information. (Reported by Donna Pico)
KULA | Kula Catholic Community
We welcome Father Eric Castro as our new pastor for Kula Catholic Community. Father Eric began his work on Jan. 1, celebrating Masses at Holy Ghost Mission in Waiakoa, Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Keokea, and ending at St. James Mission in Ulupalakua, where the music was sponsored by Christ the King School’s Hawaiiana Club. The parishioners are happily looking forward to working with Father Eric to continue the tasks necessary to maintain and build the Kula Catholic Community. (Reported by Marie Biga, photo by Candace Sakugawa)
West Honolulu
HONOLULU | Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace
Our parish will have its annual volunteer appreciation dinner at the Hale Koa Hotel on Feb. 6 to honor the many people who support the two daily liturgies, the seven Sunday liturgies, our Gallery, our money counting crews, finance board, parish council and our community hospitality events. Mahalo to our 200 volunteers! (Reported by Ann Hannan)
PALAMA | Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa
The school’s Annual Craft and Fun Fair is Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Limited space is available for craft booths. Call 536 4703 for an application for booth space. Come and enjoy beautiful crafts, ono food, white elephant sale and fun for all. (Reported by Lynette M. Seto)
PAUOA VALLEY | Blessed Sacrament Parish
On Dec. 21 and 28, Father Khanh Pham Nguyen celebrated Mass for residents at Hale Ho Aloha and the Convalescent Center of Honolulu. After both celebrations, participants in the parish homebound and outreach ministries congenially and cheerfully presented each resident with homemade Christmas cards created by Ramona Self and her family and socks donated by the parishioners through the “Lei of Love (Aloha)” Outreach Project. Thank you to all parishioners who’ve made it possible to let these recipients know that “all are loved through the power of the Holy Spirit and we serve as instruments of God’s love to them, especially at this time of the year.” Some of the recipients sang along, intermittently, verbalized and showed in their own ways their appreciation. Gift bags were also put together for the homebound and widows. Thank you, everyone! (Reported by Elizabeth Lum)
KALIHI KAI | St. Anthony Church
Our parish and school wish to acknowledge another volunteer, Jeanne Dougherty, who retired from parish and school, after 20-some years. As the bookkeeper for both places, she was indeed a very efficient and diligent worker. I had the privilege working with Jeanne in the parish office. She also shared her gifts with Holy Family Church. Jeanne has been married to Dan Dougherty for 55 years. Many mahalos for sharing your gifts with our parish! God bless! (Reported by Christita Sison)
East Honolulu
KULIOUOU | Holy Trinity Parish
The big leap of faith this year was the youth ministry which is now up to 32 in membership. MaryRose Timmons wants to thank the youth and parents who assisted our stalwart regulars in the very fast switch in December. We went from Advent to Christmas in only a few hours and it was done very elegantly. Here is the youth and parents mahalo list: Richard Chiang, Jadie Karratti, Sadie Karratti, Chrissy Faria, Justin Ching, Christ Ching, Ryan Dunham, Dennis Rees, Mary Chang and Beth Dunham. (From the parish bulletin)
UH MANOA | Newman Center
Jesuit Father Francis Clooney, a professor of divinity and of comparative theology at Harvard, will present the lecture “Surrender to God in the Hindu and Christian Traditions,” 7:30 p.m., Jan. 24, at the Newman Center. Father Clooney is a favorite speaker for Jesuit seminarians and is well known for his research in the field of comparative religions. The public is invited! (Reported by Soane Uiagalelei)
ALA MOANA | Sts. Peter and Paul Parish
Our parish Music Ministry’s new CD “Gratia Plena” has arrived and is on sale for $20 each. All proceeds go to the building fund. You may purchase your CD on Saturday or Sunday at the table set up in the courtyard. Flyers and blue envelopes are in the church. Cash and checks are accepted. Please make the check payable to Sts. Peter and Paul Church. (From the parish bulletin)
Leeward Oahu
WAIALUA | St. Michael Parish
Mahalo to Roger Vierra and his daughter Debbie Vierra, who spearheaded hospitality Sundays every first Sunday of the month at Sts. Peter and Paul Mission in Waimea. They are unable to continue because of personal reasons. A big hug and pat on the backs to both of you. Hospitality Sunday at Sts. Peter and Paul will resume after Lent. Anyone interested in doing this project may call the rectory office at 637-4040. (From the parish bulletin)
Windward Oahu
ENCHANTED LAKE | St. John Vianney Parish
Come one, come all to our 2007 Mardi Gras Celebration, Feb. 17, 6 p.m. at the parish hall. Bring the entire family for an enjoyable evening of food, fun and foolishness. Tickets will be on sale soon. Entertainers and helpers are needed. Please contact the SJV Service Commission at 262-1383. (From the parish bulletin)
Schools
KANEOHE | St. Ann School
Our school announces its second annual scholarship dinner and dance, “An Affair of the Heart.” This event enables us to provide an opportunity, through financial support, for families who wish to provide quality religious education for their children. The evening will include a silent auction, fine food and wonderful entertainment. Tickets are available for $100 a seat. Tables of 10 will be recognized in the program and may be purchased for $1,000, $3,000 or $5,000. Tax-deductible donations are always appreciated. Our church and model schools have been a part of the Kaneohe community since 1841, providing quality education for the 166 years. For more information, please contact Kuulei at 247-3092 or by e-mail at Khalemano@stannshi.org (Reported by Kuulei Halemano)