Merry Christmas to our Bishop and Priests!

To our beloved Bishop Larry Silva, 

Vicar General Gary Secor,

all priests and clergy:

A most joyous Christmas!

May your days of Christmas be filled with 

much joy, peace and love.

We thank you for your service

to the Church and for all your sacrifices

that lead to sanctification of souls. 

May you be blessed more than words can say,

more than a thousand, as they say,

for only God can know the measure of grace

and abundance of blessings, 

which he has wonderfully reserved 

for his priests.

God forever keep and bless you

and keep your path filled with comfort 

and the assurance of the constancy 

of his love, presence and strength.

To God be glory and honor for you!

-Spiritual moms of the Spiritual Moms Apostolate

Vocation Discernment In January 2013

Any man or woman who is discerning the possibility of a religious vocation is invited to 

A presentation on discipleship by Sister Katherine Francis Miller, SS.CC. and Sister Irene Barboza, SS.CC. 

Sunday, January 12, 2014 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. 

St. Anthony Retreat Center – Bishop Libert Hall 

3351 Kalihi Street Honolulu Hawaii 96819 

RSVP/information: Sister Ivy Yim, SS.CC. at (808)845-4353 

Father David Lupo, SS.CC. at lupo.david@yahoo.com 

http://sistersofthesacredhearts.org http://sscc.org

This event is sponsored by St. Anthony Retreat Center 

Gaudette Sunday

The Third Sunday of Advent or "Gaudette," meaning a day of "rejoicing," is an invitation to be joyful in the promise of the coming of God.

God's joy is made manifest in the church; Pope Francis himself said on Gaudette Sunday that the Church is a "house of joy." In the liturgy the invitation to rejoice and to arise is evident as it resounds to us that "the Lord is near, Christmas is near."

"Christian joy, like hope, has its foundation in the faithfulness of God, in the certainty that he always keeps his promises," Pope Francis said.

I say that Evangelii Gaudium or "Joy of the Gospel" is most likely the best resource to read for this week. I invite you all to read this writing of our dear pope, Pope Francis. I'm in the process of reading this apostolic exhortation and already I am filled with awe for what God wants his children to see that many have forgotten: mainly, that he is a God of joy.

A most joyful Gaudette!


Read more about Gaudette Sunday 2013.

Renewing ourselves this Advent

Fr. Khanh Pam-Nguyen 

St. Stephen Catholic Church, Nuuanu

“Comfort, give comfort to my people, says the Lord.

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her

that her service is at end…” (Isaiah 40:1-2a).

God paints a picture of hope for his people of the present time. Though the message above is thousands of years old, it comes to us new because God is capable of making things new. He himself is ever-new, ever-fresh.

The Lord comforts us in our journeys. Understanding this is a gift that is renewing to the heart and mind. Undoubtedly, part of that understanding is willingness to engage in the mission to bring God’s comfort to his people. No one is exempted; for, by virtue of baptism, the call has been powerfully and wonderfully laid within us. The baptismal birthright allows us to recognize the natural flow God intends for his children to follow; in this case, because we have received God’s comfort, we are to share that comfort with others.

To be a comfort to people is to understand also the need to embrace God fully, to surrender to him completely knowing that his kingship shall reign in our lives; that God can be trusted to govern us with justice, mercy, and infinite love; that God will take care of our needs; that God will lead us to the path of eternal light.

In our journeys to God, let us continuously be engaged in the renewal of our relationships with him. Let us continue to be in tune with his Word. Let us be passionate also in allowing grace to work for us as we read writings inspired by the Holy Spirit that make us grow.

A joyful Advent to all!



More resources for Advent, or anytime of the year:

1. In Conversation with God by Fr. Francis Fernandez

I cannot be happier than I already am for having purchased the series In Conversation with God. Of seven volumes that cover the Latin Church's liturgical readings, it is a companion to a spiritual journey that accentuates God working in the ordinariness of life. You can be sure to see yourself working in the mundane with God's vigor and grace.

2. The Way, Furrow, The Forge By St. Josemaria Escriva (a priest who founded Opus Dei)

This one is a three-volume set of writings by St. Josemaria meant to ensure anyone a heightened desire of intimacy with God. The counsels are simple yet deep enough to jar the mind and heart that they may listen more attentively to the voice of God. When one desires to follow, it is a good beginning of a journey that leads to both challenges and joys. This book is worth having in a journey to one's final end, where end itself is bliss of eternity. 

"What a marvelous time in which to renew your desire, your nostalgia, your real longing for Christ to come — for him to come every day to your soul in the Eucharist. The Church encourages us: Ecce veniet! — He is about to arrive!" (St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, 548).

Pray for Fr. Tim Otman

Fr. Tim Otman, a Benedictine priest of Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit Monastery in Wailua, passed yesterday, December 5, 2013, at 5:19 p.m. He received the Body of Christ an hour before leaving our earthly home. Fr. Tim died of natural cause. He was 92.

We pray for the repose of his soul. He was a good man and priest. We were greatly blessed by his presence and service to the the church.

I praise God for the opportunity to have known Fr. Tim, whom I had the chance to visit several times. A good family in Wailua took care of him for several months until his peaceful death. Sr. Mary Jo, my children and I brought him Holy Communion a few months ago, prayed with him, and sang him a song of Mary. He had a beautiful smile on his face as we were singing, which was not a surprise to us because he had a special love of and devotion to Mary. At another time I brought him chocolates. He was not strong enough to feed himself, so I had the privilege of feeding him his favorite food! What wonderful memories I had of him! --  mainly of laughter and joy. For that I praise God!

Mahalo for your prayers for Fr. Tim! Please keep the Benedictines in your prayers.