'Living Out Loud!' Big Island Confirmation Retreat

This past Monday February 21st, 2011 I had the honor of speaking at the Big Island Confirmation Retreat. There theme was 'Live Out Loud!' with the goal of

"Inspiring and empowering teens preparing for Confirmation to return to their schools and community to “live out loud” their identity in Christ in a culture that encourages otherwise."

Their scriptural themes for the day were very powerful as well. The two that stood out to me were Jn 8:12 "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." and 1 Tim 4:12 "Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

I spoke on several topics including my personal testimony as well as Teen Morality. I believe any discussion of Teen Morality ought to begin on a reflection of who WE ARE before God. As a child of God we have certain expectations to live up to. In my reflection we cover these things and search our hearts and the scriptures of how we are to act toward one another in the spirit of Christ

Click Here to Download the Audio Mp3

'Note - The audio was a little choppy. I cut out the parts that were inaudible. What you will hear is the first part of my testimony as well as a majority of the 'teen morality' discussion'

Catholics witnessing to Mormons

So I came home from a long 'day' mission on the Big Island and two of my good friends were waiting, in my garage, to ask for some practical ways to speak with the missionaries that come knocking at their doors.

For several years I, with proper catholic spiritual direction, studied the ins and outs of the mormon church. I spent several years 'mormon bashing' and it had very little (if any) positive effect on those I spoke with. . . . I realized that without LOVE, nothing mattered. I also realized though that simply smiling, being super NICE, and 'loving' mormons didnt work either! So what to do? In this 'off the cuff' recording I share some of the methods ive picked up That have had the greatest positive effects so far ;)

Click Here to download the Mp3

Bible Study TONIGHT!

Despite the thunder and lightning storm, yesterday was a lovely day to serve our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ around Kaka'ako. We were also blessed with the presence of Arlene, a fellow Catholic and Beachbody coach from San Diego, California.

Our bible studies are held on Wednesday nights, 7pm in the youth room at OLGC. Since yesterday was our monthly visit to NEXT STEP HOMELESS SHELTER, we wouldn't have had a bible study.

BUT WE WILL HAVE ONE TONIGHT! Pearl City Starbucks at 6:30pm. Hope to see you there :)

Image from: meckleburg.com

Diocesan E-Newsletter February 22, 2011

Aloha,

I hope everyone had a very enjoyable President’s Day Holiday. I spent the morning trying to keep pace with Bishop Silva and about a group of 30 AKUA Run/Walk for Vocations participants for the 2011 Great Aloha Run. Come out and join us for next year’s run/walk and start off the spring with renewed vigor in your step and spirituality.

Elina B. Simon

Executive Assistant to the Vicar General

Click here for the Newsletter

Corporal Work of Mercy: Feeding the Hungry

ANYONE AND EVERYONE IS INVITED! We feed our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ at NEXT STEP HOMELESSS SHELTER in Kaka'ako EVERY LAST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH!

So our next one is tomorrow, February 23 :) Please meet at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church between 5:00-5:30pm. We carpool to our destination, so please be on time. If you're running late, please contact one of the young adults. Also, you don't need to worry about cooking because we are blessed to have CHUN WAH KAM cater!

Let us do our part in helping the Body of Christ, the church of the living God.

"Like Jesus we belong to the world living not for ourselves but for others. The joy of the Lord is our strength." -Mother Theresa of Calcutta

Image from http://www.lalolalo-nicedreams.blogspot.com/

The Power of God's Love: Faith Growing Within Me

Please keep our Confirmation 2 students and the Retreat Team in your prayers as they have their Confirmation 2 Retreat this weekend at Camp Mokule'ia in Waialua.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for a beautiful weekend and for another opportunity to be teachers, brothers, sisters, and students to one another. We ask for your protection over all who are participating in the retreat. For it says in Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in [Your] name, there [You are] in the midst of them". We ask that everyone have an open heart and an open mind so they may receive all of your blessings and grace. Guide them closer to you. Allow them to be open to the power of Your love as they grow in their faith. "For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love" (Galatians 5:6). Let the leaders be a light for the confirmandi. Give them confidence in sharing their stories and make their words Your words, as the Lord said to Paul, "Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you" (Acts 18:9-10). May they also remember the rules of leadership: to have no complaints and be flexible. We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, with the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the angels and saints... AMEN!

Image from http://loveoikos.blogspot.com/2009/07/gods-love-for-us.html

No Gifts, Just Presence...

How do you celebrate your birthday? I would believe that most of us would be in the company of friends and family. Some of us have big parties, like when we turn 16 or 21. Some may have a small dinner. With Valentine's Day around the corner, Nellani, one of our young adults, wanted to celebrate her birthday by doing a corporal work of mercy: visit the sick.

Festivities began on the Tuesday before Valentine's Day. It was our Youth Ministry's monthly Men's and Women's Group Session. Our lovely ladies started on the goal of 121 card and bracelet gifts! Later, the men participated in this work of mercy. Thoughout the week, our ministry along with Nellani's family gathered and made as many gifts as we could. After five days and about thirty people, we surpassed the goal!

So came February 13. Nellani, Nicole, TJ, Ray, Tifa, and Andie went to Pearl City Nursing Home to give out the cards and bracelets. Unfortunately, we only met 18 of the 121 patients. Nonetheless, it was a blessing to be in their presence, singing for them, and hearing their stories. We even met one of our parishioners!

Our prayers go out to all of those that we met as well as those we didn't have a chance to meet. We do plan on going to visit again, with or without gifts, to be with those who are sometimes forgotten before they are gone.

So... how do you celebrate your birthday?

The Biblical Basis for the sacrament of 'Confession'

Listen to the Bible study on the biblical basis for the sacrament of Confession.

http://bit.ly/bbconfession

* In Summary it says that we must confess our sins to God (1 Jn 1:9). We are to confess to 'one another' in the presence of the presbyters (priests)(Jas 5:16). The OT prepares us for the process of confessing to priests (Lev 5:5-6). We see that Christ has the authority to forgive sins (Mt 9:6-8), gives the authority to his disciples (John 17:18, John 20:21-23) who now are ambassadors for this ministry of forgiveness (2 Cor 5:18 -21)*

Picture from http://www.nasugbuchurch.com/ (Francis Xavier Parish)

Preparation for tomorrow's Bible Study. Topic: Biblical basis for the Sacrament of Confession

Tomorrow's Bible study at OLGC, 7pm - 8:30pm, will be on the sacrament of Confession (Also known as Penance, Reconciliation) We will discuss what Confession is, why its necessary, and what the biblical foundation of the Catholic teaching is.

To Prepare Please read the following

CCC 1422

1 Jn 1:9, Jas 5:16, Lev 5:5-6, Mt 9:6-8, John 17:18, 2 Cor 5:18 -21, John 20:21-22, 2 Cor 2:10,

Picture from http://www.nasugbuchurch.com/ (Francis Xavier Parish)

Are we saved by 'Faith Alone'? (Sola Fide)

The most fundamental question of the Christian faith is 'How do we get to heaven?' or 'How are we saved?' There has been a recent trend of 'fundamentalist' and 'evangelical' influence on our local church and many catholics are pinned with the question 'Are you saved?' These protestants believe that we are saved by faith alone. Simply have 'faith' and confess that Christ is your savior and you are good to go. . . . Many catholics dont know how to answer the 'saved' question and those who do often do so to please the questioner. What does the Bible say? Are we saved by faith alone? Or is there more to the process of salvation? This audio bible study will take you through what the Bible - http://bit.ly/solafide

So, catholics are YOU saved?

Yes, we were saved and born again in baptism (Jn. 3:5), We are being saved (1 Cor 1:18) as we work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Phil 2:12) and we will be saved by faith working through love Gal 5:6, as we endure until the end (2 Tim 2:11-12) IF like it says in 1 Jn 2:24-25 what we heard from the beginning abides in us then we will receive what is promised us, eternal life.

Picture from commentsfriendster.blogspot.com

Biblical Basis for Purgatory (Audio Mp3)

Listen to our bible study last night (at OLGC) on the biblical foundation of the doctrine of Purgatory

http://bit.ly/purgatorymp3

*In summary the Bible clearly shows that there is the reality of 'heavenly' places (i.e. not of this world) besides heaven or hell (Lk 23:39-43; 16:19-28) It also shows that there is punishment for sins even after forgiveness (2 Sam 12:13-18), that we e need to be perfect as the Father is perfect so that we can be CLEAN to enter heaven (Matthew 5:48 and Revelation 21:27) We know that there is some way that the spirits of Just men are made perfect (Hebrews 12:22-23) We know there is a place besides heaven or hell that you can suffer loss but still be saved (1 Corinthians 3:13-15) where you can be forgiven of your sins from a previous age (Matthew 12:32) and where you stay until you pay your entire debt (Matthew 18:32-35). We also know that we can pray for those going through this process (2 Macc. 12:43–45) This place (or state of being) is Purgatory and the the process if our final purification*

Picture from christtotheworld.blogspot.com

Preparation for tomorrow's Bible Study. Topic: Purgatory

Tomorrow's Bible study at OLGC, 7pm - 8:30pm, will be on the topic of Purgatory. We will discuss what Purgatory is, what it isn't, and also go through the biblical basis of this 'De Fide' teaching of the Holy Catholic Church.

To Prepare Please read the following

CCC 1030, 1031 and 1472

2 Sam 12:13-18, Revelation 21:27, Matthew 5:48, Hebrews 12:22-23 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, Matthew 12:32, 18:32-35, 2 Macc. 12:43–45

Picture from christtotheworld.blogspot.com

Thought from an early Church Father (February)

"I should not believe the Gospel were it not for the authority of the Catholic Church."

-- St. Augustine of Hippo, (Against the Letter of Manichaeus 5:6 [A.D. 397]), pointing out that only one entity was given authority to make such decisions.

Morality Lecture for the OLGC RCIA class Feb-6-2011

Listen to a morality lecture I gave to the RCIA class at OLGC yesterday. The lecture is about 1 hour long. I was actually impressed with the quality of sound that my iphone rigged recording system picked up!

http://bit.ly/enetW5

Getting Acquainted

All of us have our own struggles. One of mine is that I want to learn more about my faith, but I don't always know how...

Here's a suggestion:

read the Bible!

The most I've ever used my bible in one sitting was to prepare for the Kaua'i Confirmation Retreat this past weekend. It has always been stressed that we use Scripture to support what we have to share. Fortunately, I found many, but I only used about five. I don't know about you, but my method was to go online, search the topic or keywords, and CTRL+F (Find). I needed a little guidance, so I refered back to the notes in my own bible and had small discussion with others. With the grace of God, I got what I needed.

But now that the retreat is over, what do I do? I don't need to research a topic, so I can't just go online. I started off with reading all the readings for this coming Sunday. What do I do after that? Why would I read the same thing for seven days?! That's CRAZY! So I asked someone who knows.

...And it's at http://www.veritasbible.com! It's a really good resource for the daily readings with commentary :) SUBSCRIBE to email!

PICK UP YOUR BIBLE TODAY!!
It's the Feast Day of the Presentation of the Lord
1st Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
2nd Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

Thank You, Father Pascual!

Father Pascual left his home in Candon City, Philippines, to help our diocese. He was first assigned to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in 2006 and is currently serving as Administrator at Our Lady of Good Counsel as of 2008.

On Sunday, January 23, 2011, Father Pascual was incardinated into the Diocese of Honolulu. This Sunday, February 6, 2011, Father Pascual will be installed as PASTOR for Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Everyone is invited to this special Mass at 5pm, which will be followed by a potluck at the school courtyard. Please come and join the celebration with your favorite dish :)

A special thank you goes out to the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia for helping our diocese and giving us such a wonderful priest. Much mahalo goes to Father Pascual in his discernment and commitment to the Diocese of Honolulu and Our Lady of Good Counsel. Let us remember to keep him and all clergy (past, present, and future) in our prayers...

Welcome, Father Pascual!

Kauai Retreat 2011

The OLGC Young Adults just returned home from putting on a Confirmation retreat for 80 students from 4 different parishes at Holy Cross in Kalaheo, Kauai. What an AMAZING experience for the students and our team as well! Check out Facebook for all the pictures ;) Here was one, with just a few of the student, at the end of the retreat :)