Food. Family. Friends. Life.
These things may be at the top of your gratitude list this year as Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, approaches. But what about the many blessings of being part of a unique Island Catholic community?
From rich liturgies to spiritual camaraderie to God’s beautiful works of nature, Hawaii Catholics have dozens of reasons to be especially grateful. We’ve compiled 40 of these reasons (listed in no particular order) for you to reflect on. Happy Thanksgiving!
- We’re one of the most diverse dioceses in the world. Where else can you have Mass celebrated in Korean, Ilocano, Tagalog, Visayan, Chinese, Vietnamese, Chuukese, Latin, Spanish, Hawaiian and other languages?
- Two awesome saints.
- Bishop Larry Silva and diocesan vicar general Father Gary Secor, who work tirelessly to keep our diocese thriving.
- Bingo night at St. Anthony Kalihi, rolling out fellowship and fun the first Wednesday of each month.
- Jesus available 24/7 at the Our Lady of Good Counsel Church perpetual adoration chapel.
- A cathedral still standing after 170 years.
- Our diocesan seminarians.
- Our men and women currently in formation for religious life.
- The diocesan website, www.catholichawaii.org, and its great parish search function.
- Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit Monastery in Waialua – a beautiful place for refreshment and reflection.
- Being able to pray at the beach while watching the sunset.
- The Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry.
- The Hawaii Catholic Herald.
- All the diocesan staffers in education, faith formation, finances, social ministry and other departments.
- Being able to surf year-round.
- Hiking up the mountains and being able to see the island from above.
- The eucharistic procession that brings Jesus to the streets in June.
- Having the ocean as a playground and food source.
- Praying the rosary while walking around the pieta at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Wahiawa.
- The religious communities.
- The Stations of the Cross at St. Benedict Church in Honaunau.
- The beautiful view of the Kohala Mountains while sitting in the pews at Annunciation Church in Waimea.
- The spirit of “aloha” demonstrated by parishioners and outreach ministries who volunteer to help the poor.
- Cinema Divina nights at the Daughters of St. Paul bookstore.
- How local Catholics always bring food to every gathering — council meetings, Bible studies, craft fairs, cleanup days — even without being told.
- Basic Christian Community cell groups and other intimate faith-sharing support sources.
- St. Anthony Retreat Center programs for spiritual enrichment.
- The Blessed Mother’s presence at the St. Anthony Retreat Center grotto.
- Hawaii Catholic Schools and the faculty, staff, alumni and benefactors that keep Catholic education growing in the Islands.
- Being able to go to church on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas without having to worry about snow and icy temperatures.
- The Misa de Gallo novena of Masses (and the bevy of food that follows each Mass).
- Fresh local flowers decorating our altars.
- The Sacred Hearts missionaries who brought the Catholic faith to Hawaii in the 1800s.
- All the catechists and parish staff that helped prepare you for the Sacraments.
- The likelihood that no matter where you are in the Islands, there is probably a Catholic church no more than 20 minutes away.
- Talented liturgical musicians in every church.
- Hearing the ukulele incorporated into Mass music.
- The volunteers who make sure parking goes smoothly at Sunday Masses.
- The priests, deacons, nuns and brothers who shaped your character and values.
- The priests, deacons, nuns and brothers who left their hometowns and families to minister in our diocese.
