“Sacraments are outward signs of God’s love.”
These words are echoed in the diocese’s “One Ohana” videos which show how sacraments celebrate our connection with the sacred. Bishop Larry Silva has called us to deepen our understanding of how the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation are connected. The Office for Social Ministry is gathering parishioners around the theme “One Ohana — Food for All” to deepen our sacramental connections.
On April 25, on the island of Hawaii, dozens of people, including 25 Chuukese from Hilo, traveled to Hawi for a One Ohana — Food for All gathering at Palili O Kohala, an educational farm formed by families near Sacred Heart Parish.
The gathering began by recognizing how fundamental values in Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation are reinforced through sharing parish food ministries and connecting to sustainable nutritious food efforts all over the island.
Some of the leaders were young parishioners who work on the farm, demonstrating by example a new community evangelism of youth and young adults.
The One Ohana — Food for All gathering in Wahiawa on May 2 showed several ways food ministries are deeply related to sacraments. On Oahu’s Waianae coast, children visit daily Hoa Aina O Makaha, an educational garden on Sacred Heart Parish land. There they experience reconnecting with the sacred through “the aina that which feeds us all.”
They learn how land and water connect as a source of life; how we are made up of water and minerals (soil, not dirt); why we are called to “malama the aina and wai with aloha and use our hands to plant from our hearts” (tucking the seeds into the soil, putting them to bed and saying “good night” before leaving).
They learn that land and water do not discriminate but share their gifts with all, teaching us how to be in communion, in connection with all. They talk about how the gifts of the land and sea connect us with the source of all energy, the Divine Creator. These sacred values are symbolized, celebrated and deepened in the sacraments of initiation.
The folks at Hoa Aina O Makaha also connected gardening to the sacrament of Reconciliation. When we see weeds, we pull them out. The garden looks better, we see the beauty. But that is not enough. We need to plant something positive or the weeds will take over again. It’s a description of penance as an instrument of God’s healing grace and the Holy Spirit’s positive transformation, nourishing and sustaining our connection to the sacred.
These are some ways the One Ohana — Food for All gatherings help us experience sacramental connections. The next gathering is May 9 at St. Stephen Diocesan Center where Hoa Aina O Makaha will show us how to deepen our understanding of sacraments by making ohana bucket gardens to take home.
Mahalo!
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
