Office for Social Ministry
“I am convinced that the whole church — that has much need to receive mercy because we are sinners — will find in this jubilee the joy to rediscover and render fruitful the mercy of God, with which we are all called to give consolation to every man and woman of our time.” (Pope Francis, April 11, announcing a Jubilee Year of Mercy from December 2015 to November 2016.
Advent is an appropriate time to reflect on how we can answer Pope Francis’ call to give consolation to others in the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which begins Dec. 8.
According to scriptural tradition, a Jubilee Year is one in which prisoners are freed, debts are forgiven and the mercies of God are manifested. Such blessings have and are being experienced by many here in Hawaii, thanks to many volunteers, supporters and parishioners putting faith into action.
Every Sunday morning, parishioners from St. John Vianney Parish in Kailua gather at the gates outside the Women’s Community Correctional Center to enter and pray with inmates. At least once a month the visit includes Mass so that all may experience the gift of the Eucharist. And “because we are all sinners,” twice a year, during Advent and Lent, a priest hears confessions and celebrates the sacrament of reconciliation with the women.
The highly-anticipated annual “Star Light, Star Bright” celebration helps families affected by incarceration reunite for Christmas. This year, on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, “Star Light, Star Bright” will bring together with their incarcerated mothers more than 82 children and 40 caregivers from across the state. Those from the neighbor islands will be flown in thanks to generous donations.
Also during December and throughout the Jubilee Year, the Going Home Coalition, which meets monthly at St. Stephen Diocesan Center, will coordinate parish volunteers from St. George, Waimanalo, and St. Ann, Kaneohe, to work with the Pu‘a Foundation in providing food and housing for women coming out of prison. Currently this collaboration is focusing on employment and agricultural opportunities for former inmates in Waimanalo.
On the Big Island, HOPE Services Hawaii leads the Going Home Coalition in providing mentoring to justice-involved women, many of whom want to finish their high school and college education. HOPE Services, like the Pua Foundation, has hired formerly incarcerated women on its staff. Last week, HOPE engaged former inmates in a Thanksgiving holiday delivery of food, and insect repellent to parish communities affected by the Dengue fever epidemic.
These are examples of how we can come together as sinners seeking forgiveness in this Jubilee Year to manifest God’s mercies to those in, or recently released from, prison. For more information on how you can volunteer for these ministries in this Year of Mercy, please contact Sister Shu Chen at the Office for Social Ministry, scwu_10545@yahoo.com.
Mahalo and Mele Kalikimaka!
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
