“Let the church always be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven.” (Pope Francis)
These words greeted folks on Kauai and in Windward Oahu gathered to share, learn and “talk story” about their parish social ministries with vulnerable persons in their communities.
Holy Cross parishioners in Kalaheo talked about their youth being involved in Dress for Success, a program that collects business-type clothes for those seeking employment. Others shared how youth at Immaculate Conception in Lihue prepare food, serve meals and eat dinner with homeless men and women at Mana‘olana, a nearby emergency shelter.
Deacons and their wives from St. Catherine Parish in Kapaa spoke about being healed when visiting parishioners who are sick or homebound, and moved when transporting kupuna from nursing homes to the Ohana Mass at St. Raphael Church in Koloa.
One mom told what it meant to bring her disabled son to the Ohana Mass and several families with children on the autism spectrum expressed a deepening sense of joy, hope and peace by connecting with others. All agreed they have experienced mercy and came together as one ohana serving persons who are homeless, elderly and disabled.
These Office for Social Ministry Enrichment Gatherings help parishioners appreciate how their social ministries are a vital part of the diocese’s pastoral plan and inter-connected through One Ohana: Food and Housing for All. This diocese-wide initiative engages parish social ministries throughout Hawaii in collaborations with community partners striving to make a positive difference in the lives of the vulnerable.
In the Windward Oahu Enrichment Gathering, folks from St. Roch in Kahuku spoke of their growing collaborative efforts with the Mormon Church and other faith groups along the North Shore to reach out to the homeless. Parishioners from St. George in Waimanalo shared how they have successfully partnered with the Pu‘a Foundation through the Going Home collaboration to secure land so families affected by incarceration can come together on a community farm.
Pu‘a is also collaborating with the Knights of Columbus from St. Ann Parish in Kaneohe and the military families Year of Mercy Service Ministry on a transition home for women released from the nearby Women’s Correctional Facility. St. George, St. John Vianney, St. Anthony and St. Ann parishes are collaborating with Family Promise to provide meals, shelter and mentoring to the children and their parents trying to overcome traumatic experiences that left them homeless.
All agreed that the experience of sharing with the vulnerable draws us to a deeper relationship with God and each other. All agreed that getting to know by name the vulnerable persons whom we are blessed to serve is a transforming experience and encounter with Christ giving witness to Jesus.
All agreed that parish social ministries are called to “let the church be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven.” Stay tuned for more sharing from the gatherings on the Big Island in August and Honolulu in September.
For more information, contact Iwie Tamashiro at itamashiro@rcchawaii.org. Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
