OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
Despite a record rainfall flooding downtown Hilo on Oct. 5, more than 200 people, including folks from parishes across Hawaii island, gathered at Sangha Hall for the Hawaii Island Inter-Faith Coalition on Homelessness Summit. They came to share the hope of helping “end family homelessness.”
The summit included blessings from Buddhist priests, Catholic priests and evangelical Protestant ministers. Brandee Menino of HOPE Services Hawaii shared the latest data on Hawaii homeless persons (54 percent have lived in Hawaii for at least 10 years, 51 percent are first time homeless, 42 percent are families and 33 percent are children).
Participants viewed inspiring videos from Family Promise and Habitat for Humanity about practical options for faith communities to help end family homelessness. A panel of Big Island service providers discussed how they could assist any congregation with a homeless family.
Then, before breaking into smaller “talk story” sessions, everyone was asked to express their individual and congregation interest in a number of options for homeless ministry: housing first landlord-tenant programs, the Family Promise model, emergency housing fund, furniture ministry, repair/rebuild homes, welcome baskets and advocacy.
A follow-up meeting was set for November and plans are in process for a summit in West Hawaii in December.
October brought another story of hope to gatherings of Hawaii Catholics. Thomas Awiapo of Catholic Relief Services came to Hawaii to share his inspiring story of survival and success. Thomas trains community leaders throughout Ghana, where he lives with his wife and four children.
Growing up in a small African village in Ghana, Thomas was orphaned before the age of 10 and left on his own to struggle for survival. He was the second of four brothers; the youngest two died of malnutrition and lack of care. His search for food led him to an elementary school, where he was fed a small meal every day. He survived, studied and eventually won scholarships to attend college and earned a master’s degree and returned to Africa to help others become stories of hope.
On Kauai, Thomas shared his story with Immaculate Conception Parish in Lihue and the Ohana Mass at St. Raphael Parish in Koloa, and with students and faculty at St. Catherine School in Kapaa. On Oahu, Thomas shared his story with the deacons-in-formation and their wives, the students and faculties of Damien Memorial, St. Francis, Maryknoll, and Sacred Hearts Schools; and with parishioners in central Oahu, students at Chaminade and the University of Hawaii, plus diocesan chancery staff. He also will be present at the Diocesan Youth Day at St. Ann parish in Kaneohe on Oct. 22.
Both of these stories of hope were connected through the diocese’s “One Ohana: Food and Housing for All” initiative which includes efforts to end family homelessness and promoting global solidarity through CRS Rice Bowl. Hawaii’s “One Ohana” initiative with be the sixth “story of hope” featured in Rice Bowl 2017.
We are building that story of hope everyday, so please send your examples of how your parish is involved in ministries of mercy during this Jubilee Year of Mercy. We want to share them for the close of the Jubilee Year at the end of November and in the story of hope which will be communicated through local and national websites to 80 million U.S. Catholics during Rice Bowl 2017. Please send your stories to rstark@rcchawaii.org and itamashiro@rcchawaii.org Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
