Members of the diocesan Evangelization Task Force pose for a photo at the retreat at St. Catherine Church, Kapaa. (Courtesy photo)
By Terri Donovan Mansfield
Special to the Herald
The diocesan Evangelization Task Force, established last year by Bishop Larry Silva, held its second retreat Feb. 28-29 at St. Catherine Church in Kapaa, Kauai.
Friday evening began with a simple meal of soup and sandwiches, after which St. Catherine pastor Father Anthony Rapozo enthusiastically welcomed the approximately 80 participants who had gathered from three Kauai parishes.
Task force head Dominic Olaso explained the purpose of the retreat and led the group in praise and worship, beautiful songs everyone sang accompanied by talented musicians.
Former Kauai mayor Bernard Carvalho, who is also a St. Catherine parishioner, told the retreatants how he asked Bishop Silva to choose his parish to host the retreat.
We were invited to kneel before the altar for the encounter, receiving God’s blessings. The evening ended with a healing service that included a laying on of hands, and deliverance prayers.
Retreatants gathered bright and early Saturday morning for 7 a.m. Mass celebrated by St. Catherine parochial vicar Father William Tulua.
After praise and worship songs and prayers, we heard testimonies by task force members. Guest speaker Kimberly Colby gave a talk, “10 Ways to be a Great Evangelist,” based on her experience in San Diego with St. Paul Street Evangelization, a national grassroots organization dedicated to taking the Catholic faith to the streets.
Carvalho, in a second stirring talk, shared the “a-ha” moment that led him to become an advocate of evangelization. He was followed by an enthusiastic group hula.
Olaso then spoke of “stirring up the spirit,” after which hugs were shared with everyone.
Colby guided role-playing of teams of two, one person playing the evangelizer and the other the skeptic, then reversing roles.
We gathered at the altar for a group picture.
Father Anthony offered the sacrament of reconciliation for everyone who desired before celebrating 5 p.m. Mass. A church choir provided the music.
The Lopez family prepared the day’s three delicious meals which were served in Coyle Hall by Tom and Laura Lindsay. Each food encounter provided an opportunity for more nourishment for the soul.
Many new friendships were formed.
After more praise and worship, Olaso invited us to the microphone to offer our testimonies of the weekend.
Father Rapozo then led us in a powerful adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, walking up and down the church aisles carrying the monstrance holding the consecrated Host for veneration, while Olaso’s sacred music played in the background.
The evening came to a close with a big round of applause for Olaso and the task force members, 16 of whom flew over from Oahu.
New task force members were named, including Deacon Bambi Emayo and myself, and others who stepped forward to volunteer.
Father Rapozo gave us a final blessing, and we departed for our homes prepared to evangelize in any way the Holy Spirit guides us.
The Evangelization Task Force, which is comprised of about 20 people from parishes and Catholic organizations across the state, first met at St. Stephen Church in Nuuanu on Sept. 28 for discussion and Mass with Bishop Silva.
The task force offers retreats, workshops, parish missions, days of recollection and healing services, all focused on evangelization through an encounter with God.
