Photo: Dann Ebina
Submitted by Hawaii pastors to the Hawaii Catholic Herald during the second week in Advent
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may… know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge…” (Eph 3:17-19) May we have strong loving faith to meet the challenge of the present.
- Father Rich McNally, SSCC, St. Ann Parish, Kaneohe
“From our St. John the Baptist parish family to yours, Merry Christmas, and blessings for the New Year. May Christ’s peace and hope be with your family now and in the days ahead.”
- Father Diego Restrepo, St. John the Baptist Parish
“I pray that everyone is safe and protected by God from the COVID-19 virus. And I pray that those who already have COVID may fully recover with no adverse effects.”
- Father Alapaki Kim, St. Rita Parish, Nanakuli
“My greatest prayer is for the HEALING, PEACE and SECURITY of all our parish families and, at the very minimum, I’m praying we will soon be able celebrate Mass with all who want to come to church, whenever they want, to be present as a parish family again.”
- Father Arnold Ortiz, St. Elizabeth Parish, Aiea
“My Christmas wish/prayer for my parishioners this year is: To ho‘okaualewa (balance) your lives between mind, body and spirit and always seek this balance. Keep all three areas of your lives healthy.”
- Father Brian Vince Guerrini, ss.cc., St. Damien of Molokai Parish, Kaunakakai, and Missions of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, St. Joseph and St. Vincent Ferrer
“In these times of social distancing, may we all rediscover the value of celebrating Christmas at home … in the family … where, more than ever, JESUS needs to be born every moment.”
- Father John Molina, Sacred Heart Parish, Pahoa
“My Christmas wish and prayer is that no other resident of Kalaupapa gets touched by COVID-19. One has been more than enough.”
- Father Patrick Killilea, SSCC, St. Francis Parish, Kalaupapa
“My prayer for our parishioners is that they are open to Christ being born again and again within their hearts and lives. That through this gift from God, his son, Jesus Christ, we find the hope we yearn for and the trust in God we need during these difficult times. I also pray that everyone gets the vaccine and that they continue to be safe and keep in good health. I hope and pray that we find ourselves kinder and more caring in 2021.”
- Msgr. Terrence A.M. Watanabe, St. Theresa Parish, Kihei
“That all will be able to participate in the Christmas Eucharist and will have a great encounter with the newborn Jesus who is the prince of peace, joy and good health. That all will hmmm in their heart “Joy to the world” and feel in their hearts the fearless and confident message of love, joy and care for one another. Thus that they will enter into the New Year with a rejuvenated spirit of faith and hope in the salvation won by Jesus for all.”
- Father Santhosh Thottankara, SSCC, Our Lady of God Counsel Parish, Pearl City
“Peace, prosperity, unity and an end to COVID!”
- Father Stephen Macedo, St. John Apostle and Evangelist Parish, Mililani
