By the Respect Life Office
Special to the Herald
The Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians were invited to Hawaii in 2008 by their fellow India native, Father Thomas Purayidathil Joseph. Today, four sisters serve Oahu in social ministry, religious education, pastoral work, hospice care and homebound ministry.
Missionary Sister Meristella Umdor, director of religious education at St. Elizabeth Parish in Aiea, wanted to expand their mission by involving lay Catholic women to work alongside of them to spread the Good News around the world. The Women Apostles for Catechesis was formed in July 2021 following the charism of the missionary sisters. The sisters are inviting women from all parishes to join and seek a deeper relationship with Christ through prayer, fasting, adoration, reconciliation, education and service to others.
On Sept. 18, the Women Apostles for Catechesis invited parish respect life coordinators, their team members and anyone else interested to a mini-retreat at St. Elizabeth Church. It was a morning steeped in prayer, reflection, reconciliation and adoration.
“We need to first strengthen our own spiritual lives,” Sister Meristella said, “When our spiritual lives are strengthened, then we can be effective in helping others and be closer to the Lord.”
The retreat was an ideal setting as respect life volunteers geared up for the 40 Days for Life campaign, Sept. 22 to Oct. 31, an international campaign to end abortion through prayer and fasting. All-day peaceful vigils in front of Planned Parenthood offices are held for 40 days. The diocesan Respect Life Ministry is calling everyone to fast and pray for one day, one hour, in church, at home, or joining pro-life advocates in front of Planned Parenthood.
The mini-retreat began with Mass followed by a socially distanced breakfast under the large canopy trees next to the church. Anne Shigeta Koch, Hawaii’s leader for 40 Days for Life, shared information about her program. Ximena Juarez from Star of the Sea Parish developed a calendar for people to sign up for one day, one hour, for a prayerful vigil in front of Planned Parenthood.
At 9 a.m. Father Arnold Ortiz and Father Bruce Roby offered the sacrament of Reconciliation using an examination of conscience focused on seven Catholic social teachings based on the life and dignity of the human person to care for God’s creation.
At 10 a.m. the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction were led by Deacon Fred Carahasen and Deacon Gary Streff. The pro-life rosary, the Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the original prayer to St. Michael were some of the powerful prayers recited. We came together as a unified force promoting the Gospel of life.
Pope Benedict XVI’s “Prayer for Life” asks “that we reawaken in us respect for all life and open our hearts to welcome every child that comes into life.”
Representatives came from the parishes of Mary, Star of the Sea, Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Elizabeth, the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, St. Ann, St. John the Baptist, St. Jude, St. George, St. Patrick, St. John Apostle and Evangelist and others.
We will continue to invite other organizations to join the Women Apostles for Catechesis for unified prayers in honoring our Lord and Blessed Mother Mary, especially during these challenging times.
