BRIEFLY
National collection for retired religious
This year, the Diocese of Honolulu will conduct its annual national collection for retired religious men and women in parishes on the weekend of Dec. 10-11.
According to the National Religious Retirement Office which runs the appeal, last year Hawaii Catholics donated $107,689.25 to the collection, which nationally raised nearly $28.5 million.
The money is distributed to 271 U.S. religious communities to help them pay for elder care and plan for long-term retirement needs.
In 2022, Hawaii’s Carmelite Monastery received $8,307.80 from the retirement fund.
“The care of our aging religious presents an enormous financial responsibility,” said National Religious Retirement Office executive director Sister Stephanie Still, a member of the Sisters of the Presentation of San Francisco, in a news release. “It is our privilege to care for those who gave a lifetime of tireless service, and I feel we are deeply blessed by all the U.S. Catholic donors who have steadfastly contributed to this fund.”
Historically, Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests — known collectively as women and men religious — worked for little to no pay. With health-care expenses rising, hundreds of U.S. religious communities lack adequate funds to care for their older members.
The National Religious Retirement Office coordinates the annual national appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious and distributes financial assistance for retirement needs to eligible religious institutes. The U.S. bishops initiated the collection in 1988.
Kaneohe parish throws Baby shower
St. Ann Parish in Kaneohe will host its first event as part of the diocese-wide participation in the “Walking with Moms in Need” program — a baby shower for expectant and new moms Nov. 27 at 1 p.m. at the parish.
“This baby shower is to welcome all pregnant moms and parenting moms to a unique baby shower just for them,” Valerie Streff, co-director of the Diocese of Honolulu’s Respect Life team, wrote in promoting the event.
“The goal is to bring an awareness to the public and parishioners that the Catholic Church is here to embrace, welcome and walk with mothers through any situation,” she said.
Gift cards, diapers, baby clothing and blankets, and rosaries are among the items that will be given out to expectant moms. Coordinating on the St. Ann side are Sophia Catabran and Michael Del Rosario.
Streff said that she hopes other parishes will be able to replicate the event. She expects 30 parish Respect Life coordinators from throughout the islands to attend St. Ann’s shower.
Contact Streff at vstreff@rcchawaii.org for details on how you can support the event or nominate a mom to attend.
Spend a morning of faith sharing
Scrub Bucket Gospel Ministries with Maxine Pollock invites you to their next in-person faith sharing, “Follow Me,” Saturday, Dec. 5, 9-11 a.m., at St. Anthony, Kailua, parish hall.
There is no charge, but a free will offering will be accepted. Please bring your own beverage.
