OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“I am certain the Spirit will guide us and give us the grace to move forward together, to listen to one another and to embark on a discernment of the times in which we are living, in solidarity with the struggles and aspirations of all humanity.” (Pope Francis, opening homily for the synod on synodality in Rome, Oct. 4)
On the opening day of Synod of Bishops in Rome, Oct. 4, Pope Francis emphasized the need for all to open their ears and hearts to the suffering and hopes of all humanity. “The doors of the church are open to everyone, everyone, everyone!” The pope called upon the power of the Holy Spirit to inspire a more welcoming culture saying, “We are not here to form a parliament but to walk together with the gaze of Jesus, who blesses the Father and welcomes those who are weary and oppressed.”
The synod is meant to be an inspiring pastoral experience of “accompaniment” — praying, listening and walking together, exploring the implications of its working document, “Instrumentum Laboris,” which offers the hopes, sorrows, frustrations and dreams of millions of people around the globe who chose to be involved in preparatory listening sessions over the past two years. Our Holy Father said this synod assembly is an opportunity for the church to reflect the way God is closely present in the world.
“Let us keep going back to God’s own ‘style,’” he said, “which is closeness, compassion and tender love. God has always operated that way.”
One shining example of God’s close, compassionate, tender loving presence is apparent at Maria Lanakila Parish’s Sacred Hearts School on Maui. In the aftermath of the Lahaina wildfires, as the parish begins the funerals for those who died, the school continues in many ways to lovingly accompany children, parents and staff who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods. Principal Tonata Lolesio said 137, or almost two-thirds, of the school’s 220 students were heavily impacted by losses, including 85 students and 17 faculty members whose homes were destroyed.
Most of the school buildings are gone, including the early child center, kindergarten and middle school classrooms, plus the playgrounds and school hall, as well as all the administration offices and convent. Yet Sacred Hearts School continues the legacy of St. Marianne Cope and the founding Sisters of St. Francis, by sharing consolation and a healing spirit of resilience among faculty, parents and students.
It also calls others to participate in this close, compassionate, tender process of accompanying by supporting the parish efforts to provide tuition aid and to rebuild the school. For more on how to help, please visit www.shsmaui.org.
The Diocese of Honolulu is supporting this healing, listening process with all the Maui parishes through the initiation of a Spiritual and Health Care Ministry. Bishop Larry Silva recently formed a task force to develop a “Handbook for Prayer and Reflection.”
“This handbook is the fruit of reflection of your sisters and brothers who have suffered through their own burdens and crises, and who now want to share their experiences with you so that you can be liberated from debilitating burdens,” the bishop said. “We, as members of the Body of Christ, have been entrusted with the healing power of Christ himself, and we can exercise this ministry in helping each other.”
The bishop acknowledges that these reflections “are not meant to take the place of mental health professionals whose services are important or, in some cases, essential.” But he believes the practice of listening with compassionate hearts is a huge part of the healing process. “We pray that this Spiritual and Mental Health Ministry will bring Christ’s healing and health to many,” he said.
Maui parishes have already begun organizing their Spiritual and Mental Health Ministry with persons impacted by the wildfires. Catholic Charities Hawaii is also providing trauma-informed professional mental health counseling services. Indeed, the active healing presence of Christ through the church on Maui is a vital part of the synod experience of accompanying and listening to the Spirit and each other on our journey of faith together.
For more on these efforts, please visit the diocese website www.HawaiiCatholic.org and Catholic Charities website, www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org.
As Pope Francis prayerfully concluded in the synod’s opening homily, “In the one People of God, therefore, let us journey together, in order to experience a church that is open to the voice of the Spirit. … Come, Spirit of love, open our hearts to hear your voice! Come, Creator Spirit, renew the face of the earth!”
And as Bishop Silva reminded us in his inspiring first homily on Maui after the fires, “We who have the blessing of believing in God and in the power of the Lord Jesus also have a responsibility to stand in the midst of winds and fires of grief and frustration to amplify … this tiny voice of God that indicates his never-failing presence and care for us … so that this whispering voice of God will be our guide and our hope.”
Amen and mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
