Anthony Selvanathan, right, assists Father Pascual Abaya, center, and Deacon Joe Almuena during Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in downtown Honolulu. (Courtesy Anthony Selvanathan)
By Anthony Selvanathan
Special to the Herald
Some longtime readers of the Hawaii Catholic Herald might remember my past reflections which were written while I was pursuing my undergraduate studies at Chaminade University of Honolulu and later my graduate studies in San Antonio, Texas.
Given that my last reflection with the Herald was in 2019 as I left the islands to pursue work on the mainland, it might be an opportune time to share some thoughts five years later, as I recently moved back to Honolulu.
A part of my vocation as a theologian and as a young adult involved in pastoral ministry is to consider the “signs of the times” and find ways to connect and apply the Gospel to our lived experience.
My time on the mainland has granted me the opportunity to reflect on my experiences of being an island Catholic and to contrast that with the Catholic Church elsewhere.
Whether it’s the catchy “chalangalang” or “kundiman” melodies woven in composer Robert Mondoy’s responsorial psalms and Mass settings; or listening to Calvin Liu, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace’s music director, lead the assembled faithful at Christmas midnight Mass in “Silent Night” sung in 10 languages; or the spirit of ohana that encourages parishioners to stay and talk story long after Mass has ended, there is a uniqueness to our church in Hawaii that you yearn for once you’ve been away from the islands for a considerable amount of time.
With the recent 10-year anniversary of Pope Francis elevating the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace to the rank of a minor basilica, the upcoming jubilee year offers our diocese an opportunity to strengthen our special connection in communion with the Holy Father.
The recent 15-year anniversary of St. Damien’s canonization also serves as a reminder that island Catholics are always welcome to make a pilgrimage to the cathedral basilica to, as Bishop Larry Silva once said, “worship where saints have walked.”
As we celebrate these milestones, you might be asking yourself: “This is all great, so what?” I proffer that it is time for the next generation of island Catholics, our young adults and our keiki, to step up to the challenge to be empowered to bring the good news of the Gospel to the 21st century.
Spirit of synodality
It is within this vein that Pope Francis invites the global church to reflect on our mission as Catholics during the Synod on Synodality, so that “by journeying together and reflecting together on the journey that has been made, the church will be able to learn through her experience which processes can help her to live communion, to achieve participation, to open herself to mission.”
Living out this spirit of synodality and bringing the church to those who have not yet heard the good news of Jesus Christ can be encapsulated in Bishop Silva’s episcopal motto: “Witness to Jesus.”
Many ask, “How can we bring back the fallen away, the Catholics who no longer come to Mass?” I propose a response best articulated by retired Father Marvin Samiano during a homily he preached about 10 years ago.
Father Samiano preached about the “Golden Arches”: how it is one of the most widely recognized symbols worldwide and is synonymous with the fast-food restaurant McDonald’s. Just as the Golden Arches is one of the most recognizable symbols of McDonald’s, we are called to live out our faith in a way that everyone we meet or encounter will know we are Catholics in the manner in which we live out our lives.
As we eagerly look forward to the upcoming holidays, may we emulate the example of our local saints, Damien and Marianne, who walked and lived in such a way that those they met knew they were witnesses to Jesus.
In closing, I share with you the statement of affirmation that Bishop Silva gives to candidates during ordination liturgies as a source of encouragement: “May God, who has begun the good work within you, bring it to fulfillment.”
May that be our prayer in the days ahead.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Anthony Selvanathan holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Chaminade University of Honolulu, as well as a master’s degree in theology and a master of business administration, both from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. At his home parish, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, he serves in pastoral ministry and also as an episcopal master of ceremonies for the Diocese of Honolulu.
