Hawaii Catholic Herald
Parishes across the diocese this week were a bit quieter than usual as priests left their posts to attend their annual convocation in Waikiki.
The event, held Nov. 18-22 at a hotel in the visitor district, offered priests “a chance to learn, reconnect and relax with fellow brother priests,” according to Father Gregorio Honorio, vicar for clergy in the diocesan Office of Clergy. “It is an important and necessary time of spiritual renewal for the priests of the Diocese of Honolulu so that they can better serve the people of God.”
An August letter from Bishop Larry Silva reminding priests about the convocation emphasized this point: “It is important that we spend time together as a presbyterate in prayer, worship, fellowship, study and enrichment. This time together is not something added to our work but is integral to our ministry so that we can better serve the people of God.”
All priests assigned within the diocese were expected to attend. Retired priests were encouraged but not required to attend; also invited were priests from the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.
Deacons had their own one-day meeting at St. Stephen Diocesan Center in Kaneohe amid the weeklong priests’ convocation.
The convocation’s theme was “Shepherds as Stewards,” and speakers focused on boosting stewardship throughout the diocese.
Presenters included Bishop James R. Golka from the Diocese of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Benedictine Father Godfrey Mullen from the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois; Father Brian O’Brien from Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Deacon Steve Kramer from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee; Lisa and Eric McArdle of Catholic Stewardship Consultants; Shari Navarre of CSC; and Father Konelio “Lio” Faletoi, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Kailua-Kona.