By Anthony Selvanathan
Special to the Herald
This year, I spent more time on airplanes than I ever expected when I said “yes” to helping with the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis’ Jubilee Days of Study.
The plan sounded simple enough on paper — teach people about the Catechism of the Catholic Church, creed, sacraments and Vatican II. But I had no idea that God was about to give me something far deeper: a crash course in gratitude.
From parish halls to school classrooms, I encountered the Gospel not as a theory or curriculum to be learned, but alive and breathing in the people of our islands.
We often think we bring Jesus with us when we go somewhere to serve. But this year, I learned: Jesus is already there.
Jesus is already present in the tired catechist who shows up to a parish event after working a full shift.
Jesus is present in the volunteer who quietly prepares the coffee and sets up the tables.
Jesus is present in the parishioner who asks, “How can I help?” without prompting.
One of the greatest gifts of serving the church in Hawaii is witnessing the beautiful diversity of our Catholic community. On any given Sunday, we hear the Mass prayed in English, Hawaiian, Ilocano, Samoan, Tagalog, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish and more.
In one pew, you’ll find a kupuna who has been attending the same parish for 60 years; next to her, a young family newly arrived from the mainland or across the Pacific; and next to them, a young adult who just returned to the faith after many years away.
In Hawaii, our diversity is not a challenge to overcome — it is a blessing to celebrate. And yet, in all that diversity, I saw the same thing everywhere: The faithful are hungry.
Hungry not just for the faith which comes from the teachings and tradition of Holy Mother Church, but for transformation through Jesus, the Word of God living among us. People stayed after sessions not to debate me, but to ask, “How do I live my faith more fully?”
My sessions on our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, were evidence of the hope which this Jubilee Year sought to promote. Folks are excited about Pope Leo and the hope that he brings to our church as our new pontiff from the United States.
As I reflect on this year, I can’t help but feel immense gratitude for the people who poured into me long before I ever stood in front of a classroom or parish congregation.
I am grateful to Lisa Gomes and Kainoa Fukumoto from the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to share my faith with others. Their confidence in me really helped me grow as a theologian and a speaker throughout the year. Their support made these blessed encounters possible.
I am grateful for two of my mentors, Dallas Carter and Jayne Ragasa-Mondoy, who taught me not only how to teach the faith, but how to share it well — with clarity, humility and joy. They taught me that evangelization begins not at the podium or the front of the classroom, but in the heart, with faith at its core.
I am grateful for the many catechists, parish staff, clergy and parishioners who welcomed me with aloha, shared their stories and in turn, strengthened my faith.
This Thanksgiving, I am convinced of this: Gratitude is not a feeling. It is a posture. We give thanks not because everything is perfect, but because our God, who is perfect, is present with us at all times, and abides within us.
Participants at the Days of Study: Mahalo nui loa, from the bottom of my heart. You each helped me see Jesus, and therefore helped me become a better “Witness to Jesus.” For that, I give thanks.