By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald
If you’re a daily Mass attendant, you might have noticed your pastor was gone Nov 17-21. Not to worry — he was with Bishop Larry Silva and his fellow priests from across the state at the annual convocation of priests, held this year at the Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu.
The theme of the convocation was “The Discerning Priest: Ignatian Wisdom for the Daily Life in Priesthood”; its goal was to provide renewal, deepen unity and strengthen the priests’ ministry.
In all, 94 priests attended the mandatory event — the most since before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
“It is important that we spend time together as a presbyterate in prayer, worship, fellowship, study and enrichment,” Bishop Silva said in his July letter to priests detailing the week. “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.”
According to Father Gregorio Honorio, vicar for clergy, the time together as brother priests reinforces their friendships and encourages them to work collaboratively.
The week of fellowship and prayer is highly structured. This year’s convocation featured 11 conference sessions facilitated by guest speaker Vince Ambrosetti, daily Mass, time with the bishop, and rest in the evenings after dinner.
Ambrosetti is a Catholic singer and songwriter who was named Catholic artist of the year in 2001 by the United Catholic Music and Video Association. He has given talks and retreats at more than 800 parishes throughout the United States.
The seasoned presenter spoke on a variety of topics, including the highly effective practices of pastors in building a vibrant parish and understanding the vital role of the clergy in parish life. Ambrosetti’s messages focused on the priests’ ministry as servanthood and sacrifice, but also on the interior prayer life of each priest’s spiritual journey.
“What I like about what he presented is how he asked us, ‘How well is your heart, how strong is your heart and how grateful is your heart?’” Father Honorio said.
During the convocation, a donor provided all the priests with iPads, and additional costs were also covered by donors.
Father Honorio said he receives consolation in having the opportunity to serve his fellow priests by arranging retreats for them to recharge and learn new techniques.
“Every year, I provide (the priests with an) evaluation (after the convocation), so I can hear a lot of their feedback,” he said. “Generally, our priests are very good and very generous in telling me their thoughts. I’m so blessed to be in this presbyterate.”
The next event is the annual priests’ retreat, scheduled for May 18-22 at St. Stephen Diocesan Center in Kaneohe.
Above, nearly 100 priests from across the state gathered at the Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu Nov. 17-21 for their annual convocation. It was the largest gathering for the meeting since before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. (Courtesy Dann Ebina)