By Celia K. Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
The Diocese of Honolulu’s annual Red Mass returns this month on a new date and in a new location.
The liturgy that precedes the opening of the state legislative session is the church’s prayer to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance for the islands’ public servants. The Mass’ name comes from the color of the vestments worn during a Mass of the Holy Spirit.
All are welcome to attend this year’s Red Mass Jan. 14 at 9 a.m. at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Kalihi. Bishop Larry Silva will be the main celebrant.
Those who cannot attend in person can watch a livestream of the Mass at honolulucathedral.org/redmass.
The liturgy is being held one week before the state Legislature begins its 2026 session; in previous years, it was scheduled for the day before lawmakers convened. The new date aims to allow more public servants and civic leaders to attend, according to the Red Mass planning committee.
The site of the Red Mass is also different this year due to the ongoing renovation of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in downtown Honolulu. The co-cathedral has stepped in numerous times since the cathedral basilica’s extensive overhaul began last April.
Traditionally the Red Mass features a keynote speaker, selected by Bishop Larry Silva, who gives a talk during the liturgy. This year’s speaker is Connie Mitchell, the longtime executive director of the Institute for Human Services, who will discuss “Radical Justice in Tumultuous Times.”
“The very conflictual and divisive times we live in today have been witnessed by others in history, and Christ’s followers throughout the ages have stepped up boldly to lead change that is healing and brings hope. Sometimes it has come with great sacrifice, sometimes with much fanfare, other times very quietly and (with determination),” said Mitchell in describing the message she hopes to convey.
“But God is at work among us and his presence manifests in surprising ways if we allow him to speak through us.”
Bishop Silva said that he looked to Mitchell because she is “highly respected in the community for her work at IHS, especially working with the most vulnerable and difficult cases among the homeless.”
“Since we are all most interested in solving this problem which robs so many of their human dignity, I decided Connie Mitchell would be a great resource for educating and inspiring us at the Red Mass,” he added.
Mitchell has been at the helm of IHS for nearly 20 years, during which the nonprofit agency has grown from operating two shelters to offering a range of services to thousands of people annually — seeking to empower those experiencing homelessness to discover hope, dignity and the confidence to find and sustain a safe, affordable home.
She has an extensive health care background, including serving as director of nursing at the Hawaii State Hospital; program consultant for the state Department of Health’s Adult Mental Health division; and faculty member in the University of Hawaii’s nursing program. Her experience also includes rural mental health nursing, pastoral ministry and running a medical practice.
All this experience, Mitchell said, “seemed to lead up to my role at IHS.”
“Those experiences all imparted a measure of knowledge about different service systems and the challenges people have (in) managing their health and behavioral health needs.”
Mitchell said that even though she did not have specific experience working with unsheltered individuals before joining IHS, “my whole life has been involved in providing care and support to people in need, whether as a child helping a friend who was hurting or adopting a foster child as a young adult.
“God’s call has always been about doing what I could to alleviate physical, psychological or spiritual pain for others.”
In taking the leadership role at IHS, “I felt called to a mission that resonated with my heart for helping vulnerable people in a moment of crisis,” Mitchell explained. “I wanted to make a difference in our community and help shape our system of care to make services more accessible for homeless individuals and families.”
She added that she was “truly humbled” when asked by Bishop Silva to be the Red Mass keynote speaker.
“I am indeed blessed to have this opportunity to hopefully lift up those among us in the community who need our love and compassion and to issue a fresh call to care and empower in bold new ways.”