It will be hard to find a priest in Hawaii next week, unless you are staying at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s north shore, where you will run into about 115 of them.
May has arrived and that means “convocation” time for all Island priests. It’s their annual gathering where they build fraternity and perhaps learn something new. The clergy will be at their ocean-front getaway destination May 13-17.
They will be plenty busy with a daily slate of presentations, some theological, some practical. But they will also have lots of time to relax, socialize and try their skills on the links or on the courts.
“The convocation provides all the priests time to get away from their parish ministries and administration and build priestly fraternity by praying together, celebrating Mass together, socializing, sharing meals and even playing golf, tennis and basketball,” the vicar for clergy Father Manuel Hewe told the Hawaii Catholic Herald last week.
Father Hewe’s Office of Clergy is the main organizer of the event. This year’s theme is “Meeting the Challenges of the Year of Faith.”
“This is also the time for learning with one another through discussions and listening to various presentations from invited speakers,” Father Hewe said.
The guest speakers include Chaminade University religion professors, diocesan department heads and experts in health and nutrition.
Father Hewe said that the presentations are designed to offer priests the “tools and programs to enhance their evangelizing efforts in their parishes as they continue to respond to the challenges of the new evangelization.”
The convocation also gives these clergy professionals a rare chance to hang out together.
“The activities provide the opportunity for priests to spend time with other priests,” Father Hewe said, which does not happen often because of the geographical spread of Hawaii’s parishes and the “demands of priestly life and ministry.”
Although Hawaii’s clergy will be occupied all next week, in the case of an emergency, a Catholic should still be able to procure a priest.
According to Father Hewe, Bishop Larry Silva has asked each of Hawaii’s nine vicariates to assign at least one priest not attending the convocation, usually a retired priest, to be available for emergency situations.
The convocation is not required of retired priests, though they are encouraged to attend. It is mandatory for all others.
In the place of weekday Masses, most parishes will schedule Communion services lead by deacons or lay persons.
Here is a list of the main convocation presenters:
Dave Coleman, a professor of religion and dean of the humanities and fine arts division at Chaminade University, will speak on “Catholic Social Thought and Role of Catholic Education in the New Evangelization.”
Dave Anderson, an assistant professor of religious studies at Chaminade University, will give two presentations on “The New Evangelization Meets the New Atheism.”
Jayne Mondoy, director of the diocesan Department of Religious Education, will facilitate discussions on evangelization between the priests and six local presenters: Kristina M. DeNeve on the “Theology of the Body,” Sarah Herrmann on “Marriage and Family,” DeNeve and Deacon Modesto Cordero on RCIA, Lisa Gomes on youth and young adult issues, Sharon Chiarucci on “Catholics Returning Home,” and Carol Ignacio and Blessed Sacrament Father Bob Stark on social outreach.
Dara Perreira, the human resources director of the Diocese of Honolulu, will speak on “Retirement: Transition and Financial Planning.”
Joannie Dobbs and Alan Titchenal, faculty members in the human nutrition, food and animal sciences department at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, will talk about the “Under-Recognized Role of Nutrition in Health and Wellness.”
Other discussions will address the contributions and expectations of the international priests on mission in Hawaii, and the challenges of parish priests. Bishop Silva will also speak to the clergy on the last day.
Each full day also includes group morning and evening prayers and daily Mass at 11:30 a.m.
