Chris Stefanick
By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Every year, Chris Stefanick reaches more than 85,000 people from all over the world. His mission is to inspire people to live a bold and courageous faith. On Sept. 6, he hopes to do just that at St. John Apostle and Evangelist Church in Mililani through “REBOOT.”
“REBOOT is more than Chris Stefanick giving a talk. That’s just the catalyst for the rest to happen,” Stefanick told the Hawaii Catholic Herald through email.
After REBOOT, the faith formation continues. Stefanick emphasized that this is not just an experience you live for a day, but a continual effort to grow in the faith.
“Following the event, we launch attendees into small group ministries. One parish recently started 68 small groups after my visit. At the event people are invited to decide for Jesus and to commit to following him in everyday life,” he said.
Father Anthony Rapozo, pastor of St. John said this is precisely in line with the National Eucharistic Revival currently in its second year.
“We chose REBOOT because we wanted to bring back small faith sharing groups to the parish,” said Father Rapozo. “I am hoping that they will walk away with a deeper appreciation of their Catholic faith. I am also hoping it will re-ignite our parishioners to want to continue learning more about their faith through programs we will be introducing after this REBOOT event. Our first program is called Living Joy: Life Sharing Small Group.”
Father Rapozo says he expects 500 people to attend, including people from neighboring islands. “We partnered with the central Oahu vicariate parishes for this event, and we even have people coming from Kauai,” he said.
REBOOT is not just for adults. “When you deliver the basics in a way that’s accessible, you’ll find 12-year-olds and 112-year-olds sitting side by side, equally engaged,” said Stefanick.
He says it’s not a new concept, rather a rediscovery of the concept.
“In short, welcoming, preaching the Gospel, community building … it’s the formula that worked 2,000 years ago and still does today,” he said.
In these small groups, conversations and fellowship develop. Stefanick said. Some tell why they have fallen away from the faith. He believes it is a step in the right direction because it asks the question “Why?”
“REBOOT is a reminder of WHY we’re doing all this ‘Catholic stuff.’ That WHY is the core message of the Gospel. As Pope Francis said, ‘We’re in a love story.’ If we don’t know that, we know nothing of what the church is,” said Stefanick.
Stefanick will also speak on Maui at St. Anthony Church in Wailuku on Sept. 8, exactly a month after the wildfires. He will talk about sharing one’s faith in a world that does not like it.
Faith formation director at St. Anthony, Tanya Barbero said this is exactly what people need to hear after the fire tragedies.
“Considering all that’s going on, because there’s some of the world that sees God in the midst of crisis and there is the other half that says, how can a God do this to people?” she said. “It’s going to be important for us to, number one, bolster our own faith, and to empower us to share that gift of faith with others.”
Barbero said Stefanick, a frequent parish visitor, has become a dear friend to the community.
“I love seeing the ocean, but the people are more beautiful. I look forward to the people there, friends who I consider ohana, blessing me too,” said Stefanick.
St. Anthony and the whole Vicariate did REBOOT a few years ago.
“It was really the impetus of what we were hoping for, to see families coming together, to get recharged, to understand who we are as God’s children,” said Barbero.
Stefanick has been to Kauai, Maui and Oahu, where his in laws currently live.
St. John and parishes from the central vicariate are co-hosting REBOOT. For more information visit: reallifecatholics.givevirtuous.org/Event/reboot-at-st-john-apostle–evangelist-church
For more information on the event at St. Anthony’s visit: www.instagram.com/p/CwF_HY5hpuO/
