One of three concerts at this year’s Marianist BILAC, Nov. 6-8, in Chaminade University’s Mystical Rose Oratory. (Photo courtesy of Marianist BILAC)
Marianist BILAC 2014 chose the church’s “Year of the Family” as the theme for the Nov. 6-8 conference on the Chaminade University/Saint Louis School campus. At the event, Joe Camacho’s new Hawaiian/English hymn “He Ohana Pulama” (“Cherish the Family”) evoked that sense of “family” so central to the church this year.
In addition to the nuclear family, the conference sought to help us pray together as a family in our parishes and beyond. Reaching out to the poor and marginalized, as Pope Francis constantly challenges us to do, was presented through community prayer, keynote talks and workshops as Jesus’ call to serve the whole human family.
The music of David Haas, Lori True, Rory Cooney, Gary Daigle and others celebrated this theme. Former inmates of the Women’s Community Correctional Center, through the cooperation of the Pu’a Foundation, spoke of the role of faith and prayer on the road to healing and reconciliation with their families and community. Their follow-up workshop provided opportunities for participants to serve families in need.
Giving the Mackey Lecture, Dr. Ann Garrido spoke about how we can learn from children in their revealing responses to the Scriptures. Dr. Garrido’s work with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd brought new insights to all. Jayne Mondoy, the diocesan Director of Religious Education, was especially pleased because this program is being introduced in the diocese.
Workshops taught everything from bringing practical skills into parish liturgical ministry to incorporating the liturgical seasons in the home. Reflection on Hawaiian family stories and Scripture stories helped round out the input sessions.
All activities were convened in an atmosphere of liturgical prayer, including the Eucharist and Morning and Evening Prayer. Since the conference was in November, the traditional month for remembering our deceased family members and friends, BILAC’s liturgical coordinator Lori True created a prayer service for remembering these ancestors. Participants brought photos of loved ones and lit candles in their memory.
Three concerts by BILAC artists rounded out the celebration. A video slideshow of this year’s BILAC can be seen on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/RM_ltEaekEk
Next year, BILAC begins a year of celebrating its 40th anniversary. Planning has already begun for the Nov. 5-7 conference with Father Michael Joncas, Lori True, Tony Alonso, Marty Haugen and David Haas already agreeing to help. True, Camacho and Marianist Brother Dennis Schmitz will again serve as the coordinating team. Stay tuned for more announcements about the 40th anniversary celebrations.
WHILAC, the West Hawaii version of BILAC, is March 17-18 at Annunciation Parish, Waimea, on the Big Island. The program moves to the Valley Isle, March 20-21, as VILAC at St. Anthony Parish in Wailuku. This event is followed up with a concert on Lanai (LILAC). MILAC (Molokai Liturgy and Arts Conference) is scheduled for Nov. 10 at St. Damien Parish, Kaunakakai. Alonso and Haugen are scheduled for all of these programs with Father Joncas joining in at MILAC.
For more information, contact Brother Dennis Schmitz at baldschmitz@aol.com, 808-735-4801 (office), 808-232-6691 (cell) or www.marianisthawaii.wordpress.com.
