Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

‘Sister Listeners’ help Rwandans move beyond horrors of genocide

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By Melanie Lidman Catholic News Service KIGALI, Rwanda — The Benebikira Sisters, the oldest indigenous congregation in Rwanda, have sisters who are teachers, nurses, pharmacists, formators and administrators. But they also have religious with a unique title: Sister Listeners. “The genocide created many problems; some people don’t want to live because of what happened,” said […]

U.S., North Korea need diplomatic solution to escalating tensions

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By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM CAIRO — A diplomatic solution must be found to the escalating tension between North Korea and the United States, Pope Francis told journalists. “The path (to take) is the path of negotiation, the path of a diplomatic solution,” he said when asked about U.S. […]

Isle church leaders bring attention to diocese in national news stories

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By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald A number of Catholic leaders in Hawaii have been getting some attention lately beyond our shores in national news stories. Bishop Larry Silva was interviewed in a 1,100 word piece by Jesuit Jim McDermott about Catholics in Hawaii published April 6 on the website of America magazine, a Jesuit […]

Capuchin Father Gordon Combs retires to New York

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Capuchin Franciscan Father Gordon Combs retired to his order’s headquarters, Sacred Hearts Monastery in Yonkers, N.Y., on April 20 after serving 28 years in Hawaii. He turned 80 on Holy Saturday, April 15. Father Combs had been semi-retired in residence at Honolulu Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace where he assisted celebrating Mass and […]

Bishop granted early retirement to return to missions

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis accepted the early retirement request of Italian Bishop Gianfranco Todisco, who begged to be allowed to return to missionary work or to be sent “to the farthest, most disadvantaged” diocese. The Vatican announced Bishop Todisco’s resignation April 21 as bishop of Melfi-Rapolla-Venosa in southern […]

Maui-born Marianist marks 60 years of priesthood

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Maui-born Marianist Father Francis T. Nakagawa this year celebrates his 60 anniversary of ordination. He lives at the Cupertino Marianist Community in Cupertino, Calif, where he retired in June 2015. Father Nakagawa worked as a teacher and chaplain in Marianist schools in Hawaii, Japan, Texas and California. He taught at St. Anthony School, Wailuku, and […]

Pray for vocations

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Diocesan vocations director Father Rheo Ofalsa shared a reflection for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on May 7: When we speak about vocation, we can’t ignore the aspect of mission. On this theme of mission and vocation, I can’t help but recall the recent Disney movie, “Moana.” Deep vocational themes are imbued throughout […]

Island priests to converge this month at Turtle Bay for annual convocation

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  By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Most of Hawaii’s priests will disappear from their parishes for five days in May to convene on Oahu’s north shore for their annual week of rejuvenation and fraternity. It’s the Priests Convocation 2017, May 15-19, at the Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku. The priests check in Monday at […]

Catholic Charities names new vice president-philanthropy

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Catholic Charities Hawaii named Mary Leong Saunders as its new vice president-philanthropy, in charge of fund development and community engagement programs and activities. She began May 1. Saunders had previously been executive director of Family Promise of Hawaii, a nonprofit organization serving homeless families with children. There she oversaw all operations including fund development, donor […]