Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Pope prays for world’s suffering children on Christmas

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Those who recognize the Lord in the baby Jesus in the manger also should recognize his presence in children suffering today because of war, poverty and immigration, Pope Francis said. “Jesus knows well the pain of not being welcomed and how hard it is not […]

Christmas proclaims hope, charity where fear reigns, pope says

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By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christmas calls believers to see God’s presence where he is often perceived as absent, especially in the “unwelcomed visitor, often unrecognizable, who walks through our cities and our neighborhoods, who travels on our buses and knocks on our doors,” Pope Francis said. “Christmas is […]

Pope’s New Year priorities: Refugees, youths, trips, Curia reform

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Foreign trips, a focus on the rights and needs of migrants and refugees and a Synod of Bishops dedicated to young people all are on the 2018 calendar for Pope Francis. His activities and the passions that drive them are familiar by now. In fact, March […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: Speaking of agoraphobia

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QUESTION CORNER Q: I enjoy reading your columns in our diocesan newspaper. Recently you responded to a person who is concerned about missing Mass due to agoraphobia. (Editor’s note: Agoraphobia is defined as an extreme or irrational fear of crowded spaces or enclosed public places.) As a psychiatrist, I wish you would have added that […]

Effie Caldarola ‘A combo burger of hilarity and joy’

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FOR THE JOURNEY I blame Jesuit Father Greg Boyle for the fact that people sitting around me on an airplane a few years ago suspected I might be nuts. I was reading Boyle’s book, “Tattoos on the Heart,” about his ministry with gang members in Los Angeles. Father Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries, […]

The weary world rejoices: Nativity scenes bring joy to hardened hearts

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square is not getting rave reviews: The backdrop does not look like a stable and the characters in need — hungry, naked, dead, imprisoned — don’t exactly evoke a silent night when all was cozy, calm and bright. Franciscan Father […]

Director makes faith the ‘Star’ of new Christmas movie

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By Michael Brown Catholic News Service TUCSON, Ariz. — For Tim Reckart, filmmaking started when he was growing up in Tucson, shooting amateur video death scenes using ketchup as fake blood. With the mid-November release of “The Star,” which features the voices of Oprah Winfrey, Christopher Plummer, Patricia Heaton and other A-listers, Reckart’s directorial skills […]

Nativity scene, Christmas tree are visible signs of God’s compassion

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By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — A Nativity scene and Christmas tree, like those displayed in St. Peter’s Square, are visible reminders of God’s benevolence and closeness to all men and women, Pope Francis said. The traditional Christmas displays are “the signs of the heavenly Father’s compassion, of his participation and […]