COMMENTARY During the 40 days of Lent, many of us consider giving up something, like TV or chocolates or our morning Starbucks ritual. But instead of abstaining from something, how about spending more time in prayer and meditation? Maybe, just maybe, we should redirect our focus on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The […]
Emma Dickinson: Ash Wednesday: Return to me
REFLECTION I spotted him sitting there as I hurried across the street, his head nodding from exhaustion and his light jacket doing little to shelter him from the biting cold. I nearly passed right by, as I almost always do, but I felt an urge that I just couldn’t shake: Talk to him. So I […]
Eva Andrade: Issues from birth to death
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE The 2022 legislative session is running at full speed, and as usual, issues from birth to death and everything in between, are in its crosshairs. Two positive life bills actually got some traction this year. One would extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum depression to 12 months. Unfortunately, the second was deferred in committee. […]
Commentary: Catholic Charities Hawaii celebrating its 75th this year
“That is where Jesus is born,” Pope Francis said at Christmas, “close to the forgotten ones of the peripheries.” That is where Catholic Charities Hawaii works — and has worked for 75 years — bringing dignity to the forgotten ones; “ennobling the excluded,” to borrow another phrase of the Holy Father. Because each one is […]
Commentary: Landlords needed — Help house our community
This article represents a joint message from the diocesan Office for Social Ministry, HOPE Services Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii and the Hawaii Catholic Conference, working with the Office of the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness. “At some point in life, we all need help,” said Jon Lam, an Oahu landlord. For many people in Hawaii, housing […]
Commentary: What are you seeking this season?
By Anna Weaver Hawaii Catholic Herald My four-year-old knew instantly that Mary was missing when she started playing with our Little People Nativity in early December. “Where’s Mary?” she said a bit anxiously as she found me in another room. At first, I had no idea what she was talking about. But when I realized […]
Advent wisdom — Henri Nouwen: spiritual patience
By Jonathan Lewis Catholic News Service What are you waiting for this Christmas? We have spent so much time in the last two years waiting. Waiting fearfully to see if we or a family member will get sick. Waiting for a vaccine shot or a test result. Waiting to visit family after months or years […]
Advent Wisdom — Kathleen Norris: Benedictine values
By Effie Caldarola Catholic News Service Waiting isn’t easy, and yet Advent asks of us just that: to wait on the Lord. Sometimes in this busy world, we need some help to put ourselves in a waiting frame of mind. Brew a cup of tea, settle into a comfortable chair and let a good spiritual […]
Advent wisdom — St. Edith Stein: rediscover a place of rest
By Lindsey Weishar Catholic News Service The second reading for the Third Sunday of Advent is a place of personal resonance: “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and […]
We need a little Christmas … after Christmas
By Anna Weaver Hawaii Catholic Herald I’ll admit, seasonal creep has been creeping up on me despite my best intentions. While I write this just before Thanksgiving, I still have fall decorations up and they’ll stay up through Turkey Day. But I’m well into Christmas gift shopping, I have my Christmas cards, and I have […]
