Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Vatican will offer Pfizer vaccine to employees

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The Vatican health service will begin vaccinating employees and Vatican citizens against COVID-19 using the Pfizer vaccine, the director of the Vatican health service told Vatican News. “Only through a widespread and capillary immunization of the population will it be possible to obtain real advantages in […]

Bishop extends Mass dispensation while urging Catholics to go to Mass

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By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Bishop Larry Silva is strongly urging Catholics to return to Sunday Mass — if it is safe to do so. That said, “in light of the ongoing pandemic,” he has extended his dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass for the fifth time. This latest extension is from Jan. […]

Christmas choirs permitted with limits, Office of Worship director says

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By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald The Christmas church choir may again regain its traditional niche in the celebration of the season as long as that niche comes with Plexiglass and room for distancing. Deacon Modesto Cordero, director of the Office of Worship, explained what is allowed and what isn’t in his latest pandemic memorandum […]

Use of COVID-19 vaccines morally acceptable, say bishops

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By Julie Asher Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — While confusion has arisen in recent days in the media over “the moral permissibility” of using the COVID-19 vaccines just announced by Pfizer Inc. and Moderna, it is not “immoral to be vaccinated with them,” the chairmen of the U.S. bishops’ doctrine and pro-life committees said Nov. […]

Because of pandemic, no pilgrims at basilica for Guadalupe feast this year

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By David Agren Catholic News Service MEXICO CITY — Mexican church and civic officials have canceled public feast celebrations for Mexico’s patroness at her shrine in Mexico City due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The celebration normally attracts 10 million pilgrims to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the world’s most-visited Marian shrine. At a […]

Office of Worship helps parishes prepare for Christmas crowds

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By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Christmas is coming. This holiday year, traditionally high church attendance will collide with pandemic-imposed social distancing. The diocesan Office of Worship is offering suggestions on how to deal with that. On Oct. 30, Deacon Modesto Cordero, director of the Office of Worship, sent out his latest in his series […]

Bishop Silva extends dispensation from Mass obligation to year’s end

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However, he is encouraging Catholics to go to church for Advent and Christmas if it is safe to do so By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Bishop Larry Silva has extended his dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation from Nov. 1 until the end of the calendar […]

Teen helps even more at her small parish after pandemic offers opportunities

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By Anna Weaver Hawaii Catholic Herald Castle High Schooler Serenity Lau has always been active at her small parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Waikane on Oahu’s eastern shore. The 16-year-old started altar serving at age 7, sang in the youth choir including as a cantor, and helps her grandparents, Diane and Colin […]