By Lisa Dahm Hawaii Catholic Herald Since the first permanent deacons were ordained in the Diocese of Honolulu in 1981 under Bishop John J. Scanlan, their wives have been working in lockstep, serving beside them in their vocation. Before entering formation, candidates must receive permission from their wives — their signatures are on the deacon’s […]
The Parish News: Oct. 9, 2026
See below for the latest edition of The Parish News.
5 Catholic schools to offer free or reduced-price meals to eligible keiki
Hawaii Catholic Herald Five Catholic schools on Oahu and Hawaii island will be offering free and reduced-price meals this academic year to children who cannot pay the full price of meals offered under the National School Lunch Program and/or the School Breakfast Program. The schools are St. Philomena Early Learning Center in Honolulu; Mary, Star […]
Deacon finds new ways to serve in new isle home
By Catholic Stewardship Consultants www.CatholicSteward.com When Deacon Jerome Bettencourt and his wife, Kara, began thinking about retirement, Hawaii was not where they expected to land. After years in Los Angeles, their plans initially pointed toward Washington state. But family needs, connections to Hawaii and what Deacon Bettencourt came to recognize as God’s quiet direction ultimately […]
Explaining purpose, mission of the Diocesan Pastoral Council
By Lani Wong Special to the Herald Many Catholics are familiar with parish pastoral councils, but few know about the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the important role it plays in the life of the Church in Hawaii. The DPC is a consultative body that brings together clergy, religious and lay faithful from across the Diocese […]
Father Paul Aguilar, diocesan priest: God and me time
Viriditas2: Soul Greening Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald A vocation to the priesthood can take a person across oceans, through different communities and into unexpected chapters of life. For me, that journey began with the La Salettes in the Philippines. I left during postulancy and spent three years teaching. Then, […]
Reflection: Preserving, passing on canonization memories
By Anthony Selvanathan Special to the Herald I was 16 when Father Damien became a saint. Three years later, at 19, I watched it happen again with Mother Marianne. Maybe I am unusual, but every October I still remember the dates: Oct. 11 and Oct. 21. On Oct. 11, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI canonized Father […]
Kalaupapa water crisis is a challenge, but is ‘in God’s plan’
Problems with a decades-old pump system have forced the evacuation of the remote peninsula By Celia K. Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald People who live and work in Kalaupapa, Molokai, are accustomed to the challenges posed by life on the remote peninsula. Food, mail, vehicles and other supplies arrive by boat, tiny airplane or on foot […]
Kauai community comes through after Hurricane Lowell
Faithful on Kauai make sure everyone is taken care of in the wake of the latest storm to buffet Hawaii By Lisa Dahm Hawaii Catholic Herald When Hurricane Lowell swept past Kauai Sept. 7 and 8, it was no match for this seasoned island community. Residents did what Kauai locals do best — they banded […]
Hurricane Lala update: Assessing damage and disaster response
By Lisa Dahm Hawaii Catholic Herald Three weeks after Hurricane Lala badly affected the southern area of Hawaii island, Sacred Heart Church in Naalehu continues to see damage, according to Father William “Pila” Tulua, pastor of the church as well as Holy Rosary Church in Pahala. In a phone interview with the Hawaii Catholic Herald, […]