Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

With May rosaries, Pope Francis prays to Mary for end of pandemic

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Under the gaze of a seventh-century icon of Mary, Pope Francis launched a monthlong, global recitation of the rosary, pleading for Mary’s intercession for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. And he prayed May 1 that Mary would move people’s consciences “so that the enormous amounts […]

State of the pews

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Has church attendance gone back to normal now that the Mass dispensation is lifted in the Diocese of Honolulu? By Anna Weaver Hawaii Catholic Herald Bishop Larry Silva lifted his dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass due to the COVID-19 pandemic on Easter Sunday. The pass on going to Mass had been in […]

‘Draconian’ Irish law makes attendance at Mass a criminal offense

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By Michael Kelly Catholic News Service DUBLIN — The head of the Irish bishops’ conference said the government’s move to criminalize attendance at Mass as part of COVID-19 regulations was a “potential infringement of religious freedom and of constitutional rights.” “The precise provisions are unclear and at first reading appear to be draconian, going further […]

Ultimate survivor

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At 105, Maui-born Catholic woman beats COVID-19 with a lot of faith and a little gin By Lois Rogers Catholic News Service TRENTON, N.J. — Lucia DeClerck has survived the 1918 influenza pandemic, two world wars, the loss of three husbands, one son and many of her physicians. Recently added to the list:  COVID-19, which […]

Talk story: The hope that does not disappoint

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OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY “Where there was death, now there is life. Where there was mourning, now there is consolation. In embracing the cross, Jesus bestowed meaning on our sufferings and now we pray that the benefits of that healing will spread throughout the world.” (Pope Francis “Urbi et Orbi” Message, Easter 2021) Alleluia, Alleluia! […]

And now, the good news …

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The pandemic brings record enrollment to some Hawaii Catholic schools By Anna Weaver Hawaii Catholic Herald The trend for Hawaii Catholic schools for many years has been declining enrollment. But along with all the uncertainty brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, some local parochial schools have found an unexpected boost to their student numbers. Parents tired […]

Catholic coalition stresses importance of vaccine for all

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By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — On World Health Day, April 7, a new group of 31 U.S. Catholic organizations encouraged people to get the COVID-19 vaccine as an act of charity and solidarity with others. The group also emphasized the need for vaccine equity in the United States and around the world. […]

Pandemic Beatitudes

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Letter to the Herald Blessed are our essential workers: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are our leaders, who follow science and facts: for they shall possess the truth Blessed are they who grieve: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they who observe health protocols: for they shall be fulfilled. Blessed are […]

Bishop Silva is reinstating the obligation for island Catholics to attend Sunday Mass

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End of dispensation By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Bishop Larry Silva on Easter will end the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass that he issued more than a year ago in the Diocese of Honolulu because of the coronavirus pandemic. In a two-page March 5 memo to pastors and parishioners (see text […]