Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Annual priest assignments reflect new ordinations, retirement

by

Hawaii Catholic Herald Bishop Larry Silva’s annual update of priest assignments takes into account last month’s presbyteral ordination of Deacon John Jacob Akau and Deacon Taylor K. Mitchell, as well as the impending resignation of Msgr. Terry Watanabe on Maui. Now-Father Mitchell has been assigned as parochial vicar of St. Anthony Church in Wailuku effective […]

Bishop-elect Father Michael Castori: Ministry in Pacific provides a strong foundation

by

By Lisa Dahm and Celia K. Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald When Bishop Larry Silva submitted his age-mandated resignation in August 2024, a period of nervous anticipation set in among Hawaii’s Catholics as they waited for the Vatican to name a successor. They waited. And waited. Was the Holy See honoring Bishop Silva’s humble request to […]

Faithful welcome Father Castori as bishop-elect

by

By Lisa Dahm Hawaii Catholic Herald Jesuit Father Michael Castori was quickly and warmly welcomed by isle Catholics earlier this month as Pope Leo XIV announced he would become the sixth bishop of Honolulu. Whether they were familiar with Father Castori from his previous ministries or saw him for the first time during the Diocese […]

How many bishops again? A look at the diocese’s past, future leadership

by

Hawaii Catholic Herald The Diocese of Honolulu’s announcement May 6 that it would have a new shepherd in two months’ time marks a rare and joyful milestone in its 85-year history. When Jesuit Father Michael Thomas Tupou Castori is ordained and installed July 28, he will become just the sixth bishop of the Diocese of […]

Honolulu’s next shepherd has deep Pacific ties

by

By Lisa Dahm and Celia K. Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Many years of ministry in the South Pacific have profoundly impacted the life and spirituality of the Diocese of Honolulu’s next shepherd, who was formally appointed May 6 by Pope Leo XIV. Jesuit Father Michael Thomas Tupou Castori, who had been rector of the Arrupe […]

Find support, services through Respect Life Office

by

By Val and Deacon Gary Streff Special to the Herald The Diocese of Honolulu’s Respect Life Office offer several initiatives for anyone seeking information and support: Walking with Moms in Need, the Miscarriage Ministry and a program that addresses infertility. Walking with Moms in Need: This program was started by the U.S. Conference of Catholic […]

New diocesan annual appeal begins this month

by

By Lisa Dahm Hawaii Catholic Herald The Diocese of Honolulu’s new annual appeal officially gets underway this month, giving parishioners across the state an opportunity to invest in the future of the church. The Hawaii Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal, “Sharing God’s Gifts,” begins the first weekend of Lent, Feb. 21-22, and runs through June 30. […]

Diocese purchases historic downtown Honolulu building

by

By Celia K. Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald The Diocese of Honolulu is expanding its footprint in downtown Honolulu with the purchase of a historic building on Fort Street Mall. The sale of the Model Progress Building to the diocese by a subsidiary of the Alexander C. Waterhouse Sr. Foundation closed Feb. 13 for $5.8 million, […]

Diocese of Honolulu 2026 Lenten regulations

by

By the diocesan Office of Worship FASTING ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT EASTER DUTY LENTEN PRACTICES BLESSING OF THE OILS AND CONSECRATION OF THE CHRISM THE SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS FOR RECONCILIATION THE PASCHAL CANDLE ANOINTING OF THE CATECHUMENS OTHER SYMBOLS AT THE EASTER VIGIL THE EASTER DISMISSAL WITH ALLELUIAS The dismissal, from the Easter Vigil […]