“Land, housing and work are increasingly unavailable to the majority of the world’s population. … Demanding this isn’t unusual, it’s the social doctrine of the church.” — Pope Francis, October 2014 Pope Francis spoke these words at the World Meeting of Popular Movements in Rome, and repeated the message around the world, including during his […]
Talk story: When ‘Catholic’ means ‘help’
“One little girl of about 12 told one of my colleagues that when she and her family first came to the refugee camp, the children all told her to go to the building that said “Catholic Relief Services.” She said she didn’t know what it was, and as a Muslim she had never heard the […]
Talk story: Beginning the new year witnessing to Jesus
As we begin our journey this new year seeking to witness to Jesus by deepening our love of God and neighbor, the feast of the Epiphany and images of the Magi remind us of the international appeal of the vulnerable child in the manger. Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines also shows us how global […]
Office for Social Ministry: Holiday thanks-giving list, continued
“Be not afraid … everything is possible with God.” St. Luke 1:26…47 Mary’s response to the angel set a perfect example for Advent and all seasons. Her selfless “yes,” immediately followed by her visit to her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, was her way of giving thanks to God. Today, parish volunteers across the diocese follow our […]
Office for Social Ministry: Our thanks-giving list!
“I will give thanks to God with my whole heart.” (Psalm 9:1) “Made your list yet?” We’re not talking about your shopping list, or your list for Santa, or your Christmas card list. We’re talking about a thanks-giving list to God as we begin this holy season. Our thanks-giving list was way too long to […]
Photo: Helping hands
Volunteers were on hand to help out homeless servicemen and women during the Veteran Stand Down, Nov. 6 at the Hawaii National Guard Bower’s Armory in Wahiawa. The event was organized by the diocesan Office for Social Ministry, which partnered with various community groups to provide veterans with clothing, grooming, medical services, housing and legal […]
Office for Social Ministry: Working on the poverty line
“Never tire of working for a more just world, marked by greater solidarity!” (Pope Francis) These words from Pope Francis are on the 2014 collection poster for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development or CCHD. Every November, the U.S. bishops ask to contribute to this appeal. But where do the funds go? Locally, some CCHD […]
Talk story | Office for Social MInistry: Reaching out, offering hope
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace … where there is despair, let me bring hope.” (Prayer of St. Francis) With a lava flow threatening, these words of St. Francis summed up why folks gathered in Avery Hall of Sacred Heart Parish in Pahoa for a Sunday potluck town meeting at noon on Oct. […]
Office for Social Ministry | Talk story: One body in Christ
So we, who are many, are one body in Christ … made up of many parts” (Romans 2:5). Aloha, If we are one body, when one part is affected, what is the response of the other parts? Our sisters and brothers at Sacred Heart Parish in Pahoa wake up every day facing an uncertain future. […]
Office for Social Ministry | Talk story: Preparing for disasters
Aloha, “The scandal that millions of people suffer from hunger must not paralyze us, but push each and every one of us to act: singles, families, communities, institutions, government, to eliminate this injustice.” (Pope Francis) The recent news that 183,500 of Hawaii’s people — 14 percent of the population — receive emergency food assistance is […]