By Brother Dennis Schmitz, SM Special to the Herald Several years ago, the Faith of the Heart Marianist Lay Community in Hawaii embarked on a project of ministering to incarcerated women, to women returning from incarceration and to the families of incarcerated women. The group discerned this ministry with the help of the Pu‘a Foundation, […]
John “Jack” F. Sullivan Jr. | 1934-2020: There was nobody like him
‘Uncle Jack’ left an endearing mark on the hearts of Hawaii’s women inmates By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald “Do you know anybody else like him?” asked Jaqueline Barney, prison minister at St. John Vianney Parish in Kailua. It was more an exclamation than a question. To be sure, there was no one like John […]
First annual ‘Sun Light, Sun Bright’ filled with hugs and kisses
By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald It was a beautiful day. The first annual “Sun Light, Sun Bright,” summer reunion for women inmates and their children at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua, July 27, sponsored by the diocesan prison ministry, was filled with hugs and kisses. According to event coordinator Toni Bissen, 16 […]
Diocese-sponsored event promises summer reunions for prison families
SUN LIGHT, SUN BRIGHT By Kapono Ryan Special to the Hawaii Catholic Herald A teenage boy from a neighbor island sat quietly by himself on the patio of St. Stephen Diocesan Center. It had been a long but enjoyable day celebrating with his mother at “Star Light, Star Bright,” the Christmas party organized each December […]
Star bright moments
Here are scenes from the 2018 “Star Light, Star Bright” Christmas party at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua on Dec. 8. The annual event is for women inmates, their children and the kids’ caregivers. The Diocese of Honolulu’s Office of Prison Ministry sponsors the event. This year’s party included lunch, treats from an […]
Photos: Christmas joy shining brightly
The diocesan prison ministry hosted its annual “Star Light, Star Bright” Christmas party at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua, Dec. 9. With games, crafts, food, music and a visit from Santa Claus (Deacon Richard Abel in costume, top right), Star Light, Star Bright is a day of fun where women inmates reunite with […]
Star Light, Star Bright party brings Christmas joy to separated families
By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald “Star Light, Star Bright” is a “dream of hope that the simple act of giving would help mend damaged or strained relationships among incarcerated mothers, their children and caregivers,” said Deacon Walter Yoshimitsu, diocesan chancellor. ‘Tis the dream’s 17th season. The annual Christmas party for imprisoned women and their […]
The house that mercy built
“Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees him. Shows us your face and we will be saved.” Gathered in the living room of the “Mercy House” on Nov. 27, friends and benefactors of this special project prayed these words in unison.
Donations sought for annual Christmas party for incarcerated women and their families
“I want you to know how much I appreciate your ministry of hope for us families who have loved ones serving time. I am extremely grateful of the amount of generosity you have blessed us with — all expense paid airfare for my granddaughters and myself; and gifts unexpectedly blessed with! Not to mention the […]
Deacon ohana cookbook benefits prison ministry
“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” A new cookbook published by the diocese’s eighth deacon formation class opens with this Scripture quote from 1 Corinthians 10:31. The verse sums up well the purpose behind this project — sharing food and faith for a good cause.
