Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Journeying through Advent with Mary

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“The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception,” a painted and gilded statue attributed to Juan Martinez Montanes. (CNS photo/courtesy of National Gallery of Art) Local Catholic educators and religious find in Our Blessed Mother a luminous example to follow as we prepare for Christmas Young, poor, in her final weeks of pregnancy, forced on the road […]

Every job a gift: Sharon Chiarucci, who for years has worked to enhance parish life in Hawaii, will retire at the end of this year

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Sharon Chiarucci in the chapel at St. Stephen Diocesan Center on Nov.  25. (HCH photo | Darlene Dela Cruz) When it comes to Hawaii parishes, Sharon Chiarucci has seen it all. She is one of the few people who have actually been in every one of the nearly 100 Catholic churches in the state (except […]

‘Island-style’ celebration closes Year of Faith on Oahu

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Oahu Catholics closed out the Year of Faith “Island-style” Nov. 23, with food, music, Mass and a multicultural celebration of ohana. Dozens of priests, religious and faithful made their way to Star of the Sea Church in Waialae-Kahala for the day-long event. The parish’s large grassy field was turned into a lively hub of fellowship, […]

Anxious Filipino Catholics seek to help family, friends

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Typhoon victims wait in line for free rice at a businessman’s warehouse in Tacloban, Philippines. Aid agencies faced challenges getting food and water to the hundreds of thousands of Filipinos. ( CNS photo/Erik De Castro, Reuters)   As heart-wrenching reports of Super Typhoon Haiyan’s unprecedented toll on the Philippines circulated last week, Hawaii’s Filipino Catholics […]

In a special legislative session that spurs thousands to protest, same-sex marriage becomes law

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Following a special session of the Hawaii state Legislature that for two weeks turned the state Capitol into a high-spirited exhibition of populous democracy, Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Nov. 13 signed the bill causing all the commotion and made Hawaii the 15th state to legalize same-sex marriage. In reaction to the bill’s passage, Hawaii Bishop […]

Photos: Newly ordained Father Michael Jucutan

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First Mass, home parish Newly ordained Father Michael Jucutan celebrated Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Nov. 17. It was the first liturgy he celebrated at his home parish in Pearl City after his priestly ordination for the Archdiocese of Agana, Guam, Nov. 9. Father Jucutan blessed parishioners and well-wishers during his visit. […]

Manaolana | Mahalo nui!

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Food. Family. Friends. Life. These things may be at the top of your gratitude list this year as Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, approaches. But what about the many blessings of being part of a unique Island Catholic community? From rich liturgies to spiritual camaraderie to God’s beautiful works of nature, Hawaii Catholics have dozens of […]

Move to pass same-sex marriage bill provokes thousands to fight back

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The special state legislative session, called by Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Oct. 28 to add Hawaii to the list of 14 Mainland states that have legalized same-sex marriage, awakened a giant of populist opposition. Organized mostly by churches but moved by their own personal convictions, thousands of Hawaii citizens opposing same-sex marriage have showed up […]