Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Talk story: Strive for ‘agape’ love amid life’s challenges

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Office for Social Ministry “The way in which we learn to work together, with fraternity and sincere friendship, can give rise to something new, something that brings both the present and the future into focus.” (Pope Leo XIV, message to extraordinary consistory, Jan. 7-8) On the day after the Epiphany, Pope Leo XIV addressed an […]

Talk story: Making room for Christ: Sharing the gift of peace

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Office for Social Ministry “When the fragility of others penetrates our hearts, when their pain shatters our rigid certainties, then peace has already begun.” (Pope Leo XIV, Christmas Day homily) Reflecting upon that peaceful night of the very first Christmas, we often think of the humble stable where Jesus was born. We can picture the […]

Talk story: Recognizing God in our midst this Christmas season

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Office for Social Ministry “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (Jn 1:14) The season of Advent invites us to slow down, look a little closer and reflect on the many ways God shows up today in our world. Christmas isn’t about grandeur or perfection — it’s about the miracle of God […]

Talk story: Big or small, give wholeheartedly

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Office for Social Ministry “When Jesus looked up, he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury, and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, ‘I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their […]

Talk story: This holiday season, stand with marginalized

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Office for Social Ministry “The Church supports your just struggles for land, housing and work. Like my predecessor Francis, I believe that just ways begin from the ground up, from the periphery toward the center.” (Pope Leo XIV, address to the World Meeting of Popular Movements, Oct. 23) As this Jubilee Year nears its close, […]

Talk story: Live the Gospel by helping those in need

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Office for Social Ministry “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat.” (Mt 25:35) These compelling Gospel words reflecting the heart of social ministry hit home this month. Across our country and throughout Hawaii, families worry how they will feed the hungry at their table. Parents skip meals so their children can eat. […]

Talk story: Live our love by caring for the poor

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Office for Social Ministry “I have loved you.” (Pope Leo XIV, “Dilexi Te”) When Pope Leo XIV signed his apostolic exhortation “Dilexi Te” — “I have loved you” — on Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, he extended a heartfelt invitation for all to rediscover the very heart of the Gospel by […]

Talk story: Multiplying our daily bread for others

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Office for Social Ministry “Especially in this Jubilee Year, the Lord’s example is a yardstick that should guide our actions and our service: We are called to share our bread, to multiply hope and to proclaim the coming of God’s kingdom.” (Pope Leo XIV, feast of Corpus Christi homily, June 2025) When we pray the […]

Talk story: Helping the poor is a ministry for all

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A banner for last year’s World Day of the Poor hangs from the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Pablo Esparza / CNS) Office for Social Ministry “Whenever we encounter a poor person, we cannot look away, for that would prevent us from encountering the face of the Lord […]

Talk story: Mercy plants the seeds of hope

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Office for Social Ministry “Mercy is the very foundation of the church’s life … The church’s very credibility is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate love … Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look to the future with hope.” (Pope Francis, Bull […]