From the desk of Father Paul

We have all heard the word "fundamentalism" as it applies to Christian Churches, but what is it? Fundamentalism is not necessarily a Church in itself (like the Catholic Church or the Lutheran Church), but is more like a movement. It first appeared in the 18th century and has died out and re-surfaced about 30-40 years ago.
Their attitude is one of purity in religion, that is, nothing but the Bible. Perhaps the doctrine that really singles them out as Fundamentalists is their belief in salvation. In regard to Jesus, they do see Him as the Son of God, but they believe that He was actually punished by God for our sins, In other words, when He died on the cross, it was not just a matter of taking upon Himself our sins, but He was actually punished for them by God and therefore, once one accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior, he/she no longer has to worry about punishment for sins committed; the moment this commitment is made, that person is assured of heaven, he/ she will not go to hell. Without that instant, he would be doomed. This leads to a "me and God" attitude with the exclusion of everyone else (Jesus is "my" Lord and Savior). There is no central authority, no Priesthood, no Sacraments and no "Church" (in the sense of "God's people"). Their individual community is important to them and their life is centered upon it, but that is as far as it goes. There is no idea of all Christians being a part of the 'Body of Christ' or `Church'; the emphasis is on "me and God".

Mortgage Burning Party

Saturday, August 28. 2010
Open House - 4:00 to 5:00 pm
Mass - 5:15 pm
Group Photo on Hill - following Mass
Dinner - to follow
Mortgage Burning Ceremony
Dinner cost:
Adults - $5
Kids (ages 7 & under) - $3
Potluck dessert signup begins July 1st.
Ticket Sales - July 31 to August 22
(Tickets will not be sold at the event.)

Lighthouse Homeless Dinner Serving for August 29th

Lighthouse Homeless Dinner Serving for August 29th

“Give us this day our daily bread”

Menu: In keeping with the prayer and theme, “Give us this day our daily bread” we will accept food donations after all three Masses the weekend of Aug 28th/29th on a table set up on the lanai. Whatever we receive at that time will be served at the Lighthouse Homeless Shelter on that Sunday evening. Whatever is left at the end of the day will be donated to either IHS, Lighthouse, or anyone in need so that whatever food we receive that day, will be given away that day. You can donate anything, meats, fresh fruit or vegetables, bread, canned goods, deserts, anything.

Preparation: If you wish to help in the preparation of the meal, come to the parish between 4 pm and 5:30 pm on the evening of Sunday, August 29th and help us prepare it. Since we don’t know what we will be receiving until that day, it should be quit an adventure.

Serving and transporting: If you wish to help transport the meal to the Lighthouse Homeless Shelter in Waipahu and serve it, be at the parish at 5:30 pm on the same evening.

It’s that simple. Through the generosity and service of the parish members of Resurrection of the Lord, our Lord will provide the daily meal for our brothers and sisters in need in our community.

If you have any questions, contact Bob Mace at matthew25@clearwire.net. Thank you and God bless

Confirmation I and II: July 25, 2010: The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Read the Gospel: Lk 11:1-13

Journal: How did you live out last week’s Gospel message? What was tough? What was rewarding?

I remember receiving a prayer request a few years ago from one of my old high school classmates. She had e-mailed my whole graduating class, asking that we all pray for the recovery of another classmate who had just been diagnosed with cancer. I know that, for at least 2 months thereafter, my prayers always included this classmate and his family. He recovered dramatically. About a year later, I received yet another prayer request for another classmate fighting cancer. And I prayed. She died from the disease within a year.
So why did God answer one prayer and not the other? Or, if God answered both prayers, why the different outcome?
This week’s Gospel will help you to understand. Jesus says God doesn’t always answer our prayers by giving us what we want. First, Jesus compares God to a person who gives his friend what he needs. Then he says God will answer our prayers by giving us the Holy Spirit.
What do you expect from prayer? Most of us pray for things we want, but God often gives us something we need—the courage and commitment to do God’s will in tough times. You might want a good grade, but what you need are better study habits. So the answer to your prayer might be a teacher challenging you to work harder. You might pray for God to spare a loved one from an illness. God might answer by strengthening you with the Spirit so you can comfort your sick loved one. You might want a better life for the poor. And God might answer your prayer by calling your attention to an opportunity to serve the needy in your community.
Sure, our prayers might work miracles for others. But more often our prayers work miracles within us. Here’s a challenge. Keep track of your prayers in a journal, and also keep track of possible changes you see in yourself or your life. Talk with your priest, parents or close friend about your search for answers to prayer. See if God makes changes in the world or in you.

Journal: Can you remember a time you were inspired to help someone after praying for him or her? Reflect on this. How did it play out? How did God answer your prayer?

ROL Youth Ministry's 2010 Lock-In Information

Friday, August 6 - Saturday, August 7
6:000 pm - 9:00 am
At Resurrection of the Lord Church


Open to youth 7th - 12th grade


Come and deepen your faith with our God, with yourself, and with each other and how you apply it toward the life and world we live in.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

In the ADULT FAITH FORMATION OFFICE you can: Borrow books and videos. Get Bibles and Bible Tabs. Inquire about of request classes that interest you. Do a prayer request. Find a finger rosary or scapular, etc. More to come - Check out the GLASS BULLETIN BOARD outside for current updates.

BIBLE STUDY SERIES & SPEAKERS

COMING SOON:

"In Search of the Lost Ark"
a 2 session journey

And for the brave
an architectual challenge!

Curious? Tune in next Sunday for details

Session 1: Wed, Aug. 4th
Session 2: Wed, Aug. 11th

ALL ARE WELCOME!

IHS Breakfast Serving

We serve breakfast at the two IHS Homeless Shelters downtown on the fourth Sunday of every month. Volunteers are always welcomed. This is a great way to fulfill our Lord's request in Matthew 25, to serve the least among us. The sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board, in the worship area, outside the parish kitchen, well in advance of the serving day. Come join us.

The Youth Ministry in Action

Collecting school supplies and selling ono burgers to buy more school supplies for the island of Moloka'i.

A Request for Help for Moloka'i from St. John's Hui O Laulima Ministry

I just received a request from Aunty Jan (Maunaloa) last evening for some childrens clothes and food items...We were able to satisfy the request for clothes for the elementary school children (we had 7 boxes of childrens clothes in our locker), but need some assistance in obtaining food supplies for the food bank at Maunaloa...Aunty Jan requested mostly protein foods (spam, vienna sausage, tuna, salmon, corned beef, etc...), breakfast items and condiments (oil, mayonaise, mustard, catsup, etc...)...I was wondering if you could put out the word at your Parish for some of these items...We will collect food at ourParish at the Masses on 31 July/1 August and send the items on the barge on 5 August.

What ever food we can collect during the week and at next week's Masses, will be delivered to St. Johns in time for the barge shipment on August 5.

Mahalo and God bless

Confirmation I and II: July 18, 2010: The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Read the Gospel: Lk 10:38-42

Journal: How did you live out last week’s Gospel message? What was tough? What was rewarding?

Growing up in the 60’s placed me in college on the mainland in the late 70’s and graduate school back in Hawaii in the early ‘80’s. During that time, more island girls were beginning to seek higher education outside of the islands and in areas which men were more prevalent. I met a number of strong female professors in college who were big influences on attitudes regarding the role of women in society.
Jesus also valued women disciples highly. And this Gospel shows it. In Jesus’ time women were little more than property. They had few rights. They certainly weren’t allowed to study at the feet of religious teachers. But Jesus saw things differently. He encouraged women to learn from him. He appeared to a woman first after his Resurrection. He defied the stereotypes and sexism of his day.
Many women tell me they think our society still suffers from warped views about a woman’s role. Ads seem to argue that women have no value unless they wear the latest fashions. I have teacher friends that say that some teenage girls still don’t offer answers in class out of fear that boys don’t find smart girls attractive. Women are underrepresented in leadership in many parts of society. A frighteningly high number of women suffer abuse each year by men who think women have no right to refuse their physical advances.
I have several friends who are good examples of women who learned about a woman’s role from Jesus. All Christians need to look critically at negative stereotypes of women in our culture and stand up to anything that denies women equal rights in politics, business, or religion.
Mary sat at Jesus’ feet to learn. Maybe we should do the same thing if we wonder about a woman’s “role.”

Journal: Identify any stereotypes or policies in our society that you think are contrary to Jesus’ view of women. How has Jesus influenced you in developing positive attitudes about the value of people in your life?

Red Flowers at Resurrection

Passion and beauty arraigned
For our Lord’s delight.
And if we find peace and pleasure,
In this crimson fauna centered below,
Our Lord’s uplifted arms of grace,
Then let us lift our own arms and song
In praise of His red creation
Red as the blood He shed for us,
And our broken nature.

From the desk of Father Paul

Abortion, Obama, Kagan; never cease praying to an end to abortion.

Abortion has been so much a part of our society, that we don’t really pay enough attention to our “pro life” advocates. Abortion is still one of the most horrible crimes against God and society. It is taking a human life, even though not fully formed, and destroying it. President Obama is a strong abortion supporter and his selection of Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court fits his views. Politically, he knew not to mention the word abortion in his nominating speech, but he did say that in choosing her, he wanted to select someone “who is going to be interpreting speech, but he did say that in choosing her, he wanted to select someone “who is going to be interpreting our Constitution in a way that takes into account…women’s rights” and that this was going to be “very important to him as he viewed our Constitution as protecting the ‘body integrity’ of women”. One can’t tell me that one of the core reasons he chose her was to protect the so called right to an abortion. He realizes that the attitude towards abortion is slowly changing in the country and efforts of those protecting human life has made great inroads into our society’s way of thinking. This is all due to the prayers and efforts of God’s faithful people. Please keep this issue an important issue in your lives. Never cease praying to an end to abortion. Elections are coming in November. I urge you, once again, to use your vote. Vote with a moral conscience. Uphold God’s way. He didn’t give us the ability to bring new life into this world so we can turn around and destroy this precious life while it is being formed.

Our Mother at Resurrection of the Lord

Hail Holy Queen Mother of Mercy
Our like, our sweetness, and our hope
To thee do we turn, To thee do we come
To you do we send up our sighs
Morning and weeping from this valley of tears
Turn now oh most gracious advocate
Thine eyes of mercy towards us
And after this, our exile
Show on to us the blessed fruit of thy womb
Jesus
Oh clement, Oh loving, Oh sweet Virgin Mary
Pray for us, oh Holy Mother of God
That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ


That we may be worth of the promises of Jesus Christ
Thy Son, and our Lord, my Lord

School Supplies for Molokai Needed

We are once again being called upon to help our Brothers and Sisters in need. School supplies of all types are needed for the students of our neighbor island Moloka’i. Items that are specifically needed are: composition books, especially college rule and 2” binders. But any type of school supplies will be welcomed.

At Resurrection of the Lord we will be collecting the school supplies through the remainder of July. They will be turned over to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ewa Beach early in August for shipment to Moloka’i. You can bring them to all Masses, or drop them off at the parish office during the weekday. If you have any questions email Bob Mace at matthew25@clearwire.net.

Mahalo and God bless

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10

http://www.jesuschristsavior.net/Beatitudes.html

The washing of the feet

The washing of the feet
The suffering servant
How clean are your feet?
How clean are your neighbor's feet?
Who is our neighbor?
Anyone with dirty feet
No one is excluded
No one!

From the desk of Father Paul

I hope you noticed the bulletin announcements about Marriage encounter Weekends. Marriage Encounters have been around for a long time now. Couples who are involved in Marriage encounter are very dedicated to their ministry. This so because they “live” their marriages. They see their lives together as a ‘holy bond’, made so by the presence of Jesus Christ who sanctifies their lives. They have learned to turn to Him as well as use the power of the Holy Spirit, to keep their love alive and well. During the Marriage Encounter weekends, these dedicated couples share their experiences, the good and the bad, and how they are able to use their Sacrament of Marriage to enhance or heal their lives together. I have first hand experience of what goes on during this weekend. Many years ago, I was part of the team presenting the weekends. I was overwhelmed at their dedication to each other and to their faith. I was edified by their love for each other and by their deep faith. I was amazed at how they healed their differences, through sharing and prayer, and using their Sacrament.
Consider making a Marriage Encounter weekend. Believe me, you won’t be sorry. I have seen many marriages become stronger because of this weekend, and I have seen some shaky marriages healed. See the announcement below for details and look at their website: www.lovemoredeeply.org.

Third Sunday of the Month Church Clean Up

Aloha to All!

It's that time of the month, our usual 3rd Saturday of the month, that our ministries come together to "CLEAN" our spiritual home!

Please, won't you join us for only two hours? Right now, there is only Sharon Seifert and myself, that signed up in advance.

Can you email me if you can help, we need at least 6 people.

Thank you kindly!

Seven Last Words of Christ

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
Gospel of Luke 23:34

"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Gospel of Luke 23:43

"Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son". Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother."
Gospel of John 19:26-27

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34

"I thirst"
Gospel of John 19:28

When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and handed over the spirit.
Gospel of John 19:30

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"
Gospel of Luke 23:46

Confirmation I and II: July 11, 2010: The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Read the Gospel: Lk 10:25-37

Journal: How did you live out last week's Gospel message? What was tough? What was rewarding?

I remember a news story years ago that both troubled me and then consoled me. Just a few days after 9-11, an angry mob gathered from a Chicago area mosque. The mob marched toward the mosque to seek revenge for the 9-11 attacks. Mob members apparently reasoned that all Muslims are terrorists because a few Muslims used their faith to justify mass murder.
Religious bigotry, which caused so much hatred in Jesus' time, is alive and well. What did Jesus say about it? This week's Gospel tells it all.
Many Jews in Jesus' time shunned Samaritans because they were the descendants of Jews who had married people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. So Jesus must have shaken this scholar of the Law and his prejudices when he made the Samaritan the good guy in this story.
The mosque I mentioned found protection that night, and later many local Christians spoke out against the religious bigotry that spurred the march. Thus, they retold the story of the Good Samaritan in their own words. Is that a story you're willing to share?

Journal: Where have you witnessed religious or ethnic prejudice (in your family, school, neighborhood or larger community? Explain what happened? How did it make you feel? What did you do? What could you have done? What will you do, should it happen again? Be specific in your answers.

The Priest, Levite, and Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

26And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"

27And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

28And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE."

29But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

30Jesus replied and said, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.

31"And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32"Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33"But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion,

34and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

35"On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.'

36"Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?"

37And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same."

Many people today do not understand who a Samaritan was in relation to the Jewish people whom Christ was telling this parable to. Samaritans were despised by the Jewish people. You must understand this to help get the full impact of the reading. To understand this parable better, try substituting Samaritan for a group of people that we Catholics are not comfortable with today, such as gay person, democrat/republican, illegal Mexican immigrant, or radical Muslim cleric. This will help give you a better understanding of the parable and whom Jesus is trying to tell us is our neighbor. Christ's teachings should be as hard for us today, as they were for the people of His time. When we water them down, we miss the full shocking impact they had on the Jewish people of His time. The same people that would put Him to death for those teachings.

Faithful Citizenship

Thank you, to all who made the phone calls, sent e-mail or letters, or simply prayed that Governor Lingle would veto HB 444. She was under considerable pressure. In her announcement press conference she said that she felt this was such a huge decision for our society that it should be made through a vote of the electorate. If the powers that be decide to put the question on the ballot, it would first appear in Nov., 2012. However, Rep. Blake Oshiro, who spearheaded the bill at the last moment of last session, indicated that it could again become an issue during the next legislative session if the proponents push hard enough. For Oshiro to be around next January, though, he needs to survive an election battle with now-Councilman Gary Okino who has announced he wants Oshiro’s seat. Okino is a strong supporter of traditional marriage.
It’s time that we start to take notice of those running for office.

Our own senator from Waipahu, Clarence Nishihara, voted for the civil union bill last session. It is up to us to let him know that we do not want to water down traditional marriage. If a case can be made that civil rights are being denied, the reciprocal agreement legislation should be amended. We should not simply believe the rhetoric. We should challenge their assertions about civil rights violations. This issue is far from over so we must remain vigilant.

What can you do now? First, call Gov. Lingle and thank her for taking a stand in defense of traditional marriage. Second, register to vote. Third, get informed on the issues; Fourth, vote in the coming Primary (9/18) and the General Election (11/2). And finally, PRAY ALWAYS for our government and church leaders, for married couples and their families, for supporters of this legislation that they stay strong, and for our state and entire country.

Gotta go boot up my hard drive! Aloha, Mary B

Confirmation I and II:

July 4, 2010: The Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Read the Gospel: Lk 10:1-12, 17-20

Journal: How did you live out last week’s Gospel message? What was tough? What was rewarding?

I did my undergraduate work at the University of San Francisco. In my junior and senior years, I was privileged to work with a youth group at St. Ignatius College Preparatory (a high school). It was an experience that helped to spirit my love in working with teenagers and I have maintained long-distance friendships with a few of them over the years. They are all professional people today, married with children. I specifically remember four of these teenagers that I met in my first year with them. I remember that their faces lit up. They hadn’t realized the difference they would make. After all, they were just four teens.
They believed in peace. So they decided to start a youth retreat to teach how Christians can fight racial prejudice. They opened their retreat up to several public and private high schools throughout the city.
The four teens glowed with confidence after the leaders they helped choose for the retreat ended a day of training. They looked on as their Hispanic, Caucasian, Asian and African-American teen leaders shook hands and committed to join them in their peace project.
“The Lord appointed seventy-two others” to “cure the sick” and announce that “the kingdom of God is hand.”
The Gospel tells the story that’s over two thousand years old but also brand new. These four peace-building teens heard Jesus’ instructions as clearly as the first disciples. Like them, they went forward on faith. They didn’t know if other teens would welcome their ideas or make fun of them. Like the first disciples, the four teens also cured sickness by helping other teens take a stand against prejudice. And like the first disciples, they were amazed at the power Jesus gave them.
Did you know Jesus has appointed you too? Many teens doubt themselves. Some look in the mirror and think they can’t make a difference. I think those first disciples thought the same thing. Remember, they were ordinary people. Most were probably poor and uneducated. They probably felt powerless too, until Jesus came into their lives. Then they changed the world. But the job’s not done. Just look around your school and you’ll see plenty of sickness. Will you go when he sends you?

Journal: What sickness/sicknesses in the world (in your family, school, neighborhood or larger community) should you, or do you, help cure? How does this sickness/sicknesses stand in the way of building God’s kingdom? Be specific.

From the desk of Father Paul, July 4, 2010

At this writing, Governor Lingle has not taken any action on HB444 (Civil Unions bill) (today is Monday, June 28th). If this is still the case when you read this, I am asking you to please send her a message by phone (586-0034), fax (586-0066) or email (governor.Lingle@hawaii.gov). Our new newspaper, the Star Advertiser, through their editorials and slanted reporting, are calling for an approval of the bill. Those who are pushing for the bill have doubled their efforts. We must do the same – double our efforts. Please communicate with the Governor and let her know there is still a strong opposition to this bill. Those who are pushing the bill will tell you it is a matter of “rights”. No, it is not. There is no civil law that says couples of the same sex cannot live together. If they want to live together, the civil law cannot stop them. What they want is to have society recognize their relationship as equal to that of a marriage between a man and a woman. The term “civil unions” is simply calling it by a different name. Please uphold what God intended marriage to be: a union between a man and a woman who commit themselves to live in married love; a union ordered toward the well being of the spouses and the procreation of children.

Church Environment Ministry

Coordinator: Lynn Aninzo

CHURCH FLOWER FUND - Donations are always being accepted to help purchase flowers. Envelopes are located on the table in the narthex and can be dropped off in the Mass collection basket. Please make checks payable to ROL Church. Thank you for your generous support.

The work of the liturgical environment ministry consists of two areas: 1. Enhance the worship area to reflect the seasons of the liturgical year (Advent, Christmas season, Ordinary Time, Lent, Paschal Triduum, and Easter season.) 2. Help beautify the worship area by using varieties of live plants and flowers.

There is a small group of volunteers who give much of their time, talents, and personal donations to purchase and maintain plants and flowers. Anyone is welcome to help out in this ministry. To inquire more information, please contact Lynn Aninzo at ROL church office 676-4700.

Those who wish to bring potted plants or flowers to the church can place them on the floor in the Blessed Sacrament or in the Marian Chapel. Just make sure that all pots have bottom trays to protect the floors and carpet from water. Please do not put anything on top of the table in the Marian Chapel. Those who wish to donate plants or flowers for the altar in the worship area can contact Lynn Aninzo.

Donations (cash or checks made payable to ROL Church) are also accepted to help cover the costs for plants and flowers. Envelopes are located on the table in the narthex, and can be dropped off in the collection basket.