Pictures of people in the parish

Confirmation I and II: October 24, 2010: The Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Read the Gospel: Lk 18:9-14

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

I wish it wasn't true, but when it comes to sin, I know it well. In fact, I'm an expert.
I remember many times in my life when I've had trouble looking myself in the mirror. "You're such a jerk," I've told myself. "You call yourself a Christian? If people only knew the real you."
But over the years I've learned to thank God that Jesus does know the real me, with all my sins … all my faults ... all my hang-ups. I've learned to face them honestly. Why? Jesus can't heal what I hide.
We have all done things we're ashamed of. We all have sinful habits we'd like to break. And this week's Gospel reminds us that the only real remedy is gut-wrenching honesty with God, who is mercy, compassion, and healing.
Here's the truth. Secrets kill. The more we keep sinful mistakes and habits secret, the more we give them power over our lives. They control us until we are humble enough to "beat our breast" (an ancient act that showed sorrow) and say, "O God, be merciful to me, a sinner." Use the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. It is a perfect way to air our sins and let someone remind us about God's love while giving us advice on how to change. See your priest or a youth minister or another older Christian you respect with whom you should meet regularly to discuss ways of growing closer to God.
Take it from a sinner. God has exalted me when I've admitted how I've given into sin. Christ has provided me with priests and others who've helped me feel better about myself and grow closer to God by looking with compassion at my sins and flaws. It's difficult and humbling, but God has always picked me up and has never let me down.

Journal: From what secret sins and shame do you need freedom? Be honest, be specific.

from the desk of Fr. Paul…

While I was visiting my cousin Jeanne (she was here last November with my sister, Claire) last month in southern Maryland, I went over to see Minerva and Duane Barnhart. They live in northern Virginia and it was just a half hour drive from Jeanne’s. I called first and then went over to see them. I had trouble finding the complex where they live, but once found, I spent the afternoon and had supper with them before returning to Maryland. It was an enjoyable visit. They are doing well and send their love to all. They still have a deep and fond love for all of you and this great parish. For those who might not know the Barnharts, they are old time parishioners who just moved to Virginia. Minerva was a bundle of energy before she got sick. She helped daily in the sacristy, opened the Church on weekday mornings, set up for Mass and was involved in lecturing, Eucharistic ministry and also the Church environment, especially in obtaining and arranging flowers. She was also on the Pastoral Council.

You know how things happen which surprises us? As I was typing this, the mail arrived. I paused in my work to look at the mail, to see if something needed immediate attention. Lo and behold, there was a card from Duane and Minerva – a thank you note for my visit. What a coincidence! Praise be God – Father, Son and Spirit!

Confirmation I and II: October 17, 2010: The Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Read the Gospel: Lk 18:1-8

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

Pray always? Some scholars translate this as praying without ceasing. Sounds pretty impossible. But maybe it depends on how you look at it.
Here’s how I pictured prayer when I was young. Kneeling at church. Reciting memorized prayers. Lying in bed, asking for help on a test or with a friend. Prayer took time set aside. So you could never pray always, unless you never ate, studied or worked.
Over the years I’ve come to see God as my friend, a constant companion, always there to support and guide me. So my understanding of prayer has changed. I still think it’s important to set aside special time for prayer, but I’ve learned that I don’t need to wait for those times. God’s hangin’ out with me all day long.
And that’s pretty critical for me. Because several times each day I need divine help. It happens like this. Here’s that person who irritates me. God, give me patience. Here’s someone asking for help. God, what do I do? I feel like an idiot. God, help me believe in myself. What a beautiful day. God, help me be grateful. God surrounds us each moment of our lives. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus told his disciples to recognize that and rejoice. We all want close friends willing to hang out with us. Some of us have them. Some don’t. But we all have a best friend in God, who is always trying to shape us, help us, respond to us.
Here’s a challenge: Pray always, or without ceasing, this week. Make an effort to remember that God walks with you at all times, down every school hallway, across every practice field, through every mall, and across every street. Talk and listen to God throughout the day. In other words, just hang out together.

Journal: Has this reflection of the Gospel changed your thinking about prayer? What was your previous idea about prayer and praying? What insights have you gained from this week’s Gospel – how will you now approach prayer differently? Be specific.

Thanks RCIA for coming through again with your giving spirit and action for those in need!

Got food? The RCIA group along with family and friends gathered on Sept. 26 to prepare and present dinner to the homeless at the Lighthouse Outreach Center in Waipahu. The feast consists of hot dogs, hamburgers, salad, chips and pumpkin pie. After serving, the group dined and fellowshipped with guests. If you, your family, or a group would like to volunteer, our parish plans, prepares, and serves dinner every last Sunday of the month. Sign ups are located on the bulletin board in the worship area. This is a great way to serve our community, our church, and our Lord, Jesus Christ! (Reported by Marlene Tamayo-Ishikawa; photo by Jamie Malignasay)

Confirmation I and II: October 10, 2010: The Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Read the Gospel: Lk 17:11-19

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

I know a young man who started high school sure he wouldn’t fit in. He remembered how kids made fun of him in junior high. He remembered they always chose him last for teams. He felt so out of place there that he doubted he’d fit in anywhere. I wish he was rare. But there are many teens that feel like outcasts. They find it hard to fit in with friends because of weight, acne, insecurity, the wrong clothes … the list goes on. You might feel that way now.
That’s why this week’s Gospel is so important. The Samaritan leper was a double outcast. First, he was a leper. Leprosy in the Gospel isn’t the disease that causes limbs to decay. It caused flaky or scaly skin. The Jewish religious laws told Jewish people to avoid contact with people who had it or appeared to have it. The Samaritan was also outcast because of his ethnic background. Many Jews rejected Samaritans because they descended from Jews who married non-Jews.
Notice how Jesus reacted to those outcasts. He stopped, noticed their pain, and healed them. That means they could now fit in. People would welcome them. Care about them.
Also notice that the Samaritan was the only one who returned to thank Jesus. Jesus took note that only this “foreigner” seemed grateful.
The point for us?
First, if you feel like you don’t fit in anywhere, call out to Jesus for help like the lepers in the Gospel. Call out through prayer. Call out by talking to an adult who you trust. Call out by getting involved in serving other people who suffer. You’ll find that he’ll answer your prayers. You’ll find a place to fit in and friends who care.
Second, Jesus points out that the Samaritan, the double out-cast, shows more faith than anyone. That means we all need to respect and learn from the people we think don’t fit in.

Journal: Have you ever felt like an outcast or reached out to someone who felt that way? Talk openly about it. How did you feel? What happened? What did you do in your situation? Looking back, what would you have done or said differently? Be specific.

Something to think about

1 Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.

2 Do you know why a Car's WINDSHIELD is so large & the Rearview Mirror is so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. Look Ahead and Move on.

3 Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.

4 All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.

5 Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold!

6 Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!

7 When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

8 A blind person asked Swami Vivekanand: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"

9 When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

10 WORRYING does not take away tomorrows' TROUBLES, it takes away todays' PEACE.

thank you Fr. Raphael Iannone

A big Mahalo to Father Raphael Iannone for being our spiritual guide while Father Paul was on vocation. Our Masses have truly been spirit filled. Fr. Raphael has inspired us with his love and concern for the "poor and least among us". He has truly been a blessing for our Resurrection of the Lord Ohana.

What better way to thank him than by contributing funds to the Capuchin Order for education, as he asked us to do at our last Mass. Envelopes can be found at the bulletin podiums, at all entrances of the worship area. They can be put in the collection baskets anytime during the month of October.

Thank you Father Raphael from all of us at Resurrection of the Lord Parish

From the Hawaii Catholic Herald

New and old members of the RCIA gathered on Sept. 25 for a potluck to kick off the start of their new journey together. As the barbeque was going, the members were split into numerous teams and played activities. One activity required the team to travel around the town of Waipio to scout for answers within 45 minutes. This taught the group to work as a team, obey the rules, and to have fun! At the end, everyone felt at home with their new family. Thanks to the RCIA Team for planning a fun filled day! (Reported by Marlene Tamayo-Ishikawa, photo by Jamie Balignasay)

Upcoming Social Ministry Events for October 2010

October 10: Lighthouse Dinner Serving by the Confirmation Classes
October 24: IHS Breakfast Serving. Open to all parishioners. Sign up will be posted soon.
October 31: Lighthouse Dinner Serving. Open to all parishioners. Sign up posted soon.
Collecting food and toiletry items for parish food pantries during all Masses.
Collecting Children's clothing and shoes, in good condition, for IHS and Molokai.
What are we doing for Thanksgiving? Ideas? contact Bob at matthew25@clearwire.net with your suggestions.

Faithful Citizenship - October 3, 2010

If you are not registered to vote, please do so after any of the Masses this weekend—deadline Oct. 4.

Please consider which issues are important to you, and which issues will serve as “deal breakers” for you. All offices still up for grabs will have a say in several issues that should set off alarms for us as Catholics.

As a judge and Lt.Gov., Duke Aiona has not had an opportunity to cast a vote on life issues. He has, however, stated that he is opposed to abortion and gay marriage. We can expect him to vote that way as governor. His opponent in the gubernatorial race, Neil Abercrombie, has had over 20 years to create a voting record on these issues and has made it clear that he would vote, as governor, consistent with his past record. What are a few examples of that record: Voted “NO” to ban partial-birth abortion except to save a mother’s life (10/03); Voted “NO” on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions as a way to escape state laws requiring parental consent (9/06); Voted “NO” on funding for health providers who don’t provide abortion info (9/02); Voted “NO” on banning physician-assisted suicide (10/99). Charles Djou is opposed to abortion and gay marriage. Sen. Hanabusa favors a woman’s right to choose (which would be OK if you were talking about choosing a new dress or shoes) and has said she would have supported the last legislative session’s civil union bill (which referred to the Hawaii Revised Statue of Hawaii’s marriage law.)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” We must protect life. We must also love those who struggle with their personal lives while at the same time protecting the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.

Gotta go boot up my hard drive!