Mahalo to everyone who helped prepare, cook and serve at the Lighthouse Homeless Shelter on Sunday.

The various Lasagna's and deserts were a big hit. We also handed out personal toiletry items that were much appreciated. The next serving will be Sunday, February 27th, and will be a Filipino Potluck. Detail and sign up will be posted soon.

Confirmation I and II: January 30, 2011: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Read the Gospel: Mt 5:1-12

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

Some years ago, I was riding in a van with some teenagers when I jokingly threatened to tie a loud kid to the roof with a cord. That way, I joked, he could still ride with us but we wouldn't have to listen to him. His response? "That would be cool." And he probably would have enjoyed it. Teenagers like risk. Rock climbing. Driving fast. The rush of adrenalin. The thrill of adventure. That's why teenagers make excellent disciples. Following Jesus is all about risk. In this week's Gospel, Jesus calls his disciples to risk. The Beatitudes (which is what we call the list in this Gospel) are risky actions Jesus tells his followers to choose. For example, be poor in spirit. (Ask God's guidance for all decisions.) Be meek. (Treat others as if they're more important than you.) Mourn. (Don't hide your pain.) Be merciful. (Choose forgiveness.) Be a peacemaker. (Work publicly for peace and justice.) You take a risk when you live a Beatitude. People might mock you for letting God, rather than wealth or popularity, set your direction. People might put you down when someone hurts you and you don't get even. People might call you crazy for protesting abortion or war. But Jesus says God will bless us when we take these risks. In other words, God will act in our favor. So when you let God direct you, God will give you a meaningful life. When you face your pain and mourn, God will comfort you through prayer or by sending people to help you. When you choose mercy and work for peace, God will give you the strength you need to forgive and the courage to stand publicly against violence. So take a risk this week. Live the Beatitudes. It's an adventure.

Journal: Which Beatitude seems the riskiest for you to live? Which seems the easiest? Which Beatitude could you see yourself living right now - reflect on a current situation happening to you or around you; which Beatitude can you use to respond to it and how? Be specific and give details.

Faithful Citizenship - January 30, 2011

One day you drive up to your house, and you think to yourself, “Gee, it seems like only yesterday when we painted, but it sure could use it again.” Or you open your credit card statement and suddenly realize there’s no way you’re going to be able to pay the total in your lifetime. It’s my favorite lesson learned from the poor lobster in the pot: it seemed so comfortable all along, but now it’s too hot to get out!

I think we’re in that pot again. Last session, at the very last moment, HB444 was revised to create “civil unions.” Proponents argued that the bill was not meant to be a gay marriage bill, but all the wording in it referenced the Hawaii Revised Statute concerning traditional marriage. No, they argued, that’s what it looks like, but we are not trying to weaken traditional marriage. Well, fast forward to this session. The bill has surfaced early on; and, despite all the controversy and emotion generated by it last May, Gov. Abercrombie didn’t even address it in his State of the State on Monday. He says we all know where he stands.

Where’s the lobster been? If you are over 40 years old and think back to the type of TV shows, magazine articles and ads that you first remember, then compare them to what your children see and hear today, you will see how their strategies have been effective. We were told that you didn’t have to be married to live together and have kids. Then we were told that “love” made a family, not a mom and dad. Next they asked why shouldn’t we be treated the same for tax purposes, etc. as other “families?” Then came Hawaii’s 1997 Reciprocal Beneficiaries law, and things calmed down for a while, on the surface, at least. But now, the very structure of our society is being challenged. If we don’t make our views known, fairytales will someday begin with “Once upon a time, there was a family with a mom and dad……” Call your legislator this week. All listings are in the front of the phone book!

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

Day of Recollection at the Benedictine Monastery.

Pictures from the March for Life Rally at the State Capital

This is my annual plea for your assistance in communicating to your ministry the need for their assistance!

FYI --- The parish church cleaning for the 3rd Sat. of each month was taken on two years ago, to help Ed Lee. The family that originally cleaned the church during this period was not able to continue the much needed service. During one of our conversations after church, Ed expressed to me, the difficulty in finding people in our parish to help, even after announcements from Father to the parish. I initially took on the project on behalf of our Lector ministry, until other ministers in the Eucharistic and Music ministries suggested that all ministries should get involved. Collectively, we are about 90+ strong and with the consideration of the time and number of people needed to clean the church, the ministers and even their families would more than sufficiently complete the task.

Consider .....

10 Saturdays in a year, one Sat. per month (Confirmation candidates does about 2 of our Sat. in the year) X 2 hours minimum each Sat. to clean, Equals = 20 hours a year

We need at least 6 people per Sat. X 10 Saturdays in the year = 60 people min.

There are a few that take on the church cleaning every scheduled Saturday + those from Confirmation that come with their sponsors/parents to make up their service hours or just come because they want to. AND given that those that do come, also bring their family/friends, means that we (ministries) could easily fulfill the need every 3rd Sat.

Father Paul will be making an announcement regarding the church cleaning efforts after each mass in February, but with an urgency for a call to action. This time he will be seeking help for every Saturday.

There are several ways we can manage this, but our first concern is our commitment for the 3rd Sat. of each month.

The 2011 cleaning schedule:
Feb. 19
March/April Confirmation Candidates scheduled to clean
May 21
June 18
July 16
Aug. 20
Sept. 17
Oct. 15
Nov. 19
Dec. 17

Family, friends are always welcomed!

Note: 8am, cleaning includes M/W bathrooms (replace supplies, sweep, mop),
Cry Room (sweep, mop, bathroom-replace supplies/clean),
Conference Room (sweep, mop, empty rubbish),
Parish office (empty rubbish, vacuum carpets, bathroom-replace supplies/clean/mop,
Sacristy (vacuum, bathroom-replace supplies/clean/mop,empty rubbish),
Reconciliation Rm & 2 side Chapels (dust, vacuum, empty rubbish),
Altar (dust, wipe down),
Other - dust, wipe, sweep/blow down the main parish area, align chairs, ensure missalette under each chair,
empty outside rubbish bins and replace with liners.

2 hours for one Saturday in a year....is this still too much to ask - for one person to help clean the Lord's house?

Yours in Christ,

Roeana

Confirmation I and II: January 23, 2011: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Read the Gospel: Mt 4:12-23

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

(Mt 4:12-17)
What do you think went through Jesus’ mind when they arrested John? Remember that John and Jesus were close. Herod, who arrested John, was a cruel tyrant. Jesus must have realized John was facing torture and a brutal death. The Gospel makes it sound like Jesus withdrew for prayer and reflection. Did he reconsider dedicating his life to God? Did he need to grieve? Was he afraid? Did he consider seeking revenge? No one is sure why he withdrew, but it must have been a tough time for him.
The Gospel also says that John’s arrest marked the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. So he withdrew but then decided God was calling him to start his own ministry to replace John’s.
How do you deal with tragedy and loss? It seems that Jesus responded by starting his own ministry to announce God’s Reign of peace. Too often today it seems that people respond to tragedy with destructive options. Some lash out at others or use alcohol or other drugs or some other behavior to numb the pain. Some give up.
Follow Jesus’ example. God doesn’t bring tragedy into your life, but God certainly wants to help you deal with it or learn from it. Prayer and discussion with other Christians will help you hang in there during tough times or learn how to avoid them in the future. Write letters to God in a private journal. Learn to meditate. Like Jesus, you will find that wisdom or even a new direction for your life comes from a tragedy.
Here’s a good example. I know students whose family members have suffered some form of cancer. But they have let that tragedy motivate them to improve the lives of others. They are doing that by educating others about the different types of cancer and raising money to help find a cure. Like Jesus, they suffered painful tragedy, but they let the tragedy—with the help of God—guide them in acting to make the world a better place.

Journal: In what specific ways could teens let God help them through tragedy? Be specific. Do you know people who have responded to tragedy by using their experiences to help others? .

Our Windows

The stained glass windows in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and the Marian Shrine contain almost no traditional Christian symbols. One image that forms the foundation for both sides is the earth, the “aina”, a precious concept for the people of this land and, hopefully, for all of us. We also see a rainbow, beginning and ending in each window, spanning the entrance to our Church: it is not only a common sight in our lands, it is mostly a sign of God’s love for us, the renewal of His Covenant with us, as we know from Genesis 3:19.

The main thought in the Marian Shrine window is, of course, Mary … but in her role as “Mother.” There is the imagery of creation, life coming forth. Even as the oozing lava creates the face of the earth, new life in the green plants seen sprouting forth from desolation is clear. Living creatures abound on earth, in the sea and the sky. The land is itself created and the land still brings forth life. (Since the human image of Mary is already present in statue form in the Shrine area, it is not duplicated in the window.) Mary brought forth the Savior Who then brought life everlasting to all. From the stump springs the Shoot; from the desolation of sin comes New Life.

The Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Eucharist, is the BREAD OF LIFE. It nourishes and sustains the New Life we now have through the saving act of Jesus: to suffer, to die, to rise. The earth, too, is a source of nourishment, as is the sea and even the sky. The earth brings forth life. (Since God is physically present in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, the images of wheat and grapes, hosts and chalices seemed trite and were not included in the window.) Breadfruit, pineapple, mango, banana, sugarcane … almost gone, but how it has sustained life! – The Hawaiian word “aina” means land, earth, the word “aina” means, meal. Our Sacred Meal nourishes and sustains us.

When you stand inside one of these rooms, close your eyes and try to imagine what you might see outside, if the townhouses, asphalt, street lights, cars – all that we have placed on the earth, in the way – were gone. Open your eyes! Look and see!! If you still have difficulty finding meaning in these very beautiful windows, take a small child by the hand and stand in front of one of them. Watch and listen, as the little one, with unbridled excitement finds a snail and a bird and a flower and a dolphin. Watch and listen, as the little one points out the face of God! Look and see!! Open your mind and heart and soul. Look and see!!

ROL Secretary Lauralie Loughlin retires after 22 years of service

After 22 years of service to Resurrection of the Lord Catholic Church in Waipio-Gentry, parish secretary Lauralie Loughlin retired on December 31, 2010. During that time, Laura worked first for Fr. Ed Turner as he and the early parishioners created the new Catholic community. By the time the new church building was completed in 1995, Father Ron Burke was the parish priest; and Laura moved into her new office. In 2002, Father Paul Minchak came to ROL.

On Saturday, January 15, 2011, the parish planned and successfully executed a surprise retirement party for Laura. On the ruse of attending the 5:15 PM Mass to celebrate the Baptism of her 12th grandchild, Laura was completely unaware of the evening that awaited her. Her husband and all six of their children were in on the secret. When Father Paul asked what the family asked of the church, Laura expected her daughter-in-law to say, “Baptism.” Instead she said, “We’d like our son to be at the retirement party of his grandmother.” Father Paul then announced to Laura that there would be no Baptism (that has been officially scheduled for April), but instead she was to be honored for her many years of service to Resurrection of the Lord.

In addition to lots of good food, the evening included two songs sung by her grandchildren, a hula performed by Nicole Naong, beautiful tributes by Fr. Paul, her husband John, and Parish Council Chair Mary Bretschneider as well as music provided by several church members and their friends. Laura was gifted with a travel credit at AAA and a gift certificate purchased with funds donated by parish members. Many hands, including volunteer Confirmation candidates and Youth Ministry members, worked to make the evening a success. The parish wanted Laura to know that she will be missed.

Story submitted by Mary Bretschneider

Irate woman attacks Father Paul after Mass

Just kidding! Thanks Laura for 22 years of service as our Secretary at Resurrection of the Lord.

Resurrection of the Lord Band lead singer to replace Mick Jagger in Rolling Stones

Well, maybe not. All of us that have heard Father Paul sing at Mass can't imagine him on stage singing "I Can't Get No Satisfaction". The dance moves might also prove a little difficult. We'll just have to keep him as our priest here at Resurrection of the Lord for a little while longer. At least until the Black Eyed Peas have an opening for a new singer.

Epiphany Project at Next Step Homeless Shelter

On Saturday, January 8, 2011, our Confirmation candidates, with adults, went to the Next Step Homeless Shelter as an Epiphany project. There were approximately 150 shelter residents there. They numbered 33 candidates; with parents and sponsors, for a total of approximately 115 from ROL. They spent $3500, approximately $1100 was given out in the form of gift cards to Sears, Ross, Payless, McDonald's during BINGO and drawings. Also purchased and given away were brand new pillows and pillow cases for each resident, from adult to infants. Lunch was ham, fried noodles, rice, corn, fruits, cake and beverages. Entertainment was provided by Nathan Kop. They were there from 9am-3pm. This was the 3rd consecutive year that we partied with them for Epiphany. Mahalo to all at ROL who participated in events that helped fund this service. Mahalo to you who went and served those in need.

Faithful Citizenship - January 9, 2011

Happy New Year to all! I’ve taken the last two weeks off to enjoy the Christmas Season. But, as I opened my folder this morning, I was agai reminded that problems don’t go away without hard work.

Our legislative session will begin soon. While there will be lots of issues on the table as lawmakers scramble to get money to balance the budget, one issue remains consistently before us; and, although talked and gawked about, homelessness is no closer to being solved today than it was a year or two ago.

We had family visiting over the last 10 days. Everyone knows that that usually involves a drive “around the island.” You also know that the drive doesn’t really go all the way around the island, but ends in a small, dirt parking lot before you can begin a 45-minute walk to the sanctuary at Kaena Point. Along the way, you pass some of the longest and widest beaches on Oahu. With the waves pounding in an impressive roar or swishing up along the beach, either way is an impressive sight. Those beaches at various times over the last five years have been cluttered with tents and other worldly possessions of huge numbers of homeless. News media followed their evictions as they were forced to grab what they could carry or transport in their mostly unlicensed, uninsured vehicles and move to another location. Over time, they have settled, pretty much unhassled it seems, in the bushes and coves near beautiful Yokohama Bay. It’s scary and very sad to see such sights in what our travel brochures try their darndest to project as the most trouble- and care-free place on earth.

Bishop Silva has asked us to do our part in addressing the homeless situation. The articles that were included in the bulletins before Christmas did a good job of outlining the problem. What can we do? For starters, call our legislators and demand that they put this on the front burner. More next week….. Gotta go boot up my hard drive! Aloha---Mary B

Rite of Renewal of Baptismal Promises last Sunday at the 9:30 am Mass

On Baptism of the Lord Sunday, Father Paul Minchak celebrated the Renewal of Baptismal Promises with 21 of our Confirmation II candidates. This is another step as they prepare for The Right of Conformation this upcoming Easter Season, which will be celebrated by Bishop Larry Silva. Our Confirmation director, Liz Shippen stated, "Basically, the candidates' parents spoke for them and made the baptismal promises for them, promising to bring them up in the faith. At this rite, the children, now of age, have made their own decision and are accepting responsibility for their own spiritual growth and acknowledgment that the path involves living out their baptism, day-to-day. On the Baptism of the Lord, yesterday, and annually, we celebrate our baptism to remind of us the gift that has been given to us by our Lord." Our prayers go with them as they continue on their journey towards full confirmation in the Catholic Church.

Early morning on BAPTISM OF THE LORD Sunday

Early Morning at Resurrection of the Lord

from the desk of Fr. Paul…

Well over a year ago, we formed a Building and Maintenance Committee. There were twenty four people at the meeting and it was very encouraging. While many of you have always been available to see that areas of the Parish are well maintained and regular maintenance is being done, we have not had a meeting of this committee as such. I believe that we must start meeting because some major decisions have to be made soon. The building is nearing the 20 year mark and many items are showing their age. For example, one of the air conditioners in the Conference Room is broken. The company that maintains our air conditioners said it could be fixed, but it will be expensive and we would be wasting our money because it is so old and inefficient. They will have to break into the wall. If we break into the wall, we might just as well replace it. The other air-con in that room is not working well either.

The Diocese hired the Trane Co., to do an assessment on energy use in all the Parishes in the Diocese. They assessed our building over a month ago. While I haven’t received their report yet, I am told that, for the size of our building and of the Parish, we are spending more money on energy than any other Parish on Oahu. It doesn’t surprise me as I cringe every time our power and water bills come in. They offer suggestions to us on how to be more energy efficient. Off the record, I asked the man who did the assessment what we could do about our water bills. Since the biggest culprit of our high bills is the toilets, he thought it would be wise to replace them all with more commercial type toilets.

Meanwhile, our New Building Committee is meeting to not only plan for the new building, but also on how to renovate this building. While I don’t want to interfere with future plans, there are certain things that must be tackled now. Hopefully our Building and Maintenance Committee can meet soon so that we can begin dealing with the present problems. I don’t want to make these decisions on my own.

Pictures from New Years Day Mass