Journal: How did you live out last week’s Gospel message? What was tough? What was rewarding?
Dishonesty. It plagues our high schools. Many students will do anything to get ahead. Some teachers go crazy trying to develop ways to stop cheating. Others are heartbroken when students they respect justify academic dishonesty.
And Jesus said, “Seek first…the highest grade, the best college…” Uh, not exactly.
I attended a Catholic high school. While in college, I helped out at Catholic high schools. I worry about the pressure students feel to be number one.
Here is the message many students pick up: “I have to get the highest grades and be in the most activities—otherwise, I won’t get into the best college. If I don’t get into the best college, I will be a failure.” Too often, even well-meaning parents and guidance counselors feed that message.
That message can devastate young people. It leads some to justify dishonesty. It leads others to use alcohol and other drugs. It leads others to experience depression and despair.
If you’ve heard that message, let me offer a different one—one from the God who will always be with you. “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will follow.” Here’s how you do that. Develop your character. Honesty, compassion, and generosity will make your life more meaningful than the highest grades, longest resume, or best college. Develop your prayer life. Using daily prayer and attending weekly Mass will remind you that God’s love and protection don’t depend on personal success.. Build time into your schedule for service. That reminds you that you don’t need a high ACT or SAT score to make a difference in the world and feel good about yourself.
Sure, work hard in school. Develop your brain and body through activities. But remember, almost any school can prepare you well for a career if you work hard. Also remember, our world needs more people with Christian character, not more millionaires.
Journal: How is the pressure to succeed leading some teenagers—or even you—to sacrifice character? How might you change the situation? What can you do? Be specific.
What a great opportunity to answer the call of our Lord Jesus Christ to serve the least among us. Yet, out of all the Resurrection of the Lord parishioners, only six signed up to serve at our scheduled breakfast meal serving in February, and only three actually showed up to serve.
In his book, "The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People," author David Niven lists "Do what you say you are going to do" as #24. He writes, "Nothing kills progress or deadens enthusiasm more than someone who talks but never follows through." I must admit, though, that I am rarely surprised by people not following through. It seems that our busy lives preclude really doing much of what we say, hope or promise to do. Barack Obama and Neil Abercrombie, however, are walking around with the big smiles of happy people these days.
For many ROL parishioners it's difficult to get downtown to the Pauline Bookstore. So, at the request of ROL parishioner and faithful customer, Gaylene Colon, the Daughters of Saint Paul brought the bookstore to Waipio. After each Mass last weekend Sister Linh and Sister An Mei offered an assortment of spiritual books, DVD's and rosaries for the parishioners of Resurrection of the Lord parish to view and purchase. We at ROL would like to thanks the Daughters of Saint Paul for their dedication and service in bringing the word of Our Lord, and the Catholic Church, to our Hawaiian Ohana. (Reported and photo by Bob Mace)
Conformation Candidates: Carlyn Abramo, Elaura Oshiro, Jasmine Barroga
If you’ve been watching what’s been going on in Egypt for the last several weeks, you can see what frustration can do to a citizenry. Imagine what it takes to get that many people out in the streets day after day, clamoring for change. Remember when they held the first
elections in Iraq, and people were willing to risk their lives for a chance to vote?
During a special Saturday night Boy Scout Mass at the Our Lady of Peace Cathedral, Resurrection of the Lord parishioner, Alter Server and Saint Louis High School junior Gabriel (Gabby) Balais, (along with Walter Benevitz another ROL Alter Server), was awarded the Ad Altare Dei (Catholic) Religious Emblem by Bishop Larry Silva. This emblem is awarded not by the Boy Scouts of America, but by various religious groups. Gabby was awarded this emblem by the Diocese of Honolulu Catholic Committee on Scouting (DHCCS), after completing the Ad Altare Dei class, which was conducted at ROL parish. The Ad Altare Dei (to the alter of God) program is organized in chapters based on the seven Sacraments as the primary means towards spiritual growth. Gabby and his proud parents, Bobby and Eloise Balais, would like to give special Mahalo’s to Gabby’s Ad Altare Dei instructor, Uncle John Wheeler; his Confirmation Director, Auntie Liz Shippen; his Confirmation Sponsor, Uncle Kerry Nishimoto; and Scout Chaplain for DHCCS, Fr. Paul Zaccone, ss.cc for their guidance and support. The Balais family (Gabby’s brother Matt is a freshman at Saint Louis High) feels truly blessed to have these spiritual guides in Gabby’s life. This family is a great example of the “Holy Family” that all families are called to be. (Reported by Bob Mace, photo by Balais family)
Resurrection of the Lord parishioner Barbara Gabriel passed away last Sunday morning, February 6, 2011 after suffering from spinal cancer. She was in hospice at Leeward Integrated Health Home in Makaha, with Saint Francis Hospice. Please pray for her soul.
Menu for February 27, 2011
