A reminder to all parents who would like to celebrate the baptism of their child on April 27, Saturday at 10:00 am.  Children below seven years of age are included in Infant Baptism.  Mandatory preparation classes for parents and godparents will be held on April15 and April 22, two Mondays from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.  Parents and godparents must attend both Monday nights.
If you miss this April 27 date, the next celebration is on May 25 with classes on May 13 and May 20. For May baptism, application forms must be turned in by the end of this month.
 
 
 
      Would you like to learn/review what the Sacrament of Baptism is about?  We can suggest two videos: “Baptism, One Ohana” from our diocese and “Why We Baptize” from Busted Halo series on Sacraments 101.
      To access Baptism, One Ohana, please go to the diocesan website: catholichawaii.org, click on diocesan offices, scroll down to Office of Religious Education, then click on “Baptism, One Ohana”.  We use this video to prepare parents and godparents for infant Baptism.
      Here’s the link to “why we baptize infants” from Busted Halo :  http://bustedhalo.com/video/baptism
Or you may Google: Why we baptize infants, busted halo you tube.  It’s narrated by Fr. Dwyer.
 
 
Recipients of “CCD Child of the Year” award posed with Fr. Ed and several catechists at last Sunday’s Year-End Celebration of CCD.
 
 
 
 
Parents: Congratulations again on your decision to complete the initiation sacraments of your child last May 12.  Please remember that their reception of Holy Communion on May 12 was only their FIRST.  There is second, third, fourth, tenth, hundredths of Holy Communion to receive.  Actually, they should receive Holy Communion every Sunday which means you have to bring them to Mass every Sunday (or Saturday evening).  But it’s not just “bringing them” to Mass which for some, means “dropping them off” at church.  Please come to and participate at Mass with your child or children.  They received the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit at their Confirmation.  Please help them nurture those gifts.
A reminder also that reception of Confirmation and First Holy Communion is NOT the end of their religious education and faith formation.  Please register them for the coming catechetical year 2019-2020 to deepen their knowledge of our Catholic faith.  Registration will begin on July 14, Sunday after all morning Masses.
 
 
INFANT BAPTISM SCHEDULE
Here is our schedule for infant baptism for the next three months.  Please note that infant baptism is for children below seven years old.  Children seven years old and above are of catechetical age which means they will take a different path to baptism and that is through the RCIA process (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, but adapted to children’s level).  You might ask why name it RCIA when we are speaking of children.  Some parishes call it RCIC; however there is no RCIC in the Rites of the RCIA.  The Rite identifies “Christian Initiation of Children who have reached catechetical age”.
Date of Baptism Due Date for Application Class Dates
May 25, 2019, Sat., 10 am April 30, 2019
May 13 and
May 20, 2019
June 29, 2019, Sat., 10 am June 3, 2019
June 17 and
June 24, 2019
July 27, 2019, Sat., 10 am July 1, 2019
July 15 and
July 22, 2019
Parents, please submit your completed forms on or before due date. Baptism packets are available at the parish office.
 
 
1. Those who are seven years of age and above and have never been baptized
2. Adults who were baptized as an infant in the Catholic Church but have never received their Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist
3. Those who have valid baptism from a non-Catholic Christian Church.  Validity of such baptism depends on matter (water) and form (Trinitarian formula).
Those who are interested in receiving the sacraments in the Catholic Church should call the Office of Religious Education at 689-8681 Ext. 107.  Please leave your name and phone number in case no one picks up the phone.  You may also email Julia at jtorres@rcchawaii.org.
 
 
You would join the RCIA group because you will be prepared for Confirmation, First Reconciliation and First Communion.  This group meets on Thursday nights from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
 
 
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation together constitute the sacraments of Christian initiation whose unity must be safeguarded … reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.  For by the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.  Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” (CCC #1285)
Par. 1303 of the Catechism lists the effects of the sacrament of Confirmation:
=> Full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles at Pentecost
=> Increases and deepens baptismal grace because it:
• Roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry Abba, Father
• Unites us more firmly to Christ
• Increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us
• Renders our bond with the Church more perfect
• Gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.
 
 
 
Here are some questions for your family and/or friends to share at your dinner table:
 
• What similarities do you see between your meal at home and the Eucharistic meal at Mass?
• How do you see your meal at home as a sacrifice?   The word “sacrifice” came from two Latin words: sacra meaning sacred and facere meaning to do.  Therefore sacrifice means to do something sacred or holy. What do you do at home to make your meal sacred or holy?
• How do you see the real presence of the Lord at your meal at home?  Do you believe in the real presence of the Lord at the
Eucharistic Meal?  Yes?  How do your action and attitude manifest your belief?
 
 
For those who are planning to have their child baptized, please read below on how to proceed:
• Pick up a baptism packet by the door of the parish office.  You don’t have to come in to the office, which means you can come even if the office is closed
• Complete the application for baptism.  Godparents must also read the requirements for godparents, then sign it
• Call Julia at 689-8681 Ext. 107 for a meeting when all paper works are done
• Interview with Fr. Ed or Fr. Jong is required
• Mandatory preparation classes for parents and godparents on two Monday nights from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
• Presentation for Baptism after the first class.  This presentation is part of the Baptismal rite; therefore it cannot be skipped.
 
• Must have completed sixteen years of age
• Fully initiated Catholic having received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
• If married, marriage must be in the Catholic Church
• If single, not cohabitating, meaning living with someone but not married, and again, marriage must be in the Catholic Church
• Able and willing to take the role and responsibilities of a godparent/sponsor
 
Parents are the first teachers of the children, be it in faith, morals, values, attitudes, habits, etc.   Let us talk about faith here and look at some church documents regarding the role of parents in the education and faith formation of their children:
• “Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children.  They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity and disinterested service are the rule.”  (Catechism of the Catholic Church – [CCC] Par. 2223)
• “Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child’s earliest years.  This already happens when family members help one another to grow in faith by the witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel… parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as the children of God..” (CCC #2226)
• “The role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute.”  (Declaration on Christian Education, Par. #3)
• “The right and duty of parents to educate their children is essential …irreplaceable and inalienable, and therefore incapable of being entirely delegated to others or usurped by others.” (Pope John Paul II, On the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World, Par. #36)
• “By virtue of their ministry of educating, parents are, through the witness of their lives, the first heralds of the Gospel for their children.  Furthermore, by praying with their children, by reading the Word of God with them and by introducing them deeply through Christian initiation into the Body of Christ – both the Eucharistic and the ecclesial Body – they become fully parents, in that they are begetters not only of bodily life but also of the life that through the Spirit’s renewal flows from the Cross and Resurrection of Christ.” (Familiaris Consortio, Par. #39.4)
 
 
 
WHAT ABOUT ADULT CONFIRMATION?
Requirements:
• 18 years old and above
• Baptized Catholic and has received Eucharist
• If married, marriage must be in the Catholic Church.  Those married outside of Catholic Church must celebrate Marriage Convalidation prior to receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation
• Must live a life in harmony with Catholic faith

Questions? See/Call/email Julia. Tel. 689-8681 Ext. 107.  Email: jtorres@rcchawaii.org
 
 
Hello Parents/Children/teens!  Here are some online resources for your reflection and/or activities to share at home prior to/after Sunday’s liturgy:
For children: catholicmom.com.  On the home page, right side, middle of the page, click on “Sunday Gospel Activities”.  Then find the date then click on the activities: coloring page, crossword puzzle, Word Search.  You will also find a link for the Sunday readings.
For adults:  Five Loaves.  This site will give you a reflection for the Sunday Gospel reading plus a bonus of a song connected to the reading. http://www.thefiveloaves.com/
 
 
Here is a questions that comes up when I meet with godparents/sponsors for Baptism and Confirmation.
Q – A person received First Holy Communion in second grade; is now an adult and married civilly.  Why can she/he not receive Holy Communion now when she/he has received Communion in her/his younger years?
A - Simple answer: in second grade, one is not married civilly or not married, period.  On the other hand, the answer from the catechetical point of view is this: “Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace.  Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive Communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.”  (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Par. 1415).
So what is the “state of grace”?  The Catechism states that “grace is a participation in the life of God” (CCC 1997).  One cannot be in the state of grace if one is living in a marriage relationship that is not recognized by the Catholic Church.  Civil marriage and marriage in a non-Catholic  Church is not recognized by the Catholic Church.  The question then is how can marriage outside of the Catholic Church be recognized by the Catholic Church?  The answer is “MARRIAGE CONVALIDATION.”

If you are in the above situation, please make an appointment to meet with Deacon Ron, Deacon Eric, Fr. EJ or Fr. Ed.  They can help you get started on marriage convalidation.  Don’t wait too long.  Nourishment for your soul is very important.

Based on Par. 1415 from the Catechism, can one just go to Confession in order to receive Holy  Communion but without marriage convalidation?  The answer is NO.  Again, please see one of the deacons or priests.
 
 
Some parents and teens are still confused about the new norms on initiation sacraments.  Several parents still think Year 2017-2018 is Year One of preparation for Confirmation!!!  NO!!!

• First Communicants or those who will receive their First Holy Communion in May will also receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Therefore children/youth in the following classes are included:  Ms. Consuelo Gouveia’s class; Ms. Cora Yahiku/Ms. Shannon Ancheta’s class; Ms. Priscila Rayray’s class; Ms. Donna Alvaro’s class; Ms. Eleanor Ragojo’s class; OLPH School students
• Those who have received First Holy Communion and are presently in the following classes:

1. Grade 3 at 7:30 and 9:30 ( Ms. Cynthia Walker’s class and Ms. Susan Marbella’s class)
2. Grade 4 at 7:30 and 9:30 (Ms. Josie Banasihan’s class and Ms. Crystal Baliguat’s class)
3. Grade 5 at 7:30 and 9:30 (Ms. Raquel Ochoa’s class and Ms. Precy Cuizon’s class)
4. EDGE Middle School Youth Ministry at 8:30 am and 2:30 pm
5. Aunty June’s class on Wednesday night
6. Most high school students participating with Life Teen Youth Ministry on Sunday night
7. OLPH School students
8. Students from Catholic schools: Damien, Sacred Hearts, St. Louis, and Maryknoll who have requested the Sacrament of Confirmation
 
 
Godparent for Baptism and Sponsor for Confirmation must:
• Have completed sixteen years of age
• Be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church having received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
• Be practicing Catholic - at least regular Mass attendance
• Be married in the Catholic Church, if married; not be cohabitating if single
• Be willing and able to undertake the role and responsibilities of a godparent/sponsor
NOTES:
• Parents cannot be godparent at Baptism
• Parents cannot be sponsor at Confirmation although they may present their child for the sacrament at the Confirmation Mass in case the designated sponsor cannot make it to the Mass; however, a qualified Sponsor is still required and must submit a Sponsor form.
 
 
Our parish’s Advent Penance Service is on December 14, 2018.  Do you know your Act of Contrition?  Here is that activity.  Fill in the blanks:
My ______, I am sorry for my ________ with all my ___________.  In ______________ to do ____________ and ________________ to do _______________, I have sinned against _______ whom I should _______________ above all ______________.  I firmly _________________ with your ________________ to do ________________, to
_________ no more, and to _____________ whatever leads me to ___________.  Our Savior ____________ suffered and __________ for us.  In His _____________, my __________, have ___________.
 
 
One may ask what is the Sacrament of Reconciliation for if one was Baptized?  Does not Baptism cleanse us from the stain of original sin?  The answer is “yes” but Baptism does not remove “frailty and weakness of human nature nor the inclination to sin that tradition calls concupiscence” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Par. 1426).  Therefore, when we give in to sin (and who doesn’t), we need the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The apostle John writes that “if we say, we are without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrong-doing.  If we say ‘we have not sinned’, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10).
If you have not gone to Confession for some time, there are three videos you may want to watch.  One is from our diocese.  Here is the link: http://catholichawaii.org/catholic-essentials/sacrament-videos/reconciliation-one-ohana/
There are also two short videos from Busted Halo by Fr. Jack Dwyer.  Here are the links:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Why+we+go+to+Confession%2c+You+Tube&view=detail&mid=804302CE3F4A6EA28995804302CE3F4A6EA28995&FORM=VIRE
 

If the last two links are too much to type: Google “why we go to Confession, you tube”.  It should say “Sacraments 101” by Fr. Jack Dwyer.  The second video is also by Fr. Dwyer on how to go to Confession.  Questions or need more help? Please call the Office of Religious Education at 689-8681 Ext. 107.  Our weekly Confession schedule is on Saturday afternoon from 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm.  You may also call the parish office at 689-8681 to make an appointment to see Fr. EJ or Fr. Ed on his return, hopefully next month.
 
 
What are the qualifications of a Confirmation sponsor?  To take on the function of a sponsor, a person must:
• Be a fully initiated Catholic, having received Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion
• Have completed his or her sixteenth year unless the pastor makes an exception for a just cause
• Be practicing Catholic, leading a life in harmony with the Catholic faith, and, if married, be in a marriage recognized as valid in the Catholic Church; and if single, not cohabiting
• Be someone other than a parent
When is the Sponsor form due?  It is due on or before December 1, 2017
Can a parent be a sponsor?  The Code of Canon Law, Par. 874, states that a godparent or sponsor must be “someone other than a parent”.
Can someone on the mainland or neighbor island be a sponsor?  Yes. The sponsor needs to submit Pastor Verification Form that can be obtained either from the Office of Religious Education or downloaded from the parish website.  The sponsor takes the form to his or her pastor to answer the questions and sign.  The parish seal is also required.
Can a sponsor have two candidates?  Ideally, there should be one sponsor for each candidate but if you are having difficulty finding sponsor, we will allow one sponsor to have two candidates.
What if a sponsor cannot make it at the Confirmation Mass?  Parents can assign someone to be proxy at the Confirmation Mass.
 
 
To take on the function of a Confirmation sponsor, a person must:
• Be fully initiated Catholic, having received Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion.  This means the Sponsor is fully initiated at the time of Confirmation.  A question came up if someone who will be Confirmed on May 20, 2018 may be a Sponsor for someone who will also be Confirmed on the same date.  The answer is NO.
• Have completed his or her sixteenth year.  Another parent asked if her child’s sponsor who will be 16 by the end of the year is qualified.  The answer is NO.  I even received Sponsor forms where the sponsor is a child under ten years of age.
• Be a practicing Catholic, leading a life in harmony with the Catholic faith, and if married, be in a marriage recognized as valid in the Catholic Church.  This means those married outside the Catholic Church cannot be Confirmation sponsor.  Examples of marriage outside the Catholic Church are civil marriage, marriage officiated by a minister or judge, marriage on the beach or hotel, etc.
• Be someone other than a parent.  I received several Sponsor forms where the parents are the Confirmation sponsor for their children.

If I may add, the candidate for Confirmation CANNOT be a Sponsor for himself or herself.  Parents: PLEASE, please read the qualifications.  Mahalo.  Any questions?  Please call the Office of Religious Education at 689-8681 Ext. 107
 
 
Parents and Teens:  With our parish transitioning to the new norms in sacramental preparation, the Sacrament of Confirmation program the way we knew it is GONE. There is NO MORE Confirmation 1.  Therefore:
• Starting Year 2017-2018 and on…. All high school students will need to register with our Life Teen Youth Ministry.  If the youth is not Baptized, he/she will be prepared for full initiation sacraments which may take two years or so.  This preparation will go through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process but done within the context of Youth Ministry.  If the youth need Confirmation only, there will be immediate preparation when the youth is “suitably prepared”.   If the youth need Confirmation and First Holy Communion, preparation may take longer especially if the youth is not catechized at all.
• For this year 2017-2018, we will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation to second graders up to high school, provided the second grader is on the second year of preparation for First Holy Communion.  The third graders and up who have received First Holy Communion and attended religious education last year, will be Confirmed in May, 2018.  They will be on regular religious education classes right now but will have immediate preparation for Confirmation next year.  The calendar was given to all the parents who attended Parents Orientation Night last August 11, August 16 or August 18.  Parents who missed the Orientation should call Julia at 689-8681 Ext. 107.
 
 
Would you like to help as substitute catechist on Sunday mornings, either at 7:30 or 9:30?  If you are looking to do some ministry work but not on a weekly basis, substitute catechist is probably one for you.  You don’t need to know a whole lot about doctrine or dogma.  The catechist guide will give you directions how to lead the class.  A brief training will be provided.  If you feel called to catechetical ministry, please call Julia at 689-8681 Ext. 107.  Mahalo.
 
 
DID YOU KNOW….
THIS PARISH WILL SOON OFFER CONFIRMATION PRIOR
TO FIRST HOLY COMMUNION??