Baptism on July 28, Saturday, at 10 am.  Mandatory preparation classes for parents and godparents on July 16 and 23, two Monday nights at 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.  Baptism packets are available at the parish office.
 
 
We will celebrate Infant Baptism on the following dates: May 12, June 30, July 28, August 25, Sept. 29, October 27 and November 24.  Mandatory preparation classes for parents and godparents are held on two Monday nights prior to baptism date.  Registration for baptism are due one month prior to baptism date.  You may pick up a baptism packet at the parish office.
 
 
   2019 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, a significant milestone for our parish community.  Starting with the June 2018 Feast Day, we will kick off a year long celebration.  Click the link below to read Fr. Ed's letter proclaiming the year long celebration and the events to come.
 
 
 
 
      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.
 
 
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Inquiry or Pre-Catechumenate session is on-going on Thursday nights from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.  We are currently watching a video on “The Bible and the Sacraments”.
 
 
Parents: REGISTRATION for religious education and faith formation starts today and in the next three weekends before or after all Masses.  You may also come to the parish office Tuesday to Friday during regular office hours to register.  Please bring the form that was mailed to you but if you did not receive a form in the mail, you may use the forms available at the registration desk or parish office.  You may also download the form from the parish website: olphewabeach.org. Print the form, complete it and bring it to any Sunday Mass or parish office.
 
 
The Thursday night group is on break this month.  They will return on August 2nd however, dismissal of our catechumens continues on Saturday and Sunday nights.  We are also forming a new group that will start on August 23, Thursday, at 7 p m also.  Please invite any adult who:

• Would like to receive the Sacrament of Baptism. Please let them know that they will also be prepared for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist
• Is a baptized Catholic but uncatechized. This means the person needs Confirmation and Eucharist
• Was baptized in a non-Catholic Christian community and would like to be received into the Roman Catholic Church.
 
Unbaptized children ages 7 to 12 will be prepared for their initiation sacraments through the Sunday morning sessions.  Included in the group will be those who were baptized in infancy but missed their Frist Holy Communion in second grade. High school students who need any initiation sacraments will be prepared through Life Teen Youth Ministry.
 
 
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
 
Calling all EDGERS!!! Remember the games, fellowship, snacks and fun you had in learning about our faith?  Well, it’s time to register again.  First session starts on August 19 but we would like everyone registered no later than August 5.  We would also like to invite all the fifth graders last year.  Come and join Edge.
 
 
Last Sunday, Deacon Eric asked us what we think our purpose is in this life?  Did you pray on the answer to that question?  Might the answer be: to help keep our pre-teens (Grade 6, 7 and 8) stay in the church.  We are praying that the answer you came up with is just what we need with our EDGE Middle School Ministry.  What are expected of you as a Core Team for EDGE?
• Willingness to share your faith with our young people
• Commitment to weekly meetings and sessions. We certainly understand family emergencies and illnesses do come up, in which case, you will be excused while the other team members will double up on their responsibilities.
• Commitment to your own faith formation which can take place during the year and NOT BEFORE you join the ministry
• Background screening and safe environment training as mandated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and our diocese.
Please call the Office of Religious Education at 689-8681 Ext. 107 to join this very important ministry in the Church and our parish.  Hope to hear from you soon!
 
 
July Schedule:  Baptism on July 28, Saturday, at 10 am.  Mandatory preparation classes for parents and godparents are on July 16 and July 23
August Schedule:  Baptism on August 18, Saturday at 10 am.  Mandatory preparation classes for parents and godparents are on August 6 and August 13
Parents: if you are planning for baptism in July, please turn in your application form ASAP.  You may pick up a baptism packet at the parish office.  Initial interview of parents and godparents must be done no later than one week prior to first class.
Godparents must meet the following requirements:
• Must have completed 16 years of age
• Must be fully initiated Catholic having received all three initiation sacraments of: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
• Must lead a life in harmony with the Catholic faith
• If they are married, they must be married in the Catholic Church
 
 
This Monday, July 16 is the memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  It was on Mount Carmel that the prophet Elijah defended the faith against 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah.  In case you do not remember the story, please read Chapter 18 of the First Book of Kings.  (for further readings, read also Chapter 17 and 19) Mount Carmel is also the birthplace of the Carmelite Order in the 12th century.  The friars built a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Mother, thus Mount Carmel is associated with the Carmelite Order and the Blessed Mother.
Sidebar: Two saints associated with the Carmelites are Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross.  Together, they reformed the Carmelite Order that gave birth to Discalced Carmelites.
Another Sidebar: the Brown Scapular was given by our Lady to Simon Stock, Vicar General of the Carmelite Order on July 16, 1251.
 
 
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 First Communicants will celebrate their First Reconciliation on November 30 while our parish’s Advent Penance Service is on December 5.  Do you know your Act of Contrition?  At our First Reconciliation retreat last November 11, our children were asked to complete the 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.
 
 
At Session 2 on the Sacrament of Reconciliation for parents last October 12, we asked parents to complete an anonymous survey on their practice of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Twenty parents turned in their answers.  Of these 20:  twelve very seldom went to Confession, three went once a year while the other five do not go because they either do not know how, or are nervous because they have not gone to Confession for a long time or has never received First Holy Communion and therefore has never gone to Confession.
Although only twenty responded to the survey, what are the results telling us about how we live and practice our Catholic faith?  What can we do to live in the sacraments?  Most especially, what can parents do to model for their children how to live our faith?  How can the community assist or teach or evangelize our brothers and sisters who may have been coming to Mass on a regular basis but skipping the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
 
 
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??