NKCC

One ‘Ohana

There will be NO One ‘Ohana in February. Please see the article on the February Retreat. It is not too soon, however, to mark to your calendars for the March 12th One ‘Ohana. The Sacraments we will be discussing are Baptism and Confirmation. By that time we will be well into Lent and preparing for Easter.

February Retreat

In February, Father Armand Nigro, SJ from Spokane, WA will visit us once again to do a three-day retreat. Father is nearing the end of a long ministry of giving retreats, parish missions, offering spiritual direction, and hearing confessions. He is a man of profound spirituality and we are fortunate to have him offer us these days “For free,” as he always adds.

The talks will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – Feb. 27, 28, 29. The Retreat talks will be at Immaculate Conception Church at 10:30AM. The talks will last 45 minutes. Father will then celebrate the noon Mass. Father Nigro will also offer the opportunity for Reconciliation and Spiritual Direction for anyone who wishes.

Starter Baskets for Kaloko Housing

Families are now being placed in Transitional Housing at Kaloko. We, at St. Michael’s, worked very hard to help make that housing area for low-income families a reality. We are now planning to create baskets similar to what the Welcome Wagon once delivered to families moving into a new home.

Your generosity when we did this ministry in the past was overwhelming. We no longer have the storage space to accommodate large volumes of stored goods. What we need are the following items: twin bed sheets, full size bed sheets, bath towels, dish towels, laundry soap, dish soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bath soap, tissues, etc. These are the basic things one needs to get themselves established. If there are other things you have and would like to give, we appreciate it but this is not a big drive. We estimate providing three baskets month.

Baptism Class

This is a reminder that the last class for the January Baptism will be held on Wednesday the 11th, and Sunday the 15th. Classes are at Immaculate Conception Hall.

First Year Confirmation

Students preparing for First Year Confirmation will receive the Rite of Enrollment on Sunday, January 15th at the 9AM Mass. It is important to have your sponsor there with you. Confirmation Class will be held at Immaculate Conception Hall, following the 9AM Mass at St. Michael’s.

Feast of Santo Niño

On Saturday, January 14th at 6PM, the Filipino community will celebrate the Feast of Santo Niño de Cebu. The celebration will be held at the Old Airport Pavilion. There will be Mass followed by a potluck dinner.

Golf Tournament 2012

The 3rd Annual St. Michael’s Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday – January 28th at the Kona Country Club (Mountain Course) starting at 7AM. The primary objective of this event is to raise money for rebuilding a new place of worship for St. Michael’s Parish. It is also an opportunity to foster community building in the parish. The tournament entry fee of $125 includes a round of golf, chef-prepared lunch, and prizes. Lunch will be held at Hale Halawai. Non-players are welcome to lunch at $20 per person.

Rite of Acceptance

Last Sunday we welcomed two children, Jordan and Taylor Bear, in the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of the Catechumenate at the 4:00PM Mass. These children publicly declared they have heard God’s call and desire to become Catholics. We are asked to accept their commitment and pledge our support throughout their journey of faith. As Catechumens, they will explore the Gospel stories and participate in our Church’s prayer and service as they prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. Please offer them your support and keep them in your prayers.

Thanks From the Girl Scouts

The Girl Scouts of Troop 2028 thank the parishioners of St. Michael’s for their generosity in assisting them with their Silver Project “Stockings for Soldiers.” The Girl Scouts were able to ship 42 boxes to soldiers deployed overseas. Congratulations to Paulette Abaire and her sister Scouts.

Today’s Readings

The claim of the first reading, that everyone who had been put into exile would come home to Israel, was filled with such an exuberant hope that not only would the children of Israel come back, but also that the whole world would come to see Jerusalem as their home. 
They would come bringing their wealth, and as we sing the Psalm we see that it would be a glorious day. The visit of the Magi recounted in the Gospel makes this dream a reality, but the true treasure comes in the second reading, where Paul recounts how God revealed to him that the Gentiles could be saved, that they could come home too. No more do we speak of 'us' and 'them' there are no longer nations, gentiles, Jews, Israelites, all take on that marvelous name of 'coheir' 'copartner' and members, truly sisters and brothers of Christ and in Christ and through Christ. 

It is a great day indeed, but also a great challenge. For if all of this is true, no Christian can discriminate on the basis of race or nation - we are all called to share in the one destiny.

By Glenn CJ Byer, MA SLD
© 2003, OCP. All rights reserved.

Matthew 2:1-12

This is the famous story of the un-named astrologers, magi, whose number has come down to us as three because three gifts were presented to the Christ-child on the occasion of their visit. The story, unique to St. Matthew, is full of theological meaning. First, Matthew insists that the child is father to the man. As a man, this Jesus will disturb all Jerusalem, and the chief priests and scribes will be summoned and he will be done to death. The same pattern of response is discernible in this story of the child Jesus. Jesus is Immanuel, "God with us," proclaimed so at the beginning and at the end of his gospel by Matthew [see 1.23 and 28.20]. But, while Jesus as God-with-us is most comforting, his presence demands response. He presents challenge. The negative response at the end of the gospel is anticipated in the negative response at the beginning. The long shadow of the cross already stands over this child. Second, these astrologers are not Jews, but they have arrived "from the east." They are Gentiles. When these "un-chosen" Gentiles find the child with his mother, "they prostrated themselves and did him homage." They acknowledged God-with-us, and worshiped him. When New Testament characters are un-named, their anonymity is purposeful. Its purpose is to invite us into the narrative. They are un-named so that we might find our name in them. We too are non-Jews, Gentiles, and we too are invited to discover where the child is. We too prostrate ourselves and do him homage when he truly becomes for us in our own lives Immanuel, God-with-us. His becoming Immanuel for us takes practice and time, time spent in regular conversation and colloquy, time of prayer.

By Deacon Owen Cummings
© 2003, OCP. All rights reserved.

Stewardship Report - Dec. 31, 2011 - Jan. 1, 2012