NKCC

Baptisms

Congratulations to the parents of the six children who were baptized on January 22nd at St. Michael’s. These parents demonstrated their commitment to preparing for the Baptism by attending three group sessions over a three month period. The sessions are designed to help parents understand the seriousness of what they are promising to do for their children. It also familiarizes them with the actual Rite of Baptism. The newly baptized are the following:

• Jazarah Gary – daughter of Kenya and Stacia Gary
• Gabriel Afan – son of Amor and Maria Afan
• Wesley Justin Wong – son of Kai Wong and Janet Seto
• Austin Keohuloa & Anaiyah Wusstig-Caraballo – children of Shanayd Wusstig & Gerardo Caraballo
• Jetasri Gadot – daughter of Jethro and Florence Gadot

The next Baptism will take place in June 2012. Those wishing to register a child for June Baptism, please call the parish office. Parents must attend 3 preparation sessions. Please note the following dates and times.

• 1st Session – Attend either Wednesday, April 18th at 7PM OR Sunday, April 22nd at 12:30PM
• 2nd Session – Attend either Wednesday, May 16th at 7PM OR Sunday, May 20th at 12:30PM
• 3rd Session – Attend either Wednesday, June 6th at 7PM OR Sunday, June 10th at 12:30PM.

Baptisms will be on Sunday, June 23rd.

First Communion for Older Children

If there are children in the parish who are between the ages of 12 and 17 and have not yet prepared or received their First Communion, please call Cynthia Taylor at 960-0734. I will set up a class that goes from April 2012 to November 2012. Children who are younger than 12, will be prepared by their parents in next September’s regular group.

Knights of Columbus Dinner Dance

Come dance the night away on February 11, 2012, at the annual Knights of Columbus Dinner Dance. Those who attended last year can tell you that it was a smashing success. Roy Galigo’s music provided enough variety to get everyone up on the dance floor. The food was tempting, even to the disciplined weight watcher. Best of all, the atmosphere was one of enjoyment and friendship. The place is the Kamehameha Hotel at 6PM. Buy your tickets after Mass. The cost is $45 per person.

One ‘Ohana

There will be no One ‘Ohana in February. There are, however, scheduled classes or activities for First Eucharist on Sunday, February 5th at 9:30AM, 1st-Year Confirmation on Sunday, Feb. 12th and 2nd-Year Confirmation on February 19th at 10:30AM. All scheduled activities will be held at Immaculate Conception Hall.

Blessed Marianne Cope Ministry Project

Thank you to those who have contributed to the Welcome Baskets we are making for families going into transitional housing out at Kaloko. If you have items to contribute, please drop them either in the box outside of the Blessed Marianne Cope office up at Immaculate Conception or leave them in the Parish Office for Maureen Bagley. We will continue to prepare these baskets and distribute about 3 per month. Sheet sizes needed are twin, regular and queen. Toothbrushes are in short supply but we have an ample supply of toothpaste. A starter basket needs laundry and dish soap, towels, a minimum amount of flat ware and dishes.

Since the baskets are from the members of our faith community, we will ask members of the parish to deliver the baskets. We need to know the individuals we serve as real people with their own hopes and dreams.

First Eucharist Children and Parents

On Sunday, February 5th, parents and children will meet in the Hall at Immaculate Conception at 9:30AM. Parents and children will work together to begin making banners for their respective celebrations of First Eucharist.

Feast of St. Blaise

February 3rd is the Feast of St. Blaise, the patron saint of throat illnesses. The Blessing of the Throats takes place that day and the assembly is invited to have their throats blessed during the 7:00AM and noon Masses at Immaculate Conception Church. Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against the throat as the blessing is said. St. Blaise’s protection of those with throat troubles apparently comes from a legend that a boy was brought to him who had a fishbone stuck in his throat. The boy was about to die when St. Blaise healed him.

The Church in Latin America/ Black & Indian Missions

Thank you to all who made a donation last weekend for the special collections for The Church in Latin America and the Black & Indian Missions. Your contributions support pastoral work for the Church in Latin America and to keep the faith; and for evangelization efforts among African Americans and Native Americans here in the United States. God bless you for your generosity.

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.

Readings

By Dale J. Sieverding  © 2003, OCP. All rights reserved

With the voice of authority, He commands unclean spirits and devils to obey him. The psalmist urges the faithful to “hear God’s voice” and “harden not your hearts”. The following of Christ is no easy road, but rather the commitment to open oneself fully to the healing power of God in our midst. The constant turning of life’s joys and sorrows to God will permit the Christian to live free in the knowledge and love of God. Bowing down in worship before God in the Liturgy, the Church is transformed in bits and pieces into the image of Christ, and becomes the presence of Christ in the world. Some will say Liturgy is a waste of time and “God doesn’t need it!" Indeed, one of the prefaces lifts our hearts to God with the words, “you have no need of our praise, yet the desire to praise you, is itself your gift.” Praise God with every fiber of your being..

Mark 1:21-28

By Deacon Owen Cummings  © 2005, OCP. All rights reserved.

In the first part of St. Mark's Gospel there is an emphasis on the wonder-working activity of the Lord. In the subsequent passages and chapters Jesus goes on to heal Peter's mother-in-law and many people (1:29-34), to cleanse a leper (1:40-45), to heal a paralytic (2:1-12), to heal the man with the withered hand (3:1-6), and so forth. One could easily form the impression of a wonder-worker, a magician, as it were. St. Mark therefore is careful to paint the Lord Jesus as powerful not only in deed, but also in word. Thus, the first section of our gospel reading has Jesus teaching in the synagogue. Further into the narrative, people are amazed at his teaching with authority. The unclean spirit asks a rhetorical question, "Have you come to destroy us?" The answer is "Yes." Jesus' very being is the destruction of the powerful hold of evil on humankind. Jesus is the one who liberates from its stranglehold. The word for "authority" in verse 22 in Greek is exousia. Taken very literally, it means "out of" (ex) "his being" (ousia). Authority is not a pose for Jesus. He speaks from the depths of his being. The same word is repeated in verse 27 for emphasis. He acts from the depth of his being. Word and action are commensurate in Jesus. He is the Word of God speaking, and he is the Act of God healing.

Stewardship Report - Jan. 21st-22nd, 2012