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For over thirty years the Catholic Church has offered a comprehensive and compelling vision of faith formation and learning – lifelong, for all ages and generations, rooted in the life of the Church. The wonderful image of catechesis from the General Directory for Catechesis- “the model for all catechesis is the baptismal catechumenate” (GDC#59) reflects and approach to faith formation and learning that immerses people into the life of the church.

Catechesis across the United States is still struggling under the burden of an outdated model of faith formation and has created more problems than it has solved. Last year, St. Michael’s embraced the vision of faith formation in the General Directory of Catechesis by moving away from the schooling paradigm to a community or “whole church” model of faith formation called Intergenerational Family Catechesis. In 2009, St. Michael’s building on last year’s model, introduced Generations of Faith. We call this model One Ohana.

The goals of One Ohana are to accomplish the following:

• Move from a focus of children only by implementing lifelong formation for all ages, including and especially adults.
• End “start and stop” catechesis by implementing lifelong and continuous faith formation through involvement in the events of church life.
• Overcome age segregation by continuing intergenerational faith formation, making connections among the generations in learning programs and parish involvement.
• Move beyond the focus of “textbook as the curriculum” for all ages and generations.
• Change the attitude of blaming families for our current situation by nurturing family faith at home as integral to faith formation.
• Change the practice of catechesis as a separate “program” by implementing a collaborative process that involves all the parish’s ministries in faith formation and vies catechesis in connection with liturgy, sacraments, justice and service, and prayer.

One Ohana, as our process of faith formation at St. Michael’s is event-centered. The lifelong curriculum and individual learning experiences are developed around the events of our shared life as church: Church Year feasts and seasons, sacraments and liturgy, prayer and spirituality, justice and service, and community life. We can discern distinct patterns of events in the life of our community around which we structure our learning. They are predictable from year to year. These patterns of events provide a regular ordering of church life.

One Ohana is formed around the natural pattern of the faith community’ s life as experienced throughout the year. The events form a spiral that immerses people more deeply each year into the faith of Christ. It takes years to immerse people into their meaning and practice.

The One Ohana curriculum for faith formation is a multiyear plan of events. It is set on a six year cycle. The lifelong curriculum of church events presents the Gospel message and Catholic tradition the following six major content areas:

Church Year Feast and Seasons: “The history of salvation, recounting the ‘marvels’ of  God, what He has done, continues to do and will do for us in the future for us is organized in reference to Jesus Christ, the ‘center of salvation history.’”(GDC #115)

Sacraments: The sacraments spring from the paschal mystery of Christ. They are also a whole. They form ‘an organic whole in which each particular sacrament has its own vital place.’ In this whole, the Holy Eucharist occupies a unique place to which all of the other sacraments are ordained. The Eucharist is presented as the ‘sacrament of sacraments.’(GDC #115)

Justice and Service: “Jesus in announcing the Kingdom, proclaims the justice of god. He proclaims the justice of god and our responsibility…The call to conversion and belief in the Gospel of the Kingdom- a kingdom of justice, love and peace and in whose light we shall be judged-is fundamental for catechesis.”(GDC #102)

Prayer and Spirituality: “The Our Father gathers up the essence of the Gospel. It synthesizes and hierarchically structures the immense riches of prayer contained in Sacred Scripture and in all of the Church’s life.” (GDC# 115)

Creed: “The Apostles Creed demonstrates how the church has always desired to present the Christian mystery in a vital synthesis. This creed is a synthesis of and a key to reading all the church’s doctrine, which is hierarchically ordered around it.” (GDC #115)

Morality: The double commandment of love of God and neighbor is- in the moral message- a hierarchy of values which Jesus himself established.’ On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets (Mt. 22:40). The love of God and neighbor, which sum up the Decalogue, are lived in the spirit of the Beatitudes and constitute the magna carta of the Christian life proclaimed by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, (GDC #115)

Each time we gather as a community to celebrate One Ohana, we prepare, engage and reflect on the event. Preparation empowers us to participate meaningfully in the event. It provides the learning experiences and activities that help us learn what we need to know and be able to participate fully. Preparation programs are designed to help people of all ages to know what, why and how. Engagement is the heart of the learning experience. By participating in the learning experience, hearts and lives can be changed. Reflection helps people share, assess the significance, apply the meaning, and report.

One Ohana gatherings are for all families. It is the official faith formation program of St. Michael’s Parish. The gatherings would normally be once a month for 8 months but because of our logistics, we are meeting 5 times during the year. This year’s events are based on the theme of Justice and Service and are scheduled for October, December, February, March, and May.

One Ohana celebrations begin with a simple meal. As always, we are fed and then we are sent. We gather in our tent for prayer and introduction to the theme after which the age-related activities occur. Groups are divided into the following: Pre-school; children from grades 1 thorough 5 with parents; middle school; teens; young adults; adults. After these activities, the large group assembles in the tent for reflection, sharing, and closing prayer.

Each One Ohana event is 3 hours long. That adds up to only 12 hours of faith formation in a year. However, each family receives a homekit with activities and reading materials in order to help them continue the process in the home. We believe that parents are the primary educators of their children when it comes to forming them in their faith. One Ohana provides parents only with the tools for what takes place in home.

There are three groups having sacramental preparation in addition to their participation in One Ohana. They are the First and Second Year Confirmation Groups and those preparing for First Communion.

As a parish we live, work and worship as One Ohana. We invite all to come and see; come and experience the joy of community with us. If you have questions about One Ohana, please contact either Cynthia M. Taylor at 960-0734 or Zola Ingram at 329-4049.

Sources Cited

General Directory for Catechesis USCCB, 1997

The Center for Ministry Development

Generations of Faith Resource Manual by John Roberto, 2005

by Cynthia Miller, Associate Pastor

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Alex Biro

Alex Biro has been there to serve the poor for many years, especially by managing the Food Pantry at St. Michael’s.  What we see on Fridays, when people gather to receive their bags of food, is actually the last step in a week-long process of preparation.  Al has to ensure that the container has the appropriate amounts of food for the ministry to distribute and the food has to be bagged.  The Food Pantry is a gathering place where everyone is welcomed and made to feel special.

Every month, on the 4^th Thursday, Al does the bulk of organizing and cooking the Franciscan dinner for the hungry.  He recruits a few generous volunteers to come help him serve.

Al joined the Secular Franciscans with his wife Sue and eventually he became the minister of the Fraternity.  He is also an active member of the Knights of Columbus.

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Vincent and Carmel Cilia

There is never a dull moment in the Cilia home.  After having raised 12 children, Carmel and Vince have become parents to the rest of us.  Carmel is like Mother Earth.  She and Vinnie show concern for everyone.

For a long time, Vinnie took his truck and picked up the bread that was to be distributed at the Food Pantry.  Many mornings, he served Mass and on Fridays he helped with Benediction.  Mention his son, the Monsignor, to him, and you’ll see him beam with pride.

Carmel never seems to stop.  Having cooked for so many, she excels in the food department. She helps prepare lunches for One ‘Ohana and Vacation Bible School.  She has shared her culinary arts with the homeless at the Friendly Place.  Being that quintessential mom, she also helps the teachers with preschoolers and kindergarteners. On Friday mornings, Carvmel arrives early enough to help set up the Food Pantry before going to Mass and the coffee table afterward. We are proud to honor Carmel and Vinnie as Island Treasures.

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Elsa Cisneros

Elsa is a woman who, in the last few years, has actively participated in parish life, especially within the Hispanic Ministry.  With gratitude we would like to make mention of her unfailing spirit and joyful testimony within our parish community.  She has shared in the preparation of the children in the process of Christian initiation, has succeeded in renewing and giving new life to our community life experience with her example of life and with her selfless service.  In addition, she is a person who backs her pastoral actions with a lifestyle that is consistent with the way we are asked to follow in the Gospel.  The new generation of children will always have a good example to follow.  May God continue blessing her personal, family, and community projects.

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Ben Cuaresma

If it needs fixing, building, or painting, Ben Cuaresma is your man.  You will most likely find him on a ladder with hammer and nails in hand.  Ben is a man of deep faith who loves his church and who responds unselfishly to whatever is asked of him.  He does it all with an infectious smile.

Ben is always involved in helping create a meaningful environment for the celebration of major Liturgical Feasts.  You have to look for him specifically though, because he is very quiet and humble about all that he does.  He is one of those unusual people whom you can ask to help you with anything.  If he can do it, it is done.

Ben is one of the Eucharistic Ministry coordinators at the 7AM Mass on Sunday mornings.  In the event that there is no altar server, Ben can step right in.  He is above all, a kind, generous man who looks out for the welfare of Suzie, Hunter, family and friends.

 

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Jack and Zola Ingram

Jack and Zola often work as a team.  They were both instrumental in starting an outstanding program of Parish Social Ministry at St. Michael’s.  They established a Parish Social Ministry Committee and appointed subcommittees to begin developing the various ministries.  Both Jack and Zola completed the JustFaith course and this set a path for them in pursuing justice and educating others about the themes of Catholic Social Teaching.  They are always cognizant of the Option for the Poor which is evidenced in their service to the needy.

Jack and Zola are both involved in Liturgy.  Zola co-chairs the parish Liturgy Committee, sings in the choir and makes tasteful worship aids for all major feasts.  Jack acts as the sacristan for daily Mass and the Sunday 4PM.  In addition, Zola prepares the children in RCIA for the Sacraments of Initiation.  Both Jack and Zola are exceedingly generous in giving time, talent and treasure to further the mission of St. Michael’s.  Nothing is too much to ask of them.

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Dick Leander

Whether it is a prayer service, a party or a parade, Dick Leander is always there to lend assistance.  He is a very busy man who can always find time for his church.

Dick coordinates the altar server ministry.   He is usually right there to give guidance and direction to the less experienced servers.  In this role, he is a member of the Liturgy Committee.

He chairs the Building Committee and is working tirelessly with all the parties involved, to ensure that St. Michael’s will have a well-built church that is both simple and elegant.  Dick is our parish’s vicariate representative to promote “Respect Life.”  This is a ministry which is dear to his heart and speaks volumes to who he is as a person.  Dick served two terms as the Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus.  In addition to all he does for St. Michael’s, Dick is husband to Jinky and father to two little girls.

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Lorraine and Robert Loando

Lorraine and Robert Loando are dedicated parishioners who spend many hours doing things that other people might not think to do.  Every Saturday, Lorraine and Robert can be found cleaning the tent and making everything in the tent ready for the Sunday Masses.  When the offices were being moved to Holualoa, Lorraine and Robert were right there helping to pack and transport supplies to the new office space.  Every week, Lorraine delights women who attend the 7AM Sunday Mass with the beautiful leis she makes and the flowers she offers to women to clip in their hair.  While Lorraine is busy with hospitality, Robert is quietly available to help with anything else that needs to be done.  This couple sets a beautiful example to all of us about what Church really is.

 

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Miguel Salazar

Miguel is a person who is always available to place himself in the service of others using each of his talents and in a special manner in different parish activities.  Miguel is a member of the Spanish Choir, filling the role of Cantor and guitarist.  In addition, he forms part of the pastoral Youth Group in the Hispanic Community.  Our parish has been blessed with the presence of persons who, like Miguel, work selflessly in the development of the community spirit.  It is in reality a very valuable testimony of unity that his style of life transmits to the community.  He is someone who knows how to unite the experiences of family life and work life consistent with the proclamation of the Gospel.  That is the mission:  “To be a man of the world in the heart of the Church; to be a man of the Church in the heart of the world.”

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Ric Silva

Quietly and with great compassion, Ric Silva does his ministries.  Having been very seriously ill himself for an extended period of time, Ric visits those parishioners who are in the hospital and takes the Eucharist to them.  In addition to visiting the patients in the hospital, Ric also takes extra time to visit those who are in Life Care Center.  He knows from his own experience how much these people also appreciate a friendly visit from someone from the church.

Ric served as a lector for many years.  Presently, Ric and his wife Moira makes the Eucharistic Ministry schedule for the Sunday Masses at Holy Rosary Church, and Ric serves as a Eucharistic Minister.

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James and Joretta Young

James and Joretta Young are a couple with unwavering faith who serve St. Michael’s in a variety of ways.  Joretta’s  love of the outdoors and of flowers is evident when she rolls up her sleeves, puts on a pair of gloves and helps with the landscaping at Immaculate Conception.

Once a month, James and Joretta take the Eucharist to the hospital.  The combination of their medical backgrounds and their outward expressions of kindness and peace provide a comforting Eucharistic experience for the sick.  When you need something done in a hurry, ask Joretta.  With enthusiasm and no fanfare, she will get it done.  Her cookies are mouth watering, as is the rest of her cooking.  James has served as a dedicated lector at Immaculate Conception.