From the Pastor's Desk

Get behind me Satan

In today’s Gospel we see the awkward scene where Jesus rebukes Peter, saying, "Get behind me Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." This seems harsh because Peter was simply speaking out against something that truly offended and saddened him -- he certainly was not trying to play the part of Satan! But how often do we let our fears get in the way of God’s plans? How often do we shy away from proper stewardship of our gifts because we don’t have faith?? In today’s second reading, James says that faith without works "is dead." As missionary disciples, we should strive for a LIVING faith that does not doubt or fear, and joyfully cooperate with God’s plans and ask for the faith and the courage to do so! "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it."

Original Order of the Sacraments

 Indeed, all parishes within the Diocese of Honolulu are restoring the Original Order of the Sacraments of Initiation between 2018-2020.

     In the early Church, the person was immersed into the waters of Baptism, anointed with chrism, and shared in the Eucharistic meal as part of a single event. Over time, and for many reasons, the celebration of these three sacraments became separated from one another. In the renewal stemming from the Second Vatican Council, the Church was asked to more clearly set forth the intimate connection of Confirmation with the whole of Christian initiation.  This original order also helps us recognize that sharing in the Eucharist completes our initiation into the Church and that it is Eucharist which is the “source and summit of our faith.”

Go to www.catholichawaii.org for more information on this