January 2015
Greetings from Jayne

On January 4, 2015 we joyfully celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, his manifestation to the peoples of the entire world, represented by the Magi who came from the East to pay homage to the King of the Jews.  They had followed a new star and recognized in it the sign of the Messiah's birth (Matthew 2: 1 -12).  Thus, from its initial appearance the light of Christ began to attract to himself those "with whom he is pleased" (Luke 2:14), of every people and culture. 

We too can follow that same star that guided the Magi!  It remains present in the Word of the gospel which is still able to guide every person to Jesus.  And certainly as catechists we are called to carry out the mission of the star for parents and their children, to help guide the way and illuminate a path to Christ.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, friends.  We are the light of the world! 
Reconciliation - One 'Ohana: (1) Introduction
Reconciliation - One 'Ohana Introduction

Sacrament Videos Now Available Online!
Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation

 As I mentioned in last month's newsletter, a complimentary copy of our latest video on the sacraments -- Reconciliation, One 'Ohana -- was mailed to your pastor.  As DVDs often have a tendency to "walk away" from the resource shelf, the best alternative is to also make them available online.  Thanks to our website guru Chad Chun, the videos and related resource materials are available online at www.catholichawaii.org/sacramentdvds.  Or just click  here.

Each video features Bishop Larry's catechesis as well as pastoral insights by our local clergy and laity, making them perfect to:
  • Use in your parent meetings for sacrament preparation;
  • Use in faith formation gatherings for catechists, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, RCIA sessions, pastoral/finance council members, social ministry volunteers, etc.;
  • Share with parishioners (share the link in your bulletin and create a link to the videos on your website).
Our greatest success stories include persons who have not attended Mass in years, discovered the videos on the sacraments, were able to view them privately (they are reluctant to attend an adult faith formation session at a parish/diocese) and contacted me to ask where I would recommend they begin in order to "make their way back" to the faith.  Extraordinary!

The baptism and Eucharist videos are accompanied by a detailed, user friendly facilitator guide.  Resources for the reconciliation video include a confession guide and prayer service that integrates the use of the video.

Use the videos -- you'll be glad you did!   www.catholichawaii.org/sacramentdvds

Family Discipleship Workshops
with Dan Mulhall

 

Parents/guardians are a child's most important living examples (witnesses) of how a person of faith lives, acts, and prays. Children look to them for signs of what it means to be a person of faith. Raising faith-filled children also requires the living example of other adult members of the faith community, and it is important that that living example be one of joy and celebration.

  

Come enjoy the company of your fellow parents and catechists as we discuss ways in which we, as a faith community, may work together to bring children to faith.


 

Family Discipleship Workshop Schedule:

 January 27, 2015 (Tuesday) at St. John Vianney (Kailua, Oahu)

6:30 PM light dinner; 7 -9 PM workshop

-or-

January 28, 2015 (Wednesday) at Our Lady of Good Counsel (Pearl City, Oahu) 

6:30 PM light dinner; 7 -9 PM workshop

-or-

January 31, 2015 (Saturday) at Annunciation (Waimea, Big Island)

9:00 AM refreshments; 9:30 AM - 12 noon workshop


 

There is no fee to register. Electronic registration (preferred): www.catholichawaii.org/catechist 

Click on event registration. 

                                                          

Daniel S. Mulhall is the Director of Professional Development and Hispanic Catechesis for RCLBenziger, a publisher of Catholic catechetical materials. Dan holds an MA in Theology from The Catholic a University of America in Washington, DC, and a MA in Adult Christian Community Development from Regis University in Denver, CO.

 

He has been a Catechist his entire adult life. He has served as a high school religion teacher, a parish Catechist, a diocesan leader, a program developer, and at the United States Conference for Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for 10 years. Dan is an internationally respected writer and speaker. He and Kathleen have been married 35 years. They have 3 young adult children and 2 grandchildren. They live in Laurel, MD.

 

   


Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 2015
Faith is a Language

According to the General Directory for Catechesis, catechesis "transmits the words and deeds of Revelation; it is obliged to proclaim and narrate them and, at the same time, to make clear the profound mysteries they contain" (#30).  Notice, explicitly stated -- what we already know implicitly -- that catechesis "transmits," proclaims", and "narrates."  In other words, catechesis is a way of talking, it is a language.

We have spiritual experiences and religion is a way of expressing and talking about those experiences.  The language of faith, like all language, is learned principally in the home.  And language is first learned not by being formally taught, but by immersion.  It is stunning to realize that it takes just a handful of years for a human being to have in place most of what he or she needs to communicate effectively.  The same can be said about the language of faith.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level I, guides children ages 3 - 6 and their parents, tap into the child's natural openness to God while acquiring the language of faith.  CGS training will be held June 19 - 27 at St. John Vianney church.  Learn more here.


Calendar of Events
Please mark your calendar for these events:

 

 

 

  

Big Island 

January 31, 2015

Family Discipleship Workshop

with Dan Mulhall of RCL Benziger

Annunciation Church

9 AM - 12 Noon

 

March 21, 2015

West Hawaii Island Liturgy & Arts Conference (WHILAC)

Annunciation Church

 

Maui

January 17, 2015

Maui Catechist Retreat

St. Ann Church, Waihee

9 AM - 2 PM

Live a Theology of the Body: Recline and Receive

(RE Leadership conversation during lunch)

 Register at www.catholichawaii.org/catechist

 

 

 

 

Oahu  

January 27, 2015

Family Discipleship Workshop

with Dan Mulhall of RCL Benziger

St. John Vianney

6:30 - 9 PM


 

January 28, 2015

Family Discipleship Workshop

with Dan Mulhall of RCL Benziger

Our Lady of Good Counel

6:30 - 9 PM
 

June 19 - 20, 2015

Oahu Faith Formation Conference

St. Joseph Church & School (Waipahu)

 

June 19 - 27, 2015 

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Level I, Session I training

St. John Vianney Church

overnight accommodations available at St. Stephen Diocesan Center

Info and registration available at

http://www.catholichawaii.org/cgs2015

 

 

 

Kauai 

January 9 - 10, 2015
Kauai Faith Formation Conference
Immaculate Conception School (Lihue) 

 

February 7, 2015

Kauai Catechist Retreat

9 AM - 2 PM

Immaculate Conception School

Live a Theology of the Body: Recline and Receive

(RE Leadership meeting during lunch)

Register at www.catholichawaii.org/catechist