NKCC

First Reconciliation:  2^nd Session

Thirty-one children who have registered for First Reconciliation and their parents have completed the first session.  They will meet again next week on Sunday, October 2nd after the 8AM Mass at Immaculate Conception.  Coffee and juice will be available for them in the Hall at 9AM.  The meeting will begin at 9:30 and will last for one hour.

Faith Journeys

The Diocese of Honolulu is sponsoring a pilgrimage to the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, Ireland from June 7-21, 2012.  Msgr. John Mutiso Mbinda will be the Spiritual Director.  On Sunday, October 2nd, Mr. Paul Lam will speak briefly before all the Masses and meet with anyone who wishes to hear more about the trip.  The Irish trip is 12 days with an optional 4 day extension to Rome.  Written material is available for those who wish to read more.

Social Justice Book Club

Members of the Social Justice Book Club focused their September discussion on the lives of saints and how individual saints help us in our everyday lives as companions and examples.  The October discussion will be centered on the book, The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  Read the book or see the movie and join us on Thursday, October 13, at 12:30PM in Immaculate Conception Hall after the noon Mass.

Let Us Know What YOU think

Our teens have shown during the past year that they enjoy singing with the choir at Mass.  They are also taking up the collection at some of the Masses.  Several of them have talked about the desire to participate in other Liturgical ministries.  Would YOU support the idea of having a Youth Mass each week?  This would give the teens an opportunity to participate fully in the Eucharisitc Liturgy.

We would like to explore this idea.  We are asking for adults and youth who have an interest in supporting a Youth Mass to meet on Thursday evening, September 29th at 6PM in the Immaculate Conception Church.  Come and bring your best suggestions.

One ‘Ohana and First Reconciliation Workshops

The next session will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2nd at 9:15 AM at Immaculate Conception.  Parents will gather in the church; children will have their session in the Hall.  The meeting will last for one hour.  There is an 8AM Mass at Immaculate Conception.  Some parents may find that convenient on Oct. 2nd.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Celebration

The parishes of the West Hawaii Vicariate will be jointly celebrating the feast day of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at the Old Kona  Airport Pavilion starting at 6PM.  Parishioners from St. Benedict (Honaunau), St. Michael's (Kona), Annunciation (Waimea), Sacred Heart (Hawi) and Our Lady of Lourdes (Honoka’a) will be participating.  The celebration shall consist of procession, Mass, dinner, entertainment, and dancing.  Everybody is welcome but in order to determine the amount of food to prepare, a sign-up sheet will be available at the back of the tent this weekend.

There will be a nine-day novena prior to his feast day to remember the martyrdom of San Lorenzo Ruiz.  The novena will be held starting September 19th through September 27th at St. Michael's tent (except on Sept. 20th, 25th and 27th; venue on these dates to be announced later).  Everyone is welcome.  Please contact Ms. Fely Hiner at 895-3684 if you need additional information.

One ‘Ohana 2011-2012

One ‘Ohana sessions will resume on Sunday, October 16th.  We invite all families with and without children to attend.  One ‘Ohana is our Faith Formation Program.  We will meet in the tent after the 11 AM Mass.  Lunch will be served, after which there will be prayer, age-related activities, and time for the children to share what they learned.  The topics for this year will all be related to the seven Sacraments.

The One ‘Ohana dates to put on your calendar for this calendar year are the following:

• October 16, 2011 - Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
• November 13, 2011 - Sacrament of Reconciliation
• December 11, 2011 - Sacrament of Marriage

These dates do not include other dates for those preparing for First Communion and Confirmation.

Notice About Bulletin Articles and Date

Please submit dates and articles for the bulletin by email no later than Wednesdays at 12 noon.  Send everything to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Unfortunately, if it is not in by noon, it will have to wait a week to be published.  Susan will no longer accept articles in the office.  She will receive the completed bulletin from Walter for final editing on Thursday; she will enter the list of weekly events, and she will take care of duplicating and folding the paper bulletins.  Walter will send the electronic bulletin out on Friday morning.

We need additional space in the bulletin for the capital campaign and construction information.  At this point, we would prefer to keep the same number of pages we currently have . We can all help by eliminating wordy announcements or at least, reducing the length.

Susan will put together the regular list of weekly events.  Occasions like Children’s Liturgy of the Word, RCIA, Baptismal Preparation Class, Confirmation Class, Youth Meetings, One ‘Ohana, Seniors’ Meeting, Ukulele Group, and Justice Book Club can all be included on this list.  No doubt, this list will grow.  At any rate, we need to shorten text that is published in the bulletin in order to make that extra room.  We will do this as a trial.

Like any change, all of us will have to read that list of events carefully every weekend.  If you do not receive the electronic bulletin every week and would like to, please notify the parish office at 326-7771 with your email information or you can go to http://onecatholicohana.org/get-email-updates.html.

Why get the bulletin online?

• You will have it on Friday morning
• There is more information included
• There are colored pictures
• There is stored information about monthly schedules
• It saves reams of paper each week
• It is available to our part-time residents when they return to the mainland
• You can receive it when you are on vacation

Together We Assemble

Each week, we do a little more to prepare for the introduction of the new translation of the prayers in the Mass.  This will occur on the first Sunday in Advent.  By using these weeks to understand what each part of the Mass means, we can gain a whole new appreciation of the Mass.

As the Entrance Hymn begins, the priest, the bearers of the Cross and the Book of the Gospels begin the procession from the rear of the Church to the altar.  We, the assembly, stand as an act of respect.  The Cross and the Gospels are signs and symbols of our faith.  The cross is a symbol of Christ’s suffering and death for our sakes and His resurrection from the dead.  The Gospels represent the words of Christ by which we, as Christians, strive to live.

Christ is now present in the community and the word.  We begin focusing fully on why we are present.

RCIA for Children

If you are the parent of a child from age 7 to 17 who has not yet been baptized, please contact Zola Ingram at 329-4049.

Today’s Liturgy

Today's Gospel parable continues the theme of God's mercy that began last Sunday.  It also answers the question posed by the prophet Ezekiel about the fates of the just man and of the unjust man who repents.  Many parents who find themselves in today's assembly will discover that the parable is a guide for their relationship with their children.  If they can forgive their own children, always and sincerely, can they extend the same forgiveness to their neighbors and friends?  What about family members who are struggling and don't know what do with their lives?  This kind of reconciliation is difficult, partly because we let negative feelings into our hearts that keep us from forgiving as Jesus wants us to forgive.  Sometimes we are insecure and defensive with those who have offended us.  Instead, we should allow God to transform the offense into an opportunity for mercy and acceptance.  Like the Pharisees of the first century, we think we know everything and have all the answers.  We have so much to learn from the Gospel!  © 2011, OCP. All rights reserved.

St. Michael’s PayPal Account

St. Michael the Archangel Church has established an account with PayPal to accept donations.  This account is accessible from our website: www.oncecatholicohana.org with a direct link to PayPal.  The Donation Button on our website allows for only one donation at a time.  Donations may not be set up for recurring donations.  You will need to select what type of donation you are making from the drop-down-menu prior to selecting “Donate.”  Receipts will be issued by PayPal and your donation will be recorded in our parish records for the annual giving report if you are a parishioner; or your donation will be acknowledged by a letter from the parish.

Credit Cards Are Accepted

St. Michael the Archangel Church, as a convenience to our parishioners and visitors, now accepts credit card payments for donations or purchases at our Gift Shop.

Stewardship Report - Sept. 17-18, 2011