March 5, 2021 Memorandum to Pastors and Parishioners
As we continue on our Lenten journey, we look forward to the joyful celebration of the Paschal Mystery, the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest event in the history of the world. We have been living in this strange time of the pandemic, and now with decreasing numbers of cases, increasing accessibility to vaccines, and “herd immunity” on the horizon, we should be able to celebrate Easter in a more normal fashion this year. Since our Sunday encounter with the Risen Lord in the Eucharist is the source and summit of who we are as Christians, it is important that we return to our weekly celebrations.
St. John Vianney Catholic Church, a Parish of the Diocese of Honolulu
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Important Upcoming Dates at SJV:Did you know that Easter Sunday is only the beginning of the season? Easter is a feast that lasts for 50 days, from the Resurrection of the Lord to Pentecost.
Monday, May 10, Obligatory Memorial in the Diocese of Honolulu for St. Damien de Veuster Sunday, May 16, Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Sunday, May 23, Solemnity of Pentecost, and Confirmation and First Holy Communion of Religious Education students Sunday, May 30, Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Sunday, June 3, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Parish Calendar
Kupuna can call 2-1-1 to register for COVID-19 VaccinationsA new service is making it easier for Oahu kūpuna who are not comfortable with the online registration process for their COVID-19 vaccinations. Trained specialists available seven days a week are providing personalized assistance to help those age 65 and above navigate the registration process, secure appointments and also help eligible individuals arrange for transportation to a vaccination provider.
The call center — a collaboration among the Executive Office on Aging, an attached agency of the Hawai‘i Department of Health; the City and County of Honolulu’s Elderly Affairs Division; Aloha United Way’s 2-1-1; and St. Francis Healthcare System — emerged as a collective solution to coordinate vaccines for kūpuna who have limited access to technology and face language barriers. |
Vigil Mass for Easter of the Resurrection of the Lord, April 3
The live virtual 2-Day Lenten Mission with Fr. Phillip Ganir, S.J. on March 8 and 10 was recorded and we offer it here as as we honor this year of dedication to St. Joseph, Foster father of the Son of God and Head of the Holy Family. From a father's heart, we will encounter St. Joseph through scripture and prayer. All sessions were live on Zoom with Fr. Phillip who resides in Washington D.C.
Jesuit Father Phillip Ganir was born in Seattle and raised on Oahu. He is a graduate of St. Elizabeth Elementary School in Aiea and Damien Memorial School in Honolulu. He joined the U.S. West Province of the Jesuits in 1999 after earning degrees in political science and Asian studies from the University of Hawaii-Manoa where he worked at the Newman Center. In addition to the spiritual, pastoral and academic training required of Jesuits, he completed music degrees at the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Notre Dame. He also worked as an associate pastor at St. Ignatius Parish in Sacramento, California. He is currently a doctoral candidate in catechetics at the Catholic University of America, where he taught undergraduate theology and is currently writing his dissertation on music and catechesis. 
On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis released an Apostolic Letter about Saint Joseph and has declared a “Year of St. Joseph” which will be observed from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021. The letter, Patris corde (“a Father’s heart”) is released on the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as patron of the Universal Church.
The Pope writes: After Mary, the Mother of God, no saint is mentioned more frequently in the papal magisterium than Joseph, her spouse. My Predecessors reflected on the message contained in the limited information handed down by the Gospels in order to appreciate more fully his central role in the history of salvation. Blessed Pius IX declared him “Patron of the Catholic Church”, Venerable Pius XII proposed him as “Patron of Workers” and Saint John Paul II as “Guardian of the Redeemer”. Saint Joseph is universally invoked as the “patron of a happy death”. Now, one hundred and fifty years after his proclamation as Patron of the Catholic Church by Blessed Pius IX (8 December 1870), I would like to share some personal reflections on this extraordinary figure, so close to our own human experience. For, as Jesus says, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Mt 12:34). My desire to do so increased during these months of pandemic, when we experienced, amid the crisis, how “our lives are woven together and sustained by ordinary people, people often overlooked. People who do not appear in newspaper and magazine headlines, or on the latest television show, yet in these very days are surely shaping the decisive events of our history. Doctors, nurses, storekeepers and supermarket workers, cleaning personnel, caregivers, transport workers, men and women working to provide essential services and public safety, volunteers, priests, men and women religious, and so very many others. They understood that no one is saved alone… How many people daily exercise patience and offer hope, taking care to spread not panic, but shared responsibility. How many fathers, mothers, grandparents and teachers are showing our children, in small everyday ways, how to accept and deal with a crisis by adjusting their routines, looking ahead and encouraging the practice of prayer. How many are praying, making sacrifices and interceding for the good of all”. Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble. Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all.” Read the full text of the letter here. SJV Faith Formation Committee presents A Year of Reading the BibleLet's read the bible together as a parish! How do we do that?
1. Sign up for Ascension's New Daily Podcast by Fr. Mike Schmitz: The Bible in a Year. 2. Read the weekly bulletin column "Know Your Catholic Faith Corner: Apologetics without Apology" for insights on how to read the bible. 3. Every first Sunday of the month, look for the Faith Formation Committee's Year of Reading the Bible bulletin insert for the reading plan for that month. Use the accompanying videos on this page to follow the plan. The church is now open for private prayer from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. Monday through FridayPlease ensure that:
*You are wearing a mask at all times. *You are socially distanced 6 feet from persons not in your household. *You clean the pew before leaving the church. If you forget something inside the church, please come to the Parish Office to get someone to open the door for you. If you wish to have private prayer time outside of these established hours, please call the Parish Office at 808-262-8317 to set up an appointment. |
February 1, 2021 Letter to People of God of the Diocese of Honolulu
As I said in my last communication regarding the issue of Mass attendance, I urge all who are able to attend Sunday Mass to do so. There is nothing that substitutes completely for our weekly encounter with the risen Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. Nevertheless, if you cannot attend Sunday Mass, you are strongly encouraged to do one or more of the following:
Dispensation from Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass has been extended through noon on Holy Thursday, April 1, 2021
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, Bishop Larry Silva extends the dispensation of all the people of the Diocese of Honolulu and all visitors to the Diocese of Honolulu from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass through noon on Holy Thursday, April 1, 2021. All who are able to attend Sunday Mass without putting themselves or others at serious risk of infection are encouraged to do so, but are not obliged to do so.
Live Masses continue to be offered with safety precautions in place. Face masks are required at all times in the church and social distancing of six-feet must be maintained. An online reservation system is used for planning and compliance with all ecclesiastical and government guidelines.
The church has limited seating capacity in order for all to be safely distanced. To assist us in planning, please let us know if you will be attending Mass next weekend by using the link provided. Those who do not have access to a computer or need assistance with this process are encouraged to please contact our parish office at 808-262-8317 during business hours and one of our staff members will be able to help.
The church has limited seating capacity in order for all to be safely distanced. To assist us in planning, please let us know if you will be attending Mass next weekend by using the link provided. Those who do not have access to a computer or need assistance with this process are encouraged to please contact our parish office at 808-262-8317 during business hours and one of our staff members will be able to help.
February 25, 2021: City and County of Honolulu implements Tier 3
This list represents how the city order relates to spiritual services and church operations for the Diocese of Honolulu on Oahu.
December 6, 2020 Letter to All Parishioners from Bishop Larry Silva
Why does the Church put such great importance on our celebration of Sunday Mass that it is a serious obligation for all Catholics to attend every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation? It is because the Eucharist is our unique physical encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ, who longs to be one with us and to strengthen us for our mission of living in his love and sharing his Good News with others.
Do you have questions and/or concerns about the morality of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Please refer to the article by the Public Affairs Office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The Hawaii Catholic Herald also published this article.
COVID-19 presentation by Dr. Neal Palafox for St. John Vianney Parish; Current Events in Hawai'i and New Science
In an effort to keep our parish community briefed on current events and new science developments related to the pandemic, we share this informational presentation with you. We hope you find this information helpful and useful as we continue to find ways for our parish and school communities to maintain our health and an active faith life. Our SJV parish family is blessed to have the medical expertise of Dr. Neal Palafox, a parishioner and school parent, available to us as a member of SJV's COVID Response Team. Assisting to prepare this community briefing is another SJV parishioner, Marianne Garcia, a University of Hawaii Pre-Med student who has an avid interest in COVID-19 and who helped to edit the content of some of the presentation.
The SJV COVID Response Team includes Fr. Peter Miti, Dcn. Jerry Tokars, Gail Browne, Robert Mondoy, Dr. Neal Palafox, Paul Chinen, Byron Hansen, Ellen Huntley, Estrella Seese, and Kamalani Rodrigues.
The SJV COVID Response Team includes Fr. Peter Miti, Dcn. Jerry Tokars, Gail Browne, Robert Mondoy, Dr. Neal Palafox, Paul Chinen, Byron Hansen, Ellen Huntley, Estrella Seese, and Kamalani Rodrigues.
September 23, 2020 Update on COVID-19 Protocols
The City and County of Honolulu presented new protocols for Tier 1 implementation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the memorandum from the Diocese of Honolulu's Office of Worship for the latest updated directives and reminders that impact all Catholic churches, chapels, oratories, centers, and missions in the diocese of Honolulu, including all islands.
Let us return to the Eucharist with joy!
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued a circular letter to the Presidents of the world’s Conferences of Bishops regarding the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy during and after the conclusion of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It was dated August 15, 2020 and publicly released on September 12.