Eucharistic Revival

"Hō'eu'eu Eukalikia

 In the Hawaiian language, "Hō'eu'eu" means "to rouse" or "to stir up," and "Eukalikia" is a term referring to the Eucharist, the Christian sacrament of communion. Together, the phrase "Hō'eu'eu Eukalika" can be translated as "To stir up the Eucharist."
In the context of our Hawaii diocesan Eucharistic revival, this phrase serves as a powerful reminder to reawaken our appreciation, understanding, and active participation in the Eucharist. It calls on us to deepen our connection with this sacred sacrament and to share its significance with others."

Catechism Series on Holy Eucharist…

This Easter Sequence is a time-honored expression of the Church's celebrations during the Easter Octave, an eight-day feast. Its roots can be traced back to the 11th century, solidifying its status as a critical component of Easter liturgies. Today, it is one of five corresponding 'sequences' integral to various celebrations such as Pentecost, Corpus Christi, Our Lady of Sorrows, and the Requiem Mass. The Easter Sequence is mandatory for the Easter Sunday Mass and can be recited daily throughout the Easter Octave to highlight the supreme importance of this solemnity.

St. Jerome:

"If Christ did not want to dismiss the Jews without food in the desert for fear that they would collapse on the way, it was to teach us that it is dangerous to try to get to heaven without the Bread of Heaven."

St. Therese of Lisieux:

"Receive Communion often, very often...there you have the sole remedy, if you want to be cured. Jesus has not put this attraction in your heart for nothing..."

St. Maximilian Kolbe:

"If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion."

St. John Vianney, Cure d'Ars:

"All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for man."

Receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is not just worthy of our dignity as children of God but of heaven --Fr. Manny Hewe

(March 17, 2024)

Praying passionately to Jesus for our needs is a testament to our faith. However, disregarding his offer to partake in his Body and Blood results in a hollow prayer, as it prioritizes grace over the giver of grace. Isn't it absurd to seek divine favor while neglecting its source? This mirrors the behavior of the prodigal son or elder brother solely focused on their material inheritance (cf. Lk. 15:11-32).

Just as children require more than material comfort from their parents for a fulfilling family life, we, too, need the presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the provider of blessings. We heed his words when he proclaimed, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world" (Jn 6:51). This prophecy is fulfilled when we gather at Church to celebrate Holy Eucharist and receive him through holy communion.

How can we dismiss St. Paul's declaration about communion where he states: "On the night, he was handed over (betrayed), took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, says, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes" (1 Cor 11:23-26).

While seeking grace can be temporary, receiving Jesus through the Holy Eucharist dignifies us as God's children and brings us closer to heaven.

Our faith deepens Jesus' living presence and amplifies our gratitude towards his blessings when we worship him in the Blessed Sacrament. As St. John Bosco said, "Do you want many graces? Go and visit the Blessed Sacrament often. Do you want few graces? Visit the Blessed Sacrament rarely. Do you want none at all? Then never pay a visit to the Blessed Sacrament."

Parish Lenten Retreat on March 20, 2024, 6:00 PM @ Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa Church

(March 10, 2024)

Theme: Come and be Healed

"On the night he was betrayed, he took the bread and gave thanks… " (1 Corinthians 11:23).

Come join in our reflection on the extraordinary grace and strength of Jesus!

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus demonstrated a love and compassion beyond comprehension. He took bread and gave thanks despite the looming betrayal that awaited him. His actions serve as a reminder of the enduring power of forgiveness and grace.

In the face of impending betrayal, Jesus still chose to share a meal with those who would deny him. His unfaltering love and compassion are a powerful example for us to emulate. It reminds us all that forgiveness and compassion can shine even brighter in the face of treachery. This is not just about a shared meal but an everlasting covenant born out of love and sacrifice.

As we reflect on Jesus' actions, let us also take this opportunity to seek forgiveness from our Lord for any betrayals we may have caused or endured. Let us allow Jesus' teachings to inspire us to turn our pain into lessons of love and kindness. Let us humbly open our hearts and seek reconciliation with our Lord and one another as we prepare to celebrate the Holy Sacrament of Reconciliation.

I invite you all to join us for an hour of reflection as we contemplate Jesus' extraordinary grace and strength and prepare our hearts for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Let us unite in prayer and meditation, seeking forgiveness and renewed love and compassion.

With my prayers,

Fr. Manny Hewe

Pastor

To Persistently Call Upon God in Prayer!

(March 3, 2024)

How often do we turn to God in prayer? Is it once, twice, or thrice a day? Our patron, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, taught us that prayer should be an ongoing act, every moment of every day. She eloquently stated, "For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned towards heaven, expressing both thanksgiving and love during times of struggle and happiness."

The depth of our prayers should not be gauged by their length but by how often we call upon God and express our devotion to Him during our lifetimes. We connect with Him from the moment we rise to when we retire for the day. We seek His protection, guidance, and inspiration before and after each activity throughout our day.

Prayer is more than just a tool for emergencies; it is our way of life. As the saying goes, "In happy moments, praise God; in tough times, seek God; in quiet moments, worship God; when pain strikes, trust God; at all times, thank God."

A life filled with prayer leaves no room for evil. Satan often encourages idleness or busyness as a means to prevent us from praying because he knows the power of prayer thwarts him.

Our Lord Jesus reminds us that verbosity in prayer does not equate to effectiveness because God knows what we need even before words are spoken (cf. Matt 6:8). Lengthy petitions are not discouraged if they come from a pure heart. Often, it's better to have a silent heart full of devotion than countless words devoid of genuine sentiment. A single heartfelt word has more value to God than countless empty ones. The powerful words from the Psalms echo this sentiment: "A broken spirit and contrite heart you will not despise" (Psalm 51:17).

The Holy Eucharist is the highest form of prayer. It is the prayer of all the prayers. All prayers should lead to it because Jesus, our risen Lord, is the head and the presider. All our prayer intentions are made through him, with him, and in him. 

We pray not merely for worldly desires but for heavenly blessings, not just for immediate respite but, ultimately, the salvation of our souls. Let us constantly call upon God!                                                                                                              --Fr. Manny Hewe

Repetition is the mother of all learning. In order to appreciate the value of a thing, it has to be taught repeatedly many times to be understood.

Jesus repeated the teaching of the bread of life several times, particularly in the Gospel of John 6:22-71.

He repeated this teaching as the bread of life because he wants his disciples and us to be perpetually in union with him.

It is God’s mysterious plan that the Son, Jesus Christ, will become the bread of life for all.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The name Bethlehem in Hebrew is Bet Lehem, which means “house of bread.”  There, in Bethlehem, Jesus was born. Where? In a manger, a manger is where they store the food for animals.

He could have given us the blessed bread, just as he multiplies the bread to feed the multitudes (cf Jn 6:1-21). But he chooses to be born among us first. He gave himself entirely without reservation. He gives everything of who he is because of his love for us.

We knew his love when he saw the crowd hungry. He felt deep compassion. He doesn’t want to send them away. It is the same compassion he has for all of us. Jesus wants to feed us by the bread of life, to be fed by himself. Because he wants us to be filled with spiritual food to sustain our journey to heaven, he doesn’t want us to be weak or lack spiritual nourishment.

We are in communion with Heaven when, in faith, we receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Let us pray that in our regular reception of the Body of Christ, we are profoundly united with him.  (Fr. Manny Hewe)

Catechism Series on Holy Eucharist…

The Eucharistic Revival Prayer