AUGUST 2020
Annunciation
&
Catholic Church
Ascension Mission
MEET OUR CHURCH CLEANING CREW Keeping God’s House Safe
I
t’s probably safe to say that most of us have spent more time cleaning and disinfecting our home and work environments in the past few months than we normally do. Tasks that we once took for granted — getting the mail, grocery shopping, touching a door knob or elevator button — are now an occasion to bring out the disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer. It’s no different here in our church. “We want people to be able to come, and worship, and feel safe — that’s a big thing,” says parishioner Dian Burroughs. Dian helps coordinate the dedicated group of parishioners who volunteer every week as our church cleaners, working hard to keep our parish environment clean and safe for our community to pray and attend Mass. “I want God’s house to be peaceful, orderly and clean,” she says. Even before the pandemic, this group took time each week to clean the church, the lanai, and the bathrooms. During the time when the church was closed to the public, a few members
Each week, and after every Mass, dedicated parishioners help to clean and disinfect our church.
of the group came by to ensure that things were kept up. And since the re-opening of the church and return to public Masses, the cleaning group has been busier than ever. “After every Mass, we’ll go ahead and wipe down all the pews, everything people might touch, all the door handles, wipe down all the continued on page 2
65-1235 Kawaihae Rd. • Waimea, HI 96743 • www.bigislandcatholicchurch.org • 808-887-1220
Annunciation Church & Ascension Mission
Our Church Cleaning Crew
continued from front cover
bathrooms, and spray everything,” Dian says. “The church has really never been cleaner!” From vacuuming and cleaning windows, to taking out trash and ensuring everything is disinfected, these tasks make it possible for parishioners to pray in a safe and clean environment. Dian, whose favorite task is cleaning the bathrooms, sees her service as an opportunity to serve God and her brothers and sisters in Christ. She keeps this in mind as she goes about her work. “I always say in the back of my mind, ‘We don’t know if angels are coming here using the bathroom, so I better make it clean,’” Dian says. “Or what if Jesus showed up, and I don’t know because He’s in disguise? Sometimes if I want to skip something in the bathroom, I think, ‘Maybe Jesus will come in — I’m By spending time cleaning and disinfecting our church, our volunteers make it possible for parishioners to pray not going to skip that part.’” in a safe and peaceful environment. For someone who enjoys serving “behind the scenes,” becoming involved with the church cleaners is the perfect ministry. “This is where I’m more comfortable,” Dian says. “I don’t want to be in the spotlight so much — I like to be in the background, doing the grungy work. If you’re shy, this is a great ministry to be in and it doesn’t take long at all. It’s so simple.” Dian encourages her fellow parishioners to consider serving as part of the cleaning crew. Especially with the new cleaning protocols, additional help is greatly appreciated. Parishioners are also encouraged to donate cleaning supplies such a disinfectant wipes and sprays, if possible. “I think for the most part people are so grateful, they know we wipe things down and we keep things clean and they’re grateful for that,” Dian says. “It makes me feel good to keep it clean, so it’s a win-win situation,” she adds. “The parishioners feel good, and I feel good because I’m serving.”
If you would like more information, or to become involved with the Church Cleaners Ministry, please contact the parish office at 808-887-1220.
2
AUGUST 2020 A Letter from Our Administrator
THE JOY OF RETURNING TO PUBLIC MASS! Dear Parishioners,
T
o those of you who have been actively participating in the life of our parish but have been forced to stay away due to the COVID-19 pandemic, welcome home! To those of you who haven’t been to church in years and decided to renew your faith, welcome back, and welcome home! During these past few months, we have experienced some of the most challenging and unnerving times in the history of our nation and Church. As we start to emerge from the darkness of this crisis and return to Mass and parish activities and ministries, I feel blessed and excited. Excited to have a new beginning at this vibrant parish. Excited to see new faces and meet new friends as I begin my service here. Excited to see faces of those who may have been away from church for a while but decided to come back! In times like these, when nothing seems to make sense, I am so very glad you are here. The timing of your return is perfect, because the truth is we need Christ now more than ever. Whether you have simply been forced to stay away while public Masses were canceled, or if you have been away from the Church for many years, this crisis has changed us. All of us. We have had some extra time lately for introspection, for personal reflection, and for prayer. And perhaps during this era of isolation and social distancing, you have found yourself yearning for Christ more than ever before in the hopes of finding some meaning to all of this. You have come to the right place. As you walk through our doors for the first time in months — or perhaps even years — I hope you see the face of Christ in myself and in all those around you. I hope you find a welcoming parish family here to greet you, overjoyed by your return.
As Christ tells us, from Matthew’s Gospel, “For I was a stranger, you welcomed me” (Mt. 25:35). The truth is, there really are no strangers at our parish. So as you come back home to our parish, I hope and pray you experience that same spirit of kindness and hospitality from all your fellow parishioners. Whether you’re a longtime parishioner, or someone who fell away from the Catholic Church and are now ready to become renewed in the faith, let us all remember to welcome all who enter our parish doors with open arms, smiling faces and a servant’s heart. By living out our calling as Christian stewards, we will all emerge from this dark time as a community of faith that is stronger than ever — together. Thank you for the warm welcome you have shown me. I look forward to getting to know each of you. Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. Tony Pangan, SSS Administrator
3
Annunciation Church & Ascension Mission
“Rebuilding the Temple” Project REFR S
ince the 1960s, our parish’s mission church in Puako — Ascension — has been a treasured part of our community. Earlier this year, the church underwent major repairs and updates. This project, “Rebuilding the Temple,” not only updated the infrastructure, but also enhanced the religious symbolism of Ascension Mission’s layout. By placing a focus on “sacred geometry,” the church building now reflects the beauty of our faith more than ever. “Our church in Puako has been an important part of our community,” says Terry Cromwell. “It serves not only local Catholics, but also tourists that stay along the Kohala Coast and are dedicated enough to come to Mass while on vacation! “Sacred geometry has the ability to tap into an awareness, to shift how we feel,” she adds. “The composition of a space truly affects us. The project required both ‘wear and tear’ repairs to be remedied, and a modern visual and language to be composed. This meant taking visual cues from the existing architecture, and
4
developing a cohesive color scheme and presence commensurate with the transcendence and dignity of the Mass.” The project began the Monday after Easter, and was completed during a concentrated period of time following. The stay-at-home orders implemented during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic allowed for this work to be done in a shorter amount of time than usual, since the subcontractors hired for construction and renovation projects were able to work seven days a week. These projects included installing tile, laying carpeting, painting and drywalling. In addition, Terry and her husband, Michael, designed a new interior layout that would highlight the symbolic octagonal shape of the church. “Ascension Mission’s building is an octagon, reiterated in the interior,” Terry says. “Most notably, the walls create an open, theatre-like general assembly area, including the shape of the roof windows above the crown hanging over the sanctuary, and the raised sanctuary itself. The
AUGUST 2020
RESHES AND RESTORES
Ascension Mission
tabernacle originally sat high above the back of the sanctuary, which required steps. When the steps and elevation were previously removed to secure more room for serving Mass, the original sanctuary’s octagonal shape was obscured. As Terry notes, recreating the octagon was important, as it holds deep significance in the Roman Catholic Church. “Baptismal fonts, for instance, are octagonal because an octagon symbolizes renewal, rebirth, resurrection and transition,” she says. “Additionally, the number eight signified immortality in medieval number symbolism. Michael and I set out to create a pattern that would restore the octagon while creating movement and energy in a circular direction using mosaic and other tiles. The circle is universal, symbolizing infinity, unity and wholeness.” The new interior design features several additional symbols and features. For example, the altar table is now outlined in decorative floor tile, depicting a square rotated 45 degrees. This
symbolizes our mission as Christians to follow the example of Jesus’s apostles, going out into the world to spread the Good News of Christ. Inside this square is another mosaic square, which signifies that all present are regarded as equals in the eyes of God, regardless of economic or social rank. The outdoor entry to the church now features two basalt stone benches — these stones metaphorically represent us, the “living stones” that are the building blocks of the church. “These stones have rough, uneven edges,” Terry says. “Like us, each one is characteristic, perhaps even flawed, but each uniquely its own.” Finally, psalms have been placed on the walls of the choir and education rooms as a means of evangelization. The poetic beauty of psalms can awaken the heart of all who encounter them. “Your church is perfected, ordered, centered on God and radiant!” Terry says. “We must be thankful and give praise to those who brought their expertise to the project and made the vision happen.”
5
Annunciation Church & Ascension Mission
FINANCIAL REPORT We are so grateful for your generosity. If you would like to contribute online, please visit our website — bigislandcatholicchurch.org — and click the “giving” tab. Income Saturday, 5:00 p.m. Mass - Waimea Sunday, 8:00 a.m. Mass - Waimea Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Mass - Puako Online Sunday Giving Sunday Offerings Mailed In (incl. weekday Noon Mass) & dipjar Holy Days Maintenance offerings & Grants (includes $2185 online) Food Pantry (& Hunger Free Keiki $7171.50) Donations & Grants Online Food Pantry /Hunger Free Keiki Donations Interest Income Candle Offerings Evangelization/Stewardship Donations (incl.$1261.40 online) Other Income:Payrl.Prot.Funds; sacrament, RE & misc donations TOTAL INCOME Second Collections - Money disbursed
$63,263.65 $73,373.05 $86,979.45 $76,048.52 $13,846.48 $21,158.06 $30,641.65 $82,095.08 $9,120.00 $9,791.73 $7,974.49 $2,902.48 $34,148.16 $511,342.80 $11,078.87
Expenses Priest Expenses (Salary, medical, retirement, cell ph.) Lay Expenses (Wages, medical, EE taxes & insurance) Office Expenses Insurance: Property & Liability (billed annually) General Excise & Property Taxes Puako Lease Waimea repairs, maintenance & improvements Puako repairs, maintenance & improvements Waimea Utilities & Communications (all buildings) Puako Utilities & Communications (church/house) Diocese Assessment Stewardship Expenses Liturgy Expense (incl.candles $1819.93) Equipment & Furniture Appreciation Expenses & Ministry Food Other Expenses (Travel/lodging, professional fees, subscriptions, etc.) Faith Formation (Retreats, Convocation, Youth Days, textbooks) Evangelization (books, newsletter printing/mailing, Catholic Herald) Other Professional Expenses Food Pantry Expense Hunger Free Keiki Expense Parish Tithing (support to other Parishes/religious org., etc)
$68,232.77 $61,091.72 $7,492.93 $21,528.00 $3,294.84 $13,683.41 $63,555.04 $224,621.00 $14,755.66 $4,282.54 $61,770.00 $31,187.30 $6,170.49 $2,155.25 $2,879.16 $10,966.57 $5,075.93 $14,365.58 $8,191.01 $79,859.11 $8,133.16 $23,200.00
TOTAL EXPENSES
$736,491.47
Net Income (Income minus Expenses)
6
July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020
-$225,148.67
AUGUST 2020
CREATING A STRONG FAITH FOUNDATION
A Look at Our Religious Education and Youth Ministry Programs
N
o matter your age, there’s always something new to learn about our faith! It’s never too early to start building a strong faith foundation so that our children can understand what it means to be Catholic. Although our Religious Education year was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, our catechists have been working hard to provide parents and students with the tools they need to continue their faith education at home. When students could no longer attend in-person classes, the parish implemented home-learning plans. Kindergarten, first and second-grade students were encouraged to continue working through their book with their parents. Fourth and fifth-grade students used learning resources from the Diocese of Honolulu’s website, which included worksheets, coloring pages and crafts. Religious Education Coordinator Jane Aganus put together packets each week from these resources, and parents were able to access them through Google Drive. Students were also given incentives to complete the activities each week. “We’d also really try to keep in touch with the families to let them know we are still here for them,” says parishioner Liz Chock, who works with Jane
to manage the Religious Education program at Annunciation and Ascension Mission. “We want to make sure they have the tools to continue to teach their children.” For middle school and high school youth ministry, parents were also provided with learning resources from the parish, and Liz facilitated occasional Zoom chats for the youth to be able to spend time together virtually. The diocesan Director of Young Adult Ministries also sent out online resources for the students — one of these resources was a link to ProjectYM Live, a live nationwide online youth event that streamed every Sunday at 2 p.m. HST. The program also provided a parent discussion guide to encourage further conversation. “It was great,” Liz says. “We had the kids go onto this livestream event, and there was age-appropriate content for them, including talks, online games and worship songs.” Looking ahead to the upcoming Religious Education year, the parish is planning to continue remote sessions and suspend in-person gatherings for students at this time. “We will work to provide parents with good digital resources that they can easily do at home,” Liz says. continued on back cover
7
Annunciation Church & Ascension Mission Annunciation / Ascension Parish 65-1235 Kawaihae Rd. Waimea, HI 96743
Creating a Strong Faith Foundation “If a family does not have a computer or printer and needs printouts, we can arrange pickup for them. We will keep parents apprised of the situation if anything changes. And by all means, please do not hesitate to call or email us! We want to continue to engage with both parents and students. “Jane and I would like to thank the parents and students who were able to take the time to continue their religious education during this challenging time of COVID, and even work and study from home at the same time!” she adds. “We understand and know it is a very difficult time to rearrange one’s life and schedules, and we really appreciate it.”
continued from page 7
“We will work to provide parents with good digital resources that they can easily do at home. If a family does not have a computer or printer and needs printouts, we can arrange pickup for them. We will keep parents apprised of the situation if anything changes. And by all means, please do not hesitate to call or email us! We want to continue to engage with both parents and students.” — Liz Chock
If you would like more information about Religious Education and Youth Ministry at the parish, please contact Liz Chock at annunciationwaimeare@gmail.com, or call or text 808-987-5630 after 6 p.m. and anytime on weekends.
MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 5 p.m. (Waimea) | Sunday: 8 a.m. (Waimea) & 10 a.m. (Puako) | Confession: Saturday 4 p.m. (Waimea)