SEPT/OCT 2020
Saint
Ann Church
Meet Parishioner Sylvia Makainai A Life of Spiritual Growth and Service
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rowing up, Sylvia Makainai witnessed in her mother and grandmother strong examples of active faith and parish involvement. This love of faith and service is something she has, in turn, passed along to her own children and grandchildren. Looking back on her 30 years at St. Ann, Sylvia feels blessed by how much her faith has continued to grow as she has found more and more ways to connect with our parish. Thankful for the strong foundation in the faith she was given as a child, Sylvia has always been a firm believer in the importance of early faith formation. While Sylvia’s five children were baptized in her mother’s parish of St. Elizabeth in Aiea, following the Makainais’ move to our area 30 years ago, they received all of their other sacraments — including Holy Matrimony — right here at St. Ann. “I think kids need that formation and example early on,” Sylvia says of raising her children in the faith. “I truly believe that God put us here and gave us parents because we’re not going to be able to
Sylvia and Jesse Makainai (left) with their grandchildren after Mass
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Sylvia Makainai
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choose how we view God and love Him if we don’t have some example and some formation. I hope and pray that my kids continue to have a connection and that it’s an enduring relationship that they can count on, because we know there are so many trials in life — but there are also just so many things that are good.” Sylvia’s passion for sharing the love of Christ with children does not stop at home. For 25 years, she has instructed young people in our parish as our elementary coordinator for Religious Education. “The main reason I started with Religious Ed was because I wanted my kids to be connected the way I always was with my mom and her mom’s activity with their parish,” Sylvia says. “I’ve enjoyed being able to connect with a lot of parishioners who came in as catechists, many of whom are also fellow parents. Working with them and seeing their witness has been exciting for me, and something I never expected to be touched by.” Five years ago, Sylvia began offering a summer faith formation opportunity for kids at St. Ann. Called the Keiki Bible School, the program offers a week of kid-friendly activities that present the pillars of the Church, prayer and the sacraments in a fun and entertaining setting. Each summer, Sylvia is grateful for the many volunteers — including her own children and grandchildren — who help make
the Keiki Bible School a success! Sylvia also serves St. Ann as a Eucharistic Minister and participates in our Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the Home Ministry. Although her husband, Jesse, is not Catholic, he has also been a great support to our parish. In 2000, Jesse helped with the design of our new church building. He and Sylvia are the owners of Makainai Cabinet Systems, and Jesse was able to use his talents in carpentry to build our church altar, ambo, presider’s chair and tabernacle stand using the beautiful coral tree wood indigenous to this area. Now, as a mother and grandmother herself, Sylvia has been inspired by the faith and service she witnesses every day at St. Ann. She is grateful for the many ways that Christ remains present and alive here in our parish. “I would say I’ve definitely grown spiritually at St. Ann,” Sylvia says. “Take this wonderful team for Religious Ed, for example. We take time on Monday mornings to pray together, and when you do that with a bunch of other people who are on the same page, you don’t want to come down from that mountain. So that has helped my spiritual growth so much. We are one family at St. Ann, so seeing how they all do it — everybody is pointing back to the start, pointing back to God, pointing back to the ultimate Truth. I just love it!”
“I would say I’ve definitely grown spiritually at St. Ann. Take this wonderful team for Religious Ed, for example. We take time on Monday mornings to pray together, and when you do that with a bunch of other people who are on the same page, you don’t want to come down from that mountain. So that has helped my spiritual growth so much. We are one family at St. Ann, so seeing how they all do it — everybody is pointing back to the start, pointing back to God, pointing back to the ultimate Truth. I just love it!” — Sylvia Makainai 2
“Coincidental”
Stewardship T
he famous author G.K. Chesterton once said, “Coincidences are God’s way of staying anonymous.” Since fully embracing the stewardship way of life, coincidences may become cherished experiences for which we thank God! While God stays anonymous, coincidences are His way of interacting with the world He created. Importantly, as we have been continually impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and with many of our circumstances changing day to day, we can be grateful for His “coincidental” intervention. As we continue to witness the grace-filled effects of the stewardship way of life on our parish, it is definitely God’s hand at work in our lives of faith. If some identify a coincidence as a “surprise blessing” that lifts the spirits and draws one closer to gratefulness to God, we cannot deny that in those circumstances that God is giving us the grace to live and celebrate our faith. So, let’s celebrate the coincidences! Celebrate the coincidence that Chesterton himself converted to Catholicism late in his life, yet wrote book after book affirming and defending the Catholic faith long before his conversion. Four years after Chesterton joined the Catholic Church, he wrote a phenomenal book called The Catholic Church and Conversion. It is one of the best works on conversion to Catholicism, as well as a wonderful description of conversion to the stewardship way of life. The same experiences, or “coincidences,” apply when we find ourselves drawn
into the understanding, practice and expression of discipleship, known to us as “stewardship.” Chesterton describes conversion in three steps. “The convert takes his first step rather unwittingly when he decides he’s going to be fair to the Catholic Church,” he wrote. The convert to stewardship must also dispel the “myths of stewardship” and give it a chance. This first step of conversion then leads to a long and enjoyable second step, which is the utter fascination of learning what the Catholic Church really does teach. Chesterton says, “It is like discovering a new continent full of strange flowers and fantastic animals, which is at once wild and hospitable.” For the stewardship convert, it is recognizing that stewardship is a practical way of living the Gospel. It makes sense, and others are doing it with joy and passion. What they have, the convert also wants. Then, the convert to Catholicism suddenly realizes with a shock that he can no longer be detached and impartial about the Catholic Church. The convert to the stewardship way of life realizes this is the way he or she wants to live — and makes the commitment to do so. If this were not true of our commitment to stewardship, you may not be reading this today. And, if this were not true of a stewardship parish such as ours, we would not be the faithful stewards we are today. Wouldn’t you also agree it is a “coincidence” to thank God for each day of our lives?
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A Valuable C
Eucharistic Ministers Bring Jesus to T
he Catholic Church is universal, and we welcome everyone to the fullness of truth found in our faith. Through the Eucharistic Ministers that bring Communion to patients at the Hawaii State Hospital, we ensure that our brothers and sisters living with mental health issues are also able to participate in the life of the Church. By bringing the Eucharist to these patients and praying with them, the ministry is able to share the spirit of Christ, as well as the Body of Christ. “Religion is part of our makeup, and who we are as human beings — to be able to share that with them is just beautiful,” says ministry member Patty Billington. “Our ministry is interesting and constantly changing. There are some people who are committed to the State Hospital for life, and others who are passing through. You can really get to know some people, and others are more short-term — but either way, it’s nice to be able to spend time with them. It’s about human contact and friendship.”
“The patients are always happy to see anyone, but they are especially happy when someone is there to pray with them,” says ministry member Alyson Kau. “It’s a special kind of calling.” Alyson started working with the ministry in 2012, and worked with several other parishioners until Patty started working with the ministry in 2017. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pair would visit the hospital together to provide the Eucharist and pray for Catholic patients. They plan to resume again, once it is safe to do so. “The State Hospital falls within the jurisdiction of our parish, which is why we have ministers go there,” Alyson says. “I work for mental health services at Queen’s, so I coincidentally happen to know some patients there, and I’m used to working with the population.” “I wanted to bring the Eucharist to the homebound, and Fr. Ed [Popish] suggested that I ask Alyson if she could use some help,” Patty says, “So I did, and
she trained me, and we’ve been working together ever since. This is the ministry I’m saddest about not being able to do right now. It’s just a wonderful ministry and it has been such a joy to work with Alyson.” In normal times, Alyson and Patty visit the State Hospital weekly, rotating among the different units each week. Each unit receives a visit once a month, which involves a Communion service, as well as time spent visiting with the patients. “We do small-group services, and have maybe five to 12 people at a time from each unit,” Alyson says. “The services usually take about 10 minutes,” Patty says. “They come and make a circle, and then we do a little service. We start with the Sign of the Cross, do the Act of Contrition, and follow that with a reading and the Our Father. After that, we start Communion. They are so fervent about it — you can see how meaningful it is to them. We have included singing in the past, as
“When you go see people who are so constrained, whose liv you can see how much it means to them. I feel very gratefu every time we finish, I feel great. It’s my favorite ministry, a people, if you tried it, you’d love it.” — Pat 4
Connection:
o Patients at Hawaii State Hospital well, and it’s just such a happy thing. Everyone sharing a religious service together is very nourishing for them — it’s wonderful.” Any volunteers visiting the hospital must pass a background check and take a physical defense training class. “You have to be ready, but we have always felt safe,” Patty says. “There is always staff in the room with us, and if they aren’t there we can always go and get them.” “It’s not scary,” Alyson adds. “I’ve never felt like I was in danger or like anything was going to happen to me.” Both Alyson and Patty have witnessed the fruits of their ministry in their interactions with the patients. They hope that once the ministry resumes, more volunteers will be willing to join them. “When you go see people who are so constrained, whose living circumstances are tough, you can see how much it means to them,” Patty says. “I feel very grateful for the chance to do it, and every time we finish, I feel great. It’s my favorite ministry, and I really think that for most people, if you tried it, you’d love it.” “The more people we have, the more people we can reach at the hospital at a time,” Alyson says. “You have to do it in pairs, so the two of us can only see each group once a month. If we had more people, we could reach more, and they could receive the Eucharist more than once a month. After the initial training, it’s a commitment of two to four hours a month, and I think the patients would really, really enjoy that.
ving circumstances are tough, ul for the chance to do it, and and I really think that for most tty Billington
If you would like more information about the ministry, or to get involved, please contact the parish office at 808-247-3092. 5
Stewardship and Evangelization:
Using Our Time and Talents to Spread the Good News J
esus came to save the world and to draw all men to Him. When we think of the salvific work of Christ, many of us think of his life, death, resurrection, and His ascension into glory. And while those salvific events are of primary importance in salvation history, it doesn’t end there. Christ wants everyone to know the salvation He has won for them. He wants every soul to experience heavenly glory. Therefore, after having conquered death through His cross and resurrection, Christ commissioned His disciples to carry the Gospel to the world. They were charged to “preach the Gospel to all nations,” winning, through their words and examples, souls for the kingdom! What a task! The disciples were overwhelmed at the thought of carrying the Gospel to all nations after Christ had returned to heaven. But the Lord assured them, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). When the Holy Spirit descended upon them on the feast of Pentecost, all those in the crowd were amazed. They all spoke in different tongues, preaching the same message, and everyone there could understand! And so it was that the Church was established
through the power of the Spirit and for the purpose of evangelization. Each of us has been baptized in that Spirit, and through that, made a member of the Church. It is, thus, up to each and every one of us to actively participate in the Church’s mission — proclaiming the Good News to all the world and building up the Kingdom of God! Each of us must re-evaluate how we are using the gifts God has given us to build up His Kingdom. Do we preach the Good News in all that we do and say? The same Spirit that descended upon the apostles that first Pentecost remains with us now, giving us the strength and courage to labor in the vineyard of the world. Christ came to save the world, and He established the Church as the “universal sacrament of salvation” (CL 2), by which many people throughout the world would know the glory of His truth. St. Paul describes the Church as one body with many parts. And just as each part of the body has a particular function, so each member of the Church has a particular calling, but united as one body in the Spirit, all of the members are to carry out the Church’s one mission. How is God calling you to carry out this mission? What particular gifts has He given you with which you ought to build the Kingdom?
Each of us must re-evaluate how we are using the gifts God has given us to build up His Kingdom. Do we preach the Good News in all that we do and say? The same Spirit that descended upon the apostles that first Pentecost remains with us now, giving us the strength and courage to labor in the vineyard of the world. 6
A Look at Our Marriage Preparation Ministry Joining Together and Uniting with God
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he dress, the flowers, the menu — there are usually a million things to accomplish between “Will you marry me?” and “I do.” But for couples preparing to be married at St. Ann, we hope to help not only in preparing for the details of the big day, but also in supporting couples as they plan for a marriage that will last a lifetime. “Too many times, they can focus on the clothes that are going to be worn, the reception, the food, and I’ll tell them, ‘I know this is important, too, but when you’re in church, you’re being united with God in the Sacrament of Matrimony, and I want you to be focused at that point on what an amazing thing is happening between the three of you,’” says Pastoral Associate Barbara Honda, who works with our couples as they prepare for marriage. “The three of you are in this together and you become one because He is with you.” The process of preparing for marriage at St. Ann begins with the couple connecting with our parish office to see if the church is available on the day they hope to celebrate the sacrament. Couples are encouraged to contact the parish as early as possible — about a year before their preferred wedding date. From there, they have the opportunity to request the priest they would like to have witness their marriage, as well as help them in the preparation process. Throughout the marriage preparation process, the couple will continue to meet with Barbara and one of our priests in order to complete paperwork, discuss details of the ceremony, and address any concerns. Couples preparing to receive the Sacrament
of Marriage at St. Ann are asked to participate in several aspects of our marriage preparation program, including a weekend Engaged Encounter Retreat, taking the FOCCUS Pre-Marriage Inventory, and meeting with one of our FOCCUS mentor couples. These aspects of our preparation program are designed to help the engaged couple address a variety of topics, which can sometimes be missed in the midst of the busyness of wedding preparations. “If they haven’t already been talking about things, I think these activities get them to sit down and talk with each other a little more,” Barbara says. “And it can just be something little, but as those of us who are married know, we may have been married all these years, but we still need to remember to take the time to talk.” Barbara hopes that our marriage preparation process not only helps couples to grow closer to one another as they prepare for marriage, but that it also helps them to prioritize their faith in their lives and relationship. “I hope that things touch them, so if they have been kind of lukewarm in their faith life, that their faith may take root as a married couple,” Barbara says. “I love when I see that happen with some of our couples and then I see them coming regularly to Mass, and I witness Baptisms for their children. That touches me so greatly, and it’s my hope and my prayer for each couple that I work with.” For parishioners who have been civilly married, but have not had their marriage celebrated in and blessed by the Church, Barbara encourages them to consider going through the process to have their marriage convalidated. continued on back cover
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Saint Ann Church 46-129 Haiku Road│Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 808-247-3092│www.saintannhawaii.org
marriage preparation
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“If you’ve been married this long, why wouldn’t you want God to bless this relationship and become a formal part of it with you?” she says. “You have made this commitment to each other — invite God to be a part of it. It can be as big and fancy as they want it to be, or it can be private and intimate.” Barbara invites engaged couples to consider the depth and beauty of what it means to be married in the Church. “It can be looked at as just a piece of paper, but it isn’t,” Barbara says. “It’s a commitment. You love this person, this person loves you and you’re willing to stand up and let the world know of this love, and the love that God has for the two of you.”
“It can be looked at as just a piece of paper, but it isn’t. It’s a commitment. You love this person, this person loves you and you’re willing to stand up and let the world know of this love, and the love that God has for the two of you.” — Barbara Honda, Pastoral Associate
For more information about preparing to receive the Sacrament of Marriage or have your marriage convalidated at St. Ann, please contact the parish office at 808-247-3092 to speak with one of our priests or Pastoral Associate Barbara Honda.
LITURGY SCHEDULE Please check our website at www.saintannhawaii.org or our bulletin for the most up-to-date schedule information.