St. Theresa Catholic Church Newsletter — April/May 2021

SaintTheresa

MAY/JUNE 2021

Rom a n C atholic Church Parish Newsletter

DR. NOLAN ARRUDA

Reflects on the Blessings of an Active Faith Life

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ere at St. Theresa Catholic Church, there is truly a way for every parishioner to become more engaged with parish life! With our numerous activities and ministries, there is something for everyone — our outgoing parishioners and our shy ones, our working parents and our retired empty nesters, our “doers” and our planners. Local internist Dr. Nolan Arruda, who serves on our Pastoral Council, feels blessed to have found this rewarding way to give back to our faith community.

“It’s been wonderful,” he says of his three years on the council. “I’m so busy that I have a hard time doing active things, so if I can gather and listen and lend my opinion about something, that’s something I really enjoy doing. I also enjoy getting to know the other parishioners. I tend to be on the quiet side, so this allows me to be introduced and get acquainted with others.”

Our Pastoral Council consists of 12 members who help Fr. Terry fulfill the mission of St. Theresa Parish.

Members discuss the many different facets of church life, including the financial and business sides of things, community outreach, and outreach to other parishes on the island. By meeting regularly, members have the opportunity to spend time together and often develop new friendships.

As Nolan approaches the end of his term on the Pastoral Council, one thing is certain — he will soon be looking for another way to stay engaged with parish life!

“Being a member of a medical group taught me the importance of being an active participant in my own work ‘home,’” he says. “So, I extrapolated that to other parts of my life, and of course St. Theresa is a major part of that. The life of a parish is so intricate and involved.

It relies on people’s help and assistance all the time, so I continued on back cover

25 W. Lipoa St.│Kihei, HI 96753│www.saint-theresa.com│808-879-4844

Saint Theresa Rom an Catholic Church

THE BIBLE

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The Textbook of Stewardship

ave you ever wished that life came with an instruction manual? What a valuable resource that would be! Whenever you find yourself running in circles, this instruction manual would give you step-by-step instructions on how to fix the problem and reroute your course.

Well, here’s some good news. For those living a Christian life, there is such a manual — the Bible.

Sometimes referred to as the “textbook of stewardship,” the Bible is a bountiful resource for the present-day Christian. Written by anointed prophets and sages, this collection of divinely inspired parables, poems and letters is full of testimonials that express the blessings that come from true discipleship, conveyed through lives of stewardship.

Stewardship is not a new concept. The Bible gives proof to this claim through passages such as the 26th chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy. We read Moses’ words, as he tells the Israelites to offer the choicest portions of their harvest to God: “When you have come into the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you as a heritage, and have taken possession and settled in it, you shall take some first fruits of the various products of the soil which you harvest from the land the LORD, your God, is giving you; put them in a basket and go to the place which the LORD, your God, will choose as the dwelling place for his name… ‘Now, therefore, I have brought the first fruits of the products of the soil which you, LORD, have given me.’ You shall set them before the LORD, your God, and you shall bow down before the LORD, your God” (Dt 26:1-2, 10).

St. Paul briefly touches on the essence of stewardship when he said, “In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep

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in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35).

Again, in St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, we read about living a life of Christian stewardship: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:67).

While this is well and good, what does it mean for the present-day Christian? Why should it matter that the Bible alludes to stewardship in various passages? It shows us that Christians and Jews have struggled with and benefitted from the concept of stewardship for thousands of years. It ties the message of stewardship to the role of a Christian disciple. It gives proof that stewardship and discipleship go hand-in-hand. It offers encouragement to us, that stewardship is in fact a foundational component of the Christian life, a way of life that one of the founding fathers of the Church — St. Paul — preached about and advocated.

The Bible is indeed the textbook of stewardship. It lays out the steps we must take to become true disciples of Christ. Reading and meditating upon God’s Word is always a fruitful exercise. Those who regularly delve into Scripture often develop a deeper understanding of Who God is, how and why He loves us, and how we can show Him our love in return.

As you strive to become a grateful steward and live the life of Christian discipleship, develop a love for Sacred Scripture. Allow God’s Word to nourish your soul regularly, and watch as stewardship changes from a foreign concept to an integral component of your daily life.

A Letter from Our Pastor

Pentecost: The “Birth” of Stewardship Dear Friends in Christ,

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s we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost on May 23, which is one of the most significant events in the life of the Church, I can’t help but relate the outpouring of the gift of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples as “the birth of stewardship.”

As a stewardship parish, we have come to understand it in our personal lives and our parish life as the work of the Holy Spirit, active and inspiring us to be the disciples Jesus called us to be, just as He did those very first disciples. It just makes sense to once again realize and acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit in our decisions to be authentic disciples of Jesus Christ.

For some, like me, it took a conversion of sorts to move us from unbelievers to believers, and from fear or suspicion to courage and confidence in the values and ideals of stewardship. Reading the accounts of the Acts of the Apostles, it wasn’t much different for them. Their experience is our experience and continues to encourage us to be open to the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. That “Spirit” renews the “Pentecost event” in each of us, as we practice discipleship as we know it through the stewardship way of life.

Also, as with each new birth, the life that begins needs to be nourished, nurtured and loved. Through our understanding of the four pillars of parish stewardship — hospitality, prayer, formation and service — we each are called to nourish, nurture and love our parish family with the gifts we bring to each other. And without ever really knowing how much of an impact we have on each other’s spiritual lives, we trust the Holy Spirit to continue the “good work of faithful stewardship” in each of us and to those around us. Isn’t that what the first Pentecost event started, and isn’t that what you see in our parish, especially since our own “birth of stewardship”?

God has blessed our parish family and continues to do so, as the Holy Spirit continues to pour out gifts upon us and send us forth to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. As we grow and mature in our stewardship efforts, how fortunate we are that the stewardship way of life has become our way of life. May we always give thanks to God for the Holy Spirit’s gift to each of us — for, when we do, it

seems only natural to be inspired to live discipleship as it was intended to be lived in the first disciples and in each of us.

I have very much enjoyed being part of the Stewardship journey with you and the 12 years that I have spent at St. Theresa Church. Together we have created a wonderful parish where people gather and grow in their love of Jesus. You have helped me to grow and mature in my life and ministry and for this I am most grateful. Thank you for your care, guidance, correction, forgiveness and patience with me. This parish, and each of you, will hold a special place in my heart as I move down the street to my new assignment at St. Anthony Church and School. While change and transitions can be a bit daunting, it is also an integral part of our Christian lives as we move where God calls us. I encourage each of you to be open to that calling in your own lives. Let us continue to pray for one another during this transition and may we grow in our Stewardship to God. Mahalo for the blessing you have been in my life!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Msgr. Terrence A.M. Watanabe Pastor

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Saint Theresa Rom an Catholic Church

Ready to Serve DURING THE T

Markings designate the directional flow at St. Theresa.

People check in upon arrival at Mass.

These cleaning supplies are used for keeping everything clean after Mass.

“The virtual Mass has been a really good option for people. But we want people to know they can come back. As more people are vaccinated, and the virus starts to wane, we want to see you back. We are doing what we can to keep everyone safe and to keep the parish clean.” — ALEX NICHOLS 4

Parishioners

he COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us. From the day after the first Sunday of Lent 2020 to May 31, 2020, St. Theresa was closed for public Mass. This time of closure helped us realize the blessing we have in our parish community and the opportunity to receive the Eucharist.

During this time, staff at St. Theresa spent time determining what Mass would look like when the church reopened. The maintenance crew and Business Manager Dan Powers worked hard to prepare the sanctuary for people to return.

Music and Liturgy Director Alex Nichols has assisted with all the new processes related to COVID-19.

People are required to either call the parish office or visit the parish website to register for a Mass time using the Eventbrite registration platform. The maximum capacity for Mass is also limited. The main reason to collect registrations is for contract tracing if there is a confirmed COVID-19 case.

“We just want Mass to always be a positive experience,” Alex says. “We want to make sure people know they are welcome.”

Ushers are on hand to seat people. The Aloha Committee members, who previously stood outside to greet people, have been volunteering as ushers. Some volunteers sit at the entrance to greet people and check them in. The collection baskets are in the back. Some people stay after Mass to wipe down surfaces and the pews.

“I am so thankful to all those who have stepped up to volunteer,” Alex says. “Without people helping out, we couldn’t do all of this to keep everyone safe.”

The current ushers are dedicated and have been coming to help as much as they are needed. And as Alex notes, more volunteers are always welcome to be trained as ushers and to help at the check-in table.

Alex helps out with funerals and weddings, so that those who are visitors know the rules, but also feel welcome. A Mass has also been added on Sundays, to accommodate everyone who wants to come.

PANDEMIC:

Pitch in to Help the Mass Run Smoothly “The virtual Mass has been a really good option for people,” Alex says. “But we want people to know they can come back. As more people are vaccinated, and the virus starts to wane, we want to see you back. We are doing what we can to keep everyone safe and to keep the parish clean.”

Alex says that the welcome table will likely remain set up, even after the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s nice for those who are visiting to have a place to ask questions and find out more about our parish.

“I just really miss people being bunched up together,” Alex says. “I will be so thankful when we can be close to one another, again. I love seeing the parishioners. They give me so much inspiration. When I see people at Mass, their faith makes mine even stronger.”

If you would like to volunteer, please call the parish office at 808-879-4844.

Ushers gather after Mass.

Cleaning is done after Mass.

Pews are cleared after Mass.

Ushers assist with seating people and cleaning after Mass.

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Saint Theresa Rom an Catholic Church

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS: A Powerful Prayer Tradition in the Catholic Church

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ince we say and make the Sign of the Cross so often, it may easily become a rote, perhaps even thoughtless, action. However, it is important to remember that the Sign of the Cross is much more than a simple gesture. Even in its most basic form, the Sign of the Cross — accompanied by the spoken or unspoken words “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” — is a prayer, a creed stating our belief in the Holy Trinity, the dual nature of Jesus Christ, and the dependence of our salvation on His crucifixion and resurrection.

In addition, making the Sign of the Cross is an indication of a willingness to take up our own cross and suffering for the sake of Christ. The prayer is considered one of the greatest weapons against Satan and all demons, and an added strength against the temptations of the flesh.

In the Roman Catholic Church today, the Sign of the Cross is typically made with either three fingers or an open hand touching first the forehead, then the chest, followed by the left shoulder and then the right (in the Eastern Church, the right shoulder is touched before the left). The concept of making a sign, or “setting a seal,” upon the forehead of those who place their faith in the Lord appears in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible — see Ezek. 9:4 and Rev. 7:3, 9:4, and 14:1.

Early versions of the Sign of the Cross were traced on just the forehead, using the thumb and forefinger held together in the shape of a tiny cross. We still see this version of the blessing performed during Baptisms (with the cross traced on the infant’s forehead) and on Ash Wednesday (with the cross traced in ashes on the foreheads of the faithful). Similarly, when the Gospel is read during the Liturgy of the Word, the priest or deacon leads the congregation in forming this small cross on the forehead, mouth, and chest, indicating a willingness to

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keep the Word of the Lord in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.

There is no doubt that our early Church fathers were strong believers in the sanctifying power of the Sign of the Cross. A second-century ecclesiastical scholar, Tertullian, and a third century saint, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, both wrote about the necessity of performing the Sign of the Cross at one’s waking and one’s lying down, at entering and leaving a room, at mealtimes, and more. St. Augustine also referenced the importance of marking the cross on the faithful’s forehead during the administration of the sacraments.

It is likely that the sign transformed from the tiny cross on the forehead to the larger, full-body cross used today sometime in the fifth century, when heretics began questioning both the dual nature of Jesus Christ — fully human and fully divine — and the unity of the Holy Trinity. Believers in these crucial Church doctrines began forming the cross with three extended fingers (representing the Trinity), keeping the ring finger and little finger pressed down into the palm (representing Christ’s dual nature), and tracing a cross on their entire upper body so there could be no mistaking the gesture.

Today, the Sign of the Cross still figures predominantly in our prayer life as Roman Catholics. We commonly perform it upon entering a church; at the beginning and end of the Catholic Mass, a Benediction, or the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament; when opening and closing our personal prayers; at mealtimes; and when passing by a Catholic Church (in recognition of Christ, present in the tabernacle). As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, the frequent, intentional use of the Sign of the Cross can help the faithful dedicate each day to the glory of God and provide strength in the face of trial and temptation (2157).

Communication Ministry

Hopes to Keep Parishioners Connected through COVID and Beyond

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ver since the onset of COVID-19 last all ministry leaders can reach out. The coorspring, we have all had to find creative dinator would then consolidate and distribways to stay connected and involved with ute the information. our families, friends, community, and par“For example, we had to become creative ish. When Masses went virtual and parish in the ways that we’d reach out to our Reliministries were unable to meet in person, gious Education and Youth Ministry kids, it became clear that our parish needed a and ministry leaders had to adapt and learn way to communicate with parishioners it all,” Dan says. “If we had a ministry made across a variety of platforms, even beyond up of people who are familiar with this techthe pandemic. Parish Business Manager nology as a resource, the individual ministry Dan Powers hopes that the formation of leaders could then work closely with them. a Communication Ministry will help to They would be able to pass along what they build a greater sense of community and want to say, and the Communication Minstewardship. istry could then get that message out. This “What immediately promoted this need way, we could share all of the information was the closure of the church, and needing contained in the bulletin in smaller doses on Dan Powers, Parish Business Manager to find a way to contact our parishioners,” he a daily basis. This would allow it to be at the says. “Prior to the closure, our main form of communi- forefront of our parishioners’ minds, and not overwhelm cation was through printed materials like the church bul- them with a lot of information all at once.” letin, which we would hand out at Mass. We realized we The ministry would also incorporate livestreaming really needed to evolve to a place where we can more easily into this framework — even in a post-pandemic world, reach out to parishioners, especially when we can’t come livestreamed Masses would greatly benefit homebound together. As our society continues to use social media as a parishioners as well as others who are unable to physically communicating tool, we need to be a part of it and use it attend Mass. as a way to share the Good News.”

“We want to continue to build our relationship with Through the Communication Ministry, volunteers our homebound parishioners, and make sure they conwould help to build St. Theresa’s social media presence by tinue to get the same quality of information as those who working with ministry leaders to share information, up- are physically present,” Dan says. dates, activities, and more.

The parish is looking for volunteers who are very com“We really need people who know how to use the puter-literate, familiar with social media, and interested in technology, because there is so much information that we up-and-coming social media trends as well as evolving need to send out,” Dan says. “Right now, we have a 22- technology. page bulletin that goes out each week, and we’d like to re“In this time of stewardship, we’re asking those that distribute that information into smaller bites. We’d love to can give of their time and talent to help the parish to exhave someone as a communication coordinator, to whom pand and communicate with others,” Dan says.

If you would like more information, or to get involved, please contact Dan Powers at 808-879-4844, ext. 23, or dpowers@rcchawaii.org.

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Saint Theresa Roman Catholic Church

25 W. Lipoa St. • Kihei, HI 96753 808-879-4844 • www.saint-theresa.com

Dr. Nolan Arruda

continued from front cover

think it’s important for all of us to try our best to remember that and participate.”

With this sense of community in mind, Nolan has made active discipleship a central part of life in recent years. He comes from a large Maui family — his mother was one of 11 children — and feels deeply committed to the local area. Although Nolan was raised Catholic, he attended Mass only sporadically for much of his adult life. About 10 years ago, however, he experienced what he calls a “renaissance” in his faith life when he began to attend St. Theresa regularly.

“I was attracted back to the Church because some of my patients who weren’t even Catholic were participating in the Hale Kau Kau Program, having meals delivered, and I thought that was wonderful,” Nolan says. “I also saw that we have so many loving parishioners who work so hard and do wonderful things for their church,

and we have also been blessed with wonderful priests who have served the community well.”

Recognizing the many blessings that have come with a vibrant faith life, Nolan would encourage all Catholics — whether they are currently active in a church in Kihei or not — to learn as much as they can about our beautiful faith. He hopes that the future will see many more Catholic families coming to Mass in South Maui and enjoying all the graces that participation in the Church has to offer.

While Nolan is not yet sure where God will call him to serve once his time on the Pastoral Council has ended, he looks forward to continuing to stay active in our faith community.

“My ultimate goal seems to be pretty simple — I just want to help in whatever way I can, because the parish is such an important part of our lives,” he says. “To be able to participate in the way I have been allowed to is very satisfying.”

Mass Schedule Weekdays: 7 a.m. • Saturday: 5:30 p.m. (English), 7 p.m. (Spanish) • Sunday: 7 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m.