SaintTheresa
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020
Rom a n C atholic Church Parish Newsletter
Bereavement Committee
REACHES OUT WITH COMPASSION
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s a parish community, we are The Bereavement Committee was called to serve our brothers and formed shortly after Fr. Terry Watanabe sisters in Christ — and when someone was appointed as pastor in 2008 — he loses a loved one, it’s a time when they expressed a need to serve grieving need that helping hand the most. St. parishioners through this ministry. Theresa’s Bereavement Committee is At around the same time, Jenny and committed to serving grieving families her family became parishioners at and providing them with support St. Theresa and joined the ministry throughout the funeral process. soon after. “Our baptismal calling is to love “I was no stranger to ministering to and support one another as sisters and the bereaved,” she says. “My husband, brothers in Christ,” says Bereavement Fred, our children, Freddie and Jon, Committee Chair Jenny Gutierrez. and I lived in different countries “The mission of our ministry is to working with the U.S. Military. While provide spiritual, emotional and stationed in those countries, I was Helen Maeda, Lani Kuluhiwa practical assistance to grieving and Jenny Gutierrez, members of trained by the military chaplains the Bereavement Committee individuals and families. We work in various ministries, including closely with the grieving families, supporting them bereavement. In addition, while living in Newbury spiritually, and help them prepare for a Christian Park, Calif. prior to moving to Maui, I was actively funeral by coordinating with the presider, our involved in bereavement. The catechesis and training Pastoral Associate Candie Pinaula, and our Music I have received is instilled not only in my mind but in and Liturgy Director, Alexandria Nicholl.” my heart — to foster good listening skills, to be able continued on page 2
25 W. Lipoa St.│Kihei, HI 96753│www.saint-theresa.com│808-879-4844
Saint Theresa Rom an Catholic Church
Bereavement Committee to pray with people, to convey sympathy, flexibility in scheduling, sensitivity to the particular needs of each family, and to maintain confidentiality. “Over the years, I have been fortunate to work closely with Candie, who has guided me to understand the spiritual aspects and the fundamental requirements of this ministry,” she adds. “I feel prepared to minister to the grieving with compassion and confidence.” To schedule a funeral, the parish office uses a worksheet form to confirm the date and time of a funeral service, as well as details such as the presider(s), music, readings and liturgical ministers. The Bereavement Committee then makes arrangements with the family for refreshments before the Mass and/or a luncheon after the Mass. Committee ministers are present on the day of the funeral itself. They arrive early to pray together and set up the church and reception hall before the family arrives, and then serve guests at the luncheon. Ministers do not leave until after the Mass is ended, the family has left, and everything is put back in place and cleaned up. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee has had to adapt to the new guidelines set for funeral Masses and gatherings. Since fellowship before and after the funeral is not possible, many families have opted to distribute boxed bento lunches outside the church after the Mass, while maintaining physical distancing. “The ‘no visitation’ policy is especially challenging to the grieving during this COVID-19 crisis,” Jenny says. “As we know, the grieving process lends toward
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Jenny Gutierrez, Lani Kuluhiwa and Msgr. Terrence Watanabe at the funeral for Majorie Corarito
physical comforting and support. We are making sincere and compassionate efforts to translate, explain and instruct each family, according to their needs, what we can and cannot do. This calls for a very pastoral and creative approach from bereavement ministers, staff, ushers and all ministry servers. “Our pastor and the St. Theresa Church staff are working hard to discern how to meet the needs of families, to comply with Church directives, and to be in compliance with CDC guidelines,” she adds. “We the bereavement ministers volunteer and serve willingly to help be a part of smooth and transitional changes as necessary.”
Over the years, the committee has received many positive and encouraging responses from the families of the deceased, as well as from the directors of Maui mortuaries, who have been very supportive of the efforts and guidelines St. Theresa has put in place. For more information about the ministry, or to get involved, please contact the parish office at 808-879-4844.
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A Letter from Our Pastor
What Is Our True Role? Dear Friends in Christ,
Y
ou may very well laugh as I provide the topic of my letter for this issue of our newsletter — your participation as a Christian layperson in Christ’s kingly function. At first, it may seem like a joke, the notion that we have a share in the reign of Christ the King. Parents’ reactions may very well be, “I can’t even get my own children to obey me!” The whole idea sounds so grandiose, when we’re already thinking about how our daily lives could be just a little bit easier — if only we’d find that perfect parking spot or shorter check-out lines at the store. But please take note, Christ’s kingly role is shared with the laity of the Church as well as with the clergy. After all, the first pope was addressing the whole Church when he wrote that they were “a royal priesthood” (1 Pt 2:9). Because Jesus came to us humans as a servant, He reached the glory of His Kingdom only after the most appalling suffering on our behalf. As the bishops at Vatican II taught, “Christ, becoming obedient even unto death and because of this exalted by the Father, entered into the glory of His kingdom. To Him all things are made subject until He subjects Himself and all created things to the Father that God may be all in all. Now Christ has communicated this royal power to His disciples that they might be constituted in royal freedom and that by true penance and a holy life they might conquer the reign of sin in themselves” (Lumen Gentium, 36). The bishops went on to state that the Lord wishes to spread His kingdom, “a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace.” And, they maintained, that responsibility is shared by the laity and the clergy alike.
So we’ve been told one aspect of our royal function — conquering sin in our own lives to become holy, with God’s grace. What else? The bishops went on to declare that our kingly duties are not limited to our own lives, even if we think that’s all we can handle. “They must assist each other to live holier lives even in their daily occupations. In this way the world may be permeated by the spirit of Christ and it may more effectively fulfill its purpose in justice, charity and peace. The laity have the principal role in the overall fulfillment of this duty.” We even have to help our neighbor live a holier life — without, of course, overriding his free consent. In particular, while the clergy and religious have a greater specialist knowledge of the theology and the Church, members of the laity know more of other aspects of society, business and the sciences. “Therefore, by their competence in secular training and by their activity, elevated from within by the grace of Christ, let them vigorously contribute their effort, so that created goods may be perfected by human labor, technical skill and civic culture for the benefit of all men according to the design of the Creator and the light of His Word.” As faithful stewards, we strive to continually develop our understanding of Christ’s functions of priest, prophet and king. So, it’s fitting that we examine our own roles in Christ’s reign this month. How we use our time, talent and treasure tells much about how well we rise to these challenges. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Msgr. Terrence A.M. Watanabe Pastor
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Saint Theresa Rom an Catholic Church
Questions & Answers About Ou
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his has most certainly been a trying and unusual year, as we have navigated through uncharted waters. In the face of great uncertainty or difficulty, it is easy to become complacent. Yet, this is not what God calls us to do. We are called to live stewardship as a way of life — in the good, bad or uncertain times. In moments of trial, God raises up saints! Our Stewardship Renewal reminds us that God’s gifts never stop being poured out. In turn, we never should have reason to lose hope or stop thanking Him. So, let us take this Stewardship Renewal as an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with God in the midst of our rapidly changing world.
Commitment Weekend is November 14-15. Don’t forget to return your Commitment Card! How do I use my Commitment Card? Your Commitment Card allows you to make commitments to prayer, parish ministries, and offertory giving. It is designed to be used by the whole family. Time Section: Everyone should be able to check the boxes to commit to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days or to view the Masses online during the pandemic. In addition to those commitments, try to check at least a few other items. Daily prayer should be a priority for every person trying to grow closer to God. We recognize that the current crisis may impact your ability to carry out your commitments. Know the Lord sees what is in your heart and is pleased with your best efforts. Talent Section: You can either sign up for new ministries or re-commit to your current ministries. Be sure to write your first name next to the ministry! This is especially important if the card is being used by more than one person. Treasure Section: Clearly print how much money you plan to give each week or month to our parish. Try to take a step toward giving five percent of your income to St. Theresa.
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Issues like my age, physical limitations, and the current crisis prevent me from being active in the parish. Should I still turn in a Commitment Card? Yes! The first section of the card — Stewardship of Time — is the most important because it allows you to make commitments to prayer. Even if you can’t join a ministry or make it to Mass on Sunday, you can still pray. Your spiritual support has tremendous value in the eyes of God. One time I turned in a card, but no one ever called me when I signed up for a ministry. If this happened in the past, please forgive us! And don’t give up on filling out your Commitment Card! We have a very good plan to call every person interested in joining a new ministry. If for some reason the ministry leader does not call you within four weeks of turning in your card, let the parish office know. How much should I give? Your gift is entirely dependent on how much God has given you. At St. Theresa, we ask that you give five percent to our parish, one percent to the diocese, and four percent to other charities. Why a percentage of income? First, because the tithe (10 percent) is a scriptural benchmark that the Church has honored for centuries (see Malachi 3:10). Secondly, we give a percentage of income because it is a common-sense standard by which everyone can equitably support the parish. Most of all, we give because we believe God comes first in everything, even finances. What if I can’t fulfill my financial pledge? While our pledge is not a “contract,” we should all make a good-faith effort to fulfill it. Of course, if your financial circumstances change — if you lose your job, for instance — then the amount of money you give the Church will change, too. Likewise if you get a raise or bonus. The biggest reason many people don’t fulfill their pledge is that they attend Mass at another parish when they go on vacation, attend a wedding, etc. If
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Every parish family receives a special “Stewardship Package” that further explains S T . our THERESA C AofT stewardship. parish’s vision HOLIC CHURC H It includes a 25 booklet W. Lipoathat St. • Kihei, HI 96 753 808-879-4844 • wwin describes every ministry w.saint-theresa.co m the parish, as well as your Commitment Card.
HOPE AND TRUST IN THE L
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S T. THERES A CATHOLIC CH URCH
2020 COMMI TMENT
CARD
MY OFFERI NG OF TIME , TA L E N T & TREASURE
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HOPE AND TRUST IN THE LORD
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Please complete this card and bring it to Mass or mail using the envelope pr ovided. T hank you and God bless you!
E WA R 2020 ST
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Saint Theresa Rom an Catholic Church
ST. THERESA CHURCH Fiscal Year to Date Comparison 2019 vs. 2020 St. Theresa Church Fiscal Year To Date Comparison 2019 vs 2020
Jul - Aug 19 Ordinary Income/Expense Income OFFERTORY COLLECTION ON-LINE OFFERTORY OTHER REGULAR INCOME REVENUE SUBJECT TO GET UNUSUAL (NON SCHEDULED) INCOME Total Income Gross Profit Expense EMPLOYMENT COSTS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INSURANCE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SUPPLIES AND OTHER SERVICES FUNDRAISING EXPENSE REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE UTILITIES CONTRIBUTIONS AND ASSESSMENTS SUBSIDIES & ASSISTANCE TAXES Total Expense Net Ordinary Income Other Income/Expense Other Income TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED DONATIONS Total Other Income Net Other Income Net Income
Jul - Aug 20
Annual Budget 2019
Annual Budget 2020
67,562.40 14,320.72 25,933.95 11,576.91 9,385.71 128,779.69 128,779.69
53,328.90 25,657.03 3,372.68 5,351.60 24,684.83 112,395.04 112,395.04
-21% 79% -87% -54% 163% -13%
654,700.00 0.00 229,606.00 113,350.00 285,300.00 1,282,956.00 1,282,956.00
418,935.00 115,900.00 30,738.08 49,441.16 98,743.00 713,757.24 713,757.24
-36%
112,926.81 7,299.69 6,596.34 2,308.88 50,281.59 1,478.00 16,964.44 18,154.55 29,264.00 0.00 364.27 245,638.57 -116,858.88
106,956.19 11,728.72 9,813.88 0.00 28,462.29 2,000.00 4,727.29 11,668.25 20,588.00 0.00 1,124.68 197,069.30 -84,674.26
-5% 61% 49% -100% -43% 35% -72% -36% -30%
788,230.07 65,600.00 44,689.32 32,250.00 358,705.00 93,730.00 80,980.00 112,764.00 169,984.00 0.00 2,896.00 1,749,828.39 -466,872.39
644,884.96 47,992.00 48,162.87 10,900.04 236,474.15 15,935.00 74,245.16 123,170.60 126,500.00 2,000.00 3,404.62 1,333,669.40 -619,912.16
-18% -27% 8% -66% -34% -83% -8% 9% -26%
118,459.29 118,459.29 118,459.29 1,600.41
56,243.72 56,243.72 56,243.72 -28,430.54
-53% -53% -53%
467,000.00 467,000.00 467,000.00 127.61
404,405.00 404,405.00 404,405.00 -215,507.16
-13% -13% -13%
209% -20% -28%
Mahalo for your generosity, which has allowed us to continue the mission of our parish. If you would like to give online, please visit our website at www.saint-theresa.com and click on the "online giving" link.
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-87% -56% -65% -44%
18% -24% 33%
St. Theresa Develops Strategic Plan
to Best Serve Parishioners and Community
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parish’s mission has many facets — in addition to providing the Mass and sacraments, parishes also provide faith formation, a community for parishioners, and service to others. To effectively carry out this mission, however, it is extremely important to have a plan in place. St. Theresa is working with the consulting firm Linda Morgan & Associates, Inc., to develop a strategic plan that will encompass every important aspect of parish life over the next few years. “Fr. Terry reached out to me, and we talked story about how the parish and Hale Kau Kau were doing, what was on the horizon, and what was needed,” Linda says. “It’s the kuleana of the parishes here to make a plan every several years, and I think the core idea has been with Father for a long time.” As Linda explains, Strategic Planning is a systematic, dynamic process through which an organization agrees on priorities to fulfill its mission. “For St. Theresa, this means asking how we can make ourselves be of highest service, truly doing the work of Jesus, while also becoming sustainable for the future,” she says. This past winter, the parish put together a planning committee to develop the strategic plan. While the COVID-19 pandemic onset in March created complications, the committee has nonetheless pushed forward and began meeting again — both virtually, and in-person while socially distanced — over the summer months. The plan will encompass every aspect of
parish life — community, financials, stewardship, ministries, liturgy, and everything in between. “It’s not possible to tackle every aspect of any parish or business or organization all at one time, but the plan will address all of it,” Linda says. “It has a wide lens rather than a narrow focus, but within that lens, we will begin to set priorities.” As Linda notes, a good plan will answer the questions, “Where are we now?” “Where do we want to go in the future?” “How will we get there?” “The organizational assessment will point us in the direction we need to go by identifying what our strengths are, what needs attention, and where there are opportunities to grow,” Linda says. "We are designing a focused 2021 plan with three-year milestone targets and a future Vision Statement. This will set 2021 into action,” she adds. “It will have goals, strategies and plans to accomplish those strategies and success measures. Parishioners are also going to have a chance to give us feedback on the plan, both after Sunday Mass as well as online. A sampling of community members are being interviewed for their perspectives as well. Then, going forward, the parish can use the model for Year One to activate a plan for Year Two.” One of the plan’s most important goals is to engage and energize the community, both internally and externally — meaning both the
Linda Morgan
continued on back cover
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Saint Theresa Roman Catholic Church
25 W. Lipoa St. • Kihei, HI 96753 808-879-4844 • www.saint-theresa.com
St. Theresa Develops Strategic Plan people who engage at the parish, as well as those in the community who are served by the parish. “The plan will allow us to be in service to both the internal and external community, to the extent of our capacity,” Linda says. “Then, with a very solid plan under our feet, and working to help the community, we will be able to build the parish’s sustainability going forward. This will take the parish through the next years, through when Fr. Terry will eventually retire and will set his successor up for success.” When thinking about the strategic plan, it’s important to remember that it is a journey, not a destination, and a good plan is easily adaptable to any changes or bumps in the road. It’s also one important piece of a larger puzzle. “I always like to tell people that it is only part of what an organization will use, one of its assets that will come
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into play to help guide the parish forward,” Linda says. “It works in concert with everything else that is going on. It is a guide with guardrails that keeps the parish on track, will help it feel more aligned to purpose, and to serve its constituents better." “When we’re done with the initial planning stages, there will be a lot of opportunities for volunteer engagement and support,” she adds. “The plan is the guide, and the people are the ones who make it work. St. Theresa has fabulous, caring and loving people who work very hard, and it’s these people who will bring life into the strategic plan and make it successful. We are very grateful for them.” Stay tuned for more information about the strategic plan, as well as opportunities to give feedback and help out!
“The plan is the guide, and the people are the ones who make it work. St. Theresa has fantastic, caring and loving people who work really hard, and it’s these people that will bring life into the strategic plan and make it successful.” — LINDA MORGAN 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.