SaintSaint TheresaTheresa DECEMBER 2016 Roman Catholic Church Parish Newsletter “The Power of Grace and Blessings” Misa de Gallo his Christmas season, do you want to see fabulous noodle soup, bibingka (rice flour and egg-based cake, Tthings happen in your heart and soul? Do you want cooked using coals on top and under), puto bumbong to grow closer to the Divine Child and be filled with His (a purple sticky rice delicacy that is steamed in bam- heavenly peace in a way you never have before? boo tubes), salabat (hot ginger tea), and tsokolate (thick If you do, you may want to take part in St. Theresa’s Spanish cocoa). And to top it off, on the last morning of Misa de Gallo celebration at our parish from Dec. 16 to the Misa de Gallo, lechon — a whole roasted pig with a 24. For each of these nine days, a breathtakingly beau- variety of trimmings — is served. tiful novena will take place, which features Mass every “We, the Filipinos, believe in the power of graces morning at 5. Following the Masses, all are welcome to and blessings that come from attending the novena,” take part in fellowship and Filipino traditional Christ- says Trixie Galam, President of the St. Theresa Fili- mas delicacies at Stawazs Hall through a potluck. Parish- pino Catholic Club. “We feel that we get closer to Jesus ioners prepare and cook foods such as: pancit (noodles), through it, and that it strengthens our relationship with fried rice and longganisa (Filipino sausage), rice cakes, God. Attending these early Masses is a great sacrifice, but continued on page 2 25 W. Lipoa St.│Kihei, HI 96753│www.saint-theresa.com│808-879-4844 Saint Theresa Roman Catholic Church “The Power of Grace and Blessings” continued from front cover the benefits that come with it are greater. Discipline and and it became a tradition over time. There is actually solidarity in the family are just two of the good virtues a traditional Filipino belief that those who complete that this tradition brings. We love seeing our friends and the novena will have their special request or favor families who we have not seen for so long in a church granted by God. setting at Misa de Gallo. Meeting and being with them “Misa de Gallo is most special to all young and old brings back childhood memories of growing up in the Filipinos because it is part of our heritage and speaks of Philippines and attending the celebration.” our cultural values and traditions,” Trixie says. “We are Misa de Gallo, otherwise known as Simbang Gabi so glad it has been introduced at our parish. Continuing or the Dawn Mass, began sometime in the 1700s this tradition makes us feel like we are at home. Misa De when a Spanish friar gathered his flocks of farmers Gallo deepens the faith of its devotees and strengthens during harvest time – coinciding with the Christmas the bond of the whole community.” season – and together, they gave thanks for the boun- Misa de Gallo is open to all parishioners. Come, en- tiful harvest. From then on, these farmers willingly counter the beauty of this Filipino tradition, as well as the observed those early mornings as a time for worship, Divine Child who has inspired it! If you would like to help out with the celebration or have further questions, please contact Trixie Galam at 808-264-4699. Monetary donations may be made to: St. Theresa Filipino Catholic Club, c/o St. Theresa Church at 25 West Lipoa St., Kihei, Hawaii, 96753. Don’t Forget to Return Your Commitment Card! Grace in Action Time Talent Treasure The 2016 Stewardship Renewal (cont.) Talent Spending Time with God Using My Talents Making a Consistent in Prayer in Parish Ministries Gift to the Offertory = Interested in Joining = Currently Involved is ongoing. Please remember to Prayer is the beginning of stewardship. Only when You can read about each of the ministries listed below In thanksgiving for God’s gifts, each household at of family member on the line. Clearly write the first name we spend time with God in prayer are we spiritually in your Stewardship Handbook. When you sign up, the St. Theresa is asked to give a specific percentage of prepared to offer ourselves in service to others. leader will call to explain how to get involved. income based on the 10% biblical tithe: SERVICE (cont.) Check the circle next to your prayer commitments: 5% to St. Theresa = Currently Involved = Interested in Joining turn in your commitment cards Finance Council plus 1% to the diocese Gift Shop Attend Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days Clearly write the first name of family member on the line. and 4% to other charities Attend weekday Mass at least once a week Hale Kau Kau HOSPITALITY to the parish as soon as possible. Invite a friend or acquaintance to Mass Hispanic My Offertory pledge to Aloha Committee Pray together with my family St. Theresa Catholic Church: Knights of Columbus Hospitality Committee Pray for the sick, the lonely and the deceased Percentage of household income: % Liturgical Committee FORMATION We appreciate your willingness to St. Theresa Discuss our Catholic Faith with my Please complete either a children/parents Pastoral Council Catholic Church Adult Sacrament Process a Weekly or Monthly offertory gift: Read the Bible for a half hour a week Stewardship Committee Confirmation Weekly gift $ x52 = $ annually Spend at least 15 minutes a day in personal Tongan Catholic Community Religious Education or participate in this year’s renewal. 2016 Stewardshipprayer Commitment Card Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Monthly gift $ x12 = $ annually Ushers Pray the Rosary at least weekly (RCIA) Go to Confession at least every other month PRAYER (one card per family) Youth Ministry First & Last Name The more we grow to embrace and Altar Servers Spend extra time with my spouse each day Youth and Young Adults Weekly giving based on proportion of income. Daily Mass Ministers SERVICE At St. Theresa each household is asked to work toward Extraordinary Ministers - At Mass Street Address giving 5% of their income to the parish. Some families The gift of my time, Altar Care may have difficulty reaching this goal at first. If so, try understand the stewardship way increasing your weekly gift incrementally until you reach an Extraordinary Ministers - To the Sick and talent and treasure ZIP Bereavement Committee State amount that you know is right for you. Homebound City is the right size: Building and Grounds Committee Weekly Giving Chart Extraordinary Ministers - To the • When I can no longer make any excuses for the size of Hospitalized the gift (large or small). Environment % of Hshld Income: 10% 5% 4% 1% of life, the more our parish will Household Income Amount of Weekly Gift Telephone (Important)• When I can honestly state that the gift is sacrificial as I Faith Formation Committee $30,000 $58 $29 $23 $6 Lectors offer it in thanksgiving to God. Filipino Catholic Club $50,000 96 48 38 10 • When I can honestly state that in the giving of my gift, I $70,000 135 67 54 14 Music Ministry Email Address am being honest with God and with self. $100,000 192 96 76 19 Adult Choir St. Theresa Continued on back panels flourish and grow! Life Teen Contemporary Choir Catholic Church Tongan Choir Youth Choir 25 W. Lipoa Street | Kihei, HI 96753 808-879-4844 | www.saint-theresa.com Prayer Servants 2 A Letter from Our Pastor Advent: Moving Toward a Time of Fulfilled Hope Dear Friends in Christ, here is never a time during the year the traditions in our Church and in many of when we cannot pause and reflect on our homes is an Advent wreath. That custom whoT and what we are and how we conduct is filled with meaning. The wreath tends to our lives, both as a parish and as people of be circular in shape with four candles – three God. But this time of year in particular lends purple and one rose. The color purple is very itself to just that. evident at this time of year, just as it is during Advent is often called “a season of hope.” Lent. Purple represents prayer, penance, sac- However, it is more than that. We have rifice, and good works. choices and decisions to make at this time. On the Third Sunday of Advent, though, This is the time when we must acknowledge we light the rose candle. That is Gaudete Sun- the need for us to change attitudes and to day, a day of rejoicing. Throughout Advent, welcome the light of Christ’s presence. In this the candles are lit in progression each week. way, we can contribute to bringing hope to a world that is This builds on the idea of expectation and starved for hope. hope that we may see as Christ’s first coming into the world, Of course, we approach this time of year with a spirit but we must also keep in mind that, at the same time, we are of confident expectation, but now is the time for us to be anticipating His Second Coming. We cannot ask ourselves awake to Christ, Whose presence is revealed as forgiveness, often enough, “Are we ready?” Jesus and St. Paul and others Whose peace reconciles our differences, and Whose hope remind us often that we do not and cannot know the time should strengthen and lift up our hearts. and the place. We have pointed out that each and every day is an op- The point is that the time is now for us.