Holy Trinity A Stewardship Parish

December 15, 2019 Third Sunday of

Pastor: Fr. Michel Dalton, OFM Capuchin Deacons: Steve Kula and Fernando Ona

Masses: Saturday: 5 pm; Sunday: 7, 9 & 11 am; Weekdays: 5 pm Reconciliation (Confession): Saturday: 3:45 - 4:15 or by appointment

Our vision: To be a welcoming parish committed to serving others. Our mission: To make Christ known to the world through Word, Sacrament, Prayer and Service

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 2019

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Mass 7, 9, 11 5:00 pm Mass 10:00 am 9:00 am 5:00 pm 5:00 pm Mass 3:45 pm Crafters Group Bible Study in Eucharistic Reconciliation 10:00 am in Makai House Makai House Service Religious Ed 5:00 pm Mass 5:00 pm Mass 5:00 pm Mass 6:00-7:30 pm Bible Study in 6:30 pm Choir 7:00 pm the PMR Charismatic 7:15 pm Prayer Group Neo Way Community

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Mass 7, 9, 11 5:00 pm Mass CHRISTMAS 5:00 pm 5:00 pm Mass 3:45 pm EVE DAY Eucharistic Reconciliation 6:00-7:30 pm Service Bible Study in 4:30 pm CHURCH 5:00 pm Mass the PMR Caroling OFFICE CLOSED 5:00 pm Mass 8:45 am 8:15pm Caroling Caroling 9:00 am Mass 9:00 pm Mass 10:45 am Caroling

11:00 am Mass

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE

Tue December 24 5:00 pm Mass Tue December 24 9:00 pm Mass Wed December 25 9:00 am Mass Wed December 25 11:00 am Mass

Scripture Readings

Readings for Sunday December 15, 2019 Third Sunday of Advent 1st Reading Is 35:1-6a 2nd Reading Jas 5:7-10 Mt 11:2-11

Holy Trinity Church Contact Information 5919 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu, HI 96821 Readings for Sunday December 22, 2019 E-Mail: [email protected] Fourth Sunday of Advent Website: holytrinitychurchhi.org Telephone (808) 396-0551 1st Reading Is 7:10-14 Emergency Telephone: (808) 772-2422 2nd Reading Rom 1:1-7 Please email [email protected] QR Code if you have questions on the Bulletin. Online Giving Gospel Mt 1:18-24

APOSTOLIC LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON THE MEANING AND IMPORTANCE OF THE NATIVITY SCENE THE ENCHANTING IMAGE (Part 2 of 4)

4. I would like now to reflect on the various elements of the nativity scene in order to appreciate their deeper meaning. First, there is the background of a starry sky wrapped in the darkness and silence of night. We represent this not only out of fidelity to the Gospel accounts, but also for its symbolic value. We can think of all those times in our lives when we have experienced the darkness of night. Yet even then, God does not abandon us, but is there to answer our crucial questions about the meaning of life. Who am I? Where do I come from? Why was I born at this time in ? Why do I love? Why do I suffer? Why will I die? It was to answer these questions that God became man. His closeness brings light where there is darkness and shows the way to those dwelling in the shadow of suffering (cf. Lk 1:79). The landscapes that are part of the nativity scene also deserve some mention. Frequently they include the ruins of ancient houses or buildings, which in some instances replace the cave of Bethlehem and become a home for the Holy Family. These ruins appear to be inspired by the thirteenth-century of the Dominican Jacobus de Varagine, which relates a pagan belief that the Temple of Peace in Rome would collapse when a Virgin gave birth. More than anything, the ruins are the visible sign of fallen humanity, of everything that inevitably falls into ruin, decays and disappoints. This scenic setting tells us that is newness in the midst of an aging world, that he has come to heal and rebuild, to restore the world and our lives to their original splendour. 5. With what emotion should we arrange the mountains, streams, sheep and shepherds in the nativity scene! As we do so, we are reminded that, as the prophets had foretold, all creation rejoices in the coming of the Messiah. The angels and the guiding star are a sign that we too are called to set out for the cave and to worship the Lord. “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us” (Lk 2:15). So the shepherds tell one another after the proclamation of the angels. A beautiful lesson emerges from these simple words. Unlike so many other people, busy about many things, the shepherds become the first to see the most essential thing of all: the gift of salvation. It is the humble and the poor who greet the event of the Incarnation. The shepherds respond to God who comes to meet us in the Infant Jesus by setting out to meet him with love, gratitude and awe. Thanks to Jesus, this encounter between God and his children gives birth to our religion and accounts for its unique beauty, so wonderfully evident in the nativity scene.

FRANCISCUS Given in Greccio, at the Shrine of the Nativity, on 1 December in the year 2019, the seventh of my Pontificate.

[1] Cf. Thomas of Celano, First Life, 84; Franciscan Sources, 469. [2] Ibid., 85; Franciscan Sources, 469. [3] Ibid., 86: Franciscan Sources, 470.

Stewardship Corner Lesson 181

Stewardship at Holy Trinity Catholic Church

Rejoice in the Lord

“Gaudete Sunday, a Sunday of joy.” (Excerpt, homily of Pope Francis, December 14, 2014)

Only 10 days left until Christmas. I’m still hanging lights on the tree; much less started shopping for the gifts I need for our family and friends. I’m beginning to feel the pressure that time is running out. So much to do, so little time! During this season of Advent, a preparation for the coming of Jesus, the Church adds a Sunday of Joy, a day of serenity and tranquility. Pope Francis asked we not worry over what has not been done but focus on the good that life has given each of us. We have family, perhaps parents still with us. We have employment and food on the table. We have our health. We have our life. We have our gifts and talents. Give thanks to the Lord for what we have, for the joy in our lives. Celebrate these gifts; celebrate with joy this Gaudete Sunday.

You Can’t Out Do God’s Generosity!”

Summary of Weekly Offerings for Dec 7 and 8, 2019

Offerings $6,805.00 MMR* $650.00

Candles $208.23 Thrift Shop $1,381.25

Advent Mission $476.00 Reigious Retirement $2,178.00

Family Promise $500.00 TOTAL $12,198.48

* Major Maintenance and Repair

Questions about the Scriptures used during Mass

Do we read from the Bible at Mass?

Readings from Scripture are part of every Mass. At least two readings, one always from the , (3 on Sundays and solemnities) make up the Liturgy of the Word. In addition, a psalm or canticle is sung.

These readings are typically read from a Lectionary, not a Bible, though the Lectionary is taken from the Bible.

What's the difference between a Bible and a Lectionary?

A Lectionary is composed of the readings and the responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year (Sundays, weekdays, and special occasions). The readings are divided by the day or the theme (baptism, marriage, vocations, etc.) rather than according to the books of the Bible. Introductions and conclusions have been added to each reading. Not all of the Bible is included in the Lectionary.

Individual readings in the Lectionary are called pericopes, from a Greek word meaning a "section" or "cutting." Because the Mass readings are only portions of a book or chapter, introductory phrases, called incipits, are often added to begin the Lectionary reading, for example, "In those days," "Jesus said to his disciples," etc.

The Holy Trinity Thrift Shop will be CLOSED Dec 22—Jan 8. Reopening Monday Jan 9th.

On behalf of St. Rita - Outreach Program, we are truly grateful for the gener- ous Food Donation from Holy Trinity.

The Food Pantry is open Mon-Wed-Fri, from 9 am - 11 am and we service the people on the Waianae Coast ( From Honokaa Hale to Makaha).

In any given month we distribute over 285 bags of food ( bags normally have a quarter size bag of rice, spam, soup, canned vegetables or fruit etc.) to indi- viduals and families who are in need of emergency food.

Once a month we serve a hot meal to those who are homeless. During this feeding we also distribute clothes and sometime school supplies to families in need. We are always grateful for any food donations!

PRAYER OF JOY

Our joy doesn’t come from our jobs, our family, our relation- ships, our finances, or our success. Our joy doesn’t come from what we have on earth or who we are with. Our joy is a gift. It is the gift that you gave us that first Christmas in Jesus Christ. Our joy is encompassed in our Savior, King Jesus. Flood our heart with joy this Advent season as we reflect on the good news of Jesus’ birth.

In Jesus’ precious name we pray.

Health and Healing Eternal Rest

John Baricuatro Jr. Honesto Cabrera John Baricuatro Sr. Mercedes Cabrera Morris Campos Thomas Lee Collins Katherine Caracciolo Richard E. Hughes Alexander Chun Katherine McCauley Geneva Colon Anissa Peralta Jody Kamahele Benjamin Peralta Jr. John Kichak Dominador Peralta Beverly Parente Virgilio Peralta Nilda Ramos James G. L. Souza

Mary Louise Sandla

Please advise the Parish Office when it is no longer necessary or appropriate to keep names on the list, so we may use the space for future entries.