A Special Reflection from Deacon Jim Krupka I am a vigorous defender of marriage. But I also understand that there are times when divorce is the right answer. Suppose one spouse is repeatedly unfaithful or abusive with no serious move to rehabilitate. That spouse is showing that they may never have been committed to the [...]
Waiting For the Word | CC BY 2.0 By: Deacon Jim Krupka One early morning I was driving toward mass on the east end of Molokai. The countryside was dark and empty. As I topped the long sleeping volcanic mountain near Maunaloa, I saw a brilliant light in the sky. It [...]
A continuation of the Virtue Series written and submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka Our path to moral living is shaped by the twin concepts of freedom and intention. We have God-given free will to choose our life and destiny. Everything is not predestined or pre-cooked. We make choices that define who we are within our [...]
Submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka Most Christians want to be morally good. But the reason for following a moral path is not the same for everybody. For some, the foundation is “morality of obligation.” For others, the basis is a “morality of happiness.” Christians can be found on both sides of this contrast. On the [...]
Aloha Kakou and blessings to ohana and visitors! In our Gospel, ten lepers were healed, and only one came back to give thanks. Picture this. The one who came back was an outsider, a Samaritan. The others who were too busy to say “thanks” were from the local faith community. There’s a dual lesson here [...]
Submitted and written by Deacon Jim Krupka As we celebrate mass, the Liturgy of the Word concludes with the Universal Prayers or Prayers of the Faithful. As directed by the Church, the Deacon normally fills this role to voice the "needs of the people…due to his presence in the community." The US Bishops direct this [...]
Aloha Kakou and peace to ohana, friends and visitors! We are people of faith. In today's Gospel, Jesus says, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to the mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you." Have you ever quietly wondered; do I [...]
Praying the Rosary through the Gospel: Crowning of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka Like the Assumption, not all Christians view the Crowning of Mary similarly. That's why it merits the name "mystery" and is worthy of meditation. In Revelation, John describes a woman "caught up to God and his throne" [...]
Molokai History [from "Place Names of Hawaii, Revised Edition", Pukui, Elbert & Mookini, University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, 1976] 'Ilio: Point, West Molokai. Meaning" dog. 'Ilio-pi'i: Cape and Bay, Kalaupapa Peninsula, Meaning: climbing dog. 'Iloli: Three land divisions, west Molokai. Meaning: yearning. Imu-kalua-ua: "heiau", north Molokai, rain-baking oven. It is believed that raindrops were caught [...]
Praying the Gospel through the Rosary: The Assumption Submitted and written by Deacon Jim Krupka Mary remained on earth for several years after her Son ascended into Heaven. At the end of her natural life, she was taken, body and soul, into Heaven. The Assumption is a unique mystery to ponder since not all Christians [...]