The Marriage Net is Big: Annulment as the Path to a Real Marriage after Divorce

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 [...]

By |2024-01-28T08:29:49+00:00January 28th, 2024|Amoris Laetitia, Catholicism in Hawaii, messages from Deacon Jim Krupka, On love and marriage|Comments Off on The Marriage Net is Big: Annulment as the Path to a Real Marriage after Divorce

Opening Our Eyes to a New Vision

    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 [...]

By |2023-01-02T08:02:48+00:00January 7th, 2023|messages from Deacon Jim Krupka|Comments Off on Opening Our Eyes to a New Vision

Intentions: The foundation of Moral Living

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 [...]

By |2022-10-17T01:14:48+00:00October 17th, 2022|Damien Church Blog 1, messages from Deacon Jim Krupka, Virtue series|Comments Off on Intentions: The foundation of Moral Living

Why be Morally Good: Obligation or Happiness

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 [...]

By |2022-10-11T08:32:33+00:00October 8th, 2022|Damien Church Blog 1, messages from Deacon Jim Krupka|Comments Off on Why be Morally Good: Obligation or Happiness

Living Today’s Gospel through Gratitude and Hospitality

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 [...]

By |2022-10-03T07:53:33+00:00October 8th, 2022|celebrating the mass, Damien Church Blog 1, messages from Deacon Jim Krupka|Comments Off on Living Today’s Gospel through Gratitude and Hospitality

Universal Prayers or Prayers of the Faithful: Where do they come from?

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 [...]

By |2022-10-03T08:23:13+00:00October 3rd, 2022|Damien Church Blog 1, messages from Deacon Jim Krupka|Comments Off on Universal Prayers or Prayers of the Faithful: Where do they come from?

How Much Faith Is Enough?

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 [...]

By |2022-10-03T07:49:27+00:00October 1st, 2022|celebrating the mass, Damien Church Blog 1, messages from Deacon Jim Krupka|Comments Off on How Much Faith Is Enough?

Praying the Rosary through the Gospel: Crowning of Our Lady Queen of Heaven

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" [...]

By |2022-10-03T08:17:43+00:00September 18th, 2022|Damien Church Blog 1, messages from Deacon Jim Krupka, Mysteries of the Rosary|Comments Off on Praying the Rosary through the Gospel: Crowning of Our Lady Queen of Heaven

Praying the Gospel through the Rosary: The Assumption

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 [...]

By |2022-09-14T08:16:49+00:00September 12th, 2022|Damien Church Blog 1, messages from Deacon Jim Krupka, Mysteries of the Rosary|Comments Off on Praying the Gospel through the Rosary: The Assumption

Praying the Gospel through the Rosary: Descent of the Holy Spirit

Praying the Gospel through the Rosary: Descent of the Holy Spirit Submitted Deacon Jim Krupka At the Last Supper, Jesus promised that He would send the Spirit. He told His disciples, "The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] [...]

By |2022-09-11T00:36:51+00:00September 3rd, 2022|Damien Church Blog 1, messages from Deacon Jim Krupka, Mysteries of the Rosary|Comments Off on Praying the Gospel through the Rosary: Descent of the Holy Spirit
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