God does want us to be happy Pope Francis reminds us, “God loves the enjoyment felt by human beings.” In Sirach, we read, “My son, treat yourself well. Do not deprive yourself of a happy day.” (Sir 14:11-14). Critics depict the Church as a wet towel on the human passion (the eros). Pope Francis building [...]
Passionate Love Submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka Scripture writers did not hesitate to talk about passionate love. As inspired texts describe God's love for humanity, words of love and passion show what love, divine and human, is. In the words of Song of Songs, a groom says, "O most beautiful among women..." (Sg 1:8), and [...]
Molokai History: [from Hawaii Catholic Herald, December 23, 2011] It's a welcoming church appropriate for a friendly isle. The people of Molokai blessed their long-awaited St. Damien Church in Kaunakakai on Dec. 9 with an inaugural congregation too large for the new building to hold, expressing a joy too great to hold in. Bishop Larry [...]
Molokai History: [a reprint from the Hawaii Catholic Herald of May 20, 1966] Father Damien built two other churches on the East End of Molokai. They were St. John the Evangelist at Moanui and St. Ann at Halawa. He built these in 1876. St. John's was torn down in 1934 and St. Ann's was abandoned [...]
Marrying for Love Submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka In Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, On Love in the Family, he has a section entitled “Marrying for Love.” Saying “yes” to marriage is a commitment that ensures that love will endure and grow. It takes two. Both must be committed without reservation to this love. [...]
Molokai History: [from Hawaii Catholic Herald, May 20, 1966] The distance from Kaunakakai to Kamalo, St. Joseph's Church and a mission of St. Sophia's is eleven miles, but the road is good. St. Joseph's was built in 1876 by Father Damien and is still in use today. It never had a resident priest but it [...]
St. Paul and Pope Francis on Love in Daily Life (submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka) In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul uses words to describe what love is and is not. Love is patient, kind and rejoices in right. Love bears, believes, hopes and endures all things. Love is not irritable, resentful, [...]
Submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka Today, the scriptures go into a serious matter of who is really "in" as a Christian. In the first reading, Jeremiah, rejected by the religious leaders around him, is called by God to his role as prophet. In the Gospel, Jesus' neighbors were ready to throw him over a cliff. [...]
submitted by Deacon Jim Krupka I lifted this title from Pope Francis’ writings On Love in the Family. He uses those words to lead into a commentary on the part of St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians describing love in almost musical terms (1 Cor 13:4-7). This is a well-known passage describing the features [...]
By Deacon Jim Krupka In his message On Love in the Family, Pope Francis reflects on the challenges facing families today. He reminds us that there is "no stereotype of the ideal family." In his remarks on the experiences and challenges of families, the Pope conveys the dynamic character of family in modern society. On [...]