A big LIFT!

Newly ordained Father Marvin Bearis brings Hawaii an ‘awesome night of praise and worship’

By Donna Lyn Rabe | Special to the Herald

As a “mahalo” to all of his hometown supporters, newly ordained priest Capuchin Father Marvin Bearis gave them a big LIFT.

With his friends from Boston and Dedham, Mass., who were here for his June 13 ordination (see page 3), Father Marvin presented “LIFT,” a praise and worship experience at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea on June 17.

The new priest said he wanted Hawaii to “experience the same ministry I experienced in Boston because it transformed my life.”

LIFT ministry is “purely about Christ,” he said.

LIFT, founded by Heather Flynn and Jon Niven, has been described as “an awesome night of praise and worship, dynamic speakers and eucharistic adoration.”

Indeed the crowd of mainly young adults, joined by some members of Waialua’s Benedictine Monastery, enjoyed a night praising God that was both high energy and deeply meditative.

Flynn and Niven led the crowd in singing Christian hit songs by Matt Maher such as “Your Grace Is Enough” and Chris Tomlin’s “Holy is the Lord.” Flynn projected the lyrics on big screens while Niven jammed on his acoustic guitar belting out the songs.

Father Marvin welcomed guest speaker and friend Father Matt Williams, the director of the Archdiocese of Boston’s Office for the New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults. Opening in prayer, Father Matt implored God to move the attendees to change their hearts and that everyone would leave with “a piece of heaven.”

Father Matt said he loved the sense of ohana here. “I want to take you all home with me,” he said.

He joked that back in Boston they were known as “God’s frozen chosen.”

Father Matt poked fun at the T-shirts Father Marvin wore back in Boston with the pidgin phrases like “Choke” or “No can handle.”

Turning serious, he spoke about Father Marvin’s ordination, that it should make us feel “called to live in this world challenged, strengthened, or changed.” Father Matt asked everyone to continue praying for Father Marvin in his new vocation.

Afterward, Father Marvin, accompanied by incense bearer Ian Ibana, presented the Blessed Sacrament for eucharistic adoration. Father Matt heard confessions. Niven sang meditative songs as the congregation knelt in prayer, hands extended toward the Body of Christ exposed. Before the Blessed Sacrament left the altar, Niven led a litany blessing the name of Jesus.

Closing the night out, Niven led the audience in Maher’s “Declare Victory” with everyone shouting “Chee hoo!” during the chorus. The crowd cried “hana hou” and Niven graciously conceded with the classic song “Forever.”

Flynn and Niven were amazed at the crowd’s energy, from the first song to the last. Father Marvin felt it was a great turnout. He was glad that he and his Massachusetts friends had the opportunity to expose Hawaii to “a different way to pray.”

He hoped that Father Matt motivated and inspired everyone and that they experienced spiritual healing with the eucharistic adoration.