KULIOUOU

Holy Trinity Parish

Life in the Spirit Seminars are held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays in the church. The workshops deepen a person’s relationship with Jesus Christ; and lead the participant to experience an awakening of the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. Each session includes uplifting praise and worship, dynamic speakers and thought provoking reflections. These workshops are open to all youth and their families and count as make up classes for Confirmation. (From the parish bulletin)

HONOLULU

Sts. Peter and Paul

Through the month of November, the Book of Life was located on a table at the altar. Pages were available to enter the names of your beloved deceased whom you wished to have remembered. The Book of Life will be put on the altar of each Mass celebration and we pray for the names of our deceased family and friends. (From the parish bulletin)

WAIANAE

Sacred Heart Parish

Participating in the Waianae Annual Christmas Parade on Nov. 28 were government agencies, churches, organizations and schools. Our parish was fully represented by two huge floats of St. Damien and Mother Marianne Cope and the float of the Nativity scene, along with three antique cars, a trolley carrying elderly parishioners and many parishioners walking in the parade. It was a very awe-inspiring event to unite the Waianae community together. (Reported by Father Rey Lim)

MANOA

St. Francis School

Our sixth grade and middle school students participated in the Middle School Math Challenge at HBA on Nov. 28. With three weeks of preparation and practice, our students did very well placing seventh out of 16 teams. Participants were: sixth graders Casey Hayakawa, Kasey Magdadero and Erica SanDiego, seventh graders Taylor Ah Mook Sang, Makaela DeLaura and Royce Torres, eighth graders Lani Oshiro, Billy Tsogsaikhan, Britney Paranada, Chu Ching Yang, Moana Coloma-Quintanilla, Dylan Matsuda and Rie Nakano. (Reported by Karen Curry)

EWA

Immaculate Conception

About 40 participants attended a Couples for Christ Youth Camp Kokokahi in Kaneohe where they shared Scriptures, discussions and lectures on teen-related issues. They played games, sang praise and worship songs and had interactive question and answer sessions. It was a time to get together, put their focus on God and see how he is working in their lives. They bonded with others who shared the same religious interests and values. This youth organization is backed up by its parent group, Couples for Christ, a full-family ministry ranging from youngsters to adults, single and married. For information, visit them at www.cfcyouthhawaii.com. You may also reach Couples Coordinators Ed and Maila Crisostomo at (808) 216-2928 or (808) 224-3241. (Reported by Maricel Daquiaog)

AIEA

St. Elizabeth Parish

Kelly Ann Hall, Maili Land coordinator for St. Elizabeth Church, had the pleasure of delivering donations of toiletries, baby clothes, kitchen items and more to the grateful folks at Maili Land recently. We were fortunate to have a special donation this year from parishioner Nancy Matsuda, pictured left, of Keiki Sacks Hawaii who kindly gave more than 100 Keiki Sacks to the children of Maili Land. Keiki Sacks is a non-profit organization whose volunteers sew beautiful cloth bags and fill them with donated items such as stuffed animals, books, etc. Litia Mira, right, of Maili Land said they will give Keiki Sacks to the children as welcome gifts. Maili Land is a transitional housing program on the Waianae coast, which provides assistance to homeless families with children. The program helps them gain self-sufficiency and obtain long-term permanent housing. (Reported by Kelly Ann Hall)

KAILUA

St. Anthony Parish

“Project Outreach — Fashion for a Cause” on Nov. 21 was a rousing success. Miss Windward, Miss Ko Olina and Mrs. Hawaii generously modeled clothes from the Outreach Thrift Shop! It was a great night attended by about 160 people. Pictured here are Miss Windward 2010 Lauren Cheape, Father Steve Nguyen, Father Dennis Koshko, Miss Ko Olina 2010 Caroline Chapman and Mrs. Hawaii 2005 Arlene Newman. (Reported by Lisa Valle Lange)

EWA BEACH

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish

“Each of us is called to serve God and His kingdom. Jesus gave us the example of how to serve. It is in that same spirit that we give back in gratitude to what we have received. As we enter the Church’s new year of Advent, let us also renew our commitment to serve the Lord, His Church, and our community, to the glory of His Kingdom.” With those words, our parishioners pledged to strengthen their relationship with God, family, friends, fellow parishioners, neighbors and strangers and to share their God-given talents and abilities to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ in the community. Parishioners signed commitment cards at all Masses, Nov. 28-29, in the culmination of a month-long stewardship drive. The week before, they learned about our parish’s 34 ministries at a Ministry Expo. Pictured is Mary Forde, left, from Children’s Liturgy of the Word explaining her ministry to a family. A general orientation covering spirituality of ministry, roles and responsibilities, as well as parish structure, is scheduled for Dec. 20 and 29, with a ministry retreat to follow on Feb. 27. (Reported by Julia Torres)

WAIALUA

St. Michael Parish

How time flies. It seems like not too long ago the Filipino Catholic Club did the religious tradition Misa de Gallo that was brought over from our forefathers from the Philippines Islands … also known as Simbang Gabi. It’s here again. Beginning on Dec. 16 and ending on Dec. 24 at 5 a.m. each morning. Members of the Filipino Catholic Club are also distributing Mass intention envelopes to be blessed each morning of the Mass. Please participate when approached by the members. (From the parish bulletin)

ENCHANTED LAKE

St. John Vianney Parish

Congratulations to Deacon Walter Yoshimitsu who celebrates 25 years of ordination as a deacon this month. Deacon Walter has ministered faithfully and well here at our parish and in the diocesan administration and is certainly a fine example of the service to the church that deacons are called to carry out. Thanks, Deacon Walter, for your example and your ministry! We will celebrate in our parish with Deacon Walter and his wife Frances in January. (From the parish bulletin)

MAKAWAO

St. Joseph School

The students enjoyed classroom visits from Father Joseph Carroll that were timed just right. The students made mini-pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving and shared one with their jolly friend. Father Carroll was standing in for Father Eric Castro who was overseas during the holiday. We are thankful for all religious men and women that serve the people of God. Blessings to all and Merry Christmas! (Reported by Helen Souza)

HILO

St. Joseph Preschool

We recently had a lesson in skeletal bone placement in conjunction with Halloween. Teachers wanted to diffuse any fears students may have when seeing others in a skeleton costume. (Reported Rowena Austria)

HILO

St. Joseph Elementary School

During a recent Mass, a student places his donation on the Advent tree made of canned goods to be donated to the hungry on the Big Island. Thanks goes to Mabel Pacheco and volunteers Kuulei Kanoho, Gwen Huston and Mildred Murakami for the beautiful chapel set-up and hard work each year! (Reported Rowena Austria)

HILO

St. Joseph High School

‘Twas the night before Thanksgiving, and all through the school, the smell of cupcakes, brownies and fudge made them all drool! This was the scene at our school on a recent autumn night, as teacher Kelly Chung and the senior class girls worked through the night baking special treats for us all! Each year Mrs. Chung gathers food donations and a student work crew to put on a fantastic meal that feeds the whole school. The feast included over 85 pounds of turkey, 50 pounds of ham, six dozen ears of fresh corn, candied yams, mashed potatoes, and much, much more! Mahalo to Mrs. Chung and all donors and students for this wonderful meal! (Reported by Rowena Austria)

WAILUKU

St. Anthony Grade School

We held a food drive in which we collected over 1,000 pounds of food to donate to the Maui Food Bank. Our students generously donated food items that will be given to families in need of the extra support this holiday season. (Reported by Samantha Gomes)

WAILUKU

St. Anthony Jr./Sr. High School

Our student government officers prepared cards of thanksgiving for each faculty and staff member to thank them for all their hard work and dedication during the year. Each card had a car air freshener and a ticket to have their car washed by the officers during lunch or after school. St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School wishes everyone a blessed holiday season. (Reported by Janice Pruett)

KAHULUI

Christ the King School

The fourth grade class learned about the Corporal Works of Mercy in their religion class. Integrated into their learning was a service project to collect money to give needy families a Happy Thanksgiving. Students made collection jars out of plastic bottles and had assigned classrooms to collect from for two weeks. They collected enough for five families. Pictured are the fourth graders presenting their gift to Kathleen Sacapanio, Christ the King Parish social service chairperson. (Reported by Sister Jean Larm)

HONOLULU

Holy Trinity School

Our students collected canned goods for the St. James food pantry so many families would have a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. Our students are trying to make a difference by helping the less fortunate. We are teaching them that yes, one person can make a difference in someone’s life. (Reported by Colleen Nakama)

HONOLULU

Maryknoll Grade School

More than 2,000 students, parents, alumni, family and friends packed the Clarence T.C. Ching Gymnasium at the Maryknoll Community Center for the 34th annual luau on Nov. 7. With the opening of the center earlier this year, we were able to bring the luau back to campus for the first time in decades. Everyone who came enjoyed Hawaiian food, games, crafts and music by two Na Hoku award winning alumni — Mailani Makainai and Pali Kaaihue. Our day was filled with fun and fellowship because of the group effort. Heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers, parents, students, faculty and staff who shared their time, talents and treasures with us in making this day unforgettable! (Reported by Stephen Florino; photo by maryknollphotography.com)

HONOLULU

Holy Family Catholic Academy

The Rotary Club of Honolulu made its annual visit to the third grade to distribute free personal dictionaries to every single student, 60 in all! The Rotarians sponsor this service project by presenting as many third grade students around the state as possible with their very own comprehensive dictionaries. Besides containing the usual definitions, spellings and pronunciations, the dictionary also has information about the 50 states, biographies of the presidents, and many other facts, maps and charts. It’s a handy resource for these lucky students in their daily studies. The three visiting Rotarians challenged the students (and a few of the faculty) to a friendly competition to see who could locate various words the fastest. It was lots of educational fun for all! (Reported by Jocelyn Burch)

EWA BEACH

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School

The student government sponsored a Thanksgiving canned goods service project called “Feeding Our Brothers and Sisters” which encouraged students to help others and realize that we should take care of each other. This school-wide project involved all grades levels. From Nov. 2 through Nov. 16 the students donated specific canned goods assigned to each grade. The student government recorded how much each class donated. Overall, we had an overwhelming response — 1,473 cans collected, weighing 13,870.35 ounces. Jesus taught us that we should love one another and one way is to share what we have with others. Some people don’t have enough to eat. By doing this food drive, or something like this everyday and not only on Thanksgiving, we make other people happy. We should give thanks for all that we have and all that we can share. (Reported by Emma Lacar; photo by Jorge Ochoa)

HONOLULU

Maryknoll High School

Our school threw a garden party for Dr. Thomas and Mi Kosasa (along with Keystone) in November on the lawn outside the Maryknoll Community Center. The party celebrated the naming of the “Mi and Tom Kosasa Garden Way” located just outside the center. We wanted to honor the Kosasas for their hard work in making our dream of an on-campus gym come true. Dr. Kosasa serves on the school board and was a co-chair of the successful $12 million capital campaign, which raised money for the gym’s construction. Mi Kosasa chaired numerous fundraisers over the past several years. Maryknoll thanks the Kosasas for their service. (Reported by Stephen Florino; photo by Stephanie Conching)

HONOLULU

Sacred Hearts Academy

The Academy presented a check to the Aloha United Way for $11,292.22, money earned from a school bake sale and casual dress day for faculty and students. Students and teachers paid a fee for the privilege of donning casual attire in lieu of traditional uniforms. On “Costume for a Cause” day, students and teachers paid a fee to wear costumes on Halloween. The final fundraiser “Coins for a Cause” collected coins in every classroom. The lower school started the collections off with a bang, and the high school answered the challenge. Pictured in the bottom row, from left, are Aloha United Way assistant vice president Karen Quimoyog, lower school student council president Colby Rosado, and high school student council president Suzy Cho. In the back are interim dean of lower school faculty Elizabeth Docken, director of student activities Toni Normand, and human resources director Alessya Ordonez. (Reported by Hayley Matson-Mathes)

HONOLULU

Sacred Hearts Academy Lower School

The Lancer intermediate team captured the Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH) Division II volleyball championship with a perfect 13-0 record. The last two games, one against St. Francis, where the team overcame a 17-6 deficit to come back and win, set the stage for a three-set victory over Word of Life Academy in the championship game. Members of the team include: (front) Lydia McShane, Tiffany Atud, Tori Nakashima and Pamela Nishida, (middle) Jacquelyn Corpuz, Anissa Cabe, Alisa Martinez, Ciera Ponimoi and Makena Kaaialii; (back) coach Cory Kurihara, Maria Leineweber, Caitlin Colipano, Chelsea Nicholas, Taylor Kaneshiro and coach Justine Kadokawa. (Reported by Hayley Matson-Mathes)

KANEOHE

St. Ann Early Learning Center

Our annual powwow celebration on Nov. 25 in the Garden Court featured special guests and Kaneohe natives Joseph Ahuna and his son, Joseph III. Mr. Ahuna explained how Native Americans participate in a powwow and Joseph III performed the hoop dance. The Native American implements he brought thrilled the children. They beat on the drums, wore a traditional headdress, used the dancing hoops and learned the story of the dream catcher. Mr. Ahuna also taught the children a Native American song. The children continued their celebration by listening to a Thanksgiving Story, singing songs, praying and sharing fruits with their neighbors. This wonderful event showed the children the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Pictured is Joseph Ahuna III demonstrating a traditional Native American dance. (Reported by Kuulei Halemano)

KANEOHE

St. Ann School

Our school motto is “A’ole nou wale no” – “Not for Ourselves Alone.” Each year, the 3-year-olds through eighth grade participate in a service learning project. This year, our second graders learned about becoming “stewards of the land” by collecting and recycling cans and plastic bottles. For the past two months, students diligently brought in cans and bottles from home. One little girl even went around after her soccer game each week and collected cans and bottles. Volunteer parents took the collected bags to a redemption center and in a couple of months, the students had earned over $300! After a brainstorming session, the class decided to use the money to buy Christmas gifts for less fortunate children in our community. On Dec. 1, the class walked to Windward Mall and each student purchased a gift for a child. The students will create cards and write prayers to attach to the gifts. What a wonderful way to start the season of Advent. Pictured are second graders Shannon Kim, Aubree Davis and Isabel Minaglia standing in line to pay for their purchases – gifts for little girls just like them! (Reported by Kuulei Halemano)

HONOLULU

Star of the Sea School

Our fifth graders, from left, Erina Miyasaki, Ellie Rameriz, Chasie Hirawawa and Stara Shinsato, proudly pack boxes so that others could have a Thanksgiving meal too. The student body and the Early Learning Center prepared 26 boxes of food for those less fortunate. The gifts of food were sent to St. Patrick’s Outreach Program for distribution. (Reported by Keith Haugen; photo by Cheri Rauckhorst)

HONOLULU

Star of the Sea Early Learning Center

The children of the Alaka‘i room sit down to a delicious Thanksgiving luncheon wearing their Native American headbands they created in art. The students learned about the celebration of the First Thanksgiving. Their placemats reflected what they were thankful for this Thanksgiving. Good food and good friendship made a happy celebration. (Reported and photo by Leanna Brake)

KAILUA

St. John Vianney School

Our preschoolers, kindergarteners and grades four and five took a trip out to the pumpkin patch and returned with all kinds of fun stories about collecting pumpkins and riding in the hay wagon! … We’re busy preparing for our Christmas celebration, culminating with our Christmas Program on Dec. 18, our last day of school before the holidays. Santa Claus will visit on Dec. 11, and our students will bring lots of toys for needy children that our parish will distribute through their Giving Tree. … We are planning our first Open House on Dec. 12, 8:30-10:30 a.m. We welcome the opportunity to show members of our community just how wonderful our school is! … We send our very best wishes to all for a joyful, love-filled holiday as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior! (Reported by Annie Chee)

WAIPAHU

St. Joseph School

The Indians and Pilgrims met to celebrate friendship and to give thanks for the blessings of this school year. After participating in the Thanksgiving Mass, the pre-kindergarten students shared pumpkin and custard pies with their eighth grade buddies. Stories and playtime followed. This was just one of the many activities shared by the pre-K and eighth graders this school year. (Reported by Janis Davis)

HONOLULU

Chaminade University

Fifteen students, along with campus minister Maimoa Fineisaloi and University rector Marianist Brother Jerry Bommer spent Thanksgiving Day preparing and serving meals to the many homeless and needy individuals at Nanakuli Beach. (Reported by Kay Stone)