Mary, Star of the Sea 

   Church

“As the journey of Advent continues, as we prepare to celebrate the nativity of Christ, John the Baptist's call to conversion sounds out in our communities. It is a pressing invitation to open our hearts and to welcome the Son of God Who comes among us to make divine judgement manifest. The Father, writes St. John the Evangelist, does not judge anyone, but has entrusted the power of judgement to the Son, because He is the Son of man.

Check out the Youth Ministry schedule of events for the month of December. For more information and to register for any of these events, contact Youth & Young Adult Ministry Coordinator, Karen Loebl, kloebl@rcchawaii.org or text 808-258-4505

The First Sunday of Advent marks the new Liturgical Year, and the Church shifts into a new Lectionary Cycle for Sundays, with 2021-22 from Year C, the Gospel of St. Luke. In the Sunday Gospel (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36) Jesus invites us to recognize the signs of the last days. This is a reminder that Advent is not just looking back at the first coming of Christ at Christmas, but our personal preparation for His Second Coming: "Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man."

We are pleased to announce that Mary, Star of the Sea School will host its first golf tournament early next year. The “Diamond Cup” fundraiser is to be held on Wednesday, January 26, 2021 from 11:30 – 6:00 pm at Coral Creek Golf Course. This exciting event will raise funds for facility upgrades and other school improvements and there are many opportunities for you to show your support.  We have different sponsor levels. A Diamond Sponsorship will cover the cost of the tournament. If this is currently not an option, we welcome your support at any other level.

The Gospel is from the Gospel of Mark 13:24-32. There are some obscurities in this extract from St. Mark. Firstly, because Christ was discussing and answering questions on two distinct topics : the destruction of the temple and the end of the world. Secondly, because we may not have the ipsissima verba of Christ here, as many exegetes suggest. The message we must learn from today's gospel comes across without any ambiguity or doubt : we must always be ready to face our judgement for we know not the day nor the hour when we will be called from this life.

The Gospel is from the Gospel of St. Mark 12:38-44. Our Lord's severe condemnation of those Scribes whose exaggerated opinion of their own importance made a mockery of the religion they professed to live, is a serious warning to all his followers not to look for the praise and esteem of their neighbors when doing their good works, but rather to hope for God's praise and esteem in the future world.