Hope in a New Year

by Kainoa Fukumoto

This past year, 2016, has been both a year full of blessings as well as challenges for EPIC Ministry.  Many of you are very much aware of the great things EPIC Ministry does in continuing its mission of “empowering young adults to follow Christ.” Some of you have even been there since its inception four years ago.  Throughout the short time this ministry has existed, we have seen tremendous growth and countless hearts turning toward the Lord.  And I thank each and every one of you for your continuous prayers and support of EPIC Ministry.

In 2016 alone, we have coordinated many events such as more than 70 weekly Faith Sharings and Community Nights as well as young adult retreats in Ka‘a‘awa, downtown Honolulu, and Kalaupapa with more than 70 participants total.  On Holy Thursday, we coordinated an adoration pilgrimage to the three parishes of our chapters.  We’ve hosted other moments of communal prayer such as the weekly praying of the rosary throughout the months of May and October, and Eucharistic Adorations in November and December.

We have also collaborated with various ministries in the diocese with events such as Theology on Tap, the movie premier of the “Young Messiah,” Reboot Live with Chris Stefanik and the Diocesan Youth Day all with the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, the Young Adult Day-Retreat with the Central Oahu Vicariate Young Adult Ministries, Catholic Schools gatherings including the ACCE and the Mass of the Holy Spirit, led prayer and music for adoration at the Year of Mercy 24 Hours with the Lord Adoration at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, dish preparation and raising awareness for the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Project with the Office of Social Ministry, standing up for the unborn at the annual March for Life, coordination of young adult events with national speakers such as Meg Hunter-Kilmer, Joan Weber, Domincan Fr. Stephen Lopez and Br. Andy Opsahl, and leading the Confirmation Retreat for the island of Kauai with Dallas Carter.  We even coordinated a hike with Bishop Larry Silva.