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"Go, make a difference."

2/17/2015

By Joshua Kapika

Just the other day I was contemplating about my life, my ministry and all the things I do, and the biggest question I ask myself, "do I make a difference?" I ask this question a lot because I work with youth and young adults, and as a youth and young adult minister, the only thing on my mind is "am I making a difference?" In that moment of contemplation, I am reminded of the times when I was reassured by God that I am on task and completing my mission.

As a catechist, I spend a lot of time racking my brain and beating myself thinking, "Did they get it? Did they understand it? Did anything I say or do make a difference in their lives?" Because as a catechist all you want to do is bring your students closer to God. One day I encouraged my students to go and pray before Mass. Most of them went and sat the back of the church and kept quiet, but one student’s actions moved me.

She entered the church, went straight to the first pew, knelt down, and began to pray a deep contemplative, silent prayer that could be felt in her simple actions. I knew Jesus was there using my student to show me that I am reaching them, that I am making a difference, and I am building disciples even if it is one at a time.

The most profound moment happened just the other night at Faith Sharing when we read the Gospel. One thing that stood out to me was the passage, "you have received your reward," and I dwelt on it. Then the unexpected happened. I never knew how much of an effect I have on people. I continually ask God how do people see me? Am I really making a difference in people’s lives? And he came back that night with about 20 different answers all from the people I love, my brothers and sisters in Christ my second family, my YAMily.

God knows me better than I know myself, and we both know I’ll probably never stop asking myself if I’m making a difference. But I know that in the small things that Jesus places in my path and through the many people in my life that I am making a difference, and I am touching the hearts of many people.

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My Jesus Moment

2/10/2015

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By Christine Licato

When I first brainstormed about what has happened thus far in my 25--almost 26 years--of life that constitutes as a “Jesus Moment”, I embarrassingly was a bit stumped. Well not stumped, but nothing immediately sprang to mind. For myself, I really haven’t had that experience when I knew without a doubt, beyond all reason, tingling-soul-on-fire moment where I knew that God absolutely exists. Honestly, it used to really bum me out big time (especially in times like last night at Faith Sharing where we have to share out loud our Jesus moments in respect to “metanoia”).

Now, don’t get me wrong, I have indeed been through a bunch of experiences, good and bad in my life. I lost both my grandpas, fell in love with a Mormon guy and even moved away from the island. All in all, I think I have had a few Jesus moments but never realized it at the time. Since I am the kind of person that learns the hard way, the Jesus moment most likely has happened, but I didn’t recognize it as a “moment” until later down the line.

A really big “Real Life Jesus Moment” for me was in 2008. I had just finished my freshman year at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I was home for the summer just hanging out with friends, being care-free and planning my next travel adventure. I have lived with my grandmother--Nanay, as I affectionately call her--my whole life. Nanay is the one who always went to church every Sunday. Every morning and night, Nanay prays from her little Filipino book of prayers. Whenever I ask her what she wants for birthdays and Christmas, the answer is always (in Filipino “Nanay” accent) “Never mind! God, God will provide!”

One day, my mom calls me and says that my grandmother had to go to the ER because her medications had been mixed. I went to the ER thinking it was no big deal; she was going to be fine. People close to me don’t die, that only happens to other people. Before you knew it, the doctors told us that she had a major infection in her colon. This infection needed to immediately be treated and removed which meant that she had to have surgery. Soon after this, she fell into a coma which decreased the chances of her survival to 30%.

I remember my parents and me going to the funeral home in Mililani to set up her grave site. Before she went in for surgery, I crouched next to her and told her to not leave me. On the day of her surgery, my parents and I parked our car in the parking lot behind Pali Momi in Pearl City and I prayed. I prayed and prayed for I think almost 3 hours, the duration of her surgery. I fell asleep praying. I asked God to not take her away from me. I promised to be a better person if he saved her. All I kept thinking was, I hope she doesn’t die thinking I was mad at her or didn’t love her.

When I woke up, the doctors told us that she had made it out and was doing okay. Jesus moment! While in the ICU, I would stay there for hours and watch her levels to make sure they were normal. I would overhear the doctors talk about her and constantly remark what a “fighter” she was. Later on while she was in rehab, I’d bring her Jack in the Box (her idea, not mine!) and go with her to Senior Day Bingo while she cleaned out all the prizes. She had to go through physical rehabilitation and endure many lonely nights in the hospital but she made it through.

Today she has a colostomy bag, pacemaker and still rides in style to church every weekend. I didn’t realize it until way later but now I know that God really heard my prayer that day. I really believe that my faith in Jesus, an awesome surgeon and prayers really saved her that day. I am truly blessed that my Nanay is still here in my life. I just cannot imagine coming home from a long day and not seeing my Nanay sewing in her room and asking me what I want for dinner. Now that is what you call a Jesus moment! Hopefully the next time I have another one; it won’t take me that long to figure it out!

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EPIC Food Fight!

2/2/2015

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OBJECTIVE:

To earn the most points based on the food items collected by each team.

CHALLENGERS:

Team 1 (Women)
Team 2 (Men)

TIMELINE:

1st Quarter (Preliminary): February - March 2015
2nd Quarter: April - June 2015
3rd Quarter: July - September 2015
4th Quarter: October - December 2015

FOOD ITEMS AND POINTS:

Vienna Sausage (1 point)
Spam (3 points)
Corned Beef (3 points)
Tuna (3 points)
Canned Fruit (2 points)
Canned Vegetables (2 points)
Soup (2 points)
Pork & Beans or other beans (1 point)
Mac & Cheese, Hamburger Helper, or other pasta mixes (2 points)
Ramen or Cup of Noodles (1 point)
Rice (1- or 5-lb. bags) (3 points)
Cereal or oatmeal (2 points)
Peanut Butter (3 points)

MONTHLY BONUS POINTS (+5 points each):

February 1-16: Canned fruits/vegetables
February 17-28: Canned spaghetti/pasta

MONTHLY BOMBS (-5 points each):

February 1-16: Mac & Cheese, Hamburger Helper, or other dry pasta mixes
February 17-28: Soup

OTHER INFORMATION:

Food items must be left in the team bins in the church.
Points will be calculated and posted weekly, but awards will be given quarterly.
In addition to quarterly awards, one team will win the overall award at the end of the year.

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"Go, make a difference."

My Jesus Moment

EPIC Food Fight!

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