NKCC

The Ascension of the Lord

Reading I - Acts 1:1-11 | Psalm – Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

Reading II – Ephesians 1:17-23 or Ephesians 4:1-13 or Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13

Gospel – Mark 16:15-20

Listen to this week's readings courtesy of the USCCB.

The most recent revision of the Lectionary altered the order of readings for the Ascension of the Lord, changing the Gospels from a one-year to a three-year cycle. The first reading, psalm and the first option for the second reading are constant across the years. Additional options for the second reading are given in year B (two additional options from Ephesians) and C (and additional option from Hebrews).

The Gospel accounts all deal with the Ascension of Jesus into heaven and the mission of the apostles to bring Christ to the whole world. The account in Luke includes the period of waiting that the apostles are to do before the descent of the Holy Spirit. The first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles describes this same event.

The Psalm today matches the Gospel and first reading well, as it is a 'psalm of ascent' one of the royal psalms which celebrate the king taking his throne. Christ in his ascent is seen as taking his place in the heavenly hierarchy. All of these readings, then place the ascension as a foundational event in the history of salvation, for Christ, having destroyed the gates of death now leads all who follow him to the heavenly realm. That is the point of the second reading: all who hear the call of Christ and respond with love will share in the inheritance that is his from the Father.

By Glenn CJ Byer, MA SLD, © 2004, OCP. All rights reserved.

Today, the Church marks the occasion when Jesus ascended into Heaven. This was the last time the apostles and disciples were to see Jesus in His resurrected body. During the 40 days since the Resurrection, they enjoyed His presence and became more acutely aware of the mission they were being given to take the Good News to the world. Before leaving them Jesus promised, however, that the Father would send His Spirit to teach them and watch over them.

We continue today to be bearers of the Good News. Like the apostles, we are commissioned to embrace the Good News fully and we do so under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. During this coming week, we prepare for the great feast of Pentecost. Pentecost marks the end of the Easter Season. Because it is also a feast of beginnings and, for the disciples what was to come, it is one of the greatest feasts of the Liturgical Year.

Many thanks and congratulations to those who arranged, donated, sponsored and participated in making the recent Tennis Tournament a success. After expenses, the Tournament raised almost $7,000 for the St. Michael’s Building Fund. A special thank you to Lovette Lantos who orchestrated it. Because of Confirmation occurring on the same day, I was unable to be present for the opening of the Tournament. Father Anthony, however, attended and enjoyed himself so much that you may even see him as a participant next year. Look out!

It is time to clean our cemeteries once again. May 26th is the Saturday just before Memorial Day. The Hispanic Community will take care of St. Paul’s, as usual. We will need volunteers for St. Michael’s and Holualoa. The more who volunteer, the less time that it takes, and the easier it is for all. Many of those who visit the graves of their family members are themselves growing old and can no longer do the weeding and raking. It would be a great service and teachable moment if several younger families with children were to help out.

The Lord be with you in all you do this week.

Peace in Christ,

May 21st has been designated as World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. It is very interesting to note that this day occurs in the week before we celebrate Pentecost, which is a story about unity in diversity. How appropriate!  Cultural diversity is a buzz term today, but it is also something which we Catholics embody by our very identity, since “catholic” means universal. We are a diverse people in every way: age, gender, economic status, race, personality, location and so much more. We are called to embrace and celebrate our differences, not try to make everyone else over in our image and likeness. Your challenge this week is to experience and celebrate something in another culture. It might be a particular prayer, or an ethnic dish, or a type of music. Whatever you choose, embrace the gift of the culture. And offer a prayer of thanks to God that while we are all created in God’s image, we are also created in unique and different ways from each other.

Tennis Tournament Sponsors

Regretfully, there were two Court Sponsors whose names were not listed in last week’s bulletin. To Lily Acoba and Alii Gas, we apologize and offer heartfelt thanks for your generosity.

Cemetery Clean-up Time

As Memorial Day approaches, it is time once again to tidy the cemeteries. On Saturday – May 26th, volunteers please gather at each of the cemeteries. As usual, please bring gloves, rakes, other tools, and don’t forget your sun block.

Father Anthony will be at St. Michael’s bright and early. Volunteers, please try to be ready to start by 8AM. Father Lio will direct the work in the Holualoa Cemetery. Father Juan Pablo will be at St. Paul’s with the Hispanic community. Elsie Asakura will organize preparation of sandwiches. Water will also be delivered to each cemetery.

Please be generous in volunteering to do this service for those who have gone before us.

St. Michael’s Feast Day

Stay tuned for news about our St. Michael’s Feast Day. The Feast Day Celebration will take place at Hale Halawai on Sunday, September 30th. We are planning to make this year's celebration an event for community building and fundraising. We welcome all members of our parish community, which stretches from Kalaoa through Holualoa, down to Honalo and back to St. Michael’s by way of Ali'i Drive's treasured St. Peter’s by-the-Sea. Please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to help plan this very special day for our ENTIRE parish and community to enjoy!

Fr. Jack’s Ordination Anniversary Party

Join us in celebrating Fr. Jack’s 59th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood!  Please bring your favorite potluck dish on Friday – May 25th at 5:30pm at the Kona Vistas Pavilion (at Lako Street and Kuakini Highway, behind the Chevron Station). Fr. Jack will provide the soft drinks. He also asks “...no gifts, cards or leis. Your presence is present enough.”

Saturday, May 19th

Vigil:  Feast of the Ascension

• 5pm—Iris Ufford, deceased

Sunday, May 20th - Feast of the Ascension of the Lord

• 7am—Special intention for Sam & Shirlen Haanio, 62nd wedding anniversary
• 8am (IC)—Arthur DeGuair, deceased
• 9am—Cal Haena, birthday blessings!
• 11am—Paul Joseph McKillop, birthday blessings!
• 4pm—Leandra Afaga, deceased

Monday, May 21st - St. Christopher Magallanes, priest and companions, martyrs

• 7am—Maria Rimkus, for healing
• 12noon—Maria Rimkus, for healing

Tuesday, May 22nd

St. Rita of Cascia, religious

• 7am—David Livingston and Tammy Livingston, both deceased

Wednesday, May 23rd

• 7am—Jerry & Jeannie Custode, aloha and farewell until we meet again!

Thursday, May 24th

• 7am—Jerry & Jeannie Custode, aloha and farewell until we meet again!

Friday, May 25th

St. Bede the Venerable, priest/doctor of the Church; St. Gregory VII, pope; St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi

• 7am—Rudy Garcia, deceased, birthday anniversary remembrance

In Memoriam

Iris Ufford

Sam Haanio

Arthur DeGuair

Leandra Afaga

David Livingston

Tammy Livingston

Rudy Garcia