Articles by: smadmin

Rich and Ellen Shares Their Stewardship Way of Life at St. Michael’s

Ellen and Rich Janevicius is this year’s Lay Witness Testimony in our annual Stewardship Campaign. Below is the transcript of their speech:  Ellen:  Aloha! My name is Ellen Janevicius and this is my husband, Rich. We stand here today filled with overwhelming gratitude and are humbled and blessed to share our stewardship story with you. We joined the St. Michael’s parish ‘ohana shortly after retiring here to Kailua Kona in 2021 from the Chicago area.  […]

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Q and A about the Stewardship Renewal

You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of those you love. This rationale is difficult for many of us to accept. Mothers and fathers routinely place the needs of their children before their own; soldiers at war often throw their own safety to the wind in the interest of protecting their fellow soldiers. The story of Jesus also focuses on giving to others. If Christ calls us to imitate Him […]

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Our Annual Stewardship Renewal: Thanking God for the Blessings He Has Bestowed on Us

When Ben Cuaresma was a child, his mother instilled in him that he should always find a way to help people, and he was encouraged to be an altar server. Now, Ben helps the parish community by serving with our Maintenance Ministry. He is a carpenter by trade, so it’s a good fit. All these years later, Ben tries to instill a heart for service in his grown children. It’s a way to pass on […]

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The Respect Life Ministry: Upholding the Sanctity of All Human Life, From Conception to Natural Death

Life is the central element of the entire Gospel message. As Christ tells us in John 10:10,  “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” So, as Christian disciples it is our responsibility to defend and champion life — from conception to natural death.  “All human life is precious in God’s eyes, and we want to praise and worship God,” says Ed Smialek, coordinator of our parish’s Respect Life Ministry.  Ed […]

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Living Stewardship Through Parish Hospitality Ministries: A Gift of Time and Talents

Stewardship is not just a one-time act — it’s a way of life for Catholics. It’s about recognizing that everything we have comes from God and using our time, talents, and treasure to serve Him and others. One powerful way to live out this calling is by actively participating in parish hospitality ministries, serving as ushers, greeters, and lectors during the Mass. These roles not only enhance the Mass experience but also allow us to […]

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Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Humbly Sharing the Precious Body and Blood of Our Lord

There are many ways to get involved in the Catholic Mass, from singing in the choir to serving as a lector. As the saying goes, “Many hands make light work.” We need everyone to make our Masses beautiful. One ministry requires its stewards to take the utmost care for their work — the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Of course, the most important part of the Catholic Mass is when attendees receive Jesus’ Body and […]

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Deacon Larry Denis Reflects on Vocational Journey: God Called, He Answered

“The people of St. Michael are amazing. They are very generous and kind-hearted people — full of aloha!” Deacon Larry Denis Back in February 2020, Larry Denis joined our parish. He was a seminarian studying at St. Patrick Seminary and University in California when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. “We were sent home, and I was blessed that Fr. Lio let me live and work at St. Michael while I attended online classes,” Larry says. “I […]

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Young Adults Group: Building a Fellowship Community Rooted in Christ

Being part of a community is an essential component of our spiritual lives. The need for community is even more important for our young adults, who seek answers to their questions and look for like-minded friends. The young adults — ages 21 through 35 – of our parish have a new opportunity to find community, learn about the faith, and share together in our Young Adults Group. “Our main goal is to create a community […]

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‘Everything I have is a gift from God’

By Catholic Stewardship Consultants www.CatholicSteward.com Father Lio Faletoi embraces, encourages stewardship at his parish and across the diocese A little over 10 years ago, after the Diocese of Honolulu’s With Grateful Hearts capital campaign, every parish was given the opportunity to focus more intently on stewardship. At the time, Father Konelio “Lio” Faletoi, the pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Kailua-Kona, knew he wanted to grow in his understanding of the spirituality of […]

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The Knights of Columbus: A Fraternity of Faithful and Generous Kāne

The Knights of Columbus is a global fraternity of Catholic men who dedicate themselves to serving their parish and community. The brotherhood — which is united by the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity — was initially created by Fr. Michael McGivney to take care of widows and the poor. Today the mission continues through a worldwide network of local councils. Council 13227 calls St. Michael the Archangel home. It is a strong council with […]

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