St. Joseph Catholic Church
Served by the Blessed Sacrament Congregation!
Served by the Blessed Sacrament Congregation!
With St. Joseph
as our patron
we offer our gift of self
for the greater glory
of God.
St. Joseph Church
Mission Statement
excerpt
Aloha E Komo Mai!
Whether you are visiting or just moved to Hilo, our St. Joseph family welcomes and invites you to join with us and together grow our faith in God.
Refer below for Mass, Confession, and Prayer Times.
Please pray for the happy repose of the soul of Father Joseph Hennen, who died on July 17, 2026. He was a retired priest of the Diocese of Honolulu who was living in Minnesota. His last assignment in our diocese was as Pastor of Malia Puka O Kalani Church in Keaukaha (Hilo), Hawaii Island. May he rest in peace.
Thanks.
+ Larry Silva
Saturday
7:00 am
Vigil
5:00 pm
Sunday
7:00 am, 9:00 am
11:45 am, 6:00 pm
Weekdays
M- F:
6:00 am
& 12:15 pm
Legal Holidays
7:00 am
If you need communion brought to you in the pew, please notify the hospitality ministers upon arrival.
Saturdays
10:00 am - 11:00 am
or by appointment
*Please note: Confession schedule does not apply during some liturgical seasons.
Begins
Monday-Thursdays
at 11am
Fridays & Sundays at 4:00pm
Saturdays at 3:00pm
Join us daily in the
Mornings:
Immediately following
the 6:00 am Morning Mass.
Afternoons:
Weekdays & Sundays
at 4:00 pm
Saturdays
at 3:00 pm
Novena Devotions
Tuesday, 6:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Church
Come join us every Tuesday praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Rosary, Consecration and Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
Arrangements for Mass Intentions need to be done through the front office. We want to ensure that we are listing your prayer requests exactly as you would like it. Mahalo!
Office: 808 935-1465
Monday - Friday: 9am to 1pm
For those who would like to livestream the events surrounding our new bishop you can access the July 27 evening vespers at 6 pm and the July 28 episcopal ordination and installation Mass which beings at 10 am.
Go to: catholichawaii.org/livestream
On Friday, August 14th we will host a Mass at 6 pm celebrated by Bishop Michael Castori!
This will be an East Hawaii Vicariate Mass and will be followed by a reception dinner which will be held at the St. Joseph School gym. We are asking everyone who intends to attend one or both of these events to please sign up on the sheets provided at the doors so that we can have a better estimate of who might be in attendance and to insure that we have plenty of food. Food will be provided by Vicariate parishes and other groups.
We hope to see you there!
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 2026 (A)
In today's Gospel, Jesus tells three short parables: the treasure hidden in a field, the pearl of great price, and the net cast into the sea. Though brief, these parables reveal what the Kingdom of God is truly worth and how we are called to respond to it.
The first man unexpectedly discovers a treasure hidden in a field. Filled with joy, he sells everything he owns to buy that field. The merchant, after searching for fine pearls, finally finds one pearl of extraordinary value. He too sells everything to possess it. Both men are willing to give up everything—not because they are forced to, but because they have found something infinitely better. That is what happens when someone truly encounters Jesus Christ.
Many people think that becoming a Christian means giving things up—giving up sin, selfishness, unhealthy habits, or worldly ambitions. While that is true, Jesus presents it differently. The Christian life is not first about what we lose; it is about what we gain. The two men in the parables did not go away sad because they sold everything. They went away filled with joy because they had found something of incomparable value.
While we might think kindly of ourselves that in spite of being sometimes a thorn in the flesh to some people, we hope that we can still be considered as wheat. And as wheat, hopefully we look forward in becoming a bread that will be source of nourishment for others. But at the same time, we also know that we need to do some weeding in our hearts of all those that prevent us from fully accomplishing God’s will in our lives.
The Kingdom of God is not just a place we hope to reach after death. It is the reign of God already present in the person of Jesus Christ. To find the Kingdom is to discover the deepest meaning and purpose of life. And while the kingdom is open to everyone like the net cast into the sea, at the end of time, however, there will be a separation between those who lived choosing Christ and those that did not.
1) to members:
- of the Franciscan Families of the First, Second and Third Orders Regular and Secular;
- of Institutes of Consecrated Life, Societies of Apostolic Life and public or private associations of the faithful, male and female, who observe the Rule of Saint Francis or are inspired by his spirituality or perpetuate his charism in any form;
From a human point of view, this seems careless. An experienced farmer would avoid wasting seed on places where it could never grow. But that is precisely the point. God is not stingy with His grace. He is extravagant with His love.
2) to all the faithful without distinction
who, with a heart detached from sin, participate in the Year of Saint Francis by visiting, in the form of a pilgrimage, any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship anywhere in the world dedicated to Saint Francis or connected to him for any reason, and there devoutly follow the Jubilee rites or spend at least a reasonable period of time in pious meditation and raise prayers to God so that, following the example of Saint Francis, feelings of Christian charity towards their neighbors and authentic vows of harmony and peace among peoples may spring forth in their hearts, concluding with the Our Father, the Creed and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Clare and all the Saints of the Franciscan Family.
The elderly, the sick and those who take care of them, and all those who are unable to leave their homes for serious reasons may also obtain a Plenary Indulgence, provided they detach themselves from any sin and intend to fulfil the three usual conditions as soon as possible, if they unite themselves spiritually to the jubilee celebrations of the Year of Saint Francis, offering to the Merciful God their prayers, the pains or sufferings of their lives.
The designated pilgrimage sites by Bishop Larry Silva in the Diocese of Honolulu are: Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa (Honolulu), St. Francis Church (Kalaupapa), Holy Trinity Church (Kuliouou), St. Rita Church (Nanakuli), Immaculate Conception Church (Lihue), Christ the King Church (Kahului), St. Damien Church (Kaunakakai), Sacred Hearts (Lanai), St. Michael the Archangel Church (Kailua-Kona), and St. Joseph Church (Hilo).
Beloved St. Joseph,
Patron of our Parish,
at the word of an angel,
you lovingly took Mary into your home.
As God’s humble servant, you welcomed Jesus as your own son and with Our Blessed Mother provided Our Lord with the warmth of a family.
We praise God and are grateful that as their faithful protector, you never hesitated to sacrifice for those entrusted to you.
Most watchful guardian of the Holy family, with confidence we likewise entrust our Parish and families to your loving care.
Teach us, as a Church, to listen attentively to God’s will and to carry it out with quiet courage and trust.
Help our parish to be a home of faith, where Christ is loved and adored, families are strengthened, and all who come find peace and belonging.
Help our homes to be places of prayer, where God is honored. Protect our children and the vulnerable; and assist and take care of those who toil to provide for their families.
Lord, remind us not to grow tired or weary in prayer. Renew our strength when we feel weak. Help us to rise again and again, knowing that praying for one another is both our responsibility and our privilege.
We trust that You hear us today. We trust that answers are on the way. We trust that this new year is held securely in Your hands.
St. Joseph, we thank you through the years that you have watched over us. Continue, we beg, to help us to find God in all that we do and pray that our parish may grow in holiness, unity, and charity, and always reflect the heart of Christ. Amen
St. Joseph, pray for us.
photo credit:Anna Weaver
The new Religious Education season is upon us, so we are appealing to you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity!
Who should be interested in Religious Education? Let’s see:
-If you are an adult and are not Catholic and desire to explore the Catholic Faith and Baptism,
-If you are an adult and Baptized, but somehow never received the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation,
-If you are a Teenager who desires to study Our Faith or you are Baptized and never received the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation and you want some teen fellowship,
-If you are a Teenager and want to study to deepen your faith,
-If your Child (7-12) has received the 3 Sacraments and you want her/him to continue to grow in the Knowledge of the Faith,
-If your Child (7-12) has not been Baptized or has not received Holy Communion and Confirmation,Then Religious Education is for you!
Classes will begin on August 9 and signups START TODAY AT OUR EXITS, MAIN AND PARKING LOT. or, contact: Deacon Charley, 808.935.1465 or cmapa@rcchawaii.org
Dcn. Charley
(Infants to children 7 years of age)
Welina ‘oe! Welcome Families!
Congratulations on the birth of your child and your decision to have your child baptized in the Catholic Church. We welcome you and your child as well as your godparents to our parish. Please call the rectory office to sign up for the next Baptism Preparation Class.
(808) 935-1465.
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Pope Leo XIV asks everyone to pray the rosary for peace.
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Blessed Sacrament Discernment
Clergy
Consecrated Life & Vocations
Vocations Article
Almighty and eternal God, in your unfailing love you provide ministers for your Church. We pray for those whom you call to serve the Church as priests.
Inspire in them a generous response. Grant them courage and vision to serve your people May their lives and service call your people to respond to the presence of your Spirit among us that, faithful to the Gospel and hope of Jesus the Christ, we may: announce glad tidings to the poor proclaim liberty to captives, set prisoners free and renew the face of the earth.
New to the parish or need to update your registration download our
SJ Registration Form print, fill-out and return. Mahalo!
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Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of marriage and the love that unites us.
Bless us with patience, kindness, and understanding in all we do.
Help us to forgive quickly, speak gently, and serve one another with joy.
May our home be filled with peace, our hearts with faith, and our lives with the light of Your presence.
Guide us to grow together in holiness,so that our love reflects the love of Christ for His Church.
Through Christ our Lord,
Amen.
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you under my roof but only say the word and I shall be healed.”
You may either receive Holy Communion on your tongue or in the hand as allowed in the United States by decision of the American Bishops.
If one is receiving in the hand the following is normative: upon approaching the minister of the Host extend the hands in the middle of the chest. The left hand is extended, with the right hand under the left in support (left handed persons may wish to place the left hand under the right). In essence, a throne is formed in the sign of an X-cross to receive the Sacred Host. The response of “Amen” is given to the proclamation “The Body of Christ,” and the Host is received. The individual should then step to the side and receive the Host carefully and reverently in front of the altar before returning to your seat. It is unseemly to “pop” the Host into the mouth as one walks away. Remember “Who” you are receiving!
Please note that it is never acceptable to put out only one hand due to the danger of dropping the host. Those who do not have the easy use of both hands (or whose hands are not perfectly clean for whatever reason) should receive on the tongue.
“Through the Incarnation and birth of Christ,
God reveals to us the dignity of all human life.
Human life, as a gift of God, is sacred and inviolable.
The Son of God has united himself with every human being and desires for us to share eternal life
with him…
Each of us is made in the image
and likeness of God,
and we reflect his glory in the world.”
USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities
“The Gospel of Life: A Brief Summary”
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“Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.”
USCCB Respect Life flyer quoting Pope Francis’“Day for Life Greeting”
© 2013 Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
“When we meet Jesus in the Eucharist, this encounter has the power to change us.
The Eucharist has the power to transform the depths of our hearts and the heart of our culture.
United to the power of his Eucharistic Presence, may we work to ensure that each person has life—and has it in abundance.”
USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities Respect Life Reflection: “I Came So That They Might Have Life”
