St. Joseph Church, Hilo
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St. Joseph Catholic Church

Served by the Blessed Sacrament Congregation!

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"Happy is the soul that knows how to find Jesus in the Eucharist, and in the Eucharist all things!"

St. Peter Julian Eymard

Location:
43 Kapiolani St.
Hilo, Hawaii
Map

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday:
9am to 1pm
(except on holidays)

Phone (808) 935-1465
Emergency:
Fr. Poli: extention 131
Fr. Ferdie: extention 137

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With St. Joseph
as our patron
we offer our gift of self for the greater glory of God.



St. Joseph Church
Mission Statement
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Welcome

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.

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Confession Schedule for Lent:

Monday—Thursday
from 11am to 12 noon

Saturday—10 am

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STATIONS OF THE CROSS

will be offered on the Fridays of Lent at 3 pm and 6 pm

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"Happy is the soul that knows how to find Jesus in the Eucharist, and in the Eucharist all things!"

St. Peter Julian Eymard

Mass Times

Eucharist

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



Confession

Saturdays
10:00 am - 11:00 am
or by appointment

*Please note: Confession schedule does not apply during some liturgical seasons.


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PLEASE JOIN US!

SUNDAY, April 12 at 10:30 am

FOR OUR DIVINE MERCY & SUNDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AND PRAYERS

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Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Begins
Monday-Thursdays
at 11am
Fridays & Sundays at 4:00pm
Saturdays at 3:00pm

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Come Pray the Liturgy of the Hours

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

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Mother of Perpetual Help Prayer Group

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.

Homily for Laetare Sunday (4th Sunday of Lent) 2026


Sunday Reflection

From Blindness to Sight

Today the Church celebrates Laetare Sunday—a moment of joy in the middle of Lent. The word Laetare means “Rejoice.” Even as we continue our Lenten journey, the Church reminds us that Easter is drawing near and that the light of Christ is already breaking into our lives.

The Gospel tells the story of Jesus healing a man born blind. But this Gospel is not only about physical sight. It is about spiritual sight. It is about the journey from darkness to light.

Confronted by the mystery of human suffering, The disciples begin with a question that people still ask today: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” They were trying to explain suffering by blaming someone. Jesus does not spend time assigning blame. Instead, he brings healing.

As the healing unfolds, we see a great irony. The man who was physically blind begins to see more and more clearly who Jesus is. Meanwhile, the religious leaders who claim to see clearly become more spiritually blind. They refuse to accept what God has done because it does not fit their expectations. This Gospel invites us to reflect on our own lives. We may be blind to our own weaknesses. Blind to the needs of others. Blind to the ways God is working in our lives.

Laetare Sunday reminds us that Christ is the light who removes our blindness. He opens our eyes through his word. He heals our hearts through his mercy. He guides us out of darkness and into truth.

If we open our hearts to him, he will lead us from darkness to light—and prepare us for the joy of Easter.

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Prayer to St. Joseph,
Patron of Our Parish

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


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Baptism Preparation:

(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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Are You Registered?

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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Blessed Sacrament Discernment Clergy,
Consecrated Life & Vocations

Vocations Article

Pray for Vocations

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.

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Mass Intentions

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

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Prayer for Married Couples

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.







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“Lord, I am not worthy to have you under my roof but only say the word and I shall be healed.”








THE PROPER WAY TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION

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.

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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.


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“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”