St. Joseph Church, Hilo
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St. Joseph Catholic Church

Served by the Blessed Sacrament Congregation!

Blessed Sacrament logo SSS

"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
excerpt

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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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PLEASE JOIN US!

SUNDAY, July 12
at 10:30 am

SUNDAY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AND PRAYERS

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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


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Reminder:

If you need communion brought to you in the pew, please notify the hospitality ministers upon arrival.


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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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.

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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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15th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 2026

"The Sower Went Out to Sow"

When we hear the Parable of the Sower, we usually focus on the four kinds of soil and ask ourselves, "What kind of soil am I?" That is certainly an important question. But before we reflect on the soil, we should first look at the sower.

Jesus begins the parable simply: "A sower went out to sow." Notice how the sower scatters the seed. He does not measure where each seed falls. He does not throw the seed only on the rich soil. He casts it generously on the path, on rocky ground, among thorns, and on good soil.

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.

The sower is not concerned first about the quality of the soil; he is concerned that every place receives the seed. God gives everyone an opportunity to hear His Word. He does not reserve His love for the holy or the deserving. He offers His grace to saints and sinners alike.

This parable is not only about receiving God's Word; it is also about imitating the Sower.

How often do we choose where to sow our kindness? We are generous with people who appreciate us but indifferent toward those who ignore us. We are patient with friends but impatient with strangers. We speak kindly to those who agree with us but harshly to those who disagree.

Today, let us thank God for never giving up on us. There were times when our hearts were hard, rocky, or filled with thorns, yet He continued to sow His grace. His patience has brought us here today.

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On the occasion of the Year of Saint Francis, which runs until January 2027, the Apostolic Penitentiary grants a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the intentions of the Holy Father), also applicable in the form of suffrage for the souls in Purgatory

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).

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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

Dear Parishioners, Parents, Godparents and Grandparents,

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 will begin next week. Deacon Charley, 808.935.1465 or cmapa@rcchawaii.org

Dcn. Charley

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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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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.


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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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”