Jubilee 2025 Day of Study (Windward Oahu)

During this Jubilee Year, we invite the faithful of Hawaii to embark on a journey of deeper understanding and spiritual growth! This is a special time to explore the richness of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the wisdom of the Second Vatican Council, and more.

To support this, the diocesan Office of Evangelization & Catechesis is hosting Days of Study—engaging gatherings designed to inspire and equip you in faith. Each Day of Study will feature prayer, a dynamic keynote, workshop sessions, and time for fellowship.

Join us as we dive into the beauty of our Catholic faith together!

Info: Dive into how catechesis—far more than simply teaching doctrine—opens hearts to encounter Christ and nurtures a living, enduring hope. Drawing from Scripture, Church teaching, and personal witness, Marilyn Santos reflects on how the transmission of faith empowers individuals and communities to face life’s challenges with courage and trust in God’s promises. Whether in families, parishes, or schools, catechesis becomes a doorway to hope when it leads people into relationship with Jesus, the source of all hope. Come be renewed in your call to share the faith with joy, authenticity, and a hope that does not disappoint.

Info: See the Sessions and Speakers tab above for more details.

Info: Break for participants to grab lunch at one of the great food places in Kailua or bring their own.

Info: See the Sessions and Speakers tab above for more details.

Info: Explore the essential statements of the Catholic Faith in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. These foundational creeds express core Christian beliefs and serve as guiding lights in the journey of faith. This session delves into their deeper meaning, unpacking key theological concepts that shape Catholic doctrine. Insights from the Catechism of the Catholic Church will further illuminate these truths, offering a structured understanding of Catholic teachings. Strengthening this knowledge deepens personal faith and enhances the ability to articulate and live out Catholic beliefs with confidence and clarity.

Info: We as Catholics participate in our worship by more than just mere attendance. We sit, stand, kneel. We say certain things in unison, we watch the priest perform various actions, and we all know the normal flow of our typical Sunday Mass. It is all very routine. Do we ever stop and think about the many actions of the priest or ourselves during the Mass? What is the significance of our movements? Why do we do what we do?

This talk will examine the significance of some of the signs and symbols we see every time we go to Mass. We shall explore some of the history of our liturgy and discuss why our liturgy takes on the style that it has. Understanding our actions of worship help us to deepen our sense of worship so that we can participate in the Mass with deeper awareness of how we offer praise to God.

Info: How do we live our faith online without losing our soul offline? This session explores how sacramental living—awareness of God’s presence in the physical world—can ground us in a digital culture. Drawing on the Incarnation and the Church’s theology of presence, participants will reflect on how the rhythms of sacramental life (presence, silence, ritual, grace) can reorient how we use social media, smartphones, and online platforms. We’ll discuss how to build digital habits that foster community, not comparison, and presence, not distraction. A fresh take for Catholics navigating faith in the digital age.

Info: "A Church Without Walls for a Love Without Limits" -- Explore the heart of Gaudium et Spes, Vatican II’s landmark document on the Church in the modern world. This breakout session will clarify the true mission of the Church today—not to conform to the world, but to bring Christ into it with hope, truth, and love. Through teaching, small group reflection, and practical action planning, we will rediscover what it means to be a Church without walls and a love without limits.

Info: Explore the rich depth of Christian prayer, focusing on the Lord’s Prayer as the heart of our dialogue with God. Beginning with the Catechism’s insight that the Lord’s Prayer is “the summary of the whole Gospel,” we will unpack its central role in the life of the Church and individual believers. Participants will reflect on the structure and spirit of the prayer, discovering the meaning behind its seven petitions. Join in this sacred journey.

Info: The election of a new pope is a moment of deep spiritual significance, not just for the Church, but for the world. This session reflects on the meaning of papal succession as a sign of continuity, unity, and hope. We will explore how the role of the pope—as successor of Peter and servant of the servants of God—offers stability and direction in uncertain times. With a focus on the newly elected pontiff, participants will examine his first homilies, gestures, and priorities as indicators of the Spirit’s guidance. This session will invite prayerful reflection on how God raises up shepherds for each age and how the papacy can inspire renewed faith and missionary zeal during the Jubilee Year. Through Scripture, tradition, and current events, we will consider how the new pope embodies the Church’s mission to be a sign of hope to all peoples.

Info: We live in a noisy world. Especially in the past century, our world has gotten much louder and not just because of jet engines and rock concerts. The noise of the world today is busyness, present to use through heavy schedules, massive amounts of correspondence, and most recently, mobile communication and social media. This has led us to an interesting time, a time when we are always busy and never bored. A time when the mind is constantly receiving information, never allowed to rest. But this is not natural. Man is meant to have some amount of quiet in his life, time to process things mentally, and to listen for the One who speaks to us in silence. Without silence, we cannot hear God and we cannot know peace. This talk will focus on why silence is so important and how to make the most out of the quiet times in our day.

Info: The sacraments are profound encounters with Christ, sustaining and shaping our daily lives. Instituted by Christ, they are visible signs of God’s grace, drawing us into deeper communion with Him and His Church. This session explores how the sacraments provide strength, renewal, and transformation. From Baptism, which begins our Christian journey, to the Anointing of the Sick, which offers comfort in suffering, they accompany us through life’s stages. We’ll discuss their biblical foundations, their role in deepening faith, and how they equip us as disciples. Whether in marriage, priestly service, or the daily nourishment of the Eucharist, the sacraments reveal God’s abiding presence.

Info: Even though Apostolicam Actuositatem and Lumen Gentium were written for all laypeople, its message applies beautifully to middle and high school youth. They are not just the future of the Church—they are the Church right now! This session will help them understand that they have a role in evangelization, service, and leadership, they can grow into the missionary disciples that Vatican II envisioned. **Audience: Middle School and High School Youth**

Info: Find your true direction through a heart anchored in prayer. When life feels overwhelming or uncertain, prayer is our true compass—keeping us steady, grounded, and always pointed toward God. In this session, discover how the four powerful movements of prayer—Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication—anchor our hearts both in the Mass and in everyday life. Through practical insights, real-world applications, and simple ways to deepen your prayer life, you’ll learn how to navigate life's journey with a heart full of hope, confidence, and deeper trust in God's will.

Info: Marilyn Santos, M.A., serves as Associate Director of the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Previously, she was Director of Mission Education for the Pontifical Mission Societies in the U.S. A native New Yorker, she taught and ministered with Salesians before holding leadership roles in youth, young adult, and cultural-diversity ministries across the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Dioceses of Brooklyn and Metuchen. Fluent in Spanish, Santos led La RED, the National Catholic Hispanic Youth Ministry Network, and consulted for USCCB on laity, family, and youth. She also served as a VIDES missionary in Ecuador and regularly presents at national conferences. Marilyn graduated from Fordham University with her Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology and Hispanic Ministry.

Info: Sr. Anne Clare De Costa, ss.cc., is a religious Sister of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and of Perpetual Adoration. For over 50 years, she has served in educational ministry throughout the Diocese of Honolulu as a teacher and administrator. She led religious education and youth programs at Saint Ann Church and School and Saint Patrick Church and School. Founder of the Teaching Academy for Effective Instruction, Sr. Anne Clare continues to inspire others to become the best version of themselves in Christ.

Info: Born and raised in Honolulu, Anthony Selvanathan holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Chaminade University of Honolulu, as well as a master’s degree in theology and a master of business administration, both from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. At his home parish, the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, he serves in pastoral ministry and also as an episcopal master of ceremonies for the Diocese of Honolulu.

Info: Dallas Carter is a devoted husband, father of six, and passionate Catholic leader dedicated to education, evangelization, and community service. He has served as principal of St. Michael School in Waialua, president of EPIC Ministry, and continues to serve as a Director for Life is Sacred. Dallas holds theology degrees from Franciscan University of Steubenville and Chaminade University. A national Catholic speaker and master catechist, Dallas' work has been featured on EWTN, Relevant Radio, Catholic News Agency, the National Catholic Register, LifeSite News, The New York Times, People Magazine, and more.

Info: Fr. Dario Rinaldi is a priest of the Diocese of Honolulu and currently serves as pastor of Holy Family Church in Honolulu. Originally from Maui, he attended St. Joseph School in Makawao and St. Anthony High School in Wailuku. He studied at Mount Angel College-Seminary and completed his theological formation at St. Patrick’s Seminary. Since college, Fr. Dario has embraced Benedictine spirituality and became an Oblate of Mount Angel Abbey in 2013. His charism fosters a deep love for scripture and contemplative prayer. He is known for his energetic preaching and emphasis on living out the Christian faith in daily life.

Info: Lisa Gomes is the Director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Honolulu. She has served in key diocesan roles, including Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Associate Director of Religious Education, and Safe Environment Coordinator. At the parish level, she was Director of Religious Education at St. Anthony Parish in Kailua and a middle school teacher at Our Lady of Sorrows in Wahiawa. Lisa has also contributed to national and local youth ministry boards and committees. She continues to volunteer in her parish youth ministry and enjoys watching Major League Baseball in her free time.

Info: Rhea Quemado is a dedicated leader in pastoral ministry, theology, education, and leadership development. She holds a Master’s in Pastoral Theology from Chaminade University of Honolulu and a Bachelor’s in International Business from Hawaii Pacific University. With over a decade of experience, Rhea has served as a project manager, program developer, campus minister, theology teacher, and department head. She has led retreats, ministry programs, and leadership formation while expanding outreach through collaboration and social media. Currently a high school Theology teacher, Rhea is passionate about discipleship, servant leadership, and intentional formation, inspiring others through faith and service.

Host or Publisher Office of Evangelization and Catechesis