The HCS Scoop
August/September 2018
Inspiring Minds. Sharing Faith.
I hope the Hawaii Catholic Schools’ tag line is easy to remember, but pray it is much more than a short, catchy slogan. I hope it helps us to avert our eyes away from today’s growing secularism and declining culture to focus on our vital mission of proclaiming the Good News. Simply put, most importantly and unequivocally, our schools must be places to meet Jesus Christ. They must inspire with the Truth found in Him. They must be communities that daily share their Faith in the transforming love of the Living God. I hope our tag line reminds us that we must be the channel the Holy Spirit uses for “Inspiring Minds. Sharing Faith.”
In Christ,
Michael Rockers, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
BUSTLING AUGUST FOR HCS OFFICE
Our Hawaii Catholic Schools office had a very busy month! First on August 11th, we welcomed over 60 new employees to our network of schools with the annual Diocesan New Personnel Orientation (pictured, left). That was followed by an even bigger welcoming with the Mass for the Opening of the School Year/175th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. Bishop Larry Silva warmly greeted and blessed about 1,000 of our schools’ administrators and staff in attendance at St. Ann Church on August 16th. Mass was followed by international motivational speaker, Jonathan Doyle (pictured, center). Through a grant from the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation, our schools' administrators and staff were able to hear from the author of best-selling book Tools and Fuels, How Catholic Teachers Can Become Saints, Beat Burnout and Save The World. Priests with schools and their respective Principals stayed even later for our annual Pastor/Principal Summit. The month closed with our yearly Mandatory Administrators’ Meeting here at St. Stephens Diocesan Center on August 21st (pictured, right). Looks like we’re off to a great start for the 2018-2019 school year!
NEW SCHOOL LEADERSHIP APPOINTED
For the 2018-2019 school year we are blessed with four new administrators to our schools. Welcome Casey Asato (Head of School) of St. Francis School, Celeste Akiu (Principal) of Holy Family Catholic Academy, Miguel Solis (Principal) of Sacred Hearts School Lahaina (pictured), and Kyle Atabay (Principal) of Damien Memorial School! The Hawaii Catholic Herald profiled the new leaders, read more here.
SCHOOL SNAPSHOTS
Grandparent's Day Mass and Reception at St. Patrick School
Fr. EJ Resinto Celebrates 91st Anniversary Mass
91 years ago, Maryknoll School opened its doors on September 6th. See how the community came together to celebrate. READ MORE
St. Theresa School Honolulu Hosts Summit
Workshop Opportunity Provided By Magis Center
The Credible Catholic Workshop provided by Magis Center, is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12 at St. Stephens Diocesan Center. Magis Center was founded by Jesuit priest, Father Robert Spitzer, to respond to secular myths claiming God does not exist. Their mission is to restore, reconstruct, and revitalize belief in:
- God
- The transcendent dignity of every human person
- The significance of virtue
- The higher levels of happiness, love, and freedom
- The real presence of Jesus Christ.
VOCATIONS AWARENESS SCHOOL ART CONTEST
"Vocations – Answering God’s Call to Spread the Kingdom of God" is the theme for this year's Hawaii Catholic Schools Vocations Awareness Art Contest. The HCS office in collaboration with Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Honolulu, Father Rheo Ofalsa, have provided our schools with the criteria. A gentle reminder, each schools' art entry is due to our office on Friday, October 5. See your Principal for more info.
We're Hiring!
Upcoming Dates
- Damien & Marianne Catholic Conference | 10/5 to 10/7 | Hawaii Convention Center
- Vocations Awareness School Art Winners Submission | 10/5 | HCS Office by 5pm
- WCEA/WASC Visiting Team Training | 11/8 | St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Pali View Room, from 8:30am to 12:00pm
- Veterans Day Holiday | 11/12 | Observed at Diocesan Offices
- NCEA IFG-ACRE Test Grades 5, 8 | 11/13 to 11/16
- Diocesan Board of Education (DBOE) Meeting | 11/20 | St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Pali View Room, from 2pm to 6pm
- Thanksgiving Holiday | 11/22 & 23 | Observed at Diocesan Offices
We want to know!
Hawaii Catholic Schools
Email: mishihara@rcchawaii.org
Website: CatholicSchoolsHawaii.org
Location: 6301 Pali Highway, Kaneohe, HI, United States
Phone: 808-203-6761
Facebook: facebook.com/HawaiiCatholicSchools
Twitter: @hicathschools