Religion Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff &
Associated Press
|
EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN
Our Lady of Peace's new altar uses
parts of an 1880s pulpit
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
A "new" altar was installed yesterday in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace on Fort Street Mall and will be dedicated at 5 p.m. today by Bishop Larry Silva. Cathedral parishioner Kurt Winner restored the wooden altar and statues of Jesus, Peter, Paul and the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
|
|
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
The ornate table is used for the daily celebration of the Mass. It had been used at the Cathedral School but sat in storage since the school chapel was closed 20 years ago. Berger said renewed use of the old fixture is fitting in the church, which was built in 1843 and is the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the United States.
|
|
COURTESY PHOTO
The Rev. John Berger pointed out its features, which were taken from an 1880s pulpit that was dismantled in 1955. The attachment point of the banister rail can be seen, originally requiring modification of the arched panel in the upper-left portion of the arch. This panel is now located on the left side of the altar.
|
|
BACK TO TOP
|
HAWAII
Lectures to discuss theory of creationism
A series of public lectures on the creation theory will begin next weekend at Kapahulu Bible Church, 3224 Kaunaoa St.
James Gardner, a speaker for the Institute for Creation Research, will discuss biblical and scientific background on the origins of life in the talks April 2-4. Gardner, a former businessman, has lectured on creationism for 13 years to audiences in several countries, according to a church announcement.
The Institute for Creation Research, founded in 1970 by Henry M. Morris, is based in Santee, Calif. It offers seminars and lectures on the creation theory, a graduate degree program and a variety of publications.
Gardner's talks are free and open to the public. His topics on April 2 include the following.
» 9 a.m. -- Who determines truth, and what is the effect of public school presentation of creationism versus evolution theories?
» 10:15 a.m. -- Is evolutionary humanism science, while creationism is religion?
» 6 p.m. -- Why do bad things happen to good people?
» 7:45 p.m. -- What did the writers of the biblical account of creation intend to convey?
Gardner will speak at 6:30 p.m. April 3 about dinosaurs, where they came from and how and why they went extinct.
He will speak April 4 at 6:30 p.m. on the mystery of ancient man, and at 7:40 p.m. on a biblical response to racism.
Liturgical composer offers workshop, talk
A composer whose name is on many of the modern hymns sung by Catholic and other Christian congregations will speak and perform in Honolulu next month.
David Haas, who has produced more than 30 collections of original songs, will be featured at the annual Mackey Lecture April 9 at Chaminade University, free and open to the public. His concert "Blest Are They" will be performed at 4 p.m. at Mystical Rose Oratory on the Kaimuki campus.
Haas will present a "Music and Spirit Workshop" April 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mystical Rose Oratory. The session will include how-to advice on creating liturgies and ecumenical prayer services. The cost is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. A box lunch will be provided for those who register by April 3. Registration forms can be found at marianisthawaii. org. Call Brother Dennis Schmitz, 735-4801, for registration information.
Haas is one of the best-known modern composers of liturgical music, according to a Chaminade release. He has recorded several CDs of his work and has written books aimed at creating prayer experiences for young people. He has presented retreats, workshops and concerts in several countries. He is the founder and director of Music Ministry Alive, a national liturgical formation program for high school and college students.
The workshop is good for five credit hours of spiritual formation in the Diocesan Certification Program. The lecture is good for one credit-hour.
Two churches announce fundraisers
The season of fundraising church sales continues.
» Tomorrow -- Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, 1727 Pali Highway. "A Taste of Hongwanji" from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. will offer a variety of food -- sushi, plate lunches, jams, pickled vegetables -- as well as handicrafts and thrift shop items.
» Next Saturday -- First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, 2500 Pali Highway. "The Unique Boutique" collection of the finest donated items is a highlight of the annual rummage sale. Furniture, housewares, collectibles, toys and clothing will be on sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
NATION
Churches are warned about cell phone porn
NEW YORK » The heads of nine U.S. Eastern Orthodox denominations issued an unusual joint warning to priests and parishes last week about the wide availability of pornography through the Internet and hand-held video cell phones, iPods and PDAs.
"This could spell disaster for your children and grandchildren" and cause "immeasurable moral, social and spiritual damage," the nine prelates stated.
With the hand-held devices, they said, there are no filtering or monitoring systems for sexually explicit material. "This means many children and teens will be able to access such material unless their parents are aware of this threat and take action to prevent it."
The statement said the Religious Alliance Against Pornography is working to develop educational materials to accompany purchases of cell phones and service contracts.
The nine-member Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas is chaired by Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Archdiocese.
Robertson fundraising not hurt by comments
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. » The Rev. Pat Robertson's penchant for controversial statements does not appear to have affected fundraising for his television ministry.
Over the past six years, Robertson has suggested that America assassinate Osama bin Laden, Kim Jong Il and Saddam Hussein. Last August, he added Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to the list. And when he said Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon might have suffered a stroke as divine punishment for pulling out of the Gaza Strip, colleagues denied him a seat on the National Religious Broadcasters board.
But CBN says there was no falloff in giving after the Chavez and Sharon remarks, and tax statements indicate Robertson's previous statements did not hurt his ministry, either.
Public filings with the IRS, reported by the Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, show that in the year ending March 2005, supporters gave $160 million, 21 percent above the previous year, and provided most of the $236 million in revenue.
Giving has increased steadily since 1997, when CBN received only $84 million.
The latest tax statement showed 12 percent of CBN's budget went to fundraising. Robertson received no salary, but son Gordon, his vice president and co-host on the flagship "700 Club" program, was paid $265,418.
The ministry said it gave more than $19 million to churches and charities and spent more than $11 million on a telephone ministry that helped 45,089 callers "receive Jesus Christ as Savior."