Religion Briefs
Saturday, December 1, 2001
Contemporary Christian music performances set
Christian music of the loud and louder variety is the fare at performances next weekend.The X Factory, a Kalihi youth center operated by Grace Bible Church of Honolulu, will feature an "Alternodaze" concert beginning at 7 p.m. Friday. N.O.G. (No Other God), Testify and Prom King will perform in the warehouse club at 3097 Kalihi St. A $3 donation is asked.
A free contemporary Christian music concert at 6 p.m. next Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church, 95-1361 Meheula Pkwy., Mililani, will feature the CLC band and singers.
Buddhists to celebrate Bodhi Day tomorrow
Members of several Buddhist denominations will join in a celebration of Bodhi Day tomorrow at the Jodo Mission of Hawaii, 1429 Makiki St.The 9 a.m. service will commemorate the day more than 2,500 years ago when Shakyamuni Buddha achieved the state of enlightenment. Tradition has it that the Indian prince who founded Buddhism was sitting beneath a bo or bodhi tree when he reached the state of perfect clarity of mind.
The Rev. Dean Okimura of Koboji Shingon Mission will be keynote speaker of the event. Also speaking will be the Rev. Taido Kitagawa, president of the sponsoring Hawaii Buddhist Council, which includes Higashi Hongwanji Mission, Honpa Hongwanji Mission, Jodo Mission, Nichiren Mission, Shingon Shu Betsuin, Soto Mission and Tendai Mission.
Scholar will discuss Pure Land, millennium
An exploration of how American Pure Land Buddhism applies to life at the dawn of a new millennium will be presented next weekend in the annual Futaba Kenko Memorial Lecture Series.Thomas Kasulis, chairman of the Ohio State University Comparative Studies Division, will talk about "Responding to Today's Uncertainties: a Shin Buddhist Perspective" at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, 1727 Pali Hwy. The lectures will be:
>> Friday: 7 p.m., "Out of Control, Similarities Between Shinran's Mappo and Our Mood Today."
>> Saturday: 9 a.m., "Shinran's Mystery of Whodunit: Doing Good, Doing Nothing, Nothing Doing."
>> Saturday: 1 p.m., "Time to Have Nothing to Do: Living the Shin Buddhist Life Today."
The free series is named for a noted scholar who campaigned for the rights of minorities in Japan and is considered a pioneer of "engaged" Buddhism.
Temple Emanu-El offers basic classes on Judaism
A series of classes on basic Judaism will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Temple Emanu-El, 2550 Pali Hwy.Danie Bender will teach the classes, geared as an introduction for non-Jews who are interested in learning about, or considering adopting, the religion, as well as for Jews who need a refresher course.
The cost is $180 for nonmembers and $90 for Temple Emanu-El members. Call 595-7521 for information.
Busy weekend ahead for Catholics
Some island Catholics will spend double time in church next weekend.Next Saturday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, one of only two days outside of Sundays that church members are expected to make an effort to attend Mass. The feast day commemorates the church's teaching about the sin-free state of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Unlike the only other "holy day of obligation," which is Christmas, few churches stage special events. Some parishes will add extra Masses to their schedules, and some already provide a daily Mass.
An Ewa parish that bears the name of the holy day has special events planned. Members of Immaculate Conception Church, at 91-1298 Renton Rd., will march in a procession around their neighborhood beginning at 5 p.m. next Saturday. They will carry a statue of Mary and recite the rosary during the walk, then return to the church for 5:30 p.m. Mass. A potluck dinner will follow.
On the Big Island, Catholic Bishop Francis DiLorenzo will preside at a Saturday evening Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Papaikou.
Back on Oahu in Kahala, Star of the Sea Church will celebrate the liturgical feast at its regular 5:30 p.m. Friday and 7:25 a.m. Saturday Masses, and has added a 9 a.m. Saturday Mass. The church is operated by the Society of Mary religious order, and its name reflects one of the poetic references to Mary.
Also named for Mary is the Marianist religious order, which operates Chaminade University and St. Louis School. The brothers and priests have invited students and faculty to join them at a 7:30 a.m. Saturday Mass at the Marianist Center on campus.
A lay Catholic organization will combine prayer and advocacy in its observance next Saturday.
A National Night of Prayer for Life will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight at St. Patrick Church. The sponsoring group, the Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Association, opposes abortion.
Other Catholic dioceses in America have as many as six holy days of obligation. An earlier bishop here established an exception for Hawaii to match practices in the Pacific regions, said Sister Helene Wood, director of the Office of Worship.
RELIGION CALENDAR
