The journey continues.

How Journaling and Writing Can Bring Us Closer to God

Catholic homeschooling moms

Tuesday, May 24, at 6 p.m.

How Journaling and Writing Can Bring Us Closer to God

Hickam, May 16, 2011 at 9 a.m.

April 29, 2011 issue of the Hawaii Catholic Herald. All rights reserved. Mahalo.

“Easter has woven together a poignant tapestry of faith stories that is as enlightening and as it is inspiring. Your own trust in and love for Jesus Christ will be bolstered and your faith fortified as you find spiritual sustenance on each page of this slim volume that has been humbly and prayerfully composed.” — David Pendleton, Kailua, Hawai’i; Lawyer, Lector at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace

“I read from your book often – re-reading the essays and your reflections and I find something new each time I read from it. I feel that God is leading me back to Honolulu. I need to work with the homeless and those in need, so let me do what God wishes for me.” –Taos A. Wright, Bookline, New Hampshire; Loving mother of a soldier
 

There is something profoundly moving about ordinary Catholics relating their stories of how they heard the word of God in their lives and responded to it – sometimes fearfully – only to discover a wellspring of joy and fulfillment doing things they had never dreamed of doing. Not “big things”, but the dozens of ordinary acts of loving service that are the heartbeat of any Catholic diocese. This is spiritual writing with an “island flavor” – this book makes me want to visit Hawai’i as no travel brochure has ever managed to do! –Rae Stabosz, Newark, Delaware; Pauline Cooperator, loving mother to nine children

Contemporary culture often sends us the message that faith is nice for those who find it helpful but not necessary in the “real world.” This collection of stories illustrates faith come alive in the real world – faith that is inspired, deliberate, and transforming. Enjoy! –Jayne Mondoy, Hawai’i, Director of the Diocesan Office of Religious Education

A Tribute to Our Priests

Eucharist and Rosary Novena

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Diocese of Honolulu Spiritual Moms Apostolate

Association of Pauline Cooperators

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It is a honor and a great pleasure to review Easter’s new book, Serving God Joyfully: Right Here in Hawaii. This book is a wonderful compilation of the best of Catholic Hawaii.

It seemed like only yesterday that Easter shared with me her brainstorm that resulted in this book. Her idea was formed in part to support our priests and to help the homeless here in the Aloha State. She wanted so much to use the proceeds from the book sale to go for their assistance.

She worked diligently and tirelessly right until the book was actually published. Her work involved contacting many, many people around the diocese of Honolulu. I am sure many times she must have asked herself “Is it worth it?” As her friend I can honestly say, “you bet it is was worth it, Easter!”

This book is a Chicken Soup for the Catholic Hawaiian Soul (if you pardon the much used adage and description for an inspiring anthology book).

If you are a resident here in this beautiful place we call home, and especially if you are a Catholic, this book is at many times, the healing balm you may need to bring you closer to our God.

For me personally, it touched my heart and soul many times when I was not expecting it to. Like most practicing/devout Catholics here in Hawaii, we more or less know or know of each other. After all, this is not a really big place. Being a Catholic in Hawaii means you are part of a special ohana. Well some of our ohana members shared their special stories for Easter and for us, the reader.

Easter gave me a copy of the book (almost right off the presses) on a Sunday afternoon. She showed me where she lovingly inscribed it for me. I could not wait to go inside and start reading the long-awaited for book.

Of course, I started off with the stories written by by friends or those of whose names I was very familiar with. I think the first story I read was Pat P’s story of her son who had contracted AIDS. She is a fellow parishioner and I was very familiar with her story and her sorrow. Another fellow parishioner’s story I read that afternoon was Steve Odo’s. His was a story of reversion I had known about and found inspiring because of the many Catholics Steve and his wife Caroline have helped come home. There were many other stories by some of the spiritual moms of priests, homeschooling moms, seminarians, a priest and other people who do a lot for the diocese’s spirituality whose stories I was also familiar with or had heard. But it is an entirely different experience to read their own words in print.

One story was by my friend Dottie M.. She shared memories of her father. Having lost my father seven months ago, this one was one that touched me the most. I know it was hard for Dottie to share her private and personal story because it was so precious to her but she felt compelled and prompted by the Holy Spirit to do just that.

That is another thing I found very moving. Not a single person who shared a story did so out of any vainglory or self-serving purpose. On the contrary, each and every story reflects the sincerity and humility in the hearts of these individuals, who simply love God and want to serve him faithfully and joyfully.

There were a few stories by people I did not know. Some of them really surprised me because they were sometimes stories that I could relate to personally. There was one dear lady who felt she did not have much to write about. She had always been a faithful Catholic and continues to serve the Lord in her daily life. I liked that. I am glad she shared her story.

An additional and personal reflection by Easter, follows each story. This personal touch by Easter, made this book even more special. She engages us and challenges us to really reflect on what the writer was trying to convey through each particular story.

Lastly, you can see clearly how Easter brought our community, our ohana, together. Many of us did our small part in helping Easter when she asked. I know Easter wanted us all to share in this moment with her and all the actual writers. She also tries to help Catholic apostolates, organization and Catholic businesses by listing them in the back of the book. She is an unselfish servant of God who lives her life joyfully right here in Hawaii!

Easter, you are a true blessing and inspiration to Catholics not only in Hawaii, but everywhere.

BTW, there is also a message by our dear bishop of Honolulu, Bishop Silva.

To order Easter’s new book, please visit Joy of Christ Press

Source: Esther Gefroh’s book review on A Catholic Mom in Hawaii

I’ll tell you like it is Easter, your book is AWESOME!! I knew it would be good (because of your Christian spirit!), but I didn’t know it would be so spiritually inspiring. Everything was outstanding, from the cover design by Esther Gefroh, the book design and production by Blaine Fergerstrom, to your extraordinary authorship and coordination through poems and “Easter’s Notes.”  You combined diverse writings to make Serving God Joyfully a small but worthy tribute to Almighty God, and that was not an easy task. (I’m reminded of St. Theresa of Lisieux, the “saint of the little way,” who believed that by doing little tasks to serve the Lord, one can play a part in changing the world — and she did!)

I have nearly finished reading Serving God Joyfully, and every time I pick up the book and begin to read, I am filled with divine joy! Others may have the same experience. By “divine joy,” I am speaking of that precious gift of joy one receives from the Holy Spirit, a gift I’m certain you have experienced many times (it’s evident in your writings, and it’s catching!).

I make a clear distinction between happiness and what I call divine joy. My experience is that happiness is fleeting, but divine joy is lasting — if we are willing to open up our heart to Jesus’ love and the gift of His joy. Divine joy is what the ancient historians and witnesses saw on the faces of early Christians who were being led to their death, in the Coliseum in Rome. As you know, such joy is there for everyone, through the Holy Spirit. (Jn 15:9-11)

Personal testimonies and witnessing (as found in Serving God Joyfully) inspire others and lead to divine joy. It may have taken courage for some of the writers to share their inner thoughts, as they did so well, and that reminds me of something that Jesus said: “You are the salt of the earth….You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Matt. 5:13-16, emphasis mine.) Serving God Joyfully allowed some of the faithful to “let their light shine,” which may inspire many faithful Christians to come forth and volunteer for ministries.

As you know, it is through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the charisms, that the Church is built up. When too many Catholic Christians disregard Jesus’ teachings, and do not let their light “shine before others” in a humble way, how may others be inspired? For many, the church may seem spiritless and not much more than a programmatic series of religious ceremonies. It is through known examples that the faithful are inspired to come forth and serve God through church ministries. When they learn what their fellow parishioners are doing, some will invariably be inspired to join ministries that serve the poor, needy and suffering in the name of Jesus Christ (we are a healing church!). Amen?

Several of the Serving God Joyfully stories were written by those who left the Catholic Church, and when they returned, they joined one or more ministries. Did you notice that their ministries seemed to serve as the “glue” that has kept them in the Catholic community?