About Our Parish
Our community stretches along the Hamakua Coast on the island of Hawaii and comprises two churches and a mission. The two churches are Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Papaikou and, going north along the coast, St Anthony Parish in Laupoahoe. Good Shepherd Mission is in Honomu, approximately half way between the two parishes, and is officially attached to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
The current mission is the oldest of the three and dates back to 1889. Following a fire, a new church in Honomu was built and was subsequently blessed by the Bishop of the Territory of Hawaii in 1921. That same decade saw the construction of both St Anthony and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parishes. Ironically, both of the other parish churches would experience fires, too. These occurred in the in the mid-1980s and the current church buildings date from the latter part of the 1990s.
The history of our community can actually be traced back to at least 1866 with the establishment of Star of the Sea Church in Kalaoa, located on what is now called the Scenic Route. Being around that long, our community has shared in all that East Hawaii has experienced in the last century and a half. These include natural disasters - earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions - as well as the economic displacement caused by the demise of the sugar industry on the island. With the end of sugar growing and harvesting on the island, agriculture, primarily the growth and harvesting of papaya, macadamia nuts, sweet potatoes and ginger continues. Our parish members are entrepreneurial and many trades are professions are represented in our community.
While we are one community, the two parishes remain distinct and independent of each other but they do share a pastor. In addition, Good Shepherd and Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission share a Pastoral Council as well as resources devoted to Religious, Sacramental and Liturgical Education.
Our community reflects the island on which we live. We are a diverse people who share a common faith and share freely what has been so graciously given to us.Our community stretches along the Hamakua Coast on the island of Hawaii and comprises two churches and a mission. The two churches are Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Papaikou and, going north along the coast, St Anthony Parish in Laupoahoe. Good Shepherd Mission is in Honomu, approximately half way between the two parishes, and is officially attached to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. The current mission is the oldest of the three and dates back to 1889. Following a fire, a new church in Honomu was built and was subsequently blessed by the Bishop of the Territory of Hawaii in 1921. That same decade saw the construction of both St Anthony and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parishes. Ironically, both of the other parish churches would experience fires, too. These occurred in the in the mid-1980s and the current church buildings date from the latter part of the 1990s.
The history of our community can actually be traced back to at least 1866 with the establishment of Star of the Sea Church in Kalaoa, located on what is now called the Scenic Route. Being around that long, our community has shared in all that East Hawaii has experienced in the last century and a half. These include natural disasters - earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions - as well as the economic displacement caused by the demise of the sugar industry on the island. With the end of sugar growing and harvesting on the island, agriculture, primarily the growth and harvesting of papaya, macadamia nuts, sweet potatoes and ginger continues. Our parish members are entrepreneurial and many trades are professions are represented in our community.
While we are one community, the two parishes remain distinct and independent of each other but they do share a pastor. In addition, Good Shepherd and Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission share a Pastoral Council as well as resources devoted to Religious, Sacramental and Liturgical Education.
Our community reflects the island on which we live. We are a diverse people who share a common faith and share freely what has been so graciously given to us.
Sacrament of Baptism
Classes are held once a month. Call the office to register. 808-964-1240
Original Order for the Sacraments of Initiation: Reconciliation,
Confirmation and Holy Eucharist
Begins with Grade 2
Sacrament of Marriage
Notify the office 6 months before the ate of marriage for preparation.
RCIA
Call the office to register. 808-964-1240
Funeral
Family to call the office before making arrangements with funeral director.
Confession
At 4:00 p.m. - 4:35 p.m. before the 5 p.m. mass or by appointment.
Mass Intentions and Requests
Information by Tuesday, please include name and phone number of requester.
Hospital and Nursing Home Visits
For Hilo Medical Center, Hale Anuenue, Life Care Center, Veterans Home and Legacy, call the office for patient visit requests as well as Home Communion: 808-964-1240.
Bulletn News
Information by Tuesday or call 964-1240, to be approved by the Administrator prior to printing.
Mahalo.
The Hamakua Catholic Church Parishes Immaculate Heart of Mary, Good Shepherd Mission, and Saint Anthony welcome Father Tim into our faith community. Father Tim was born on June 22, 1963 in the municipality of Jagna, in the province of Bohol, Philippines. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 26, 1995. After serving for more than 18 years in his home diocese his Bishop, Most Rev. Wilfredo Manlapaz sent him as a missionary to the diocese of Honolulu. He comes to us from the parish of St. Jude in Makakilo where he has been for the past year and 8 months. We look forward to a long, happy, and fruitful association and may our parishes flourish and become activated under his guidance.
