Feast Day Celebrations: St. Anthony of Padua Church in Kailua, 6/13/2018

Today is the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua and, this evening, it was all about this Saint... and at where else?  Of course, at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Kailua!  For the most part it was the usual festivities - Mass and parish potluck celebration.  But I also sensed something a little different this year - something really good - and it was largely due to our priests.  This time around, it seemed they were more vocal about St. Anthony in their homilies and announcements leading up to today's Feast... and in a manner that one could feel heartfelt appreciation for the Saint's patronage of our parish.  Plus, they seemed to be more personally involved in the various events, which was a pleasant surprise.  'not trying to imply that our priests take St. Anthony and his Feast for granted... but it just seemed different this year.  At least I thought so.

Parishioners during our Feast Day Potluck.

So our evening celebration was kicked off in our parish hall with many parishioners coming together to pray the Holy Rosary, lead by my friend, Monica, whose large Portuguese family holds a monthly Rosary/potluck dinner every 13th of the month in honor of Our Lady of Fatima.  Their meetings are usually held in their various homes, but every June 13th, they pray the Rosary at the church in order to participate in the Feast Day events.

Parishioners lined-up to kiss our relic

of St. Anthony of Padua.

After the prayer, I did a repeat of the "All About St. Anthony of Padua" speaking presentation that I first conducted on June 3rd, which was immediately followed by another opportunity for the people to invoke the intercession of our Saint and to venerate his bone relic guarded by our parish.  I was moved watching the people approach and kiss the reliquary, as I also sensed in many a newfound appreciation for St. Anthony; more reverence towards his memory, which our Saint certainly deserves to receive from us.

      

Me, with our parish priest - Fr. Exse

and other parishioners of St. Anthony

of Padua Church, Kailua.

Everyone then proceeded to Mass before returning to the parish hall for our celebratory potluck, which was simply FUN; good food and great company!  What made it extra-enjoyable for me was hearing from people who attended my talk about their own little miracles worked by St. Anthony on their behalf.  These stories ranged from the expected finding of lost items... to an entertaining testimony of how the Saint never fails to provide a parking stall - a convenient one - for an elderly parishioner whenever she drives to a certain medical building in town where the parking lot is always full.  It all just goes to show how deeply ingrained devotion to St. Anthony is in the hearts of our Kailua parishioners.  More than what I initially realized.

Thank you, St. Anthony, for watching out for all of us; for interceding with Jesus on our behalf - Happy Feast Day, my friend and brother!