Are these extraordinary blessings for St. Anthony of Padua Parish?

Strange things are happening at my Kailua parish of St. Anthony of Padua Church; wonderful things ... and this author suspects perhaps the Good Lord and the Holy Virgin is trying to tell Hawaii something and maybe has plans for the parish.  May our priests and faith community respond worthily with opens hearts.  Allow me to elaborate.

It started 10 days ago on March 20, 2025.  While praying after the morning Mass, I felt a powerful presence within the church; a living and holy presence that was so tangible I could pinpoint it hovering up in the highest part of the church interior.  I couldn't see anything but I sensed it was there ... and after I was done praying and left the church, it followed me; it was around me.  I couldn't help but think to myself, "Something special is gonna happen today." and I looked up searching at the sky but didn't see anything extraordinary.

However, while walking across the street to my car, I heard a woman's voice say to me, "Go ahead - take a picture."  I recognized the voice as Our Lady's, and without hesitation I snapped three photos towards the church.  Upon reviewing the pics, I was amazed to discover that one of them showed her silhouette atop a palm tree in front of the church - it reminded me of a classic depiction of the Virgin of Fatima on her little tree!  So the "presence" was her, after all.

We observe First Saturdays with a special

Rosary so was it Our Lady of Fatima?

Fast forward to yesterday - March 29th - after the Saturday evening Vigil Mass, a huge cloud above the church began taking a human-like silhouette - a familiar form.  In awe, I recall thinking something to this effect, "It can't be.  Not again."  I don't know why but I actually ignored what I was seeing and drove off to a nearby Aunt's house ... and when I got out of my car, the cloud-figure was still above - impossibly intact! - so I took a few photos, which I post a couple below.

   

Showing both sets of the pics to family and a few friends, collectively we came to the same conclusion - we see the outline/figure of the Virgin Mary.  But the big question is ... WHY?  Why an influx of signs?  I can only assume that there is a special grace being granted to St. Anthony of Padua Church and a lesson to be learned.  The truth is, these two photos aren't the only unusual ones taken at the parish.  If one browses this ministry's Photo Albums of Little Signs to the right, one will find others taken within the past 10 years so it can't be mere coincidences.  I believe all of it has something to do with the faith and dedication of certain parishioners there; a few of them are co-members with me in our parish's FIAT: Faith In Action Today Prayer Group so I know them very well.  All are active in parish ministries and involved in spreading the Faith; all have a loving, filial relationship with Our Lady, especially through the Holy Rosary.  

What a privilege it is to know such good people; to pray and serve alongside them.  I believe that it's because of our collaborative efforts to spread devotion to the Blessed Virgin that she responds as our "Mom" to encourage and remind us of her abiding maternal love.  And the pics - they're only a visible sign of something more important, which is the invisible grace Our Lady brings that is working in life of our parish.  I discern its power ... and I'm humbled, uplifted, and grateful.  I also sense that we haven't seen the last of her.

So long as the parish continues doing what it's doing for our dear Heavenly Mother, blessings will blossom into good fruit in our faith-community; she'll also continue dropping by on occasion to check-in with us - her "kids" - knowing that she's invited and welcomed.  That's the special grace and, ultimately, the big lesson ... and it applies to every other parish not just mine.  Make Mother Mary welcomed - she will come bearing gifts.  Ave Maria!

[If you're ever in Kailua, please visit us

too - we welcome you!  For directions to

our beautiful church, click here]