MEDIA RELEASE

Holiday services are confirmed with the arrival of a new tent on the grounds of St. Michael the Archangel Church. The previous tent was damaged beyond repair in Sunday’s storm and a new tent is going up in plenty of time for Christmas services.

“We have a new tent going up Wednesday,” says Pastor Lio Faletoi. “We will be able to comfortably accommodate our parishioners and visitors for Christmas services and moving forward into 2010.”

The parish has been offering Mass under a tent since the 1850 St. Michael’s Church was damaged by the October 2006 earthquake. The church is being prepared for demolition next month and plans are in the works to build a new church campus.

Christmas Masses at St. Michael’s Church are as follows: 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 12 midnight Christmas Eve and 9 and 11 a.m. Christmas Day.

In addition, the parish offers Masses at its other churches on Dec. 25: 8 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Holualoa and 10 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church in Kalaoa.
Spanish Masses will be offered at St. Paul’s Church in Honalo with Las Posadas at 5 p.m. Dec. 24, Mass at 8 p.m. Dec. 24 and Mass at 9 a.m. Dec. 25.

The parish recently released a new book that chronicles its history, including the background of St. Michael’s Church, “North Kona’s Catholic Heritage….remembered.”
Proceeds from the book’s sale benefits St. Michael’s Building Fund. For information, phone  326-7771 or visit onecatholicohana.org.

St. Michael the Archangel Church is part of the North Kona Catholic Community that includes Immaculate Conception Church in Holualoa, St. Paul’s Church in Honalo, St. Peter’s Church in Keauhou and Holy Rosary Church in Kalaoa. NKCC serves more than 1,000 parishioners and a steady stream of visitors, many who return year after year.