St. John Vianney school students are giving gift boxes to needy kids

The student council of St. John Vianney Parish School in Kailua is collecting gift items for needy children through Nov. 16 as part of the international Operation Christmas Child, sponsored by the Samaritan’s Purse International Relief.

Shoe boxes will be filled with these items and distributed to children in Haiti and more than 100 other countries.

People are encouraged to donate items such as school supplies, small toys, hygiene items, T-shirts, socks, hair clips, flashlights, ball caps, sunglasses and a personal note. Items should not include used or damaged items, war-related items, chocolate or food, liquids or medications.

The students at St. John Vianney Parish School are being taught that they can make a difference in someone’s life no matter how small the gesture, and are encouraged to pray for the children receiving their boxes, the release said. Shoe boxes or gift items may be delivered to the school office at 940 Keolu Drive, or to any child’s homeroom.

Interfaith service participants want APEC leaders to seek justice, equity

Faith Action for Community Equity and the Interfaith Alliance Hawaii are holding an interfaith service Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. related to next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings. The service will take place at St. Augustine by the Sea Catholic Church at 130 Ohua Ave. in Waikiki.

“This service is being held to give voice to our hope that members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation will work for justice and equity for all people of the Asia-Pacific region,” a news release said. Clergy and leaders of various faith congregations will take part.

In anticipation of traffic congestion related to APEC events and security measures, park-and-ride arrangements have been made with Church of the Crossroads and Washington Middle School, where buses will depart for St. Augustine at 5:45 p.m., and with Harris United Methodist Church, where the bus will leave at 5:30 p.m.

Call 768-7162 for updated park-and-ride information, or call FACE-Oahu at 522-1304 for information.

Faith movement offers presentations to share its mission and beliefs

Seicho-No-Ie Hawaii will hold free public presentations Sunday at the Ala Moana Hotel’s Garden Lanai to acquaint people with the faith movement’s philosophy. Presentations will be made in Japanese and English.

Founded in 1930 by Masaharu Taniguchi, Seicho-No-Ie is based on the belief that all religions emanate from one universal God and that children of God are heirs to God’s abundance and power, a news release said.

“We can improve our physical condition and environment by replacing negative thoughts and beliefs with positive ones through the power of the mind (and) … help to create a world of true peace, harmony and happiness,” the release said.

The Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara, bishop of Seicho-No-Ie U.S. Missionary Headquarters, will be the featured speaker at the Japanese-language session from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on “Everything Starts from Your Mind” and at the English-language session from 1 to 3 p.m. on “Turn Obstacles into Opportunities.”

Other speakers include the Rev. Tomio Otsuka of the U.S. headquarters at the Japanese session; and the Rev. Hideharu Sugiuchi, the movement’s Hawaii vice chief, at the English session. For more information, contact Seicho-No-Ie Hawaii at 537-6965 or snihi@hawaii.rr.com.

Pastors gathering canned food, household goods for less fortunate

The Hawaii Pastors Roundtable is collecting food and other items Nov. 19 in the second phase of its inaugural Kahi‘au Project, which means “selfless generosity.”

The event coincides with the conclusion of Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, said Darrin Araki, Roundtable spokesman. More than 35 churches were involved in the first phase of the project, which included cleanup and beautification efforts Oct. 22 for National Make a Difference Day.

The group is now collecting canned food items for the Hawaii Food Bank, and diapers, baby layette items and household goods for the Family Treatment Services Center of the Salvation Army. The public can also drop off used electronic items, like computers and copiers, for appropriate disposal by Pacific Corporate Solutions to keep them out of landfills, Araki said. No TVs, batteries or appliances will be accepted.

Visit www.kahiauhawaii.com for more information and a complete list of donation items needed, or call 777-9591.

Drop-off locations will be at the state Capitol drive-through on Beretania Street, Kahala Elementary School, Haleiwa Gym, Windward Mall in front of Macy’s and Hope Chapel West Oahu at the Waikele Shopping Center.

The group was founded just more than a year ago by Christian and Catholic leaders, including CEOs of Christian nonprofit organizations, Araki said.