BCCH | BCC / Testimonies

“I have witnessed tremendous spiritual awakening in people in all levels of the Christian journey…Many more have come to realize the joy of active participation in the Church and in a more personal relationship with Jesus in their lives.”--- Sr. Mary Jo McEnany of the Benedictine Monastery of Hawaii, Waialua

Read a letter from our bishop, the Most Reverend Larry Silva.

"About 20 years ago, I made the 6th BCC retreat. That retreat changed my life. It was at that retreat where I fell IN LOVE with God, where I realized what Jesus did for me and His love for me, and where I fell in love with my Catholic church. Since that retreat I have been in service to BCC because I believe that it is a great evangelizing tool to bring others to Christ. I have witnessed miracles, healing of broken hearts, and reconciliation with God and His church. Also since that retreat I have been in service to my parish thru the RCIA program. I wanted so much to share the beauty of our Catholic faith with those who are seeking initiation into the Catholic church. What has helped to substain me in my walk with the Lord these past 20 years is my weekly BCC cell group. In community, I have grown in the Word of God, for the more I come to know Him in His Word, the better I will know how to show my love for Him. My community has supported me in my trials and in my joys and in my sorrows. BCC is a precious gift to these islands and I pray more people will come to accept this gift"
--- Sheree Pokipala - St. Anns Kaneohe

Being away from the Catholic Church for over 30 years, I did not think I could live up to the expectations of the church. I continued to live the way I thought best and found justifications and excuses for my lifestyle, in other churches and belief systems. Going to a BCC retreat has brought me home. For the first time in my life, I understand what it means to be Catholic. In BCC, you learn what love is, where love is, and what love feels like for the first time all over again. BCC has brought the Mass alive to me. Things I forgot as a child, things I misunderstood or took for granted, were made clear through BCC. We have the Eucharist. We have the fullness of the gospel. BCC will bring you back to the state of grace. Beyond being wanted, you are welcomed. Please come just as you are.
--- Melissa Valerio Rivers

I write this on the night when 3 more people from our RCIA class have made the conversion to Catholicism, this being Easter Vigil night of 2007. I reflect on the power of God’s love for each of us and I am in awe. This is the 4th RCIA class I have helped to reach this milestone. I truly do “Give thanks with a Grateful Heart” for having attended my first BCC Retreat in 2002. I had left the church for such a stupid reason that after making my retreat I could not help but cry like a baby at the grace that God could forgive me and accept me back. I am truly amazed daily at the graces he has blessed me with. Some of the blessing I had before the retreat, but only after opening up to Christ can I now see what was always there. (DUH! as my wife would say.) A retreat allows us to get in touch with our inner self. Men in general don’t like to make retreats; it is such an activity where we are vulnerable. I can testify that it isn’t a hard thing to do. One thing I really enjoyed was the friendships which developed after my retreat with the other men of BCC. To spend time with “Real down to earth men of God” was awesome. I know some of their attributes rubbed off on me as I am now a very active member of my Parish and BCC.
I strongly recommend all Catholics make a BCC retreat – it is one weekend you will never regret. The Sooner the Better!
--- Larry R. Sandbo – BCC President 2006-07

"BCCH retreat is strangely powerful in that it takes people from whatever stage they are in their spiritual life and propels them to a new higher and renewed stage of action. It is the Holy Spirit who uses and affects ALL present regardless of whether they came cautious and anxious, or confident and not wanting change. It molds individuals into the Body of Christ forever bonding us to the larger community by making us all equal in our humanity and humanness. Facades we carry in our daily lives are wiped off to reveal the tenderness which God created and loves.
Those volunteering who have already "walked the walk", by their giving of self, also affects and is affected by the participants. Even if we have been away having "graduated" from our retreat group, when we meet again, there is a special bonding which cuts across all that normally divides us. I highly recommend it to all as their vacation treat. It refreshes deeply without having to go away and spend money unnecessarily. It makes us all lovable and unique." Lleander Jung

The first time I heard of the BCC retreat was from a dear, loving Sister with Christ, Aunty Dorothy Fernandez. Aunty Dorothy loved God and she loved BCC! I remember always telling Aunty how busy I was at the time and was unable to make the next retreat. In June of 2000, I made an appointment to see Sr. Mary Jo McEnany of the Benedictine Monastery of Hawaii for counseling and the first thing she suggested was that I attend a BCC retreat weekend coming up in July. I was unable to make that July retreat, but could attend the next retreat one in September. It was BCC Retreat Weekend #45. There was a lot of turmoil going on in my life at that time, and the first thought was ….. been there, done that, and how is this going to make any difference in my life? Well, God had plans for me that weekend as well as the other participants that only He could orchestrate. God opened my eyes to the Wonder and Beauty of His Love and how much He Loves Me! My BCC retreat weekend has changed my life in ways that only God knew would. Spiritually I’ve stumbled, fallen, sat for a while, gotten up and I’m still on my way! Since my first BCC retreat I’ve learned to TRUST GOD and I have Fallen In Love With Him! God is always with me and will not leave me as I go through the joys, trials and tragedies of my journey. My BCC Family and I are each on our individual paths traveling together sharing love, prayers and support for one another. All Praise and Glory to God!
Henrietta Hamachi