Bishop Larry Silva sent a letter Sept. 5 to the administrator and parishioners of a parish in the Puna District of the Big Island assuring them of his prayers as they continue to recover from a recent tropical storm and as some in their community face a potentially damaging lava flow.
“I am aware of many of the challenges you have been facing lately, first with the devastation of Tropical Storm Iselle and now with the threat of lava flowing toward a portion of the Puna community,” the bishop wrote to Father Gregorio Apuya and the parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish in Pahoa. “Please be assured of my prayers for all of you.”
Iselle hit the Big Island on Aug. 8, toppling trees and downing power lines, damaging dozens of homes and depriving some residents of electricity and necessities for weeks.
As of Sept. 8, a finger of lava flowing from a crack in the earth’s surface was slowly edging forward several hundred yards from Puna neighborhoods.
Bishop Silva said he wrote the letter at the request of Father Apuya.
He commended three local Catholic agencies who have been helping the victims of the storm: HOPE Services Hawaii, the Office for Social Ministry and Catholic Charities Hawaii.
He also recognized the relief work of the parish itself. “I thank you for being the presence of Christ’s care and love during this difficult time,” he wrote.
Other Big Island Catholic communities have also pitched in. Another Puna area parish, St. Theresa Church in Mountain View, opened its food pantry to residents in need of help. Parishes in Hilo and Hamakua, north of Puna, have provided food, water and ice. St. Joseph School in Hilo also opened up its shower facilities in the days following Iselle for students and staff in need.
HOPE Services checked on displaced and isolated residents and provided water, food, propane, propane stoves, batteries and ice.
Bishop Silva concluded his message by saying Hawaii’s “many natural wonders” bring beauty as well “hardship.”
“We pray that the Lord will divert these natural wonders so that they do no harm to people or their livelihoods,” he wrote. “We pray for you, that the Lord may strengthen you and help you continue to give faithful witness to Jesus, even in the midst of uncertainties and trials.”
