Eva Andrade
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Eva Andrade, who has represented the Catholic Church on public policy issues in Hawaii for 30 years, will be the speaker at the annual diocesan Red Mass, at 9 a.m., Jan. 16, at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.
The Red Mass, celebrated during the week of the opening of the Hawaii State Legislature, is the annual prayer to the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom for Hawaii’s civic leaders. Bishop Larry Silva will preside.
Andrade is executive director of the Hawaii Catholic Conference, the public policy arm for the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii. She is also president of Hawaii Family Forum, a non-profit educational organization promoting life, faith, family and religious freedom in Hawaii.
The title of Andrade’s talk is “Navigating Politics with Positivity and Purpose.”
“This talk will explore the intersection of faith and politics,” Andrade said, “delving into the challenge of engaging in political discourse in a world saturated with negativity.”
She said she will “explore the transformative potential of religious principles in fostering fundamental values within society.”
Andrade will examine how the spiritual values of compassion, justice and empathy can serve to build a more harmonious and just community, in a political climate often overshadowed by pessimism.
Andrade has been involved in education on public policy issues in Hawaii since 1994. As a member of the Hawaii Catholic Conference board of directors, she has been actively involved in the defense of the family on such high-profile issues as marriage protection, the protection of keiki, and doctor-assisted suicide.
As president of Hawaii Family Forum, she has provided research and education on a variety of issues important to the community.
She lives in Mililani and has two daughters and four grandchildren.
The diocese sends invitations to the Red Mass to members of the state’s executive, legislative and judicial branches, city and county officials, members of the military and representatives of other religious denominations.
A 700-year-old tradition in Europe, the Red Mass was introduced in the United States early last century and has become an annual event in Washington, D.C., and other major mainland cities. It has been celebrated in Hawaii since 1955.
The Mass is named for the color of the vestments used for a Mass of the Holy Spirit.
