Bishop Larry Silva spoke Aug. 21 after receiving the Francis Oda Legacy Award from Hawaii Family Forum at First Assembly of God Church in Moanalua. (Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Hawaii Family Forum, a nonprofit organization that aims to unite the faith-based community on issues affecting society today, honored Bishop Larry Silva last month with its Francis Oda Legacy Award.
HFF members gathered Aug. 21 at First Assembly of God Church in Moanalua for the Francis Oda Legacy Breakfast, held in honor of the organization’s founder.
Following the meal, Marion Logan, chairman of HFF’s board of directors, kicked off the award presentation by inviting Msgr. Gary Secor, vicar general of the Diocese of Honolulu, to say a few words.
After Msgr. Secor’s speech, Logan introduced Bishop Silva as the recipient of the legacy award — a crystal lighthouse that, Logan said, “embodies what we want to be — (a) lighthouse in Hawaii, in our communities, to show the light and love of Jesus Christ.”
Oda himself handed the award to Bishop Silva, praising him as a “lighthouse to this community” who has “continued to shine your love to the people of Hawaii, and not just the Catholic Church but far beyond.”
In his brief acceptance speech, Bishop Silva thanked Hawaii Family Forum and praised it and its members for their work.
“I have been tremendously inspired by so many people in this room — your dedication to the Lord, your dedication to the people of Hawaii, your dedication to make this a better place for people, especially the poor (and) those who are struggling with many things with many issues,” he said. “I am very blessed to be a part of this community.”
“Jesus really is the center of it all,” Bishop Silva continued as shouts of “Amen!” came from the crowd, “and he’s the one who really motivates us to care about those who are in need in our community.”