Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Peace be with you!
Some of our parishioners are old enough to remember when the Catholic Church in Hawaii was called the Apostolic Vicariate of Hawaii, as well as the time 75 years ago when it became the Diocese of Honolulu. It went from being “mission territory,” dependent upon Rome for its support, to its more autonomous identity as a diocese that could support and sustain itself. For 114 years missionaries dedicated themselves to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and working for it to take root in the parishes, schools and charitable programs that grew to serve the community. For 75 years now our faithful clergy, religious, and laity have worked very hard to continue to build on the foundation laid for them by the missionary pioneers.
As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are still a mission territory in so many ways. Though we have vibrant parishes, schools and social service programs, so many of our brothers and sisters in Hawaii still have not become personally acquainted with our Lord Jesus, the risen One who is still with us to heal us and save us from our sins. They are good people, loved by God, but they may not know how much God loves them — so much that he sent his only Son to give his life for us to conquer sin and death. So we are still called to be missionaries. We need not travel across the world or learn a different language, but the harvest is ripe for us to approach our family members, friends, schoolmates and coworkers with the Good News of Jesus. Jesus wants to bring harmony to our families, liberty to those held captive by addictions or by self-absorption, sight to those who are blinded to the beauty and sanctity of all life; he wants to announce good news to the poor by feeding them, housing them, and finding ways to prevent poverty. And those in need of Jesus’ ministry are living with us right here on these beautiful islands.
May this anniversary be a time of renewal for all of us and of recommitment to our missionary essence, so that all who live on these wonderfully-made islands and all who visit here may come to know the one who is at the center of all creation and the hope of every soul, Jesus Christ our Lord! May we continue to give witness to Jesus with the joy and strength of the Holy Spirit, so that generations and ages to come may know, love and serve our heavenly Father through Jesus and his beloved Body, the Church!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Larry Silva
Bishop of Honolulu
