Bishop Larry Silva delivers his homily Nov. 2, All Souls Day, in Sacred Hearts Church, Kapalua, at a Mass for wildfire victims. A memorial of candles represents each person who died. (Photo courtesy of Bruce Kurosaki)
Bishop Larry Silva celebrated a solemn All Souls Day Mass Nov. 2 at Sacred Hearts Church in Kapalua, with wildfire survivors and parishioners of Lahaina’s historic Maria Lanakila Church.
“We have come today to lament with you, to mourn with you, and to grieve with you,” Bishop Silva said in his homily, standing next to rows of flickering candles, each representing a loved one lost in the devastating Lahaina wildfire on Aug. 8.
“The grief over loss of property, loss of jobs and loss of precious memories pales in comparison with the grief that we feel over the deaths of those brothers and sisters whose names are recalled to us here,” he said. “They were, to most of you, much more than names on candles, and the grief over their loss is deep.”
However, Bishop Silva also offered hope, even from the depths of despair.
“Even though we will never see our deceased loved ones again on this earth, we celebrate the promise that Jesus has made that he will raise up from the dead all who believe in him,” he said.
“We cry out, but take a firm grip on ourselves so that we remember that, no matter how bleak things may seem, the favors of the Lord are not exhausted; his mercies are not spent,” Bishop Silva said. “We put our trust in the Lamb, once slain, who lives forever to make things new for us.”
Bishop Silva concluded, saying: “God has made Jesus new in his resurrection, and we lift up our hearts in hope to claim that same glorious reward for our brothers and sisters who have gone before us.”
The family of 59-year-old Coleen Jones, who died in the Lahaina wildfire, pauses Nov. 2 after viewing a memorial of candles representing each of those who perished. They are sister Mary Kujat, husband Patrick Jones and daughter Rebekah Jones, seated. (Photo courtesy of Bruce Kurosaki)
Missionaries of Faith Father Kuriakose Nadooparambil, pastor of Maria Lanakila, thanked Bishop Silva for his support and words of comfort. He also expressed deep appreciation to the community for its prayers and generous financial support.
“We thank the Lord for the blessings he has bestowed on all of us,” he said.
Maria Lanakila Church survived the firestorm but remains inaccessible as recovery of the area proceeds. Sacred Hearts Church is a part of Maria Lanakila Parish.
The Maui Disaster Relief Fund was established by the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation and St. Anthony Church in Wailuku in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires in Upcountry and West Maui. To make a donation, go to stanthonymaui.org, and click on the Maui Disaster Relief Fund donate button.
