Honolulu Bishop Larry Silva recently sent the following letter to dioceses throughout the United States and petitioned the faithful to consider donating to the Hawaiian Catholic Community Foundation, which uses donations for relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts in Maui:

To our Catholic Faithful in Hawaii and Beyond:

 

Peace be with you! Today our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the devastating wildfires that have ravaged the island of Maui. As a community of faith, we are called to come together and provide unwavering support to those who are suffering. It is in times like these that our collective love, faith, and compassion can make a tremendous difference. In 2008, the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation (HCCF) was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation to support our parish and school communities. We have set up a dedicated webpage for donations to go directly to HCCF to support the relief efforts for our fellow community members affected by the Maui wildfires. This is an opportunity for us to show our solidarity as a Catholic faith community and lend a helping hand to those who have lost so much. You can make a tax-deductible contribution by visiting the following link: https://tinyurl.com/MauiCatholic . Every donation, no matter the amount, will play a crucial role in helping to rebuild lives and restore hope. Let us also remember the power of prayer. In our collective prayers, we ask for strength, resilience, and healing for the fire victims and their families. May we find the grace to rebuild our families, their livelihoods, and the physical structures that were lost. Let our faith guide us as we navigate the challenges ahead, knowing that with the grace of God, all things are possible. May God bless you all abundantly, and may our efforts bring comfort and hope to those in need. Maria Lanakila (Our Lady of Victory), pray for us!

To help in this relief effort, parishioners may make donations online at  https://tinyurl.com/MauiCatholic, or you may put your contribution in an envelope clearly marked with your name and address and “Maui Wildfire Relief” and place your contribution in the collection basket the weekend of August 26/27 or September 2/3. You may also mail or bring your contribution to the Parish Office. Checks should be made payable to “St Mary Catholic Church” with “Maui Wildfire Relief” in the memo field.