Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

Catholic Schools Week, an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States, is set to start next week. The event, which has been observed since 1974, begins on the last Sunday in January and runs for a week. This year, Catholic Schools Week will take place from January 28 to February 3.

The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2024 is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.” Schools across the country, including those in Hawaii, will be participating in the celebration with various activities such as Masses, open houses, and other events for students, families, parishioners, and community members.

One inspiring example of the resilience and determination of the Catholic education community can be seen in the parish of Maria Lanakila in Lahaina, Hawaii. Last August, the Sacred Hearts School buildings in Lahaina were destroyed in the catastrophic Maui wildfires. Despite this tragedy, the school immediately reopened at the parish mission church in Kapalua.

Through the unwavering faith and resilience of the students, parents, and faculty, the Catholic school continues to provide a safe and stable learning environment not only for the previously enrolled students but also for many from the public school that was completely consumed by the fire. The community has come together to establish a fully functioning temporary school as a beacon of hope for the present and future.

The Maria Lanakila Parish is currently working on finding a "temporary-permanent" home for the students, with more space for classrooms and a playground, until the Catholic school can be rebuilt in 3-5 years. They have also established the Sacred Hearts School Tuition Assistance Fund to ensure that each child in need of financial support can still receive a Catholic education while their families rebuild their lives.

This inspiring effort is depicted in a compelling video on the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation website. Bishop Larry Silva, in a letter sent out during Thanksgiving week, called on the community to support the Maui members of the Catholic Education Community and help them rise once again.

As Catholic Schools Week approaches, it is an opportunity for all parishes to reflect on the value that Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to the church, communities, and the nation. It is a time to come together and celebrate the Gospel values of faith, hope, and charity, which are fundamental to Catholic education and the basis for social ministry.

Let us all participate fully in the activities organized by our parishes during Catholic Schools Week, as we witness to Jesus and support the remarkable resilience of the Maui members of our Catholic Education Community. Through our collective efforts, we can help rebuild and ensure a bright future for Lahaina and its Catholic school.

Mahalo.