Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

Bishop Larry Silva celebrated the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress Mass on June 8, 2024, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu, Hawaii. The event coincided with the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and featured various activities both inside and outside the church.

During the Mass, parish volunteers distributed monthly senior Food Bank boxes to local kupuna in need. Inside the Co-Cathedral, Bishop Silva delivered a homily emphasizing how the Eucharist nourishes believers to recognize Christ in their daily lives. He encouraged reflection on this spiritual nourishment.

Later that morning, participants attended a break-out session where they watched "The Eucharist- One ‘Ohana," a video featuring Bishop Silva. In it, he explains that Holy Communion not only "feeds" but also makes believers "hungry to witness to Jesus." The video underscores how the Eucharist unites and sends people forth as extensions of Christ's presence.

The session also addressed Pope Francis’s call to combat global food waste amidst widespread hunger. Participants discussed Hawaii's hunger crisis, noting that nearly half of local families with children face food insecurity. This issue is exacerbated by recent events such as Maui fire victims losing access to free food and the temporary suspension of free school meal programs across Hawaii for the summer.

In response to these challenges, many diocesan parish pantries and food ministries are collaborating with Food Banks and Food Baskets. Additionally, community organizations like Feeding Hawaii Together by The Pantry in Kalihi are implementing innovative solutions. The Pantry offers an "e-commerce" food program where individuals can select nutritious food online and pick it up by appointment, reducing waste and respecting dignity.

For more information on connecting parish food ministries with The Pantry, visit www.thepantry.org. To learn about the connection between the Eucharist and parish social ministries, view "The Eucharist --One ‘Ohana: Witness to Jesus Across Hawaii" at www.catholichawaii.org.

Bishop Silva's message emphasized unity: “Jesus calls us into unity not only with the wonderful friends who are such a blessing to us but with the stranger, the one who looks or speaks differently.” He urged continued efforts towards inclusive caring actions so that no one is left behind.