Fr. Jayson Landeza reflects on visit to Maui

Father Jayson Landeza shared these reflections with parishioners and others recently:

"I’m sharing my thoughts to you on Tuesday, August 22, at 5:45 am from Ma’alaea, Maui, about 30 minutes from Lāhainā, Maui, Hawai’i. As you know, I’m on a previously scheduled, two-week vacation, at the end of August, something that I’ve done for years. When the devastating wildfires hit Maui over two weeks ago, American Red Cross leadership in Northern California suggested that if I was available, I might be helpful in relief efforts. In the meantime, an old friend of mine, Msgr. Terrence Watanabe, Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua in Wailuku, Maui, (and Dean of the Maui County Vicariate) also suggested that the priests at Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in Lāhainā could also use a had with processing all of the loss.

"And so here I am, in Maui. Because of parish commitments in Honolulu, I’m here for only four days, doing my best to stay out of the way but trying to be as helpful as I can and to be of service to the priests of Maria Lanakila, who are from India. 

"I want to reassure you that when I arrived in Maui on Sunday, I immediately went to see Msgr. Watanabe and gave him your generous donations to Catholic Charities of Hawai’i, who’ve set up a fund specifically in response to the Maui fires.

"Yesterday, Monday 21 August, I presided and preached at the morning Mass at Sacred Heart Mission Church in Kapalua, which is now serving as the parish church for Maria Lanakila. Mass and all parish activities are being held at their mission church in Kapalua, as well as the distribution of goods and resources.

"Although the church structure is still standing and remained unscathed through the fire, the area has yet to be searched for victims, and there’s no utilities. The convent was destroyed, and the school was severely damaged. The priests and sisters are all staying with various families in and around Lāhainā and Kapalua. 

"Monday was spent at the Lāhainā Gateway Distribution Site, fulfilling responsibilities with the parish (being a pastoral care presence with the priests and sisters of Maria Lanakila), and with the American Red Cross (their spiritual care component). Very humbling indeed.

"This morning (Tuesday, 22 August), I have the morning Mass at Kapalua, and then I’m part of a Mass for Filipino and Hispanic hotel workers at the Sheraton Maui, where pastoral counseling will be available in various languages. The rest of the day will be with the distribution site at Nāpili, between Ka’anapali and Kapalua. I’ll have the morning Mass on Wednesday (23 August), and then return to St. Augustine by-the-Sea parish in Honolulu for the remainder of my “vacation," and my responsibilities at that parish.

"I’m deeply grateful for all of your prayers and concerns for the folks affected by the fires. I know that they feel and appreciate your support and aloha, and I know that they send their mahalo for all of your kokua.

Looking forward to seeing all of you on my return this Friday (September 1), I bid you a fond aloha and blessings!"

EDITOR'S NOTE: Donations may be made to the Diocese of Honolulu at https://tinyurl.com/MauiCatholic.