Molokai History:
[from Hawaii Catholic Herald, February 4, 2011]
“Ground Broken for Kaunakakai’s Long-Awaited Church”
At 9:29am, the old church bell tolled and Stephen Petro, chairman of the parish building committee, introduced the formalities and Bishop Larry Silva.
“It is a joy and a privilege to be here with you,” said the bishop who had arrived that morning on the 8:15 flight. “Let us pray that God will bring this construction to successful completion and keep the workers safe from injury.”
“We plant a seed today that will grow not just a building, but a living church to be touched by Christ’s love for generations to come,” he said.
Sister Helene Wood, speaking on behalf of her Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, said it was “a historic day, because of the spirit and long standing faith of the people.”
Maui County councilman Danny Mateo, who represents Molokai, made a reference to the fire that destroyed the old church, St. Sophia, that the new one is replacing.
“From the ashes came dreams, from the ashes came hope, from the ashes came life, a new determination to build,” he said.
It was then the architect’s turn to speak.
“What a great day!” said Frank Skowronski of Haiku, Maui. “We celebrate the transition from designing, dreaming and hoping to building.”
“Things will move quickly now,” he said.
[…….. to be continued]
Blessings, pono and pule!
Fr. Brian Guerrini, ss.cc.
Priest
Molokai