Originally published at Orange County Catholic
We recently visited Lahaina on the island of Maui and were shocked at the devastation the people are still suffering through from last year’s horrible fire. Maria Lanakila Catholic Church was one of the only buildings to survive. Every home surrounding it was burned to the ground. The burned area is off limits to everyone and there are security guards at every street entrance. We met the pastor, Father “K”, who visits the church every day to pray. He was kind enough to take us with him past security and to unlock Maria Lanakila so we could go inside the church. He gave us a tour inside and around his church and described the horrific day the fire happened. Over 25 parishioners died and over 450 families became homeless.
The people of Lahaina have a long way to go to resume life as they knew it. They need our prayers and support. To learn more, visit https://www.marialanakila.org/
—Tom Nadal and Maria Nadal are parishioners at San Francisco Solano Catholic Church in Rancho Santa Margarita.
The pastor of Maria Lanakila, Fr. Kuriakose Nadooparambil (Father K) kindly took our pictures.
