The principal of Maryknoll Grade School felt the earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of the Solomon Islands on April 2. Not physically; personally. Paul O’Brien had lived and worked there years ago as a Marist Brother. His close ties to the location of the planet’s latest natural disaster have prompted a particular appeal for aid for the Melanesian community there.

And so his school — the 830-student elementary campus of Maryknoll — is planning an educational presentation and fundraiser. The 570-student high school campus has also promised participation.

Some of the education is coming from O’Brien himself and his collection of personal photos. Some is arriving directly from the Solomons, from O’Brien’s cousin Dominican Sister Jill Shirvington who has been e-mailing him news of the suffering and destruction.

Here are excerpts from a report Sister Jill sent from Dominican Father Henry Paroi, Vicar for the Solomons, dated April 4.

“In Gaomai in Shortland Islands … their village has been destroyed as well as their beautiful chapel they have invested a lot on has been badly damaged. Toumoa village in the Shortland has also received a hardest (sic), their small clinic has also disappeared in the sea.

“Nila, the Catholic mission station has also been the one hit the hardest. The girls dormitory has fallen down (St. Anne’s school for girls)…

“I was on the run for the last two days with the Dominican sisters trying to load some food for the sisters and friars in Gizo. The sisters are particularly hard hit because they are scattered in most of the islands where the tsunami had hit. … Anyway, I went down an hour ago to check if the boat that we put on food staff had left, to my surprise it is still sitting there. I wonder when it will eventually leave for Gizo.

“I spoke to Bishop Bernard (O’Grady) on the phone yesterday, he sounded not too good, but I think he is picking up after the shock.

“Some of you might have heard of a death of a bishop. That was a true story but was a bishop for the United Church. He was in fact on his pastoral tour when he died after drowning.”

News agencies have reported at least 28 people killed, and hundreds displaced by the quake, the aftershocks and resulting tsunami. With many fresh-water tanks spoiled, disease is spreading.

Caritas Australia has launched an appeal for funds to assist the humanitarian crisis and reconstruction work. Catholic Relief Services, an agency of the U.S. bishops, said in an April 2 statement that it would commit an initial $100,000 for emergency relief.

Part of the bell tower and one wall collapsed at St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral in Gizo. The home of Bishop O’Grady of Gizo also was damaged in the quake.

Bishop O’Grady was among those who spent the night of the tsunami sleeping outside in the surrounding hills.

If you want to help, send checks payable to “Maryknoll School S.I. Relief Fund.” c/o Paul O’Brien, Principal, Maryknoll Grade School, 1526 Alexander Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822.

For information, call 952-7110 or e-mail: paul.obrien@maryknoll school.org.