Local News

Sept. 21, 2006

Local 9/11 memorials focus on hope, peace

By Andrew Junker
The Catholic Sun

Five years ago, terrorists murdered thousands of innocent civilians in an unprecedented attack against the United States. As the soot and ash settled over Manhattan, the effects of 9/11 across the country and the world became clearer.

Franciscan Father Vincent Mesi, pastor of St. Mary’s Basilica, remembered the aftermath in the light of sacrifice and solidarity.

“As we gave our blood in lines a mile long, we became one body,” he said at a Sept. 11 memorial service.

People across the globe showed solidarity with the suffering New Yorkers by praying, donating and volunteering. Many Catholics across the diocese still feel that connection and the need to remember those lost that day.

“I don’t want them to forget,” said Julie Dziowgo-Wollschlager, a coordinator of the Life Teen program at St. Jerome Parish. “I want them to remember what happened.”

St. Jerome’s Life Teen group organized a prayer vigil following a Sept. 10 Mass. The service featured patriotic songs, Gospel readings, petitions from the parish’s teens and a special blessing by the pastor over firemen, nurses and police officers in attendance.

“We honor all those heroes from 9/11… and all the dedicated police, firemen, paramedics, EMT’s, doctors, nurses, airline employees, priests and military that constantly protect us,” Dziowgo-Wollschlager said from the lectern.

About 50 parishioners moved from the church to the parking lot for a candlelight vigil. A fire truck’s lights splashed red and blue colors on those gathered.

Dziowgo-Wollschlager asked for a moment of silence. She prayed that God grant those assembled the grace to forgive their enemies.

“We need to forgive those who did this. We need to forgive the terrorists. They too are children of God,” she said.

Fr. Andres Arango, pastor of St. Jerome’s Parish, commented on the need for peace in the world.

“Peace is not coming by itself,” he said. “We are the people that are responsible to make real the peace. So moments like this give us opportunities to be messengers of peace and joy.”

Catholics at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Lake Havasu City focused on remembrance and forgiveness at a memorial service in front of the church’s “Lest We Forget” statue, which depicts Christ holding a wounded solider.

In his homily, Fr. Mike Ashibuogwu spoke of “love, forgiveness and remembrances of victims and their families.”

“Pray for all who would commit these terrible crimes to have a change of heart,” he said.

St. Margaret Mary Parish in Bullhead City and St. Mary Parish in Kingman both rang bells at the hour the first plane struck the World Trade Center tower.

The basilica’s Fr. Mesi said the memorial service was designed to be “hopeful and uplifting,” and focused on peace.

“If there is enough peace and justice, violence will be replaced,” Fr. Mesi said.

Downtown Church employees and others congregated in the basilica’s courtyard. At 9:11 a.m., the church’s bells began to toll and Fr. Mesi led a silent procession into the basilica.

Inside, the church was dark and quiet. Candles adorned the basilica’s reredos, and incense wafted over the group of about 70, who prayed and sang hymns together.

Additional reporting by Barbara Starbeck in Lake Havasu City.

Andrew Junker/CATHOLIC SUN