Maryknollers and Employees Gather to Mourn

One week after the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., a memorial prayer service was held in Queen of Apostles Chapel at Maryknoll, NY. The service opened with chanting  "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" followed by a reading from Jeremiah: "A voice is heard in Ramah, Rachel mourning her children, and she will not be comforted, because they are no more." 

As the names of each of those who died was read, a candle bearing the person's name was placed before the altar as a bell tolled. Last of all we commended to the mercy and justice of God the soul of the one responsible for these deaths, "not because of who he is, but because of who we are."

 A poem "The Field Trip" was read, followed by the song "There Is A Place" where children play who were taken from us too soon.

A reading from Lamentations joined our sorrow to that of the Israelites in exile.

Fr. Dougherty gave a stirring eulogy (see following post) that captured perfectly what so many felt in their hearts.

A Wall of Remembrance in the Spellman Room showed the names, faces and short bio of each of the 27 victims, including the gunman's mother.






Following the service, people were invited to share fellowship in the Spellman Room, view the Wall and sign a condolence book that would be presented to Monsignor Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima parish in Newtown.

(Maryknoll Father John Scott, class of 1978, who passed away several years ago, was from that parish.)

Mr. Harry Florentine (below) was among the many to express condolences.