Many of you have seen the heartbreaking news from Minneapolis this past week. During school Mass at Annunciation Catholic School, a tragic shooting took the lives of two young students, Harper Moyski and Fletcher Merkel, and left others still fighting in the hospital. As the pastor of a Catholic school, this has shaken me deeply.
On Wednesday, Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Shaughnessy, and I sent out a letter to our school families expressing our deep sorrow at this tragedy and reaffirming our commitment to the safety of our students here at St. Francis Xavier. We have been in close contact with the Acushnet Police Department, who reassured us of their support and were present to assist at drop-off and pick-up through the end of the week. We are grateful for their partnership and vigilance. At the same time, we are carefully reviewing our routines, especially around school Masses, to ensure the continued safety and peace of mind of our community.
Please join me in praying for the Annunciation community, for the victims and their families, and for healing for the wounded. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
For those who wish to reflect more deeply on how we, as people of faith, confront the mystery of suffering and evil, I recommend this short video by Fr. Mike Schmitz: