Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

By the time news broke of the horrific attack at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, last week’s bulletin had already gone to print. This senseless violence hits close to home for all of us. For any parent, there will be understandable concern for their children’s safety. For any teacher, this is a reminder of a tangible danger that educators face each day. There are countless ways that any mass shooting can rattle us. This particular attack, though, is different because it was not only carried out against school children, it was an attack on a Catholic Church during the sacred celebration of the Mass. In that way, it impacts all of us who share the name Catholic.

In that spirit, then, I would like to suggest that you visit the YouTube channel of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. There you will find two videos that I think are worth watching. One is the homily of Archbishop Bernard Hebda at a prayer service for the victims and community of Annunciation Church. The other is the homily given last Sunday by Fr. Dennis Zehren to the Annunciation parish community. Fr. Zehren is the pastor at Annunciation and was celebrating the Mass when the shooting began. His homily (the video is titled “A Light That Will Never Fade”) not only captures the reality of pain and suffering that he and his parish community are experiencing, it also holds out to the people of his parish, the Archdiocese, and beyond – all of us – a word of hope.

I am especially grateful right now for Fr. Zehren, his leadership, and his example. As a fellow pastor and brother priest, I cannot imagine the weight of the cross he now carries with and for his community. My prayers are especially dedicated to him. I ask that you join me in praying both for the Annunciation parish family and for Fr. Dennis Zehren, for the conversion of heart that removes hatred and division, and for all who grieve after the trauma of violence.

Peace,

Fr. Sam