We Will Never Forget: The 25th Anniversary of September 11
Twenty-five years ago, on the morning of September 11, 2001, our nation experienced a tragedy that forever changed us.
For those old enough to remember, the memories remain vivid. We remember where we were when we first heard the news. We remember the images from New York City, the Pentagon, and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the families waiting for phone calls that never came, and the grief that descended upon our country.
But amid the darkness, we also remember the light.
We remember firefighters climbing stairwells while others were coming down. We remember police officers, paramedics, military personnel, chaplains, medical professionals, and ordinary citizens who placed themselves in harm’s way for strangers. In the face of terrible evil, our nation witnessed extraordinary goodness.
Our Lord tells us, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) On September 11, we saw those words lived with remarkable courage.
As a parish family, we remember and pray for all who died that day, those who later died from illnesses related to their service at Ground Zero, and everyone who continues to carry the wounds of that tragedy. We especially embrace anyone in our pews who lost a family member, friend, colleague, or fellow first responder.
And to the first responders, veterans, military personnel, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, medical professionals, and their families who worship among us: thank you. Your parish family is grateful for your sacrifices, and we pray for you.
September 11 confronted us with the terrible reality of terrorism, hatred, and evil. Our Catholic faith does not pretend that evil is unreal. But it makes an even greater proclama-tion: evil does not have the final word. Jesus Christ does.
At every Mass, we proclaim the death and Resurrection of Christ. We profess that death has been conquered and that light shines in the darkness. Therefore, even our most painful remembrance is filled with hope.
Twenty-five years later, may we recover something of the solidarity that united our nation in those difficult days. May love of country inspire within us greater virtue, service, sacrifice, and concern for the common good. May we reject hatred and division, defend the dignity of every human life, care for our neighbors, and work together for peace.
May God grant eternal rest to all who died, comfort those who still mourn, protect those who serve, and bless our nation with peace.
We remember. We pray. We stand together. And we will never forget.
Your Servant in Christ,
Father Jason C. Hage, Pastor
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
Mary, Mother of Our Savior, pray for us!