Parish's book reveals emotions, prayers after 9/11

Here is a sampling of prayers:

* "My prayer is for a new beginning and massive conversions."

* "My prayer is for justice, mercy and an end to the killing of the innocent."

* "My prayer is to see my children grow up and feel safe and hopeful in Jesus Christ."

* "My prayer is that we all use this as a wake-up call and examine how despicably we often treat each other....Let us instead treat each other with respect, civility, kindness, forgiveness, support and, most importantly, love. In the wake of such horror and atrocity, how can we possibly endure and condone the petty and selfish power and control games that people play? It must stop. We must use this tragedy as a constant reminder about how very fragile life is."

* "May the Good Lord and Blessed Mother aid us in finding the right solution to this crisis."

Other entries posed questions and shared emotions:

* "What would happen if we prayed, really prayed, for the conversion of bin Laden and other terrorists?"

* "Father, I am a stranger to your parish. My father and brother live in this quiet, safe hamlet....I came to visit them for I have survived the bombing. I was in 7 World Trade Center when both planes hit. I escaped and survived. So as you preach today, I am one of the sheep that has been found. However, I find it hard to find in my heart the peace and forgiveness you preach....Pray, preach, but also remember you have to believe in certain other things in this country to continue to live in this quiet hamlet and enjoy freedom."

* "The people who perpetrated this atrocity are not of God and have not asked for any kind of forgiveness....We must stomp on this evil until it is gone forever and our people can once again live in peace and love."

* "Even bin Laden is loved by God. Picture how He aches for the hurting bin Laden, his followers and others have unleashed on this earth. We must always pray for the salvation of all who are lost on this earth....It is so difficult, but we must forgive."

* "I don't think it's fair that we're going to bomb the place that that bad guy is hiding because lots of innocent people will die...again."

* "May we learn not to hate in this moment that requires mercy."

When a group of New York City firefighters and their families visited Cooperstown and were welcomed by the parish, entries in the book focused on their pain:

* "May God bless you always, dear firemen. We will never forget you."

* "May our Lord guide you through these difficult times and keep you and your families safe always."

* May our dear Lord bless and keep you...and may our Blessed Lady console and comfort you in your loss."

* "Thank you, firefighters, for your great sacrifices for all of us as a nation. We are grateful!"

St. Mary's parish is holding an ecumenical candlelight service on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. Local congregations will each begin from their own churches and march to St. Mary's, gathering on the lawn for the service. Call St. Mary's at 607-547-2213.

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