Schools plan prayers for attack remembrance

"Our school theme for the year is 'Learn from the Past, Live for Today, Hope for the Future," explained Kevin Grace, vice principal. "We figured this would be a good day to demonstrate to the student body these three virtues."

Students will process to the Mass in silence with bells tolling in the background in remembrance of the victims. Members of the local fire and police departments have been invited to the Mass.

Day of prayer

"It will be a day of prayer and remembrance," she said. "We will pray for the victims, the terrorists and the world."

The National Catholic Education Association is encouraging such activities. It made a prayer service available to its members. According to the NCEA, "On this anniversary, we [need] to come together to reflect on how we as a nation are bringing about peace and how we as individuals are being peaceful people."

Recovery role

In addition, students participate in programs that help them see how their actions have community-wide effects. Students learn that bullying, name-calling and fighting can escalate into more dangerous problems. Since the attacks, there has been a greater interest in programs that promote peace.

"Now more than ever, it is important to educate students in an environment where peaceful solutions are stressed," said Sister Jane. "Catholic schools are especially important now."

Anniversary

Last year, immediately after the attacks, parents had the desire to pick their children up from school and just be with them. She hopes that parents will have the same need for closeness with their children this year.

"Parents need to sit with their children on that day," she said. "It should be a day to talk and to allay their fears."

Coping with sorrow

"All last year, we worked on that," Sister Mary Ellen said. "We prayed every day, and we talked and answered questions."

Since the attacks, the government has issued several warnings about potential threats to the country. Adults need to help children understand those warnings.

"Parents and teachers need to talk to children," Sister Mary Ellen said. "We're not home-free because we made it through a year without another attack, but we cannot live in fear."

(09-05-02) [[In-content Ad]]