May angels lead you into paradise…

News that came today in the afternoon, December 14, 2012, from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut shed a veil of pain, sorrow and anxiety on all of us. This tragedy forced us to stop at our activities, reflect and mourn. It happened in our neighborhood. We, as the community of Vincentian priests and brother pray for the children and adults who have perished, for their families and loved ones in this time of great grieving and for all of those impacted by this horrific incident. Our prayers are with people of Newtown and Diocese of Bridgeport where we were present for many years. Our prayers are with all children, their parents,their families.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

STATEMENT FROM THE VATICAN

“The Holy Father was promptly informed of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown and he has asked me to convey his heartfelt grief and the assurance of this closeness in prayer to the victims and their families, and to all affected by the shocking event. In the aftermath of this senseless tragedy he asks God, our Father, to console allthose who mourn and to sustain the entire community with the spiritual strength which triumphs over violence by the power of forgiveness, hope and reconciling love.”

Cardinal Tarcisio Berton,
Secretary of State
VATICAN

STATEMENT FROM DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

Statement of Msgr. Jerald A. Doyle,
Administrator, Diocese of Bridgeport
Newtown School Shootings

On behalf of the Diocese of Bridgeport, we offer our prayers and our collective sense of grief, shock and loss after the tragic school shootings in Newtown. Msgr. Robert Weiss, Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown, and the parish priests were on the scene ministering to children and families  immediately after the shootings. Other priests and chaplains have since joined them in ministering to the families at the school, hospitals and other settings. Representatives from Catholic Charities counseling services are also working with families and will continue to do so in the coming days and weeks. The Catholic Charities team will be available to support teachers and students in area Catholic schools next week. We are all deeply saddened and shocked by this unthinkable tragedy, and our hearts go out to the entire Newtown community. Catholics throughout the Diocese are urged to join us in prayer for the victims and their families.

Hundreds of people pouring out of the Saint Rose’s church tonight in Newtown, CT as the town mourns the death of 27 in school shooting. (shared from Facebook: Cassandra Marie Arsenault).

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