Sunday, September 12, 2021

The horrific events of September 11, 2001, were still a fresh memory for all of us when Fr. Patrick Johnson, CSP (then pastor), wrote these words in the St. Austin Catholic Parish Newsletter in October 2001.

“As I sit down to write my column this month, it is difficult to focus on anything other than the terrible events of Tuesday, September 11th, when terrorists using commercial airliners as flying bombs, attacked the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC.

"So much has been taken from so many. Days of non-stop images of pain and sorrow delivered to our doors and beamed into our homes, our schools and our places of work have left us numb and weary. But one thing has not been taken from our American family – the sense of our common humanity – a humanity that we Catholics believe to be imbued with the very grace and Spirit of God.

"This is evident in the outpouring of prayers, comfort, and assistance of every sort, from every part of our country. We saw it right here in our parish, as hundreds packed the church the Friday evening after the attack for a special Mass of Remembrance.

"We are, the overwhelming majority of us, a people of faith who believe in a just and loving God. And this is our strength – a strength we gain from the example of Jesus who, when facing the evil of his enemies, was not deterred from his commitment to show forth the love, compassion, forgiveness, healing, justice and love of God.”

Another Paulist Remembers 9/11

In an interview on September 9, 2021, Fr. Bruce Nieli, CSP reflects on his experience at Ground Zero. We share a photo and link to the article from Paulist Foundation.