Remembering Virginia Tech

On this date, April 20, 2007, Irish Wolfhounds are Hokies.		Students and teachers share their support and love for the maroon and orange during middle school assembly.
Mr. Hammond set the tone so that the Hokie spirit was present during morning prayer and throughout the  entire day.		Students look on as maroon and orange ribbons were tied to trees on the green during the memorial prayer service.
Mrs. Clark leads the gathering in a moving prayer.		A bell was rung for each victim fallen in the tragedy.
Saint Patrick boasts three Virginia Tech alums whose resilient smiles show hope for a better tomorrow.		Every student was proud to wear some type reminder of Hokie allegiance on their school uniform.
As each classroom gathered for the special prayer service they were joining a nation united in mourning.		Students with familial ties to Virginia Tech were asked to tie ribbons to trees on the green, symbolizing our common bond.

“Ut Prosim”
That I May Serve

Dear Friends:

In times like these, our minds race with questions:  Why did this happen?  Where is our God?  Who are the victims, their parents?  Why did our God let this happen?  Why are some of us so scared? So unprotected from our God?   As children we believe that the world is about “us” and that our world can be judged solely through our own eyes.  As we become older, more mature, we understand that we are all part of a larger picture – a family, a school, a community, a country, a world.  Our horizons, our dreams and our belief in what we can do become part of something bigger and yet, we always view things from our own unique perspective.  And our own perspective and desire to make a difference is one of God’s special gifts to us – our desire to be a good son or daughter, father or mother, brother or sister, to be a good teacher or a good student…to be a good friend.  To help our friends in need and to have the strength and courage to help those we do not know – this is our special gift.

The spirit of forgiveness, understanding and awareness does not flow easily in times of confusion, pain and suffering.  As I searched for words to truly express the range of emotions felt after Monday's tragedy at Virginia Tech, I felt nothing but sorrow.  No words - just sorrow for those affected by Monday's events -- my fellow Virginia Tech students, sisters, mothers, friends and family members. 

We are blessed here at Saint Patrick, here in Norfolk, here in Virginia and here on this Earth. Lord, help us use our blessings to give strength, comfort, and support to those who need us.  While we may never comprehend or understand one man's act of senseless violence, let us come to understand that the knowledge of such is not for us.  Instead, let yours be the tongue of judgment and let ours be the tongue of healing.  Lord, help us to be the tongues of healing in our community -- here and abroad to those who seek and need such. It takes only one man's actions to blur our vision of blessings and for us to doubt what we truly are given here on Earth.  As we pray in thanksgiving for the blessings we have been given, let us also pray for those who may have lost sight of those blessings, who feel the pain of loss, the confusion of tragedy, and the absence of faith, hope and love.

While this tragedy is a mystery, God’s gifts to us are not.  And one of God’s greatest gifts to us is the ability, even the need, to help one another during these times and recognize that we can love our family, we can help our friends, we can be strong in the face of the most devastating times and come together to comfort one another.  It is our God-given gift.  And it shows us that God has love for us, even in times like these – especially in times like these. 

With Faith, Hope and Love,

Mrs. Sharp