NEW YORK — The friars and ministries of Holy Name Province, like many people around the country, remember this week the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.
On Sunday, New York fire Chaplain Christopher Keenan, OFM, concelebrated a Mass with Jerome Massimino, OFM, at St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31st St., Manhattan, before leading the sixth annual Mychal Judge Walk to Ground Zero. New York City Detective Stephen Mc Donald, who was injured in the line of duty, participated in the walk, that began from the firehouse across from the church. Approximatey 200 people participated, Chris said.
On Thursday, a Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in the upper church of St. Francis. It is the annual memorial for the four firehouses of Battalion 7, that lost 21 members, including its chaplain, Mychal Judge, OFM.
A Book-Signing
Kelly Ann Lynch, author of the best-selling and award-winning He Said Yes, The Story of Father Mychal Judge, will sign copies of her children’s book in the reception area of St. Francis of Assisi Church at 135 West 31st St. On Wednesday afternoon, she signed books at the 9/11 memorial exhibit in St. Paul’s Chapel near Ground Zero. Signed copies of the book are also available at the St. Francis of Assisi Bookstore.
The Bells of Remembrance will be in front of the church on 31st Street and will be rung in the morning at 8:46, 9:03, 9:38, 9:59 10:03 and 10:28 to commemorate the moments when the four hijacked planes crashed and the Twin Towers collapsed. The bells are a project of David Schlatter, OFM, vicar of the Province’s Holy Name College.
A Memorial Mass at St. Bonaventure Church in Paterson, N.J., is being celebrated by pastor Daniel Grigassy, OFM, on Sept. 11 at 11:30 a.m.
A Graveside Service
“Since the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks, the Knights of Columbus have sponsored a 10 a.m. prayer service at the grave of Mychal Judge at the friars’ plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa, N. J.,” Dan said. The friars and parishioners of St. Bonaventure Church join several hundred people for this event, which has grown considerably each year.
Assumption Parish in Wood-Ridge, N J., is holding a candlelight celebration/memorial on Thursday at 7 p.m., according to pastor Brian Cullinane, OFM. Paul Sinnema, OFM, will offer a prayer at the service. The borough of Wood-Ridge holds this service each year.
The Western New York area is invited to a ceremony at 11:15 a.m. Thursday in front of Plassman Hall at St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y. The ceremony will honor the three university alumni killed, as well as honor the memory of the victims who died in Washington, D.C., New York and Pennsylvania that day.
F. Edward Coughlin, OFM, SBU’s vice president for Franciscan mission, and Dr. Michael Fischer, provost and vice president for academic affairs, will participate in the ceremony, along with students and members of the school’s ROTC unit.
In Loudonville, N.Y., Siena College will celebrate Mass at 12:30 p.m. in honor of the many who lost their lives in 2001. The college’s flag will also be lowered, said Delcy Fox, Siena’s new director of strategic planning.
In Boston, David Convertino, OFM, will hold a memorial service in front of Saint Anthony Shrine on Thursday. A Wall of Memory will be displayed on the outside walls of the shrine on Arch Street showing names of all 2,749 victims who died on Sept. 11.
On Thursday, Michael Duffy, OFM, addresses the student body of Devon Preparatory School, a Catholic boys school in Philadelphia. He will discuss Mychal’s example of service and dedication. Michael was asked to speak at the school when a student learned that he had once lived in Philadelphia and was a friar with Mychal.
Michael delivered the eulogy at Mychal Judge’s funeral Mass.