An Arkansas parish and other churches and organizations around the United States paused to mark the fifth anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in American history.
On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people died when four passenger planes were hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Shanksville, Pa.
On Sept. 10, St. Mary School in North Little Rock expanded its normal 9/11 balloon launch and prayer service to its entire congregation. During Sunday Mass, seven men representing the Little Rock Air Force Base and local police officers and firefighters presented American, Arkansas and Vatican flags to honor the men, women, rescue workers and Pentagon employees killed during the attacks. The Mass also paid attention to the military that have fought and died overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001.
During the presentation of the gifts, two men presented a firefighter’s helmet and camouflage helmet to signify the loss of Father Mychal Judge, the New York City Fire Department chaplain who died while working at the World Trade Center, and all the service men and women who died in combat.
Principal Denise Troutman, who has coordinated school events on the anniversary, said the students are also reminded about the military’s service to the country and are not given negative information about the war in Iraq.
“We are positive and strong for these men who are fighting for our freedom,” she said. “Their sacrifices are for us so we can live in freedom.”
Troutman said pastor Father Warren Harvey wanted the parish involved in this year’s event.
During his homily Father Oliver Ochieze, associate pastor, reminded the congregation about the sacrifice that police officers, fire fighters and the military make.
“We say, ’No one is indispensable,’” he said. “But no country can do without the military, without firefighters and the police.”
Following Mass, the congregation went into the parking lot and released 400 red, white and blue balloons.
Parishioner Darin Archer, a special agent for the Union Pacific Railroad Police, represented the police during the Mass. Following 9/11, he said he believes people have a better appreciation for the first responders in their cities.
“It shows in great numbers what those guys do every day,” he said. “The building was falling down and they were going back in. It emphasizes the job we are doing and how dangerous it is. It also reminded all the police and fire and first responders of how dangerous our job is. It is still fresh.
“We should never forget. We should do something like this from here on out.”
Pope Benedict XVI prayed for world peace on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
The reference to the attacks came during the prayer of the faithful at a papal Mass in the Bavarian pilgrimage center of Altotting.
“Five years after the terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, we pray for peace in the entire world,” said the prayer intention read by a German laywoman.
The prayer intention also asked for peace among countries, families and generations.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Chapel, a center for mourners and relief workers in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, once again served as a key gathering place in 2006 as religious leaders joined in a memorial service to commemorate the fifth anniversary.
Representatives of Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism and several Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, participated in the service, organized by New York Disaster Interfaith Services to pay tribute to the Sept. 11-related efforts of faith-based relief and recovery agencies.
St. Paul’s stands across from the 70-foot-deep crater now marking the place where the World Trade Center once stood.
In Washington, D.C., it seemed that every 10 minutes a plane taking off from Reagan National Airport roared nearby. The sound was chilling as family and friends gathered to remember loved ones who died when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon.
“Five years ago, Sept. 11 forever ceased to be an ordinary date on the calendar,” said Vice President Dick Cheney. “We remember all that we saw and felt on that Tuesday morning. Our nation will forever look with reverence upon this place where their lives ended.”
Catholic News Service contributed to this article.
