Church offers comfort to mourning Tech community
David Harries, Head Copy Editor
April 17, 2007
Last night at 7:30 p.m. Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Blacksburg held Mass to allow those touched by yesterday's events to reflect and pray. Father Rob Cole was the celebrant and offered his condolences to the families of the victims. He began his homily by saying that he did not have answers to "why," but said that those answers will come days, weeks or months later. He was here to give a sense of "hope." In closing Cole said, "I hope tonight that you find some comfort in God's word."
Father Jim was unavailable last night as he was visiting hospitals and helping out at the Inn at Virginia Tech.
At the conclusion of Mass, Eric Brinker, Newman liaison, asked for assistance with this tragedy. He asked first and foremost for prayers and later asked for the services of trained grief counselors. Brinker said that tonight and tomorrow Newman House would be serving food and is looking for donations. "Frozen food is great, cooked food is great," Brinker said.
Coffee and cake was available in the basement after Mass so that parishioners could spend time together and talk over events of the day.
"When there's danger, people gather together," said Jason Emmel, Blacksburg resident and future Virginia Tech student. "While I do not personally know anyone, an event like this is hard on the community."