Students at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy, Windsor Terrace, gathered Sept. 11 outside Holy Name Church to remember the anniversary of the terrorist attacks that occurred 12 years ago. The ceremony was held beneath a large American flag that was draped over the main entrance to the church. Each child was given a small flag to wave in honor of those who gave their lives on that day. Passersby joined in the service and were given their own flags to hold.

Father James Cunningham, pastor of Holy Name, presided and called for people to remember and pray for those that passed away.

“We remember the day terror rained down and we were engulfed in fear and grief,” Father Cunningham said. “Our grief remains and we form our hands in prayer to say ‘Grant peace, O Lord, to the souls of all those who perished on that day; grant comfort to the families who lost loved ones; grant healing to those who carry scars of the heart as well as the body of that day 12 years ago.’”

It was Father Cunningham’s idea to hold the service in front of the church beneath the massive flag, which was bought for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It is also displayed for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Parishioners love the flag, as well as many people within the wider community who often stop to take pictures of it.

“I thought it would be a great way for the kids to come outside with the flag there and remember those that lost their lives,” explained Father Cunningham. “We lost four parishioners on September 11, 2001, and so many others connected to the parishioners, so it’s an opportunity for them to remember. Many of them weren’t born 12 years ago, but they still know about the event and we don’t want to ever forget.”

The service included a three-minute period of silence punctuated by church bells encouraging those assembled to reflect on the day and its significance before ending with a prayer for peace and a rendition of “God Bless America.”

Robert DiNardo, principal, stressed the importance of the service.

“I just think it’s really important for our kids to understand the magnitude of the event, the tragedy of it and the fact that we should never forget what happened,” he said.