Five Years Later: Remembering 9/11

As the fifth anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the Office of the College Chaplains, the Student Government Association and Student Affairs invite the Holy Cross community to remember this day in a variety of ways.

The 12:05 p.m. liturgy on Sept. 11 will be celebrated in the Mary Chapel as a commemoration of the anniversary. Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., president of the College, will preside.

Following Mass, SGA and Student Affairs have arranged for the Memorial Plaza adjacent to Smith Hall to be a reflective place throughout the day for all members of our community. The Memorial Plaza is dedicated to the members of the Holy Cross community and beyond, who were victims of the tragedy. The alumni lost on 9/11 are Edward A. Brennan III ’86, Thomas D. Burke ’85, Neilie A. Heffernan Casey ’90, John G. Farrell ’91, Todd A. Isaac ’94, Beth A. Quigley ’97, and John J. Ryan ’78. A photo of each victim will be on display in the plaza. During the course of the day, people are welcome to stop by to reflect, pray, and write the names of others to be remembered on this day.

At 5:05 p.m., after the time of reflection in Memorial Plaza, the Chaplains will sponsor the first Light a Candle prayer service, open to all members of our community. This inter-denominational time of quiet reflection, prayer, and music will take place in the Mary Chapel, providing an opportunity for people to light a candle to symbolize a prayer, a hope, or the memory of loved ones. All are invited.

Personal reflections on Sept. 11, 2001 will be provided on the Lilly-funded Web site “Making the Parts Whole." In a moving essay, Tara McCabe ’96 shares her experience of being in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Stephen Dutton ’08 reflects on the events of the day in light of the personal loss of his uncle, who was a pilot on one of the flights that crashed into the World Trade Center. Additionally, the Web site provides resources for those interested in reflection and prayer on or around the anniversary.