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Miriam Payne, sister of 9/11 victim Wendy Alice Rosario Wakeford of New Jersey, speaks on the steps of San Antonio City Hall Aug. 27 as Mayor Phil Hardberger looks on.
Photo provided |
One particular date — Sept. 11, 2001 — has been indelibly marked on the hearts and souls of Americans. It was the day that 2,996 innocent lives were tragically lost, and a nation was unified in sadness and grief.
Recently, on the front steps of San Antonio’s City Hall, Mayor Phil Hardberger and Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg of Congregation Rodfei Sholom, joined members of San Antonio’s interfaith community, along with San Antonio Police Chief William McManus and San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood, to announce the second annual prayer memorial for the victims Sept. 11, an event called “9/11 Keeping Faith, Keeping Freedom.”
Also in attendance at the gathering was Miriam Payne, sister of 9/11 victim Wendy Alice Rosario Wakeford of Freehold, N.J.
This year nearly 100 faith communities of various faith traditions participated in their own way, in their own communities, in this remarkable sign of unity in prayer.
Heading a committee of community leaders who represent many faiths and walks of life, Mayor Hardberger and Rabbi Scheinberg called together members of San Antonio’s interfaith community to honor the memory of the victims of 9/11; strengthen America’s faith in a God of love, justice and mercy; affirm the sanctity of life; and celebrate freedom.
Starting on the weekend prior to 9/11, and continuing throughout the actual day and the weekend following, churches, synagogues, mosques and schools conducted their own prayer services with their individual congregations and student bodies.
Each institution was given the names of 30 victims of 9/11 to read aloud in their respective services so that each will be remembered individually, reminding everyone that 9/11 not only represented a national tragedy, but also a deeply personal tragedy for each individual, their families, friends and communities.
The names of all the victims of 9/11 were also read on the steps of City Hall on Thursday. Starting at 9:15 a.m., places of worship throughout San Antonio rang bells and chimes. This was followed by the reading of a City of San Antonio Proclamation declaring Sept. 11 to be a “Day of Remembrance” and a short ceremony was led by former Mayor Henry Cisneros. Civic and religious leaders, as well as students, then read the 2,996 names of the victims of the World Trade Center, American Airlines Flights 11 and 77, and United Airlines flights 175 and 93, and of the Pentagon civilian and military personnel.
Parishes and schools participating in the 9/11 event on the actual day included the Basílica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, Holy Trinity Church, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Helotes, Prince of Peace Church, Providence High School, Sacred Heart Church, St. Agnes Church, St. Andrew Church in Pleasanton, St. Anthony de Padua Church, St. Benedict Church, St. Clare Church, St. Dominic Church, St. Francis of Assisi Church, St. Francis Xavier Church in Stonewall, St. James Church and School in Seguin, St. Jerome Church, St. Jude Church, St. Luke Church in Loire, St. Mary School and Church in Fredericksburg, St. Matthew Church, St. Michael Church, St. Monica Church, St. Patrick Church, Sts. Peter and Paul Church in New Braunfels and St. Rose of Lima Church. San Fernando Cathedral and St. Brigid Church held their observances the weekend prior, while St. Joseph Church-South San conducted its services the following weekend.