By Julie Godfrey Miller
Catholic Herald
Superior Catholics gather to remember and pray for peace
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Bishop Raphael M. Fliss incenses the altar during the Sept. 11 Mass for peace at the Cathedral of Christ the King. Behind Fliss is the peace tree that was planted on the Cathedral grounds after Mass. (Photo by Julie Godfrey Miller) |
SUPERIOR --People from all of Superior's parishes marked the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on America by coming together at a special Mass of peace at the Cathedral of Christ the King.
In the processional a small ornamental fruit tree was carried in by Deacon Arthur Gil de Lamadrid, fire inspector for the Superior Fire Department, and Superior Police Officer Gary Gothner. The tree was blessed during the Mass and later planted on the Cathedral grounds.
Bishop Raphael M. Fliss presided at the Mass with Fr. Philip Heslin, Moderator of the Curia; Fr. Daniel Dahlberg, Cathedral rector; Fr. Dean Buttrick, pastor of St. Anthony Parish; Fr. James Tobolski, pastor of St. Francis Parish and Fr. Robert M. Urban, retired, as concelebrants. Deacon Robert Chammings, Holy Assumption Parish, read the Gospel.
In his opening prayer Fliss noted that the congregation was gathered on "this incredible day" for remembrance and mourning, but also to look to the future and to find a way to bring peace into the world and into individual lives.
During his homily Fliss quoted historian Arnold Toynbee, saying there are two parties to the suffering that death inflicts. In the apportionment of the suffering the survivor takes the brunt; the sting of death is less sharp for the person who dies.
Fliss said that is literally true for those who were closest to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America. "Those deaths were so sudden, so violent, so untimely. Those deaths were not a natural disaster, they were not some colossal accident. This was mass murder perpetrated by a fanatic group bent on destroying not only American lives but also American values and our freedoms."
Fliss said the victims and heroes have been called to glory -- a life without tears and a lasting peace. Those gathered around the altar at the cathedral, Fliss added, were also looking for solace and a true and lasting peace.
In finding that peace, Fliss said, the virtue of hope comes into play -- the hope that God will always love and care for each person and that he keeps his promises. "Hope fostered and protected by a strong interior life. Hope is strengthened by our daily perseverance through the tribulations and adversities," Fliss said, and added that true supernatural hope can be bolstered by some very wholesome and natural habits. These include cultivating a sense of humor, working on an upbeat personality -- a cheerful optimistic outlook on life and cultivating a strong relationship with God. Fliss likened that relationship to being in the eye of a hurricane -- an island of peace and serenity in the midst of the storms of life.
At the end of Mass a bagpiper played Amazing Grace. Then, in a candlelight procession and service on the Cathedral lawn, the small tree was planted as a symbol of peace.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002