Jocelyn Buggy ‘22

Chief News Editor

Last Saturday marked the 20th anniversary of 9/11.  The Holy Cross community mourned this tragic date alongside the rest of the nation through an Interfaith Remembrance Service.  Sponsored by the Office of the College Chaplains, the Remembrance Service took place at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 10.  Students, faculty, staff, and other members of the College community gathered on Memorial Plaza to honor the thousands of lives lost twenty years ago, including the College’s seven alumni who died in New York and Washington D.C.  

The Service began with a welcome message from Laurence Rosania, Director of Liturgy and Music.  Rosania shared about his own experience living near the Towers on 9/11/01 as well as the stories of his close friends who were impacted by the terrorist attacks.  After a moment of silent reflection, Fr. Timothy O’Brien, S.J. ‘06, Director of Mission Initiatives, offered a reading and prayer of Psalm 116. President of the College Vincent D. Rougeau followed the prayer with a reading of the names of alumni who lost their lives: Edward A. Brennan III ‘86, Thomas D. Burke ‘85, Neilie Heffernan Casey ‘90, John G. Farrell ‘91, Todd Isaac ‘94, Beth Quigley ‘97, and John J. Ryan ‘78. 

After President Rougeau’s Reading of the Names, the Remembrance Service continued with a moment of silence followed by a musical offering from cellists Joe Cracolici ‘23 and Brett Cotter ‘19.  Marybeth Kearns-Barrett, Director of the Office of College Chaplains, began a Litany of Remembrance which was continued by Elsi Ojanen ‘24, Daisy Fanter ‘24, Madelyn Rubert ‘22, Marco Spataro ‘23, Andrew Buck ‘22, and Deysi Tirado ‘24. Following these prayers, Chaplains Emily Rauer Davis ‘99 and Omondi Andrew led attendees in a closing prayer of Remembrance.

Michaela Lake ‘22 attended the 20th Anniversary Service with a group of her close friends.  “I am so grateful that the Chaplain’s Office organized such a meaningful service,” Lake told The Spire.  “It is crucial that we acknowledge the tragic events of that day twenty years ago, that we honor the thousands of lives lost in the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and carry on their legacy each day.  Hearing President Rougeau read aloud the names of the seven alumni who died on 9/11 reminded me of the dedication to one another and support that makes up our Holy Cross community.”