What to DO After Newtown
Amanda writes… “The real reason I’m writing is not to point you to spiritual and theological articles/blogs about yesterday (though that is nice), but rather to suggest what you can do next.”
However she also compiles a list of “great articles by people who do have words and wise ones at that:”
On Friday, a devastating tragedy happened when 26 people were killed in an elementary school, twenty of them being children between the ages of 6 and 7.
I was an elementary/middle school teacher for three years before I moved here to Texas. And as I heard more and more about the tragedy, I kept imagining my own students from those years being shot down and left to die on the classroom floor. It sent more than one chill up my spine and that afternoon, as I was running errands, I listened to the newscast on my radio and gasped tears.
I’m truly left without words. So, instead I will point you to other great articles by people who do have words and wise ones at that:
- “Where was God Yesterday?” – Susan Stabile’s blog
- Where Were You, God? A Prayer for Newtown – Fr James Martin, SJ
- Gaudete Sunday: How Can You Feel Joy After Newtown Shooting? – Rev Emily Heath
- Praying a Deep Sigh – Rev Jacqueline Lewis
- The Mystery of Pain, the Solace of Faith – Fr James Martin SJ
- In Wake of Newtown Tragedy, Love More Important than Explanations – Brad Hirschfield
- Newton Tragedy – A Vincentian Prays – Fr Bob Stone, CM
- Tragedy at Newtown, CT – Sr Denise, DC
The real reason I’m writing is not to point you to spiritual and theological articles/blogs about yesterday (though that is nice), but rather to suggest what you can do next.
- Donate: A Trappist abbey is donating handmade caskets for all those affected in the tragedy (see this article) The abbey frequently donates or discounts child caskets to families, especially in times of tragedy. However, to make up for the cost of the materials, the abbey has set up a Child Casket Fund so that more families don’t have to face the burden of buying caskets for their children.
- Speak out: Has this tragedy affected your views on gun control? Don’t keep it to yourself. Write your elected officials. Demand change. Do what you can to prevent this from ever happening again.On a perhaps more difficult note, talk out your feelings. Talk to your children about what happened (see this article on how to do it) so that they can do the same.
- Pray: Pray for the souls of the victims. Pray for their families. Pray for the family of the shooter. Pray for those left behind – the children and teachers who have lost their friends and co-workers, for whom life will never be the same. And pray for our world.
- Love: Just love.
(Have you read any other faith-related articles about the tragedy? Or know of any other related organizations to donate to? Leave it in the comments!)
Visit her blog http://drinkdeeplymydaughter.blogspot.com/2012/12/what-to-do-after-newtown.html
Tags: Tragedy, violence
As a Vincentian and a Roman Catholic, I cannot express in words the sorrow I have for the Newtown tragedy. I have tried to focus on the inspiring reactions from the families of those who died. I know God was there and remains with Newtown to comfort them and walk with them in their sorrow. I also found comfort in the words of Msgr. Weiss, who has led his parishionerss through several of the funerals. Dear Jim, Thank you for adding a comment from a Canadian SVDP perspective.2 Comments
Let us always remember Newtown and may it lead to a persoanl reflection and committment for all of us to never letting it happen again.
As a Vincentian and a Roman Catholic, I cannot express in words the sorrow I have for the Newtown tragedy. I have tried to focus on the inspiring reactions from the families of those who died. I know God was there and remains with Newtown to comfort them and walk with them in their sorrow. I also found comfort in the words of Msgr. Weiss, who has led his parishionerss through several of the funerals.
Let us always remember Newtown and may it lead to a persoanl reflection and committment for all of us to never letting it happen again.
Dear Jim, Thank you for adding a comment from a Canadian SVDP perspective.