May 27, 2022
On this past Tuesday, May 24, 2022, parents dropped off their children at Robb Elementary School. Nineteen students and two teachers would never return home.
As many of you know, I have been deeply affected by this recent school shooting. We live 1,129 miles from Uvalde Texas. This tragedy did not happen close to home, yet it should hit home to all of us. Ordinary women and children engaging in everyday activities were killed. We can just talk about it and gather information. We can complain about it. We may even feel angry and frightened. In the midst of all these emotions, we are call to comfort those who mourn and to support them. I am reminded of the words of St. Paul from 2 Corinthians,
“ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.”
2 Cor.: 1:3-4.
Thoughts and prayers are needed for the community in Uvalde and action is needed to stop gun violence.
St. Thomas/ Santo Tomás is standing in solidarity with Uvalde. We are sending notes of love and prayer in English and in Spanish to the families in Uvalde who lost loved ones. We are addressing them to specific families. The list of families and victims are below this letter. Also, we are praying for them daily. If you would like to send cards, please send them to:
Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
Attn: Uvalde Response
P.O. Box 6885
San Antonio, TX 78209
I have coordinated with the Diocese of West Texas and Bishop Sparks to send monetary donations through Bishop Sparks’ Discretionary Fund. The Diocese of Northern Indiana will then send the donations on behalf of the parishes in Northern Indiana. Donations can be made online or sent to the diocesan office at 117 N. Lafayette Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601. Please write Uvalde in the memo line.
God bless the community of Uvalde and all the communities that have experienced gun violence.
Mother Bernie
The Rev. Bernadette Hartsough
Priest-in-Charge
St. Thomas/ Santo Tomás (Plymouth)
Victims of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas
Students identifying as girls:
Layla Salazar-10
Tess Mata, 10
Alithia Ramirez, 10
Makenna Lee Elrod, 10
Jailah Nicole Silguero, 11,
Annabell Rodriguez, 10,
Jacklyn Jaylen Cazares, 10
Eliahana Cruz Torres
Amerie Jo Garza, 10
Ellie Garcia
Alexandria Aniyah Rubio
Nevaeh Bravo, 10
Miranda Mathis, 11
Maitie Rodriguez, 10
Students identifying as boys:
Uziyah Garcia
Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, 10
Rojelio Torres, 10
Xavier James Lopez, 10
Jose Flores, 10
Teachers
Eva Mireles
Irma Garcia
Shooter
Salvador Ramos
A Prayer for Uvalde
O God our Father, whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust your beloved children of Uvalde to your everlasting care and love and bring them fully into your heavenly kingdom. Pour out your grace and loving-kindness on all who grieve; surround them with your love; and restore their trust in your goodness. We lift up to you our weary, wounded souls and ask you to send your Holy Spirit to take away the anger and violence that infects our hearts and make us instruments of your peace and children of the light. In the Name of Christ who is our hope, we pray. Amen.