The chairperson of Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools has composed and recited a prayer for the students and staff killed in the recent Newtown, Conn. school shooting.
Adriana LaGrange read the following prayer at the beginning of last week's board meeting:
"Dear Lord, As we gather here tonight for our board meeting to discuss the welfare and educational needs of our children and their families, let us remember all those who do the same throughout the world. Let us especially remember the board of the Newtown Public School District who are right now gathered for their first board meeting of 2013. Like us they are a board comprised of seven trustees. They govern approximately 5,200 students, 680 staff over seven schools. But on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, a dark day in the history of mankind, one of their schools, Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, was tragically targeted by a lone gunman. In all, 28 precious lives were ended.
At this time Lord we pray for the souls of those 20 beautiful, innocent children ñ keep them in your loving arms and comfort their families, their friends and their community as they deal with such tremendous, unfathomable loss!
As well we pray for the souls of the six brave teachers who in the course of their duty gave so selflessly of themselves. They gave their very lives to protect the children entrusted to their care. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.î (John 15:13) We pray also for all the other teachers and staff ñ all heroes that day at Sandy Hook ñ who prevented further loss of life by their quick and courageous actions. Please God, continue to guide them with your wisdom and strength as they strive to rebuild their school and their lives!
We also pray for the repose of the soul of Nancy Lanza ñ mother of the shooter ñ the first
victim to die. As a mother, she loved her children and strove to do her best for them. Lord
grant her peace!
And Lord we pray for the soul of Adam Lanza (the shooter) ñ a troubled young man right to his end. Good Lord help us to recognize that at one time Adam too was a young, innocent child very much like those he killed ñ seeking love, attention and acceptance. Help us Lord to find others like Adam within our schools who are troubled and need our help in so many ways ñ intellectually, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually and may you give us the ability to respond to those diverse needs.
Finally Lord, only you can make sense of the senseless. Take this tragedy and redeem it ñ
comfort the broken-hearted, heal the wounded, rebuild the shattered, shine light into this
darkness and through your love and sacrifice, oh Lord, inspire us all to build a better world! In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.î
LaGrange then led the board in the Lord's Prayer.
