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Be with the victims, the emergency personnel, and our leaders in government. Guide them, strengthen them, and comfort them as they continue to face the horror of this tragedy. I pray this all in the powerful name of God and Jesus. Amen."
Please pass this prayer on. At a time like this when we all feel so helpless, the best thing we can all do is pray.
Rose Chaskes, Brooklyn, New York
(September 11th, 2001)
To the Editor:
I do not live close to the World Trade Center, 10 to 12 miles away. The only thing is that all sorts of aircraft are flying around. The air is still fairly clear. Will not be going out today. This tragedy is more than we can comprehend. Let us pray that God or Jesus or someone will intercede and stop destroying this world.
Rose Chaskes, Brooklyn, New York
(September 11th, 2001)
To the Editor:
Spread the word that Friday, September 14th, is trying to be National Red, White, and Blue Day. Please dress to work or play in our national colors. Don't forget your children, too. Send this to everyone you can imagine and let's get the world to know we are strong and united. God bless Americans, the victims, and their families.
Rose Chaskes, Brooklyn, New York
(e-mailed September 12th, 2001)
To the Editor:
Thank you for your note, Sue. When you see Father Jim [Elstan], please give him a hug for me. Tell him to stay well. We need him to pray for whatever is coming so we can be strong. Perhaps a miracle will happen and the world will find peace. Stay well. Send my very best to Jesse and all the people I met in Victoria. Love to all.
Rose Chaskes, Brooklyn, New York
(September 30th, 2001)
To the Editor:
I had all my fishing gear along, two hands, two brown eyes, and I fished for four hours. The hook was 39 feet below "C" level. Thar she be, on the bottom of page 39 in the "C" of Cabin Fever. Ahoy, mates!
Kay Meuwissen, Chaska, Minnesota
To the Editor:
I look forward to getting the Victoria Gazette each month. Keep up the good work. I found the fishhook on page 39 in the Cabin Fever ad.
Viola Buschkowsky, Chanhassen, Minnesota
To the Editor:
I cannot begin this audience without expressing my profound sorrow at the terrorist attacks which yesterday brought death and destruction to America, causing thousands of victims and injuring countless people.
To the President of the United States and to all American citizens, I express my heartfelt sorrow. In the face of such un-speakable horror, we cannot but be deeply disturbed. I add my voice to all the voices raised in these hours to express indignant condemnation, and I strongly reiterate that the ways of violence will never lead to genuine solutions to humanity's problems.
Yesterday was a dark day in the history of humanity, a terrible affront to human dignity. After receiving the news, I followed with intense concern the devel-oping situation, with heartfelt prayers to the Lord. How is it possible to commit acts of such savage cruelty?
The human heart has depths from which schemes of unheard-of ferocity sometimes emerge, capable of destroying in a moment the normal daily life of a people. But faith comes to our aid at these times when words seem to fail.
Christ's word is the only one that can give a response to the questions that trouble our spirit. Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from it.
With deeply felt sympathy I address myself to the beloved people of the United States in this moment of distress and con-sternation, when the courage of so many men and women of good will is being sorely tested.
In a special way I reach out to the families of the dead and the injured, and assure them of my spiritual closeness. I entrust to the mercy of the Most High the helpless victims of this tragedy, for whom I offered Mass this morning, invoking upon them eternal rest.
May God give courage to the survi-vors; may He sustain the rescue workers and the many volunteers who are present-ly making an enormous effort to cope with such an immense emergency. I ask you, dear brothers and sisters, to join me in prayers for them.
Let us beg the Lord that the spiral of hatred and violence will not prevail. May the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Mercy, fill the hearts of all with wise thoughts and peaceful intentions.
Today my heartfelt sympathy is with the American people, subjected yesterday to inhuman terrorist attacks which have taken the lives of thousands of innocent human beings and caused unspeakable sorrow in the hearts of all men and women of good will. Yesterday was indeed a dark day in our history, an appalling offense against peace, a terrible assault against human dignity.
I invite you all to join me in com-mending the victims of this shocking tragedy to Almighty God's eternal love. Let us implore His comfort upon the injured, the families involved, all who are doing their utmost to rescue survivors and His help to those affected. \
I ask God to grant the American people the strength and courage they need at this time of sorrow and trail.
Pope John Paul II
(via e-mail September 12th, 2001)
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