Tragedy in Texas

Dear Colleagues,
 
As ministers, educators, parents, grandparents, and caregivers our souls are reeling as we come to learn of the brutal murder of 19 children and 2 adults at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas today. This senseless act of evil perpetrated in a place of learning has us all overwhelmed with feelings of shock, grief and anger – all justifiable in the face of such an unconscionable act of violence. In light of recent events of similar horror, I find it impossible to understand what is happening in our nation that would possess someone to murder their own grandmother, children and teachers. Sadly, we find ourselves, once again, seeking answers, praying for the victims, praying for peace.
 
In our collective grief and prayer for those who lost their lives today, we must take look within ourselves, to each other, and to God for love and support during this difficult moment. We must also recognize that our students, families and staff will be confronting this news in ways that will necessitate care, listening and dialogue. We need to act pastorally with loving kindness, accompanying our communities with Christ’s compassion and empathy. Our hearts may be weakened by the burden of the pandemic and the loss of life recently due to gun violence in our country, but as servants in Catholic school ministry our greatest strength comes from fellowship in our sacramental community.  
 
As students, staff and families cope with this tragedy, they may have questions, or may need to talk about what has happened. We’ve put some resources together that you may find helpful; please see the links below:
 
·Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After the Recent Shooting (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network – English/Spanish)  
·Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists)  
·Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute) 
·Coping in the Aftermath of a Shooting (American Counseling Association) 
·Trauma and Disaster Mental Health (American Counseling Association) 
·Supporting Employees in Coping with Community Violence (Employee Assistance for Education –EASE) 
 
Finally, I ask that you find time before the end of the week to create a moment of prayer and 21 seconds of silence in honor of the 21 victims. I realize that some of you may choose not to do this school-wide, particularly in our elementary schools, due to the nature of this tragedy. In those cases, at a minimum, please include the souls of the victims in your school’s daily prayer intentions. As Catholic schools, we are blessed to have the gift of prayer in our schools – now more than ever, this blessing matters.
 
You, your families and your schools are in my daily prayers. Thank you.
 
Peace,
 
Paul
 
 
Paul M. Escala
Senior Director and Superintendent of Schools
 
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
3424 Wilshire Blvd., 2^nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010
p (213) 637-7234 │ f (213) 637-6140
www.lacatholicschools.org │ www.la-archdiocese.org
 

 
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