Arlington bishop leads prayer service for Virginia Tech victims

Published: 2007-04-25

ANNANDALE, Va. (CNS) -- Hundreds of parishioners gathered with Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale April 22 for an evening prayer service for the Virginia Tech victims and their families. Many of those in attendance sported the Blacksburg university's familiar colors of maroon and orange as a sign of solidarity with the community in the neighboring Diocese of Richmond. A university banner hung in the church vestibule and to the side of the altar. The parish originally planned a quiet evening of meditation, music, prayer and healing featuring Irish tenor Mark Forrest. But when the tragedy unfolded on the Blacksburg campus April 16, the parish quickly shifted its focus to the memory of the victims. "The church of Arlington is a family of faith, brothers and sisters united through and with and in Jesus Christ," said Bishop Loverde in his opening reflection. "As family members we share joy and sorrow."

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