St. Paul-Minneapolis Catholic community responds to bridge collapse

Published: 2007-08-03

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Upon hearing of the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, priests from the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis traveled to the scene, as well as to nearby hospitals and medical centers, to see how they could help victims of the tragedy and their families. Although Dennis McGrath, archdiocesan spokesman, said that travel in the city has been "virtually impossible" since the disaster, the archdiocese held two noon prayer services Aug. 2 -- one in St. Paul at the Cathedral of St. Paul and the other at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Coadjutor Archbishop John C. Nienstedt presided over the ceremony at the cathedral, and Father Kevin McDonough, vicar general, celebrated the prayer service as well as the daily Mass at St. Olaf. Archbishop Harry J. Flynn said both churches had a "great number of people who came together to offer their consolation and their prayers for those who died, for those who are injured, and for their families." On Aug. 3, officials confirmed that six people were dead, and at least 60 were injured. Also, they said the number of those still missing was eight, down from as many as 20 reported earlier.

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