Catholic students at Virginia Tech record CD to offer hope, healing

Published: 2008-04-16

BLACKSBURG, Va. (CNS) -- By noon on April 16, 2007, Bryan Schamus, a member of the Newman Community at Virginia Tech, knew that at least 22 people had been killed on campus. He quickly gathered with other student leaders of the university's Catholic campus ministry to figure out how to respond to the tragedy, which would later become known as the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. By the end of the day, 33 students and faculty, including the gunman, had died. A Mass of healing at the Newman Center that evening "was jampacked with maybe close to 200 people," Schamus recalled. People of all faiths had gathered for mutual support, consolation and comfort. What participants found were uplifting, youthful voices singing about hope and love overcoming fear. For Schamus, and all those involved in the project, the past year has been a journey of transformation culminating in the creation of a CD of those songs to be released April 16 in memory of the lives lost at Virginia Tech. Called "Voices of Hope," the CD is a message of hope, faith and transformation. The CD will be available online at; catholic.org.vt.edu/voicesofhope, or by e-mail to : VTvoicesofhope@gmail.com. The cost is $15, including shipping.

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