Grief, Spiritual Counseling Provided in Wake of Attack

By Linda Busetti
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 9/20/01)

Ambulance sirens could still be heard in Arlington, as the smell of smoke and a feeling of anxiety permeated the air the day after a terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde celebrated a noon Mass on Sept. 12 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Arlington remembering the victims of the previous day’s events.

Grief and spiritual counseling, sponsored by the diocese, was available afterward in the parish hall, at 24th and S. Ives Sts., and will continue daily from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. as long as the need for the service exists.

The hymn "Oh God Our Help in Ages Past" opened the Mass. Bishop Loverde voiced the thoughts of many when he said that he woke up that morning thinking the events of the previous day had been "a nightmare," but the "terrible reality that faces us" is that we have met "evil unmasked" in a "raw form."

Bishop Loverde expressed his "deep sadness" and concern and asked the congregation to act as his "ambassadors" to families of those injured or killed in the Pentagon attack.

"Yesterday we saw what happens when the seeds of disrespect for life" are allowed to be nurtured, said Bishop Loverde.

As worshippers left the church, some lingered by the entrance, and several ventured over to the parish hall in search of consolation.

Margaret Fick, of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, said she had come to Mass "to gather with others to pray." She felt anxious, especially about what might happen next, because her grandson is a Marine on his way to the Persian Gulf.

An older parishioner said she had been working outside when neighbors asked if she had seen the news. "I couldn’t believe it," she said. Associates of her son-in-law were meeting at the Pentagon and only one had been accounted for, she said. She was visibly upset as she contemplated where the situation might lead.

Dave Cavanaugh of Catholic Charities said that four agency counselors — Linda Cullen, Stephanie Cover, Dalal Musa and Dina Martyn — as well as priests, will be available to listen to anyone who is struggling with the trauma of the terrorist attacks and to direct them to further counseling services, if needed.

A parishioner, who wishes not to be identified, entered the counseling center. She said that her husband, who is active duty military, had until recently worked in the section of the Pentagon that was hit by the plane. After recent renovations, his office had been relocated elsewhere within the Pentagon. After the plane hit the building, she had waited anxiously for word from him. When he finally did call, he said that he was going to walk to Our Lady of Lourdes Church. She attributed his safety to the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Mother.

The woman, who is a Navy veteran herself, expressed a sense of fear, saying that she did not feel safe now, even to ride on the Metro. She is sure that she knows many of the people who perished in the attack at the Pentagon. She was struggling to stay strong to be a good example to other military spouses, but she felt anxious at not really having control over what was happening.

For information on grief counseling at Our Lady of Lourdes, call 703/684-9261.

How to Help Pentagon and World Trade Center Victims

Catholic Charities USA is receiving financial donations to assist with disaster relief connected to these terrorist acts. To contribute to the disaster relief fund, call 1-800/919-9338. Or go to www.catholiccharitiesusa.org. Checks can be sent to Catholic Charities USA, P.O. Box 25168, Alexandria, Va. 22313-9788.

The Knights of Columbus announced the establishment of a $1 million Knights of Columbus Heroes Fund for families of fulltime professional law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical technicians who have lost or may lose their lives in the rescue efforts at the World Trade Center in New York or at the Pentagon. Affected families will receive grants of $2,500. For information contact Tim Hickey at 203/772-2130, ext. 303, or e-mail him at tim.hickey@kofc-supreme.com

The American Red Cross needs financial and blood donations. They are most in need of O and RH negative blood. Call your local Red Cross chapter or 1-800/GIVE-LIFE or go to their Web site at www.redcross.org.

AmeriCares has established a fund to aid victims of the attack. Call 1 800/486-4357 or go to www.americares.org to contribute to the Aid for the Terrorist Attack Victims.

Copyright ©2001 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.