Editor's Desk: Close to Home

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 4/26/07)

This week’s tragic events on the Virginia Tech campus struck close to home for many of us who had children in harm’s way. My daughter Emily did not have an early class that fateful morning, but like everyone on the Blacksburg campus, she felt the impact of the tragedy. Approximately 25 percent of Virginia Tech’s student body is from the Northern Virginia area, including an estimated 325 students from Bishop O’Connell, Bishop Ireton and Paul VI Catholic High Schools. Two of the deceased victims and the gunman had attended Westfields High School in Centreville.
These students are our neighbors, friends and family members. We sent them on a journey last August that we hoped would begin to shape them into responsible adults. Little did we know how accelerated that maturity process would be. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the 32 victims, including the four heroic faculty members who lost their lives. I can’t even imagine the depth of sorrow that they must be feeling at this point.
As the day’s events unfolded, and it became clear that this was not an isolated case of domestic violence, my phone at work began to ring off the hook. Concerned family members and friends, some of whom I had not spoken to in quite a while, wanted to know if my daughter was safe. Like everyone else, I sat mesmerized as I watched the press conferences held by university officials and campus police. I suppose its human nature to want to attach blame for such a senseless act, but on that day my heart ached, not only for the victims, but for University President Charles Steger and Police Chief Wendell Flinchum as they attempted to answer the media’s avalanche of questions.
The response from the Arlington diocesan community has been comforting as well. Nearly every parish and college campus has held a prayer service or Mass in memory of the victims. Bishop Paul S. Loverde expressed his shock and sadness at the senseless killings. “I join countless others across the commonwealth in praying for those killed, the wounded, the Virginia Tech campus community, and families and friends of the students,” he said. “I also am praying for the soul of the person responsible for this heinous act.”
“Our God and Father, we humbly implore you to welcome into your rest all those whose lives were suddenly snapped away in the tragedy that hit Virginia Tech yesterday,” wrote Sister Connie Parcasio, S.N.D.S., director of prison ministry. “May Your all-encompassing love comfort and heal the hearts of their families and friends and those of the killer’s who will carry the memory of this most devastating event the rest of their lives.”
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the students, staff, faculty and members of the entire Virginia Tech community for the senseless and tragic loss of life that occurred in Blacksburg,” said John Horejsi, coordinator of Social Action Linking Together. “We share the pain of the Virginia Tech community, as well as our state and our nation as we continue to learn about this tragedy. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those lost.
“As advocates, let us renew our commitment to end violence and to support violence prevention programs and efforts in our communities,” Horejsi said. “Let us move ahead with resolve and prayers for healing for all during these difficult days.”
One thing that struck me as I watched the television news coverage the first couple of nights was the strong impression made by Virginia Tech students who were being interviewed. Everyone I saw was well-spoken, mature and composed. They refused to cast blame on anyone but the shooter and they continually expressed their loyalty and love for the university. It is a community that will need to tap deep into its “Hokie pride” over the coming months as the healing process slowly begins. – M.F.F.

(c) Copyright 2007 by Arlington Catholic Herald