Hey Deacon!

This past week, Beth and I attended an all-school Mass. Until now, this parish held its all-school Mass in the church.  But because of the senseless and horrific killing at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis the prior week, the Mass was moved to the school’s gymnasium for better security. In order for Beth and I to attend Mass, we had to pass through school security which included showing official I.D. The school secretary scanned our driver’s license and gave us a visitor badge. A necessary and understandable security precaution in today’s world.
 
Before Mass began, one of the teachers gave a beautiful explanation that celebrating Holy Mass can occur in a variety of places not just in the walls of our church. She said there are times when Mass is celebrated in a large Cathedral, a person’s home, outdoors, under a tent, on a school bus, and yes, even in a gymnasium. As long as there is a priest and the offertory bread and wine, Mass is able to take place.  She also explained that the word “Mass” comes from the Latin word “missal” which means to be sent out.  And in order to be sent out and to share the Good News of Jesus with others we must first gather in worship. Today we gather in the gym, no pews, no kneelers, but Jesus is present. 
 
The shooting in Minneapolis last week still weighs heavy on my heart. Two children dead, 21 injured (18 children, three adults), including one child still in critical condition. 
 
The taking of innocent lives has no place in our society, especially the killing of children.  As Christians we believe all life is sacred, the good and the bad. We preach no to abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment.  Even the killer who took his own life is a lost soul to the devil.   He had so many issues, he was mentally disturbed and possessed by Satan.  He needed help for his illness, but the relativism of our society ignored it and even normalized his identity behavior.  Now he may be spending eternity in hell.  Only God knows his fate. 
 
I continue to struggle with why these murderous acts continue to occur.  When they happen, they tend to be politicalized quickly by both sides. I believe we need more resources to help those who mentally struggle. I believe in the 2^nd Amendment but also believe commonsense legal measures can be taken to minimize the ability for easy access to assault style guns. A person should not be able to just walk in and purchase an assault rifle. I need a background check to be with around children in youth ministry. I need a special driver’s license if I want to be commercial driver. It takes testing and certification. Maybe not the best analogies but you get my point.
 
We even hear comments that our prayers our senseless by those who don’t believe in God or at the least don’t understand the purpose and need for prayers.  The good people at Franciscan University have this powerful statement about prayer.

Prayer is not an escape from reality. It is the very place we meet Christ, who Himself was unjustly slain. We will continue to pray, not because we are passive, but because we know only God can bring true justice, healing, and peace. Evil wants us to stop praying and to despair. We will not. We cling to Christ, who has conquered death.  “The prayer of a righteous person has great power in its effects.” -James 5:16
 
Please continue to pray for those at Annunciation Catholic Church.  Their lives will never be the same. I personally know the parish. My nephew and his wife were married their 14 years ago. I was an extraordinary minister at their wedding. Their three children attend school there. Yes, they were in Mass the morning of the shooting. By the grace of God, they were physically unharmed, however, the oldest daughter Cora (center) did witness two of her friends getting wounded. The included picture is Cora at the prayer service for the victims
Author Bio:
 Deacon Dan Vaughn