Archbishop Hebda hand-delivered letters to Pope Leo from students and families of Annunciation school to thank him for his prayers after the tragic mass shooting.
VATICAN CITY, — Archbishop Bernard Hebda says he hand-delivered letters from students at Annunciation and their families to Pope Leo on a recent trip to the Vatican.
Archbishop Hebda said the letters thanked the Pope for his prayers after the fatal mass shooting that left two children, Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, dead and dozens of others injured.
“The loss of life on that occasion was horrific and the impact on students, teachers and their families traumatizing. I asked Pope Leo for his continued prayers for Sophia Forchas and the other survivors who continue their recovery, and especially his prayers for those who might find it difficult to return to Annunciation Church or even to the celebration of Mass,” said the Archbishop.
It was the first meeting between Hebda and the Pope, according to the post.
“Most of us would agree that the horror of the Aug. 27 shooting was magnified by the fact that it took place in the context of Mass, that most sacred of gatherings for our Catholic community. It’s at the Mass where we come together to join in Jesus’ offering of himself to the Father, and where we have the opportunity to be nourished by God’s Word and the Eucharist. Like all of our churches, Annunciation is sacred because it has been set apart for divine worship. That’s clear from the very inscription we find on the façade: This is the House of God and the Gate of Heaven,” said Hebda, in the statement.