Keeping Faith With Victims of 9-11

September 8, 2008

Author: Marcy Miranda

Source: Express-News

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/religion/27980944.html

As Catholics at San Fernando Cathedral rose to pray during the Mass intentions Sunday, the Rev. Tony Vilano read aloud 30 names — each a victim of the 9-11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

The reading was part of Keeping Faith, Keeping Freedom, an interfaith celebration in its second year. Participating churches, synagogues and schools across San Antonio are reciting the names of victims at the Pentagon and aboard United Airlines Flight 93 as well as at the trade center.

Of the people who died in the 2001 attacks, 2,998 were victims and 19 were hijackers.

San Fernando was the first church to participate this year, reading the names of a different group of victims during each of its seven Masses over the weekend. Several other churches and synagogues are expected to participate this week, and each religious community may mark the event as it sees fit, said Deacon Pat Rodgers, director of communication for the Archdiocese of San Antonio and a member of the event's committee.

Congregations had the choice of participating in the remembrance the weekend before or after Thursday's seventh anniversary, although most will hold a special service on that day.