Some perspective in light of the Chardon tragedy...

SOME PERSPECTIVE... along with the tragedy that occurred at Chardon High School this week comes dealing with the questions and wrestling with the big life questions about how, why, what's important, and where do I go from here. When I was a senior in high school, the tragedy at Columbine in Littleton, Colorado happened and the experience of being a normal 'safe' high school student changed forever. Since then a number of tragedies have happened from Virginia Tech to Chardon. Steve Angrisano is a Catholic musician and youth minister who lives in Littleton, CO and experienced aftermath of the shooting at Columbine first hand with the youth in his parish. In light of what has happened in Chardon, I have found listening to Steve Angrisano's "Columbine Testimony" and "You Are My God/Here I Am, Lord," which are his reflections about Columbine given shortly after the Virginia Tech shootings, to be particularly helpful and powerful in the coping process and these can be downloaded on itunes, I recommend listening to them. Lastly, I have come to realize that as we move forward and search for meaning what we can do is make an extra effort to live out our faith the best way we can and in the memory of those whose lives were lost to be the positive influence and change we desire to see in this world from the everyday small things to fulfilling big ideas. May we all find a way to live out our faith more and be the change we wish to see in this world. Prayers for Chardon and peace be with you all! Fr. Ed