A Focus on Forgiveness

Half a dozen firetrucks lined Fort Hamilton Parkway this morning for the Immaculate Heart of Mary September 11 anniversary mass. It was standing room only as the church was filled to capacity with dozens of firefighters, boy scouts, and families from the neighborhood, who comforted one another during the somber service.

Father Robert Adamo reflected on the past decade, and reminded everyone that though it's good to show kindness, it's much more important, if harder, to show forgiveness. "Letting go and offering forgiveness may take a long time," he said, "but if we give ourselves to the process, God will help us. True forgiveness is something we can rarely do on our own."

Following the service, bagpipe players from the FDNY Emerald Society played "God Bless America" while neighbors embraced, and noted how tall the kids had gotten, and how much they resembled those lost on 9/11.

The church invites everyone to take the "family peace pledge," found in the bulletin, which also has a focus on forgiveness, along with respect, communication, and courage. Neighbors are welcome to stop at the "peace pole" at the corner of the church on East 5th Street for a moment of silence and prayer.