By Vilma Angulo - St. Bonaventure Church

DAVIE | St. Bonaventure School students remembered the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, during a school Mass at which their pastor, Father Edmund Prendergast, reminded them that "not everyone agrees with who we are and what we believe but God has promised us that evil will never triumph."

Dressed in red, white and blue, students from Pre-K3 through eighth grade prayed and thanked God for the people who protect our country and keep us safe. These prayers are especially personal to the faculty and staff of St. Bonaventure School, as there currently are eight people related to the school's faculty and staff who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

After the Mass, a Power Point presentation displayed current members of the St. Bonaventure School community who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces. Peggy Moccia, who teaches middle school science, has two sons on active duty.  Tracy Tariche, a second grade teacher, has a husband who is a Special Agent with the FBI and has been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Next month, the daughter-in-law of Pre-K3 teacher Alice Oliveiras, who is a Navy doctor, will be deployed to Afghanistan. Both, the assistant principal, Linda Tretheway and art teacher Letty Gillet, have sons at the Naval Academy. 

Following the presentation, three students recalled specific facts of the events of 9/11 followed by scriptural references, reminding all present how in light of tragedy we can respond with our faith.

"At 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 a high jacked passenger jet American Airlines flight 11 out of Boston crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center tearing a gaping hole in the building and setting it afire," said one of the student readers. Another student responded with, "Peace I leave with you my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be trouble or afraid" (Jn 14:27). 

The presentation ended with a rendition of "God Bless America" directed by the school chorale teacher, Ysomar Granados, which every student sang and interpreted with Sign Language.