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Dear Friends in Christ,
My bulletin reflection last week looked forward with hope and optimism to the learning opportunities waiting for everyone as we begin a new school year. That tone was shaken on Wednesday August 27th with the horrific reports of a gunman opening up fire on the community at Annunciation Catholic School in Minnesota as they gathered for their first Mass of the year. Two students were tragically killed, and 14 students wounded by the fire. This was yet another in a series of senseless school shootings in our country. They are all heartbreaking but this one hurt close to home as it was at a Catholic School with a local connection. The principal of Annunciation, Matt De Boer, once served at nearby St. Therese Academy in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle. In the midst of this dark and terrible event, he stood out as a voice of encouragement and compassion for all those harmed by this evil deed. In remarks to the press Mr. DeBoer said:
"This is a nightmare, but we call our staff the dream team, and we will recover from this," DeBoer said. "We will rebuild from this."
"To any of our students and families and staff watching right now, I love you. You're so brave, and I'm so sorry this happened to us today," DeBoer said.
DeBoer also called for action following the mass shooting, imploring community members not just to support the school shooting's young victims and families but to also do more.
"We, as a community, have a responsibility to make sure that no child, no parent, no teacher ever has to experience what we've experienced today. “Never again," DeBoer said. "I need everybody to commit those words to your speech patterns. Never again."
"We lost two angels today, and please continue to pray for those still receiving care. We can't change the past, but we can do something about the future," DeBoer added. "There's an African proverb that says, 'When you pray, move your feet.' So, I beg you, I ask you to please pray, but don't stop with your words. Let's make a difference and support this community, these children, these families, these teachers. Never again can we let this happen."
May it be so!!!
Fr. William Heric, Pastor
Annunciation Catholic School Principal Matt DeBoer speaks outside the Annunciation Catholic School following a shooting, Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis.