On behalf of the Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York, I extend our heartfelt prayers to our colleagues in the ministry of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, who have been deeply affected by the tragic events at Annunciation Catholic School and Parish in Minneapolis. We pray for the victims and their families, and especially for the souls of the young students whose lives were taken far too soon.

As we pray for those affected, we remain committed to the safety and well-being of every student in our own schools. We look forward to welcoming them to a safe environment for the first day of school next week, with resources through ADAPP (Archdiocese of New York Drug Abuse Prevention Program) available for students and their families as needed.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

May the Lord of Peace grant His merciful grace, bringing comfort and healing to all who mourn.