As the one-year anniversary of September 11, 2001 fell upon a nation Wednesday, an Ecumenical Prayer Service at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bellerose Village (held Monday) enabled residents to remember those that died and the heroes who perished trying to save them. A Litany at the 7:30 p.m. service read:

"Let us pray for God's presence as our own feelings and thoughts have continued to tumble between disbelief, pain, rage, guilt, despair and grief. Let us pray for God's strength to withstand the many conflicting emotions that come from our struggle with the aftermath of disaster.

Silence

"Let us pray for innocent life slaughtered by the violence of a fallen world. Let us pray that as we struggle with the mysteries of life and death, we may know comfort, hope and the promise of God's mercy and grace.

Silence

"Let us pray for the repose of those souls whose moment of pain and fear is past. May they enter ever more deeply into the knowledge and love of God.

Silence

"Let us pray that God will not hide his face from our anger and grief at the death of so many. Let us pray for renewed hope that justice will roll down like mighty waters and joy spring up from the broken ground in a living stream.

Silence

"Let us pray concerning murderers, that we may lift into the light of God's justice those who have taken so many lives so callously. Let us pray that their deeds may not turn our hearts to stone, but that, being given hearts of flesh, we may not be consumed by grief.

Silence

"Let us pray with gratitude for all who have given themselves during this past year to help, to health, to communicate. Let us pray for a new birth of community in our nation so that we may go forward as one people to enjoy, steward and equitably share the gifts of this land."

After the mass mourners were invited to take part in a candle light procession to the Garden of Remembrance, located near the firehouse. Light refreshments followed at Bellerose Village Hall.