ONLINE EDITION FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2001

Opinion

If I may, I would like to share with you some thoughts on my day at Ground Zero, (now called Ground Hero), it has been called the mark of destruction and death. This morning when I awoke, I thought of trying to go into the city. I thought, maybe they could use a priest in the area. I wasn't sure if I could even get in there. I wasn't sure if I should drive or take the train. I decided to get in the car and just drive. I found myself driving to Jones Beach. I needed to have a conversation with God. I told Him, if He wants me to go in, that He would have to make it happen. He made it happen. I got past the checkpoints at the Brooklyn Battery Park Tunnel and drove right into Manhattan. As I parked my car, I saw a fireman sitting by the curb. I went over to him and extended my hand and said "thanks for all you are doing." He smiled and said "No, thank you Father for coming." I asked him where I should go and he said "Just turn around."

It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. We have seen pictures on TV and in print, however, when I turned around there were no words. I will never forget the images I saw that morning. I started my walk into the heart of destruction and came upon a rescue worker from Los Angeles, CA. Again, I extended my hand, he put his arm around me and said, "Thanks for coming Father." I asked him if I could get a mask and he brought me into a secure building, gave me a mask, a hat and a bottle of water. He told me that he has been to earthquakes on the west coast, but he has never seen anything like this in his life. He thanked me again for coming.

As I walked closer to the center, I continued to offer my hand of thanks to the many men and women from all over the country who came to help us as a city and nation stand once again. Firemen came over to me hugging me, tears in their eyes. Again more thanks offered. A young policewoman came over and put her arms around me and told me she was scared. A construction worker on a big construction rig bent down and went to confession, it had been many years. A ESU rescue worker with his dog from Virginia asked for prayers and a blessing. A young firefighter sitting alone in her thoughts looked at me and said "Do you have the answer?" All I could say was this was an act of evil and it will never win. Good will always be the victor. I stood with the "bucket" brigade of police, many who stopped for a moment and asked for a blessing.

I spoke to the mayor who held my hand and thanked me for being there. I spoke to our governor (a big guy) who told me that my being there is a tremendous gift to "us" all. I spoke to men and women of different ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs. I thought to myself that the only color here today was the color of gray - mud on my shoes. After two hours, I knew that it was time to leave so I could be back for the Mass that night. As I was leaving, a group of construction workers from Boston were standing around and one of the guys said, "Hey Father, could you throw us a blessing?" I walked over and we stood in a circle in the midst of death and destruction and prayed for strength.

I asked God to open a door and he did more than that. He showed me the profound goodness of people, men and women from all parts of the country. He showed me that He goes before us and we should not fear. All I wanted to do was walk around and say thank you. What I received will last me a lifetime.