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Most
of you have been to the Shrine of St. Joseph for Peter & Missy's
wedding. This is a story about that Shrine and Fr. Peter who married
Pete & Missy.
The Shrine has a patron in the name of Ray Donovan, President of
Schiavone Construction. For years Fr. Peter has asked Ray if he
would bring the four bells from the seminary he had attended in
Virginia to the Shrine. Although a great supporter of the Shrine,
Ray did not feel the need to transport 4 enormous bells from Virginia
to Stirling, NJ.
On September 11, 2001, Ray Donovan, like the rest of us, experienced
that horrible tragedy. The bells would be on their way to NJ.
A few hours after the attack as Schiavone employees were volunteering
to help with cleanup, Donovan came up with his idea. "I thought
about the steel and the wreckage, and I thought about marrying that
to the bells, to form some sort of memorial where people could come
for peace and healing. We wanted to build something positive and
hopeful from something very evil."
If any of you are in our area make it a point to visit this positive
and hopeful memorial. It is a very simple and tranquil place to
sit, think and pray. One of it's beauties is the fact that it is
hidden from the parking lot by newly planted trees and shrubs. You
need to drive to the large parking lot to the left of the chapel
to see it.
The Bells toll every morning at 8:47, when the first hijacked plane
hit the north tower, and changed a nation forever.
Never
Forget
9-11-01
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