WHEELING - A Mass of remembrance for the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks was held at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling Sunday morning.
With Catholic Bishop Michael J. Bransfield presiding, several hundred people turned out for the solemn 9/11 service, including many local emergency responders.
"It's amazing to consider how many lives were changed by the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, especially our young people," said Bransfield. "The repercussions of that day are still being felt, so we need to gather in prayer on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, and we should pray for the resolution of conflicts so that peace can be realized in our time," he added.
Members of the Wheeling police and fire departments and the Ohio County Sheriff's Department wore black ribbons across their badges in honor of the 9/11 victims while greeting people at the church entrance. Members of the West Virginia State Police and several Ohio County fire departments also attended.
Bransfield said the Mass was an opportunity for people to rededicate themselves in the name of Christ to caring for long-term needs of the 9/11 families and to seeking justice.
"As Christians this had an effect on us as well because we are called to love one another as God loves us ... it is important to hold that in front of us so that we do not lose it, as our ancestors did not lose it when terrible events happened to them," he said. "What would Christ think? What would Christ want us to do? ... This must be our question as believers."
"It is important for us to take responsibility for everything that we do ... that we will not be a prejudiced people, that our enemies are clearly our enemies, but that does not engulf a whole culture or a whole nationality, or a whole religion, and that we are open to love," Bransfield added.
Bransfield told the crowd it is important to always remember the people who put their lives in danger for us on a daily basis. "There are people out there who risk their lives for others constantly. ... We don't always appreciate how often that is happening. ... So as in our memory we see the devastation of the twin towers, we also see those who were helping others, who were dragging people out that they could survive, who were helping people to get to safety. There were those who were injured and killed because they were only in there to save others," he added.
At the conclusion of the service Bransfield asked all police, firefighters, and emergency personnel to stand while he imparted a "special blessing." Bransfield said it was the men and women of the fire departments, police departments, emergency services, port authority, hospitals and the like, who were the heroes of that day. He said all of them remind us how much we depend on our first responders to be there, to take the call, and to be heroes.
Following the service, Wheeling Police Chief Robert Matheny said he was honored to take part in such a meaningful 9/11 remembrance service and to be recognized along with all first responders by the bishop.
"We don't expect every day to be patted on the back and thanked, but at times like this it just means a lot to us and it really makes us feel blessed to serve a community such as Wheeling," he added.
A reception was held in the Cathedral Courtyard immediately following the service.