Today, August 27, 2025, I heard shocking news on the radio as I was eating breakfast. A shooter attacked at a Catholic church in Minneapolis. It is the first week of school, and the children were at the opening of the school year Mass in the Church of the Annunciation. The gunman shot from outside the church through the windows. He had a rifle, a shot gun, and a pistol. Two children are dead and 17 others were injured. The children who died were ages 8 and 10. The injured were 14 children and 3 adults. We do not know of a motive at this time. The shooter took is own life in the parking lot after the shooting.
“This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping. The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said.
We once again offer “thoughts and prayers” to people involved in a senseless shooting. Today, we offer them for people who were in the midst of praying when they endured this unthinkable action. These events are happening all too often in our world. I don’t know the answer, but we have to do something more than sending people good thoughts. How can we hold these people in our hearts while working to prevent further shootings? Who has the authority to do what needs to be done to stop the violence? What can be done?
I had a different article ready to post today, but I can’t do it while this attack is so fresh. As someone who writes about the Mass and who hopes that people can be engaged deeply in the Mass, I am horrified and outraged by this attack during a Mass or any worship service in any denomination. We shouldn’t have to be afraid at worship. But all of the school shootings, and the many, many other sites for these shootings, are sickening and unfathomable. What can be done?
I have been to the Church of the Annunciation in South Minneapolis many times. I join people all over the country in grief for the members of the parish and school. And yes, I do pray, because I believe that God can change hearts and thwart all persons who choose violence. More needs to be done. I pray for God to help me know what actions I can take to help. What can we do?