Lori IannellaStudents opinions are divided over campus ministry holding a memorial service to remember 9/11 on Friday, Sept. 10 instead of on Saturday, Sept. 11.
According Laura Gorgol, campus minister, campus ministry decided to have the service on Friday as opposed to Saturday in the hopes that more people would be able to attend; for instance, the faculty and staff who are only on campus during the week. “I thought there was a good turnout, but I would have appreciated more students,” Gorgol said.
So why weren’t many students in attendance? When asked, students said that they didn’t know anything about the service. According to Gorgol though, an e-mail and voice mail was sent to the entire Cabrini community on Thursday and also a reminder through voicemail was delivered on Friday.
Some students didn’t attend because they didn’t agree with the fact that the service wasn’t held on 9/11. These students preferred the service in 2002 that took place at the peace pole with a candle vigil in addition to a service in the Chapel on the night of 9/11. This is always an option for the future according to Rev. Michael Bielecki, resident Chaplin.
On the other hand, some students had no problem with the service being on Friday feeling that the date is not as important as honoring those that lost their lives.
This year was also different from past years because classes as a whole did not go to the Chapel to attend the service. The bells tolled at noon to commence a moment of silence and the service immediately followed.
Bielecki said that campus ministry “is always looking for student input” and encourages all students to be active and work with campus ministry.
posted to the web by Lori Iannella
