Manville churches offeringcomfort in time of distress

By:Alec Moore
   No one from Manville, or Hillsborough, has been reported missing, or confirmed dead, following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center last Tuesday, according to New Jersey State Police and Manville Police.
   "It’s great news on our end," said Manville Police Sgt. Mark Sniscak, who said the Manville Police Department has not received any reports of any missing persons in the wake of the New York City tragedy.
   As of noon on Tuesday, New Jersey State Police also had no reports of any Manville residents missing.
   Despite the fact that no Manville lives were lost through the tragedy, the impact of the devastating catastrophe has been felt throughout the borough in Manville, particularly by those residents who have relatives or friends who are missing.
   Churches in the borough opened their doors to all those seeking a degree of solace in an otherwise bleak time. At Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church on Washington Avenue, two services were held on Friday as part of the National Day of Prayer.
   "Everyone was very distraught," said Rev. James Parsells, who said attendance at his church has been much higher over the past week than usual.
   He said that despite the anger and rage that his congregates, and many others across the United States, are feeling they must remember that they are Christians and should not seek revenge but rather seek justice for the atrocities committed.
   "We have to be careful not to blame Muslims or Arabs and we have to be strong for those who are weaker and above all we have to pray," Rev. Parsells said. "We have to pray for the victims, we have to pray for the military and we have to pray for ourselves."