Community unites to heal

People gathered for an interfaith service at St. Augustine’s R.C. Church in Kendall Park to mourn, reflect and move forward.

By: Nick D’Amore
   Demonstrating religious unity and community solidarity, a variety of faiths gathered for an interfaith service at St. Augustine’s R.C. Church in Kendall Park to mourn, reflect upon and move forward from the events of Sept. 11.
   Clergy from various religious groups in the town read from their respective scriptures universal prayers for all to take comfort in.
   Members of the Township Council, Board of Education, local schools and Police Department also took part in the service, with representatives from each offering prayers of bereavement and thanksgiving, as well as affirming the character of the community.
   The Parish Choir of St. Augustine’s and Crossroads School Vocal Ensemble sang proud patriotic songs, such as "My Country ‘Tis of Thee" and inspiring spirituals, such as "We Shall Overcome."
   The Rev. Francis Hubbard, rector of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church and president of the South Brunswick Clergy Association, welcomed the interfaith congregants packed into St. Augustine’s and laid out the purpose for the gathering.
   "We gather tonight to express our outrage and sorrow. To remember those who have died, pray for those who are missing and to pray for healing for those who were injured," he said.
   He addressed the community, the "wonderful rainbow of people," asking them to continue to respect and celebrate each other.
   "Focus your efforts here to make the community stronger than ever. Let ‘love your neighbor’ be our motto to show the terrorists they did not win," said Father Hubbard.
   Ram Sharma, a priest at the Durga Hindu Temple on Route 27, offered a prayer for departed souls. He explained that Hindus "strongly believe in tolerance, peace and nonviolence."
   The Rev. Sharma also characterized the spirit of the interfaith service.
   "Any prayer in any language brings us to God. Like rivers, they have different routes, but they all lead to the ocean," he said.
   He demonstrated the Hindu belief in reincarnation, saying the victims of the terrorist attack will come back and go on fighting against evil.
   Schools Superintendent Sam Stewart focused on the children affected by the tragedy and also on students who may be the subject of taunts and derision.
   "We pray for kids to return to normal school life, free from suspicion of other classmates," he said.
   After a reading by Rabbi David Eligberg and Bruce Rockman, cantor of the Congregation B’nai Tikvah, Imam Hamad Ahmad Chebli of the Islamic Society of Central Jersey read a prayer for healing from the Koran.
   Police Chief Michael Paquette read a prayer of thanksgiving for heroic service, which received a standing ovation from the audience. The audience also stood and applauded when first aid workers and police were asked to stand and be recognized.
   Chief Paquette said the township would be ready if called on for more service to New York City.
   "Our New York neighbors will knock on our door again and we will dedicate our service to help get back to life as usual. Volunteerism is the heart and soul of what the United States is about," he said.
   Mayor Debra Johnson read a speech about the character of the South Brunswick community.
   She recalled the town as it existed when she was a child and described the town as "always a leader in social issues," by having a female mayor in the 1940s and two of the only black mayors in the history of Middlesex County.
   "We are a forward-thinking community that more than tolerated our differences, we celebrated them," she said.
   "We are, and continue to be, a wonderful community in which to live and raise a family."
   The congregants felt it was important to attend the service to begin the healing process.
   "It’s important to see that everyone cares about each other. No matter what, you still have to believe and pray together," said Susan Kidd.
   "It was a beautiful feeling of brotherhood," said Riffant Chaudary. "One good thing to come out of this was all faiths praying to one God together."
   "Sharing with others was a wonderful way to begin healing and to feel like you’re doing something," said Jeff Flick.