{"id":611,"date":"2012-07-23T14:28:00","date_gmt":"2012-07-23T14:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/pastors-of-aurora-parishes-comfort-encourage-parishioners\/"},"modified":"2012-07-23T14:28:00","modified_gmt":"2012-07-23T14:28:00","slug":"pastors-of-aurora-churches-comfort-encourage-parishioners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2012\/07\/pastors-of-aurora-churches-comfort-encourage-parishioners\/","title":{"rendered":"Pastors of Aurora churches comfort, encourage parishioners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Aurora, Colo., Jul 23, 2012 \/ 08:28 am (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- The pastor of an Aurora parish mourning the death of one of their own in a July 20 mass shooting, reassured parishioners of the hope they can find in Christ \u2013 even in the darkest times.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThe sun rises in the east,\u201d said Father Terry Kissell of St. Michael the Archangel Parish during Mass July 22, referencing Aurora\u2019s location east of Denver.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThough there is darkness and confusion and pain, we can\u2019t forget that there will come a new day, a new dawn when there will be no more suffering, no more tears and no more sadness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tParishioner Alex Sullivan, 27, was one of twelve victims killed inside a nearby movie theater last Thursday during the midnight premiere of the newest Batman film \u201cThe Dark Knight Rises.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tSullivan was confirmed as an adult last year at St. Michael's. He was also married last year and would have celebrated his one-year anniversary July 22.<\/p>\n

\tParishioner Jimmy Piralla went through the RCIA program with Sullivan last year and was visibly shaken by the news of his death.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cIt really makes you appreciate your family members and your loved ones,\u201d Piralla said.<\/p>\n

\tHe said his friend\u2019s death also makes him appreciate the choice he made to become Catholic.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cIt just affirms to me that Christ was calling Alex, because he was confirmed last year,\u201d Piralla said. \u201cIt makes me even more sure that the choices I\u2019ve made to become Catholic were the right decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tAt a July 22 Mass for youth at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora, Deacon John Thunblom encouraged parishioners to forgive the gunman.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cDon\u2019t harbor hatred in your heart,\u201d he said. \u201cA very terrible thing has happened. We will overcome it. We will do it with prayer\u2026with love\u2026with kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tPastor of the parish Father Martin Lally also told parishioners gathered at the 5 p.m. Mass that prayer will heal those struggling, especially the family of parishioner Alexander Jonathan (A.J.) Boik, 18, who was killed in the movie theater.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWe just have to believe in the power of prayer individually and collectively,\u201d\u00a0Fr. Lally said. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to deal with this alone\u2026we can really lean on one another and take comfort and strength from one another.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tParishioner Charly Butterworth, 16, said she came to the youth Mass to find strength and support while trying to cope with the massacre she personally witnessed.<\/p>\n

\tButterworth said she was sitting in the fourth row of Theater 9 with her brother and her friend when the gunman \u201ccame in from behind the screen.\u201d She said she thought it was a special effect for the midnight showing.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThen I saw him throw something that was on fire,\u201d she said, citing a tear gas canister the gunman threw into the crowd before shooting at random.<\/p>\n

\tAlthough Butterworth, her brother and friend were able to escape unscathed, she says she suffers from nightmares and has found it difficult to get a handle on her experience.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThat\u2019s why I came to church today,\u201d she said. \u201cI needed to go to church to see my friends and go to Mass.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tAfter the Mass, Fr. Lally embraced Butterworth and asked her how she was doing.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThere are no rules for responding or reacting or dealing with these kinds of situations,\u201d Fr. Lally said during the Mass. \u201cDon\u2019t feel like you have to deal with (your emotions) alone. We are here for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

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Aurora, Colo., Jul 23, 2012 \/ 08:28 am (CNA\/EWTN News).- The pastor of an Aurora parish mourning the death of one of their own in a July 20 mass shooting, reassured parishioners of the hope they can find in Christ – even in the darkest times.<\/p>\n

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