nmah5559.xml

nmah5559.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-07-06

As I was leaving the Nassau County Pool after a good swim, the young girl at the desk said Father Tom(I am a catholic priest)a plane just hit the World Trade Center. They think it may be a small prop plane. Not knowing much more and the news in the car didn't say much, I went back to the rectory only to see the entire rectory staff fixed on the TV in the living room. Over the course of the next hours, I saw human destruction of the buildings falling down, lives crushed and spirits broken. I went into the church knelt down and began to cry and ask God to give me understanding and to help my faith. Over the course of the next few days, it was apparent that we lost a number of parishioners. A fireman, a businessman, a cook, a stock trader and a few others. I slept little during those few days and I prayed often for my own faith. God heard my prayer and I was strengthened by many. Seven days later I went down to Ground Zero the story continues in the next question.

If I may I would like to share with you some thoughts of my days at Ground Zero,(now called Ground Hero), it has ben called the mark of destruction and death. This morning when I awoke, I thought of trying to go into the city. I thought, maybe they could use a priest in the area. I wasn't sure if I could even get in there. I wasn't sure if I should drive or take the train. I decided to take the car.I found myself driving to Jones Beach. I needed to have a conversation with God. I told Him, if He wants me to go in, that He would have to make it happen. He made it happen. I got past the check points at the Brooklyn Battery Park Tunnel and drove right into Manhattan. As I parked my car, I saw a fireman sitting by the curb. I went over to him and extended my hand and said "thanks for all you are doing." He smiled and said "No, thank you Father for coming." I asked him where I should go and he said "Just turn around."
It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. We have seen pictures on TV and in print, however, when I turned around there were no words. I will never forget the images I saw that morning. I started my walk into the heart of destruction and came upon a rescue worker from Los Angeles, CA. Again, I extened my hand, he put his arm around me and sait, "Thanks for coming Father." I asked him if I could get a mask and he brought me into a secure bldg., gave me a mask, a hat,and a bottle of water. He told me that he has ben to earthquakes on the west coast, but he has never seen anything like this in his life. He thanked me again for coming. As I walked closer to the center, I continued to offer my hand o thanks to the many men and women from all ove the country who came to help us as a city. Firemen came over to me and hugged me, tears in their eyes. Again more thanks offered. A young policewoman came over and put her arms around me and told me she was scared. A construction worker on a big construction rig bent down and went to confession, it had been many years. A ESU rescue worker with his dog from Virginia asked for prayers and a blessing. A young firefighter sitting alone in her thoughts looked at me and said "Do you have the answer?" All I could say was this was an act of evil and it will never win. Good will always be the victor. I stookd with the "?bucket" brigade of police, many who stopped for a moment and asked for a blessing.
I spoke to the mayor(Rudy G.)who held my hand and thanked me for being there. I spoke to our governer(George P.) who told me that my being there was a tremendousgift to "us" all. I spoke to men and women from different ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs. I thought to myself that the only color here today was the color of gray - mud on my shoes. After two hours, I knew that it was time to leave so I could be back for a Mass that night. As I was leaving a group of construction workers from Boston were standing around and one guy said "Hay Father, could you throw us a blessing/" I walked over and we stood in a circle in the midst of death and destruction and prayed for strength.
I asked God to open a door and He did more than that. He showed me the porfound goodness of people, men and women from all parts of the country. He showed me that He goes before us and we shound not fear. All I wanted to do was walk around and say thank you. What I received will last me a lifetime Father Tom McCormick St.Bernards RC Church Levittown N.Y.

The selflessness and goodness of people from all walks of life. How a city, a nation and a world community came together and opened their hands to give life to others.

The flag was flown on that day and has continued to be flown. I have always had good feelings about the flag