Students remember those killed in NIU shooting

By Sheri Krotzer

Edited by John Kennett

A memorial Mass was held Wednesday evening at St. Mary’s Catholic Parish at CMU in remembrance of the lives lost Feb. 14 in the Northern Illinois University shooting.

A number of students came to offer their prayers.

“I was checking my email (when the shooting happened) and received an update from the Chicago Tribune,” said Westphalia sophomore Kendall Thelen. “I certainly wasn’t expecting to see yet another shooting.”

Students agreed that these shootings are becoming far too common. Kalamazoo junior Peter Lawrence believes it is almost to a point where shootings are generally accepted and expected to happen.

“I find that the reaction was much less than Virgina Tech,” said St. Mary’s Pastor Fr. Will Prospero. “And it’s sad because it has happened before and now it’s a part of life.”

Media outlets have found events such as this to be breaking news. Although, the news is not reaching as many as it should.

“I think it’s weird that the previous shooting at Virgina Tech got more publicity,” said Auburn sophomore Mary LaFramboise. “Just because fewer people were killed doesn’t mean they were any less important; all lives are equal.”

The frequency of these shootings has not hindered the pain. Following such traumatic events as this, students and families will look for a way to cope.

“We can find hope in the resurrection of Christ throughout our suffering,” Prospero said in his Homily during the memorial Mass to help comfort those who are grieving.