By OSV News
RICHFIELD, Minnesota (OSV News) — Hugs and tears preceded a service the evening of Aug. 27 to mourn and pray for those killed and injured after a shooting earlier in the day at a Minneapolis Catholic elementary school. Two children were killed, and 14 children and three adults were injured at Annunciation Church during a Mass celebrated for the adjoining school. The suspect in the shooting also died. The evening prayer service, held at the Academy of Holy Angels in the Minneapolis suburb of Richfield, included Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda and Auxiliary Bishops Kevin T. Kenney and Michael J. Izen of St. Paul and Minneapolis; Father Dennis Zehren, pastor of Annunciation; and Deacon Kevin Conneely, who ministers at Annunciation. Family members and friends, teachers and staff from Annunciation were joined by students and staff from the academy, by Gov. Tim Walz and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and other elected officials. Amid the mystery of suffering is the love of Christ, “who embraces us in our pain,” the archbishop said. “The example of Mary, a mother and a disciple who knew great suffering in her own life, should give each of us courage and hope.”