Parents arriving to pick up their children at St. John the Evangelist School in Carmichael three days after terrorists struck the United States were greeted by students with flags and a plan to help the victims.

That same day, students at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento mirrored a response at countless Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sacramento by coming together for a midday prayer service.

Christian Brothers seniors Cynthia Pereira, left, and Annie Lee spend a moment in quiet reflection during a Sept. 14 memorial prayer service at the school. Cathy Joyce/Herald photo

And students at Sacramento’s St. Ignatius School, dressed in patriotic red, white and blue, gathered around the flagpole to pray, sing and celebrate “Honor America Day.”

In the wake of the terrorist attacks, students were involved in prayer for the victims, displays of patriotism and volunteer efforts to respond to the national crisis. They were also receiving help in coping with the sense of loss they experienced and how their faith could help them face the days ahead.

Sheila Hirsch, clinical manager for the counseling program of Catholic Social Service-Sacramento which has counselors at six Sacramento-area Catholic elementary schools, said the counselors’ rather extraordinary assignment following the tragic events was to provide trauma support for students, teachers and parents.

“Some of the younger children were asking questions like ‘Are we going to be safe now?’” said Hirsch, who characterized such questions as a healthy expressing of feelings.

Counselor Kirsten Smith, who provides counseling services to St. Francis of Assisi and St. Philomene schools in Sacramento, said while some students were visibly upset, most students seemed to demonstrate a “pretty normal” energy level.

“The school staffs are very nurturing, so the kids feel safe,” Smith said.

Older students, she added, benefit from participating in community service projects. Doing so gives them some control over their own lives while helping others.

Tasha Tillotson, who teaches seventh and eighth graders at St. John the Evangelist School, said that once the initial shock of the terrorist attacks wore off, her students seemed to want an answer to one question: “What can I do?”

What they did was to make red, white and blue ribbons to sell to carpooling parents in the parking lot after school. The donations will go to a fund set up by Catholic Charities USA to help the victims of the disasters.

Students are also writing letters to fire and police departments devastated during rescue efforts following the attacks. Students also have made countless prayer intentions for all victims.

“Everything we’re doing is entirely student spurred,” Tillotson noted. “The children just amaze me.”

At a time when it seems so much has been lost, several St. John the Evangelist students found some new heroes for themselves.

“Our teachers were there to help us; they are heroes,” said eighth grader Virginia Martucci, “and all the people who are volunteering their time, loving one another.”

Christian Brothers High School started on the day of the attacks to bring students together for impromptu prayer services and made sure doors to the counselors’ and campus ministers’ offices were open throughout the day. Teachers were encouraged to work with students to process their feelings of shock.

Campus minister Suzanna Ruffu said her focus was to simply remind students of God’s love.

“I wanted them to know that none of (the attacks) was God’s doing and that God is at work even now touching all those who were hurt,” Ruffu said.

Senior Abby Hesser was one of many students who decided she wanted to help the victims by donating blood and organizing a fund drive. During the week of Sept. 17-21 tables were set up at both lunch breaks so students could purchase blue ribbons. The proceeds, which included a $500 donation from the student council, will go to the Catholic Charities USA relief fund.

“The people of New York and Washington are part of our country. We just want to help in any way we can,” Hesser said.

When President Bush declared Sept. 14 a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance, students gathered for a prayer service in the gymnasium, encircling a table filled with lit candles and draped in red, white and blue. They joined together in prayer, in singing “God Bless America” and in a commitment to reach out to others.

For senior Eric Tozer, there also was a need to take a break and reflect. Tozer is member of the varsity soccer team that decided to play a scheduled game with Galt High School the day after disaster struck. It was a game he won’t soon forget.

“We had decided to try to kind of take our minds off all that had happened,” he said. “Before the game both teams joined together in a circle for a prayer. It wasn’t so much about trying to win anymore. It was more camaraderie.”

Fourth grader Sam Bayless provided the inspiration for “Honor America Day” at St. Ignatius School when he wrote a letter to principal Patricia Lane. He “was wondering if (the students) could honor America by wearing red, white and blue or a shirt with a flag on it” to school the following day.

Lane then wrote a letter of her own to parents announcing “Honor America Day” as a time for the school community “to support our country…honor those whose lives have been lost” and pray for rescue efforts under way.

The students have also planned an “Empty Your Pockets Day” with proceeds to be sent to the American Red Cross. “Events like these are very empowering for our students,” Lane said.

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