Uvalde, Texas School Shooting

Open Letter from Kristin Dixon, Superintendent for Catholic Schools

I received an early morning call from my niece who is having a hard time sending her child to school today, the day after the shocking events in Uvalde, Texas. 

Our response to the shooting at the Texas elementary school can run the gamut of fear to anger.  The one thing we can do is to pray for all impacted by this most recent horrific tragedy.  We pray for the lives lost, for the families who, in a matter of moments, mark time differently. 

For each of us, we can turn our sadness into notes of encouragement to our children’s teachers.  The same teachers who have been through the challenge of the pandemic, are now faced with both their own personal emotions and at the same time managing the response from the students. 

While we guard our children from disturbing information, our media is not selective about who or how this information is shared.  Our students have differing levels of knowledge about the shooting.  Every day, our teachers listen to the children and promise that they will do all they can to keep our children safe.   May we all lean on our faith to guide us through this most recent tragedy.  We keep our school/parish communities and our world in our prayers.

With hope in the resurrection,

Kristin


Our Archbishop’s Message…


Resources:

The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families Click here
Grief Resources for Kids, Parents, & Supporters | Dougy Center:
Zero to 12: Click here
Teens -13-18: Click here
Young adults: Click here
Parent and Caregivers: Click here

Restoring a Sense of Safety in the Aftermath of a Shooting: Tips for Parents and Professionals Click here Source: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Click here

Education for Justice…a project from the Ignatian Solidarity Network

Gun violence – prayers and reflections: Click here