On August 27th, Annunciation Catholic School became the site of a nightmare. Two innocent children lost their lives. Seventeen others were wounded. Teachers, classmates, parents, neighbors — all forever changed in an instant.

The door to the church reads, “ A House of GOD and a Gate to Heaven”

The shooter, Robin Westman, left behind a horrifying manifesto — a document that revealed years of pain twisted into violence, and hatred turned into action. It is not my place here to amplify those words of destruction. Instead, what we must remember are the lives stolen, the futures that will never be written, and the courage of those who survived.

To the families of those precious children — words will never be enough. The world feels darker without them, and yet, your love for them, your memories of their smiles, will always be brighter than any act of violence.

To the survivors — healing will take time, and scars may linger. But you are not alone. A community, a city, and even strangers like myself, from far away hold you in their hearts today.

To Minneapolis — we grieve with you. We sit in silence with you. We mourn the innocence that was shattered.

This tragedy has exposed not only the violent mind of one individual, but also the urgent need for care, compassion, and vigilance in how we see mental health, and hate.

Today, above all else, is not about politics or debate. It’s about people. It’s about children whose seats in class will forever remain empty. It’s about families whose morning routines will never again be the same. It’s about a community trying to find its breath again.

Hold your loved ones a little tighter.

Honor the lives lost by living with kindness, by choosing compassion in a world that sometimes forgets it.

My heart is with you, Minneapolis. My prayers are with every broken heart today.