Thousands seek solace in area’s churches

JOHN BURTON Like many other area churches, Red Bank’s St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church held a prayer service last week for those parishioners and community members seeking comfort and spiritual guidance.

RED BANK — Anger... sadness... confusion... frustration...

Those feelings and so many more were expressed as people attempted to come to terms with the unthinkable events surrounding last week’s tragedy at the World Trade Center.

Many sought the comfort and solace of their church and clergy, and were thankful to find they were there for them.

While thousands filled the churches this past week, the approximately 400 people who attended a prayer service held the evening of the tragedy at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 121 Bridge Ave., were representative of the many more that followed.

"This has been a day of reflection, a day of confusion," the Rev. Anthony M. Carotenuto told the gathering.

Carotenuto said this was a time for members of the community and the parish to come together to pray, sing hymns, and share their feelings, concerning the grim realities of the day.

"We stand together for those that are in special need today," he said.

"I feel very sad," said Annie Roda, of Middletown. "And it is very scary that something like that could happen to me and my loved ones."

Roda also translated those views into Spanish for the large number of Hispanics attending the service.

John Banich, Red Bank, recalled the death of his father, who passed away after battling cancer. Banich said even though he was saddened by that loss, he at least was able to be there and say good-bye.

"I feel bad for the people at the World Trade Center," he said. "They didn’t have the opportunity to die with their loved ones around them."

Banich said he was conflicted over the tragedy. As a Catholic, he was trying to resolve his desire for retribution with his belief in forgiving one’s enemies.

Another woman equated it with the death of President John Kennedy.

"It’s the death of innocence that’ll never come back," she acknowledged.

Bob O’Neill of Tinton Falls had worked in downtown Manhattan until recently.

"At a quarter to nine I would have been getting off the subway on my way to the office," O’Neill said, referring to the time the first plane hit The World Trade Center.

O’Neill said he has numerous friends who were working in those buildings, whom he had not yet heard from, and he was worried for their safety.

"I couldn’t believe what has happened," said Paul Van Glahn, a local business owner. "I couldn’t help thinking about my friends."

In addition to those who may have lost family members and wait for information that is slow in coming, Van Glahn said he has a number of Afghani friends, most of whom are American citizens and have lived here for as long as 20 years.

Van Glahn said he worries for them, too, for what they are experiencing at this terrible time.

"If they go back, they are put to death or in a work camp," he explained.

"I didn’t know what to do today," he said, adding he originally intended to drive into New York for a work-related matter but got a late start and realized what was happening.

"I didn’t know what to do. I made phone calls. I didn’t know what else to do," he said. "I feel so sad."

Prior to the service, a globe had been placed on the church’s altar as a symbol to remind all that we are all part of God’s world, Carotenuto said.

"We’re not going to make it unless we look out for each other," the priest said.

There also as a candlelight vigil held in the church to remind everyone that "it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness," Carotenuto explained.