Mary Statue. in the aftermath of Annunciation shooting, August 26, 2025.
I want to say so much, but I cannot speak.
I cannot look away from the images I don’t want to see.
I listen to all the news media and discussion and with ears that are too full to hear.
So, I walk along the flowered path in front of the church and I breath in the flowered fragrance that makes my eyes tear up. I see friends and acquaintances and I hug them, hug them, hug them.
Some of the flowers in front of Annunciation church.
Perhaps you have read about or listened to, the most recent horrific shooting at a church/school. I always pray for those injured and victimized. But, being among the parish family of the church (Annunciation), knowing the injured and killed, well. . . It makes all the difference. It deepens my grief, my sadness over such tragedy and my resolve to speak until I’m heard.
At Columbine and Sandy Hook, we called for gun control. After each school shooting, with children lying wounded and dead, we call for gun control. After our legislators were killed a few months ago, we called for gun control. I am asking my legislators: At what point would you use an automatic rifle to kill a deer or pheasant? Why would any regular, normal citizen of this country ever need an automatic rifle?
In a recent Minnesota Star Tribune, in an article (“Parents want ban on some weapons” by Nathaniel Minor, Tues. Sept. 16th, 2025) Tim Kummer said that a bullet hitting a body “From a handgun, that wound would likely have only been a graze wound, but from a high-powered rifle, it became a life-threatening brain injury.” If for no other reason, let this be the reason to outlaw weapons like automatic rifles.
In that same article, I read that shooting one bullet at a time does much less damage than a hundred rounds in seconds. — To me, that’s just common sense.
Today, I’m sharing my space with a few others who have said things more eloquently than I could. Judith (author of the next poem) was there and she helped bandage a child as she comforted him.
But, I did yesterday…
Never did I think I and others would ever be trying to fit
our bodies under a church pew…
But, I did yesterday.
Never did I think I would ever hear the horrific cries and screams
of 300 children as the rounds of bullets continued on and on….
But, I did yesterday.
And never did I think I would be wrapping gauze around a little boys’s head,
and then enfolding him in my arms until the paramedics could assist….
But, I did yesterday
And never did I ever witness such immense love, compassion and direction from the school staff, clergy, parishioners, paramedics, police and the FBI……
But, I did yesterday.
Today
As I prayed through the sleepless night to the break of dawn,
and I watched the sunrise, — Nothing had changed outside.
But, I had.
And those little hearts, minds, and souls of yesterday,
the teachers, the parishioners, the parents grieving
the loss of their two children, the wounded
changed, forever.
Changes to be made because of yesterday –
All of us.
~ by Judith Fleming. August 28, 2025
I am the dust
I am the dust
collected in the shadowed
corners, under church pews.
Trampled on and stamped down,
each molecule rising; I hold
life and death in my powdered presence.
I am the dust that holds
those flowered impressions
of children hiding.
Jesus is here, in this lowest place;
in the dust of death and destruction.
Even when we are afraid, His love holds us up,
helps us be strong, holds us up in light;
is our rock and keeps our hands
raised in supplication.
When darkness is most intense,
the light of God shines brightest
— never fading.
~ by Annette Gagliardi
After the Annunciation School Shooting, August 26th, 2025.
Every night at 9 pm we have said the Rosary in front of the church. Our babies are healing. Our parishioners are healing. We have buried the two innocents and will forever morn them. The sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary reminds us of how much Jesus Loves us; helps us find peace during life’s ups and downs. They recall how Jesus suffered and gave his life for us.
Five Sorrows
The agony: “My soul is sorrowful even to death.”
My heart bleeds for every child injured, every
child frightened, every mother running.
“If possible, let the cup of pain pass over my child”
The scourging: “Mortification is the fruit”
Children sitting, praying then hiding under pews
as they are scourged by shrapnel.
Our hearts are scoured with pain.
The crowning of thorns: shrapnel pierces their heads
So many children — so many bullets
fragmented and scattered internally
will remain — likely forever.
The cross: of horror & sorrow:
We all carry the cross of sorrow
We help each other carry the grief
—pressed into service to help shoulder His cross.
The crucifixion: “Jesus, remember” them —
Two young lives relinquished,
many others shattered.
Into your hands, oh Lord, we commend our children.
* Based on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
~ By Annette Gagliardi
Catching the blood
Mary catches the blood
that drips from wounds —
of the many children
wounded and worried.
Mary catches the blood that drips
from bullet holes and chips
of shrapnel piercing young
limbs and heads.
Folded hands in prayer —
darkness at its deepest depth.
Mary caught the blood that dripped
from Jesus’ wounds onto hallowed ground.
Every child is a Jesus – wounded.
Every parent, worried and running — a Mary.
They crouched beneath the pews
with Mother Mary holding them.
Mary catches the grief and blood.
She holds it up to God’s light.
Mary, our Mother — her mantel
covering and comforting us, reminds us:
We are the church
no matter where we gather.
by Annette Gagliardi
After the Annunciation School Shooting, August 26th, 2025.
around trees remind us, the carnage
and show support
but they don’t save babies.
Prayers and media coverage
comfort the grief-stricken,
but they don’t save children.
Our nation is not at war,
but our children are dying
in their schools and churches.
Isn’t it time to really — really and
truly, put our children’s lives before
guns — before the right to bear assault rifles?
When do we put our votes our laws,
our legislation where our
hearts are?
~ by Annette GagliardiYard signs
This was posted on the Caring Bridge Page for Sue and Ron Wilson
Reprinted with permission:
Sue & Ron Wilson pleased to be alive.
The family of Ron and Sue Wilson have asked Hennepin Healthcare to post the following statement and photo on their behalf:
The shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis was a tragedy that will scar the hearts of the victims, their families, and the church community forever. We can never replace the hole that one mentally ill person created by murdering innocent young children. Families were robbed of a future of laughter and love. We mourn for the families and pray that God has taken his children home.
But don’t let the actions of one person blind us to the fact that we are surrounded by people who are touched by God and whose love and bravery surpass our imagination.
One mentally ill person murdered and injured the most innocent among us. But if that is where we focus our attention, we miss the beauty of humanity. We never know when tragedy will strike, but in this one as in countless others, heroes emerge and the true colors of humanity shine through. While the shots were still ringing out, young heroes shielded their classmates from danger, teachers ushered children to safety without concern for their own well-being, and elderly people rushed to aid and comfort children who were dying and injured.
Some may question how a loving God could allow tragedies like this to happen, but only a loving God could. Imagine a world of absolute justice, where every action, word and thought were punished or rewarded immediately and in perfect proportion. There would be no room for mercy or choice in that world. There would also be no faith because there would be no doubt that an all-present, all-powerful being was in charge. We would live in a suffocating tyranny, not perfect bliss. That would be a desirable world only if staying alive was the most important thing, but it is not. The worst thing to happen to us in this life is not death (that just means we have a chance to be with God), it is turning away from God. By giving us real choices in how we act, our loving God give us the freedom to commit evil but also the opportunity to find him in its wake.
And if you need more evidence that we have a loving God, look to the events at Annunciation. One person turned away from God and committed incredibly evil acts. But more importantly, the people who were actively communing with God had God act through them. Rather than have their basic survival instincts kick in and seek self-preservation, in an instant of terror those in the church sought to help each other at risk to their own lives. They shielded others with their own bodies and took the time to help others to safer places rather than run and hide on their own. That is not normal behavior in the animal kingdom, but evidence that God was touching the souls of those who had reached out and needed Him.
So yes, one person committed an act so evil that most of us can’t comprehend what was going through their mind. But in response, thousands of people have been inspired to take action and help. In our family, we have seen the police and first responders arrive at a dangerous and chaotic scene and quickly bring about comfort and safety. We have seen doctors and nurses taking extraordinary steps to not only heal bodies, but hearts and minds as well. We have seen companies provide food to those spending hours in waiting rooms at the hospital and free flights to loved ones coming to help. We have seen the Veterans Administration quickly go above and beyond to provide care and support to our patriarch. We have seen a Deacon and his wife envelop a suffering parish in their arms. We have seen a new principal and new parish priest emerge as vital leaders in a time of need. We have received prayers and support from loved ones around the world through social media. Whole communities have volunteered to help us in any way they can. And we have seen how loved ones can rally together in crisis to support those in need and each other.
One person changed us forever in ways we are only beginning to understand. But we can choose to make those changes the silver lining in this dark cloud. We can love a little harder, care a little more, be a little kinder to others, try to understand each other a little more, and judge a little less. We can respect that everyone has their own ideas on how to prevent tragedies like this in the future, and that we are surrounded every day by people of good hearts who want the best for the world even if their path to get there differs from ours. When tragedy strikes again, we can choose to be that beacon of hope for those who are suffering. And we can choose to believe in a loving God and seek to understand His will for us.
The vast majority of the people in this world are caring, loving, honorable people. Let’s not let the very few among us who are so damaged that they revel in the pain of others color how we see humanity.
There is a famous saying that goes “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Along with that, what our family will take from this event is to see God acting in those around us.
The opinions and perspectives expressed in the statement represent the views of the Wilson family. Reprinted with permission.
Untitled
When people go to
a church,
a temple,
a mosque,
a synagogue…
They join the masses to
feel comfort,
feel peace,
feel joy,
feel love,
feel safe…
Safe
Safe
Safe
One day, when people went to
their church,
their temple,
their mosque,
their synagogue…
The unthinkable happens.
They joined the masses and
felt fear,
felt horror,
felt dispair,
felt nothing,
felt unsafe…
Unsafe
Unsafe
Unsafe
What happens then?
The thinkable happens.
The next day, when more people go to
the church,
the mosque,
the school,
the synagogue,
the temple…
They join the masses to
offer care,
offer comfort,
offer support,
offer kindness,
offer safety…
Safety
Safety
Safety
There will always be safety
when the masses stand
as one in community.
~ By Jennifer Jenson, 8/27/25
Principal Matt DeBoer speaks. – from CBS News reels, August 27, 2025
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=annunciation%20catholic%20school%20-%20minneapolis%2C%20mn
Resources:
- Facebooks posts from a variety of people: Jenny Harding, Karin Cebulla,
- Some photos from: apnews.com/photo-gallery/minneapolis-school-shooting-annunciation-54cb1a35fb254f900e2ec3bd5e63debf
- “Tragic photos from the scene of the Minneapolis School shooting” by Nadine Bourne, August 27th, 2025
- At: https://nypost.com/2025/08/27/us-news/minneapolis-catholic-school-shooting/
- MNPost article: https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2025/08/annunciation-catholic-school-was-my-oasis/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM2hMBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmhXC3klomvTSAMWrnKihXgsh-w-fsmbfBe3DcrXgIpzApXBGykLWFTiXZmY_aem_xJi4BxNuW8An8eGg-D7tKA
Annette, you have gathered a beautiful, sad, but truthful collection of words, poems, and articles that reflect the thoughts in many of our minds. Will change happen? What will it take for change to happen? We move our feet to help one another, to write to legislators, to gather to pray….legislators read, listen-move your feet!
Incredible writings of many people here. This is so incredibly horrible but with the love of Jesus and our friends we will survive. Thank you very much for publishing this.
Your writing is truly awesome, Annette. I am so fortunate to have you as a friend.
Annette…you are a truly gifted writer. Your comments say it all. Thank you for sharing this with us.
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