Tears flow as 1,000 note Jan. 8 anniversary

By BERN ZOVISTOSKI
The New Vision

Tears flowed freely as, one by one, six single red roses were carried forward and placed in a vase in the sanctuary of St. Augustine Cathedral, each rose representing one of the people who were slain a year earlier in front of a Tucson supermarket.
Dozens of news photographers and videographers captured the moment on Jan. 8 during an interfaith service attended by about 1,000 people.
The service commemorated the first anniversary of the mass shooting, during which 13 others were wounded, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was hit in the head as she held a “meet and greet” session outside the Safeway supermarket at Oracle and Ina Roads.
As the people gathered for the 1 p.m. service, soulful violin music was played on the walk just outside the main entrance by Michael Sigler, while inside, organist Mrs. Kyle Frank performed.
Many of the surviving victims of the tragedy were there, along with loved ones and friends, for – as the program stated – “a time of music, spoken word, silence, prayer and response.” Among them were Gov. Jan Brewer and a host of law enforcement and judicial officers.
As the red roses were brought forward the names of those lost in the tragedy were spoken aloud:
Christine-Taylor Greene, just 9; Dorothy Morris; Phyllis Schneck; Gabe Zimmerman; John Roll; Dorwan Stoddard.
Survivors of the shooting who attended included Ron Barber and Daniel Hernandez Jr., who aided Giffords in the shooting’s aftermath.
The service was orchestrated in three parts, tied to the theme of “We Remember – We Celebrate – We Believe” – and it was at once reverent, somber and joyful.
With representatives of various faith communities assembled, including Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Buddhists, Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopalians and Presbyterians, Father Al Schifano, Vicar General of the Diocese of Tucson, welcomed everyone on behalf of Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, who was on an overseas trip.
Among the musicians were Larry Redhouse of the Navajo Nation, who performed a native American flute meditation, and the St. Odilia Children’s Choir, with which Christine-Taylor Green had sung.  The closing song, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You,” was led by the Sons of Orpheus-The Male Choir of Tucson.
At several points in the program, the Liturgical Dancers from the Tucson Dance Academy – young women dressed in white – delighted everyone with their synchronized, fluid moves.