She is just one child- one of the many victims of the horrendous school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. But she has a tie to Rochester, and for that reason. 6 year old Catherine Hubbard has become a symbol to me. Catherine’s aunt and uncle, Daniel Sullivan and Kelly McCormick-Sullivan, are part of our Rochester community. Kelly is President and CEO of the Pluta Cancer Center.
On Sunday morning, Doug Emblidge, a member of the Pluta Foundation Board, shared Catherine’s photo with the newsroom, along with a statement from her parents. They wrote- in part:
We are greatly saddened by the loss of our beautiful daughter, Catherine Violet and our thoughts and prayers are with the other families who have been affected by this tragedy…
… We ask that you continue to pray for us and the other families who have experienced loss in this tragedy.
Jennifer and Matthew Hubbard
On Sunday, I printed a copy of Catherine’s picture and placed it in the prayer basket during worship services at the Fairport Baptist Home. I asked the small congregation to keep Catherine’s family in their prayers- and all the families affected by this incident. I requested that Catherine’s picture remain in the prayer basket during the holiday season as a reminder of the little lives- cut so short- during a season of Joy! A reminder of the Christmas and Hanukah gifts that will remain unwrapped. The small voice that will not be part of the holiday program at a school that may never re-open. The innocent smile- lost to incomprehensible violence.
I printed another copy of Catherine’s photo, which I will carry in my pocket during this holiday season. I will carefully unfold it- at unexplainable moments- and look at the smile and bright red hair of a little girl I never met. Just one child! One of many children—and brave caregivers- whose lives were taken through senseless violence.
May we all pause during this season of Joy- to pray for all those – “who have experienced loss in this tragedy”
-Don Alhart
