STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - In observance of the 9/11 anniversary, St. Peter's R.C. Church once again offered a mass of remembrance and Borough President James Molinaro continued his annual blood drive.
The 12th "Eve of Solemn Remembrance" at St. Peter's, Staten Island's "mother church," drew close to 300 people Tuesday evening and included the reading of the names of each of the 274 Staten Island victims followed by a repeated tolling of the bell yoked with a moment of silence.
The event was sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Alumni Club of Staten Island.
Twelve priests and deacons were on the altar, showing "a real sign of the community coming together and of the comfort that the mass offers," said Joseph Delaney of Pleasant Plains, club director and coordinator of the mass.
"Many who lost people in 9/11 still continue to come for the comfort and perpetual healing this event provides every year," said Delaney, who noted the balm of the music provided by Maura Molloy.
Monsignor James Dorney, co-vicar of Staten Island, pastor emeritus of St. Peter's and chaplain of the Notre Dame Alumni Club was the main celebrant. Monsignor Edmund Whalen, principal of Monsignor Farrell High School, gave the homily.
Students from Farrell, St. Peter's Boys', Moore Catholic and St. Joseph-by-the-Sea high schools and Notre Dame Academy read the names of alumni from each of their schools lost in the attack.
The event also included a candlelight procession around the church, to the strains of "Amazing Grace," that was led by the Staten Island Pipe and Drum Corps.
BLOOD DRIVE
Wednesday serves as the continuation of the annual 9/11 blood drive by Borough President James Molinaro and the New York Blood Center to help hospitals replenish their blood supply.
The drive is appealing to those with Type 0-negative, but A-negative and B-negative blood is also needed.
The goal of the drive is to collect at least 275 pints of blood -- one for each Staten Island victim lost in the World Trade Center attacks of 1993 and 2001.
So far, the drive has collected a total of 625 pints, according to Joanne Nuzzo, Borough Hall Director of Special Events.
Currently, the borough has less than a one-day supply of "universal" donor blood available to treat trauma patients.
"We are so very proud of all the people of Staten Island who honor our fallen heroes, and we have to emphasize, even though we are doing well with our 9/11 drive, we are still have a shortage of O-negative, A-negative and B-negative blood," said Ms. Nuzzo.
Those who wish to donate must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, bring photo identification, and eat or drink something before donating.
On Wednesday, donors can visit:
¤Wagner College, 1 Campus Drive, Grymes Hill, noon to 6 p.m.
¤PS 29, 1581 Victory Blvd., Castleton Corners, noon to 6 p.m.
¤121st Precinct, 970 Richmond Ave., Graniteville, noon to 6 p.m.
¤Parks Department, 501 Brielle Ave., Sea View, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
¤Project Hospitality, 100 Park Ave., Port Richmond, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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