Together on the Journey: A Weekly Word from Archbishop Hebda
On Thursday of this week, the faithful of our archdiocese and friends from around the world will be recalling the tragic events that took place last year on Aug. 27, 2025. The shooting at a Mass to mark the beginning of the school year at Annunciation School took the lives of two amazing young students, Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, and continues to have an impact on so many others connected with the parish, its school, and its families.
While I do not think that I ever had the pleasure of meeting Harper or Fletcher, I feel like I have come to know them through the stories that have been shared. They loved life, had already made many friends, and consistently brought joy into the lives of their classmates and families. I have no doubt that their absence will be forever felt. My heart continues to go out to all who feel their loss.
At the same time, I give thanks to God for the many ways in which he continues to bring healing into the lives of the others who were directly impacted by last year’s shooting. How blessed we are to have such excellent first responders and medical care here in our corner of Minnesota! I know that the Lord was compassionately working through them and through the perseverance and courage demonstrated by each of those who were injured.
A tragedy of this magnitude could have easily embittered hearts and turned many away from their faith. Anyone who attended last Wednesday’s “Evening with Annunciation Parents: Faith, Hope and Resilience” at Our Lady of Grace, however, would be able to tell a different story. The four speakers who shared their experiences from last Aug. 27 (an Annunciation teacher, two parents, and a student wise beyond her years) each provided proof that even in the midst of such tragedy, there can be an outpouring of compassion, a meeting of hearts, a deepening sense of solidarity, and a turning to the Lord.
I am grateful that the over 300 attendees who were privileged to hear their stories, to pray with them, and to break bread with them could walk away that evening with assurances that faith had been shaken, but not destroyed. While many hearts are understandably still hurting, we can also see how they have been fortified by the love, prayers and support that have been poured out in response to this tragedy. I sure hope that the Annunciation Light Alliance, the sponsor of the event, will be welcomed into other parishes and schools for similar evenings.
You might recall that prior to last Aug. 27, Annunciation School had chosen for its annual theme a quotation from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah: “A Future Filled with Hope.” How providential! Not surprisingly, many of those who attended last Wednesday’s event were sporting that motto on their t-shirts and hoodies. In choosing to hope, the Annunciation community has managed to consistently shine the light of Christ on our broader community, even during the year’s darkest moments.
Given the prophetic impact of last year’s theme, I was anxiously awaiting an unveiling of this year’s. They did not disappoint. For the upcoming school year, Annunciation School chose, “Guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79) from the Canticle of Zechariah. It’s both a heartfelt plea and an inspired choice, and it relates perfectly to the African proverb that Principal Matt DeBoer had quoted to the world last year on the day of the tragedy: “When you pray, move your feet!”
When announcing this year’s theme, Principal DeBoer explained that “peace is not passive—we must work towards it.” That certainly resonates in my heart, and I hope that it will touch the hearts of the Annunciation community and your hearts as well. We are blessed that the families of Annunciation continue to choose “to be beacons of light and to pursue peace.” What a necessary and powerful reminder for our world.
As we approach Aug. 27, I invite you to find a way to be a beacon of light within your own community, no matter your state in life. Our sisters and brothers at Annunciation will be spending the day engaged in acts of service, and they have invited us—in our own communities and homes—to do the same. Please join me in praying for Annunciation and for all those in need of healing as we are guided to walk together in the way of peace.
