St. Philip’s memorial calls attention to gun violence

A “Memorial to the Lost” is calling attention to the impact of gun violence in Bucks County and beyond.
Located on River and Chapel roads at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Solebury Township, the stark memorial includes posts bearing T-shirts with the names of 50 Bucks County gun violence victims. The display is taking place in conjunction with Heeding God’s Call to Reduce Gun Violence (heedinggodscall.org), a faith-based movement to end gun violence, based in Rosemont.
On Sunday, Sept. 26, St. Philip’s will bless the memorial during the Sunday Masses at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m.
The memorial will be in place from Sunday, Sept. 26 to Saturday, Oct. 9. The event is book-ended by two feasts in the Christian calendar: The Feast of St. Michael, patron of police; and St. Francis of Assisi, patron of peacemakers. Local police and other guests will be invited for this blessing.

The church said it hopes to use its tradition to address a current issue within the nation. “As Christians, we are called by Jesus to be peacemakers,” said the Rev. Michael Ruk, priest at St. Philip’s Church. “We cannot turn a blind eye to the violence and death caused by guns. We need to mourn those who have died, but we also must change the violent world in which we live.”
It is the hope this memorial will be a physical reminder of the those lost, but also allow the space for a place of meditation and peace. Visitors are to feel free to enjoy the gardens and labyrinth on the church grounds.
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church is located one mile north of New Hope. For information, visit stphilipsnewhope.org.

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