Dear Boston College Alumni:

I know that all of us at Boston College remain shocked and horrified by the airline hijackings and related attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. We join people throughout the world as we mourn the deaths of the innocent crews and passengers on the airplanes, as well as those who died in New York City and Washington, D.C.

What has happened is so unbelievable; and, understandably, it has left us with feelings of sadness and concern for the future. Yet I have no doubt that our nation will work through this situation, and I know that the Boston College community will be sustained by its faith and strong sense of community. I have already witnessed on this campus in the last few days so many examples of people coming together in prayer and in support of one another.

As we deal individually and as a community with these terrorist attacks on America, I offer the strength of our faculty and staff as resources to assist our alumni community during this extraordinary time. A list of services and activities will be updated regularly on BC Info (http://www.bc.edu/iehome), and I recommend that you check this Web site frequently to become aware of
the resources available.

In the days ahead, we need to remind ourselves that we are one community, one world. We cannot allow the hatred and evil that lie at the heart of this week's attacks and senseless loss of life to deprive us of our vitality and dreams. In addition, we have to remain respectful of all, and do everything we can to be a welcoming community.

In the coming days and weeks, both as individuals and as a community, let us focus on channeling our thoughts and efforts to help in any way we can the victims of September 11. I ask that all of us keep remembering in prayer those who died and those who remain missing. I pray that we emerge from this overwhelming tragedy with a new commitment to work for lasting peace and justice.

William P. Leahy, SJ

Fr. Leahy e-mailed this message to the 30,000 members of BC's on-line community on September 14. He received more than 400 responses, including this one from John O'Neill '80: "This is why I'm proud to be a BC alum; as I enter my New York City office on Monday after such a horrific week just last, your note is available, noted, and greatly appreciated."

Photo: Mass of the Holy Spirit at O'Neill Plaza on September 16. Photo by Lee Pellegrini

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