PHOTO BY BOB ROCHE
More than 100 people gathered for a vigil by the steps of Peabody City Hall.
BY ADAM SWIFT
PEABODY — Let there be peace on earth.
“You’ll know the words once we start,” said Sister Leonore Coan of the Sisters of Notre Dame to those who gathered on City Hall steps in memory of those killed in Sunday’s massacre in Orlando.
The Tuesday evening observance, with words from Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. and several religious leaders, was about to end when Coan encouraged the dozens in attendance to sing together.
As the music concluded, Coan asked everyone to share the spirit of love and hope with another person who could not attend.
Bettencourt said the gathering was an opportunity for the community to come together in a time of pain.
“All too often, we are having vigils for things like this,” said the mayor. “But there can be a beauty in coming together in a spirit of goodwill, hope, and compassion.”
Rev. Joel Anderle of the Community Covenant Church was among those who offered words of prayer and healing. At its best, Anderle said religion can make space and include those who are marginalized, helping people draw strength from one another.
Rabbi David Kudan of Temple Tiferet Shalom noted the importance of having the community come together to seek hope and tolerance.
“It is so sad that violence and hatred motivate so many in our world,” he said.
Deacon Chuck Hall of St. John the Baptist and St. Thomas the Apostle echoed the sentiments about the power of community.
“We need each other very much at this moment,” said Hall.
When the worst things happen, that is when Bettencourt said it is necessary to be reminded of the good in the world and to have people to talk to to help deal with the suffering.
As vigils were held in many communities across the Sixth Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Salem) signaled that it was time for action and not silence.
On Monday night, Moulton refused to take part in House Republicans’ holding a moment of silence instead of holding a vote on gun reform in the wake of a mass shooting.
