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December 18, 2012

Candle lighting ceremony to honor victims of Conn. shooting

Mary Meaux The Port Arthur News

NEDERLAND — A special candle lighting ceremony will be held at Tex Ritter Park in remembrance of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

The ceremony will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20 at the park on Boston Avenue and allow the community to grieve and offer prayers for the victims of the tragedy.

Nederland High School Choir will lend their voices and perform Silent Night while a photo memorial will be shown on a big screen, Jinni Akins, president/CEO of Nederland Chamber of Commerce, said the ceremony is a way for the public to come out and pay their respects and to unite both communities and offer prayers for Newton, Conn.

“This is not an event, it’s not about us putting this on,” Akins said. “It’s about fellowship.”

Local pastors of different denominations are set to deliver comforting words during the ceremony including the Rev. Dan Malain of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, the Rev. Malcolm Monroe of First Methodist Church and the Rev. Jason Burden of First Baptist Church.

Nederland Mayor Richard “Dick” Nugent is also set to speak during the ceremony.

The mayor, like others across the nation, is shocked and saddened by the Connecticut tragedy.

“It’s hard to imagine something like this happening in your community,” Nugent said. “Something so drastic and heart wrenching, little ones and teachers involved. My heart goes out to those folks.”

Nugent’s thoughts drifted to the homes of the children who lost their lives, of the Christmas gifts that will never be opened and the innocent souls who will not see the world.

He said it will take many prayers to help the Connecticut community regain their faith in humanity and is a firm believer in prayer.

E-mail: mmeaux@panews.com

Twitter: MaryMeauxPANews

 

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