Man Shot During Mass Expected To Survive

[cappie]

    Because James Evans turned his head at just the right moment, the bullet came out through his cheek instead of entering his brain, his wife said.

    Tara Evans spoke briefly during a news conference Monday at McKay-Dee Hospital. She nodded and smiled, then cried as Dr. Barbara Kerwin, the hospital intensive care unit medical director, talked about the extent of James Evans’ injuries.

 

    Police say James was shot in the head by his son-in-law during a Father’s Day Mass on Sunday. He is expected to survive.

 

    “He turned his head at the right time,” Tara said, sobbing through her words. “If he hadn’t turned his head, he would have been hit in the back of the head and he would’ve been dead.”

 

    Tara, who was not scheduled to speak, clutched the hand of her daughter Karen Evans during the news conference, as others spoke about the events of Sunday. She then thanked the community for their prayers following the shooting at St. James the Just Catholic Church.

 

    “Also I want to thank all the people who are praying for him and us and for all the parishioners,” Tara said. “That means the most to us.”

 

    Kerwin said the bullet had entered near James Evans’ right ear and came out of his cheek. He has an oral tracheostomy and is unable to speak. He is listed in critical condition, but continues to make improvements. He does communicate with others, either by writing or hand gestures.

 

    The bullet did not enter his brain, Kerwin said. James will need more surgeries to reconstruct his face and will need physical therapy.

 

    Family spokesman the Rev. Erik Richtsteig said the 300 parishioners who were attending the service are “rattled,” but psychological help will be available to those who need it. He celebrated Mass on Monday.

 

    “We didn’t want evil to win,” he said.

 

    The church will celebrate a “Liturgy of Reparation of Healing” at 6 p.m. Thursday, he said.

    Church officials will not reconsecrate the church, “because when God gives a gift he doesn’t take it back,” said Richtsteig.

 

http://www.standard.net/stories/2013/06/17/man-shot-during-mass-ogden-church-expected-survive

[Gabriela]

Why would they reconsecrate the church? I have a feeling this is going to have something to do with churches being used as sanctuaries back in the day...

[cappie]

Why would they reconsecrate the church? I have a feeling this is going to have something to do with churches being used as sanctuaries back in the day...

 

 They don't have to, But when someone comits suicide it's a different matter.  When committed in a sacred place such as a church or shrine, suicide effects the “violation” of that space and divine worship (as opposed to personal prayers) may not be offered there until the place is rehabilitated in accord with canon and liturgical law (1983 CIC 1211, olim 1917 CIC 1172; see also 1983 CIC 1376).

When Dominique Venner killed himself with a shotgun blast to the head inside Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral (indeed, it seems, within the sanctuary itself) he desecrated that great church.

[Gabriela]

Oh my gosh. God help us. Why in the world do people do these things in churches? What's the point?

[PhuturePriest]

That must have been quite the Father's Day surprise. But at least it ended well! Does anyone know why his son-in-law did this?

[HisChildForever]

That must have been quite the Father's Day surprise. But at least it ended well! Does anyone know why his son-in-law did this?

 

The article offers speculation.

 

[b]Croyle said police suspect Ricky Jennings may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the shooting. He stole a truck and cellphone from a man at gunpoint following the shooting.[/b]

[CatherineM]

I'm glad the priest came back to finish the mass.

[OnlySunshine]

It is truly horrible that someone would do this -- much less in a Church.  However, if you are going to get hurt, being with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is not a bad place to be.  There is always good in a bad situation.  I'm sure the priest was able to give him a blessing which helped.

 

It's not the same, obviously, but a man in my parish passed out during Mass and the priest quickly asked the congregation to extend their hands in prayer while those who were medically certified attended to his health needs.  The paramedics came very quickly, too.  The man said, after the situation, while he was embarrassed, he was very glad to be in a place where people were praying for him.

Edited June 19, 2013 by MaterMisericordiae

[let_go_let_God]

The article also says "there has a been history of domestic violence between the couple that has spilled over to extended family members." This could also contribute to why he did this.

 

God bless-

LGLG

[AnneLine]

One of my friends attends a parish that is, for lack of a better word, in a war zone.   They've gotten used to bullets and sirens as a regular backdrop for Mass.   One time a kid was shot outside, and the family was inside.

 

But somehow this just seems even more.... violating.

 

Praying for all....

[CatherineM]

One of my friends attends a parish that is, for lack of a better word, in a war zone. They've gotten used to bullets and sirens as a regular backdrop for Mass. One time a kid was shot outside, and the family was inside.

But somehow this just seems even more.... violating.

Praying for all....

Sounds like our neighbourhood. We had mass once while the police were shooting a suspect on our sidewalk. The priest added the person who got shot (and died) and the police and witnesses to the shooting to our prayers. That was the first dead body our son Zach saw. Unfortunately not the last.

[AnneLine]

Exactly.  And my evening prayer partner just last night asked why CatherineM hasn't updated us about how all is going!   Perhaps time to dust off a thread?

 

And Fr. Cappie... we're praying for James Evans, and for the guy who pulled the trigger, and everyone in that Church and that has been/is/will be reading about it.  Time for some good to come out of this....