Community Corner

Canton to Hold Vigil Tonight for Newtown Victims

Prayers, readings and remarks to be part of event.

Tonight Canton officials and clergy will offer prayers, readings and remarks in a vigil for the victims of the Newtown school shooting. 

The event, set for 5 p.m. at Canton High School, will feature the school's chamber singers, prayers from local clergy and readings from the New Testament, Hebrew Scripture and the Koran, first selectman Richard Barlow said. 

Board of Education Chair Leslee Hill and Barlow will also offer brief remarks. Barlow said that no words could explain the situation. 

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"It's hard to understand how something like this happens," he said. "There's just no answer for it." 

Hill said it's "impossible to find the right words."

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"It is impossible to find the right words in light of this tragedy," she said. "My heart goes out to the victims, their families and friends, and I am also praying for the administrators, faculty, staff, and Board of Education in Newtown. I hope that tonight's vigil will be a positive time of healing and remembrance for our Canton community, and I am grateful to the local clergy and our High School Chamber Singers who have offered to lead us through this difficult time." 

Barlow added the event will include "prayers for the victims and their families and the first responders."

Due to the predicted showers, the event will be held in the school's auditorium and for safety reasons won't include candles as officials had hoped. 

Other details may be added for the event. 

Others are planning vigils as well. The First Congregation Church of Canton Center's service of Compassion & Hope, also set for 5 p.m. will include a prayers and a vigil for the victims.

At the schools, principals have sent letters to parents and Superintendent Kevin Case said counselors and support staff will be available at every school Monday. 

"The National Association of School Psychologists recommends that parents and teachers work with their children to maintain and/or return to a normal daily routine as soon as possible," he wrote to parents. "This helps establish a sense of calm and predictability which is important for a child to feel safe and secure."


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