When Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said of the events of that day that it was “a day of infamy.” Others often remember where they were when U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. For those of us born in the 1980s, we remember where we were when the events of September 11, 2001 took place. I was 17 years old and in Grade 12 at Queen Elizabeth Regional High School in (Foxtrap) Conception Bay South. It was recess, and one classroom in the school had cable television. Those of us who heard during recess about the first plane attacking the World Trade Center crammed into that classroom and watched the second plane hit. Of course, after all that, there was not much concentration on schoolwork for the rest of the day. I remember when I got home from school, my mother was curled up on the sofa in the living room, watching television. It was the first time in my life I had ever seen the look of fear on my mother’s face. I thought to myself, “Oh boy, this is not good.”
Fast-forward 25 years: on September 1, 2026, that 17-year-old boy is now the parish priest in the place where the world saw kindness not only be a possibility, but also a reality. Little did I ever think back in 2001 that I would be the parish priest of Gander and take in the enormity of such an occasion in the life of the community. Hearing people talk about the goings-on of 25 years ago, I learned that there was a commemoration happening at the Steele Community Centre, but being new to the community, I did not know that I needed a ticket to get into the event. On the morning of September 11, 2026, I went to a local coffee shop for breakfast and saw a familiar face that I had seen on television leading up to the anniversary—a representative of the 9/11 Pay It Forward organization—who not only paid for my breakfast, but also offered me a ticket to the commemoration event. That afternoon, I found myself sitting in the bleachers of the community centre, taking part in a historical moment. Having been the parish priest for only 11 days at that point, I had never felt as proud as I did in that moment to live in and be part of a community as its parish priest. But the events didn’t end after that.
Leading up to the anniversary, the American Consulate General in Halifax, NS, had been in contact with the parish to organize a breakfast with the American Ambassador for representatives of groups, organizations, and volunteers who helped in the relief efforts following 9/11 in the community. This was held at Branch 8 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Gander on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Not only was the ACW of St. Martin’s Cathedral recognized, but it was also pointed out to the Consulate Office that Mint Brook Camp & Conference Centre had hosted the crew and passengers of US Airways Flight 27 from Paris to Philadelphia. Due to other commitments, Bishop John Watton asked me to attend on his behalf. Along with Margaret Jenniex, who at the time was Program Officer for the Diocese, we represented Mint Brook. Hilda Goodyear and Eleanor Brown, who were active on the ground then and are still involved in parish life, represented the ACW of that day. In addition, The Rev. James Beaton, who at the time of 9/11 was part of the local 50+ group, was also at the breakfast.
These days, despite any hostility felt globally, these events showed that kindness, generosity, respect, and dignity are not far-fetched ideologies. These are attributes that show the best of humanity when humanity shows its worst. As Anglicans, yes, we do outreach, but we do not do it for the sake of bragging rights or flaunting. We do it because the Gospel calls us to do so. Yet to be in this moment, politics aside, it was certainly an honour to hear the stories of 25 years ago and know that, as one prayer puts it:
Goodness is stronger than evil.
Love is stronger than hate.
Light is stronger than darkness.
Truth is stronger than lies.
(A Wee Worship Book, page 20)
May we all remember that when humanity acts at its worst, the best of humanity can and will shine brighter.