Sunday Service Eases Burden On Heavy Hearts After Boston Marathon Bombings
WATERTOWN (CBS) -- Sunday morning was bright and sunny, and music filled St. James Apostolic Church in Watertown. But the sanctuary was filled with people with heavy hearts.
"What a week we had this past week. We are grateful for law enforcement for sacrificing their life for the sake of us all," Rev. Father Arakel Aljalian said to his congregation.
On Marathon Monday, the pastor was close to the bombings with his son, Gabriel, who is battling leukemia. A few days later, Aljalian's town and church was caught in the middle of a massive manhunt that locked down the entire city of Boston and Watertown.
"Right in front of the church, this was like a war zone," Rev. Aljalian said.
Now that the chaos spawned by the Boston Marathon bombings has come to an end, at least one member of the St. James faithful was grateful to have the Sunday service for reflection, prayer and worship. "I felt like I had to come to church this morning. It was important to me," parishioner Diane Adamain said. "I'm happy that it's over and no one else will get hurt. That's what I pray for."
