On Friday, September 11, 2020, the Town of Hempstead’s annual 9/11 Memorial Service held at Point Lookout took place in a safe and socially distant manner. The annual event is Long Island’s largest 9/11 memorial service. As in years past, musical accompaniment for the ceremony was provided by Kellenberg Memorial’s Gregorian Consortium, the high school’s liturgical choir ensemble.
Members of Gregorian assembled before sunrise where the 30-foot steel relic of the World Trade Center stands today. Fr. Michael Duffy, Rector of St. Agnes Cathedral, lead the invocation following Town of Hempstead Supervisor, Donald Clavin’s welcome remarks.
“To be able to come back and display my love of God through music while remembering those we’ve lost is a blessing. I am grateful for every opportunity that allows me to do so. The ceremony was beautiful,” shares alumna Christelle Pascal ’18.
Junior Rino Monteforte ’22 shared, “In today’s world, with all its craziness, it was truly amazing to see hundreds of people gather to support each other and mourn together the loss of those who died during the attacks on September 11th, 2001. Listening to the words of all the speakers, their reflections, and the roars of applause from the people standing by their cars—it reminded me that we all can be united and together as one nation. And the opportunity to sing here at this beautiful Memorial for my second straight year is just special. It makes me feel good to know that the way we sing gives joy to people that may not be having the greatest of days.”
Senior Emma Carmody ’21 remarked, “It is always a blessing to be able to sing for the 9/11 Memorial Service— to share with all gathered in the remembrance of those who lost and gave their lives that September day. After so much separation these past six months due to COVID, the sense of community and love for our country felt even greater than in past years. My dad is a firefighter and was a first responder at 9/11, which makes this beautiful service all the more special to me.”
This marks the 15th time the Gregorian Consortium has assisted in memorializing the lives lost 19 years ago in Manhattan, Washington, DC, and in Shanksville, PA from the attacks on September 11, 2001.