On Tuesday, September 11, 2012, Fairfield University commemorates the eleven-year anniversary of 9/11 with a "Day of Remembrance" that features campus-wide events taking place throughout the day. Beginning with an Interfaith Prayer Service at 9 a.m., the day's events include a Memorial Mass at 12 noon, continuous screenings of "Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero," the exhibition opening "Dalton Ghetti: Remembering 9/11" at the Bellarmine Museum of Art, a Reflection Wall, and "Reconciliation: The Mary Initiative," which includes a screening of the film "Three Faiths, Two Stories, One Woman," followed by discussion and a light dinner. ( Detailed listing follows ).

"We hope these events on this special day will aid us in remembering and honoring all the victims of 9/11," said Rev. George Collins, S.J., director of Campus Ministry at Fairfield University. "We ask the entire campus and the community to join us in praying for reconciliation and peace among all people." The date will forever hold a special place within the Fairfield University family; 14 Fairfield University alumni lost their lives on September 11, 2001. An on-campus memorial, situated in the front of Fairfield University's Alumni House, includes a section of a steel beam that was once part of the original World Trade Center in New York City. "This year, we honor this important day of remembrance with events that promote healing and reconciliation," saidJulie Mughal, assistant director for the Center for Faith & Public Life . "We hope these events will allow us all to pause in our busy lives, to reflect on our collective humanity, and to celebrate peoples of all backgrounds and faiths."

All "Day of Remembrance" events take place on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, on the campus of Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn., and are free and open to the public:

Interfaith Prayer Service

9 a.m. - Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola
Co-sponsored by The Center for Faith and Public Life, the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies, the Muslim Student Association, Campus Ministry, and the Office of Mission & Identity.

Memorial Mass

12:10 p.m. - Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola
Mass will be offered in remembrance of the victims of 9/11. Hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations, Fairfield University remembers all the victims of 9/11, but in a special way we will recall our alumni who perished on this day, and the family and friends who mourn their passing.

Reconciliation: The Mary Initiative

6 p.m. - Kelley Center Presentation Room
The Mary Initiative, began by Ingrid Stellmacher in 2007, presents a unique approach to faith-based relations and draws on the universal principles and qualities of Mary shared by Christians and Muslims uncovering a new conversation and a new bridge of common understanding. Through the screening of the film, "Three Faiths, Two Stories, One Woman," we hear from people around the world, of different faiths and no faith, what Mary means to them. Their stories reveal a collective longing in us all for recognition, reconciliation, and healing. Join us for an interactive discussion that will include Ms. Stellmacher following the film. A light dinner will be served. Co-sponsored by The Center for Faith and Public Life, the Muslim Student Association, the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies , the Center for Catholic Studies , Campus Ministry, and the Office of Mission and Identity. (R.S.V.P. to jmughal@fairfield.edu by September 7, for this event.)

All-day events:

"Reflection Wall." Barone Campus Center. Students, faculty and staff are invited to leave their thoughts and remembrances written on postcards that will be provided. Campus community members and visitors are encouraged to stop by and take some time to remember those who died on that tragic day.

"Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero," continuous screenings begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Barone Campus Center. A Discovery Channel documentary, "Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero," chronicles the massive effort to reshape ground zero into an expansive 16-acre complex the likes of which has never been seen before. Cameras go alongside the men and women making this vision a reality.

"Dalton Ghetti: Remembering 9/11." Bellarmine Museum of Art, noon to 5 p.m. Artist Dalton M. Ghetti honors the fallen with carved teardrops made from the graphite of recycled pencils found on streets and sidewalks. The 3,000 teardrops, each of which took nearly one hour to carve, are no bigger than a grain of rice.

Image: Fairfield University's 9/11 Memorial honors the 14 Fairfield University alumni who tragically lost their lives on September 11, 2001. The Memorial includes a section of a steel beam that was once part of the original World Trade Center in New York City.

Posted On: 09-05-2012 11:09 AM

Volume: 45 Number: 36