(Editor’s note: Bullock originally posted this firsthand account from Holy Cross Catholic Church as a comment on NMPolitics.net’s Facebook page. He was writing in response to another commentary about the importance of coming together after Sunday’s explosions.)
COMMENTARY: I wasn’t able to attend the interfaith service Sunday evening so I’m unable to comment on it with any certainty, but I’ve heard from Monsignor Anderson that it was quite wonderful.
Courtesy photo
Craig R. Bullock
That being said, I was at Holy Cross on Sunday morning when the bomb went off just a few feet from where I was working. The police responded quickly and proceeded to calmly evacuate the congregation to a safe distance. The fire department was on scene and was quick to distribute water bottles and help the elderly find shade and relief from the summer’s sun.
Monsignor Anderson gathered a large number of the congregants and held a prayer circle. People hugged each other. Strangers held hands and comforted each other.
At first there was a sense of bewilderment and disbelief, but it quickly turned to one of courage and resolve. A resolve to not give into fear. A resolve to not be deterred from our routines and habits and practices of worship and fellowship.
Impressed with law enforcement
None of us there were able to access our vehicles, so staff and volunteers who weren’t at the church when the event took place dropped their plans and spent their morning giving rides home to the hundreds of people who were left without transportation.
I personally gave statements to the Las Cruces Police Department and no less than five FBI agents, all of whom were courteous, professional and kind, even going so far as to tell me they were happy that I was OK.
I know that I am not the only one who had this positive experience. In fact we were all very impressed with the various local, state, and federal authorities that were on the scene working around the clock to find those responsible for the egregious act.
I personally feel that law enforcement often gets a bad reputation for being rude and uncaring towards the public, but that was not at all the case at Holy Cross. I feel very lucky and grateful to have had such wonderful law enforcement officials at work in our community and nation.
The very best in people came to the surface
Twenty five hours later, the FBI gave the all clear for people to return to the church and pick up their vehicles. Even though the parish office was officially closed for the day, myself and a few other staff members were there to clean the church and help people find possessions that were left behind during the evacuation. The number of people who stopped by that morning to show support, offer their help, seek answers, and try to find solace through prayer and community was amazing.
By noon Monsignor Anderson held an unadvertised mass of thanksgiving in front of dozens of congregants in the same spot that just one day prior had seen a bomb explode that was designed to create great bodily harm to innocent people.
They showed great strength gathering together, refusing to bow to fear.
This whole episode, while awful and ugly, may have actually had a net positive affect on our community. The very best in people came to the surface in response to this act of violence. It has been uplifting to see everyone coming together to help and support each other.
Born and raised in New Mexico, Craig attended Holy Cross Catholic School as a child and is currently a faith formation leader at Holy Cross Parish.