Wednesday, March 10, 2010 WE REMEMBER …. ECUMENICAL SERVICE A TIME OF PRAYER AND REFLECTION (St. John’s – March 19, 2009) The bells of the Roman Catholic Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist tolled Wednesday evening for the 17 people that died last Thursday when their Cougar offshore helicopter crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. As the bells tolled hundreds of mourners walked in silence toward the historic church for an evening of prayer and reflection. At least 2400 people filled the pews and any available space in the church that can normally seat 1700 comfortably. Many stood two and three deep in the ambulatories of the church. The young voices of the award winning St. Bonaventure’s Choir and Brass Ensemble set the tone for the evening singing “When the Stars Fall.” The choir members under the direction of Ms. Kellie Walsh and Brass Ensemble under the direction Vincenza Ectchegary insisted on being part of the service. They were remembering, Peter Breen, the father of one of their classmates who died in the helicopter crash. In the sanctuary men and women from most Christian faith communities and non Christian communities including the Jewish, Hindu and Muslim communities in the province sang and reflected as they listed to a combined choir of the Basilica Parish and friends. An invitation to other choirs in the city was extended by the Basilica Choir Director and Organist Patti Fowler. In the front section of the church, dignitaries and politicians sat in reserved pews surrounded by the crash victims' families and friends. Among the dignitaries were Lt.-Gov. John Crosbie and Mrs Crosbie. Among the federal politicians were Prime Minister Stephen Harper with MP Peter MacKay and Senator Fabian Manning. Prime Minister Harper on entering the church avoided reporters but made a brief statement immediately after the service. "People across the country understand the risks and understand the sorrow that must be felt, especially in a place like this where there's really one degree of separation between just about everyone in this community and the men and women who died," Harper said outside the Basilica. "We just want to express on behalf of all Canadians our thoughts and prayers, our condolences to the families and also our hopes for the recovery of (lone survivor) Mr. Decker." Family members of the victims of the tragedy said that they were pleased that the Prime Minister and Premier took the time from their busy schedules to be with them in their sorrow. Premier Danny Williams was led to his pew with a group of his cabinet ministers by Monsignor Joseph Barton., Vicar General of the Archdiocese of St. John’s. MPs Justin Trudeau and Marc Garneau represented the federal Liberal party. NDP MP Jack Harris, St. John’s East represented the New Democratic Party. The religious service included scriptural readings and hymns, prayers of intercession and tributes to the passengers of the Cougar Helicopters shuttle that went down after the crew reported mechanical problems. Some of the prayers and hymns were read and sung by coworkers and relatives of the lost. Alice Breen and Barbara Bradbury are both related to Peter Breen. The reflection hymn I Know That My Redeemer Lives done by the combined Choir was lead by Barry, Kit & Keith Roberts with deep connections to Keith Escott one of the victims. Another relative of one of the deceased crash victims was Katie Sullivan the trumpeter. A particularly moving part of the service were the prayers of intercession that were read by the men and women who work on a daily basis on the oil rigs with the oil workers. Prayers offered included a wish to learn what caused the helicopter to crash. Archbishop Martin Currie, who hosted the service told those that gathered that "many of us will leave (the Basilica) with heavy hearts to face the difficult time ahead but from my life experiecne I say life is changed and will be difference but (it) life goes on." (The full text of Archbishop Currie’s homily can be found at www.stjohnsarchdiocese.nf.ca/echomily.asp) Fourteen of the 17 people killed in the crash were from Newfoundland and Labrador. The deceased are: Thomas Anwyll, 46, Langley, B.C. Peter Breen, 55, St. John's. Gary Corbett, 46, Conception Bay South. Matthew William Thomas Davis, 34, St. John's, pilot of the helicopter. Wade Drake, 42, Fortune. Wade Duggan, 32, Witless Bay. Corey Eddy, 32, of Paradise, formerly of Sibley's Cove. Keith Escott, 39, St. John's. Colin Henley, 38, St. John's. Tim Lanouette, 48, Comox, B.C., first officer on the helicopter. Allison Maher, 26, Mount Pearl, formerly of Aquaforte. Ken MacRae, 47, Greenwood, N.S. Gregory Wayne Morris, 39, Outer Cove. Derrick Mullowney, 51, Bay Bulls. Burch Nash, 44, Fortune. John Pelley, 41, Deer Lake. Paul Pike, 49, Shearstown. Only one person, Robert Decker, survived the crash. Now recovering in a St. John's hospital, Decker was the subject of numerous prayers during the evening.