Faith After Tragedy: Rochester Reflects on CT Shooting

The shots that rang out in Newton, CT killing 20 children and 6 adults at an elementary school are having affects on communities hundreds of miles away.

In Rochester, Sacred Heart Cathedral opened its doors for a prayer service.

It was intended to be a joyful youth advent service in preparation for Christmas, but

"It's something that really touches the hearts of our youth since there were so many young people killed today," said

Rev. Kevin McKenna had expected to give a joyous advent message in preparation for Christmas.

"Let us pray for the adults and staff with them also lost their lives," said Rev. McKenna during his sermon.

"We don't know why it happened...to pray about and be together as a community and draw strength from each other...I think that is important for the kids to see too," said Vicky Rippel, Director of Youth Ministry at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish.

We found Donald Badura sitting next to his 11-year old son in a pew inside Sacred Heart.

They go to a church on the other side of the city, but tonight was important.

"Try to assuage his fears, give him comfort," said Donald Badura

Badura wanted to come and pray with his son.

"I couldn't imagine the feelings of the parents and I couldn't imagine it happening to me what would I do, it would be devastation," said Donald Badura, a father.

Donta Badura is in 6^th grade. His teacher told his class about the news. Students, like them, killed by a gunman in Connecticut. The reason unknown.

"I have been thinking about why the man did that because I don't see why he killed so many kids," said Donta.

But together faith helps many get through something incomprehensible.

"It helps because it gives people hope that it won't happen again," said Donta.

And brings a moment of silence to tragedy that shook every neighborhood.

"We can't let fear rule our lives, we have to share faith with each other and find strength," said Badura.

The Gurdwara of Rochester in Penfield is also planning to hold a prayer service for the community.

The Sikh community says it condemns the "unthinkable, unfathomable tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut."

The special prayer service is during the Sunday service from 11:30am to 12:30pm at 2401 Dublin Road in Penfield.