Aug. 27, 2025

“Anyone who destroys a single life, destroys an entire world.” (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5)

Grief and sorrow have descended upon our hearts after the horrific mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. We pray for the victims and their families and send loving care to all the first responders and to our dear friends in Minnesota’s Catholic community.

We are here for you today, and in the months and years ahead, as you navigate the tremendous loss that has touched the Annunciation Church and School community. Our lives are intertwined with yours and though we attend different congregations and schools, we shop at the same stores and sit next to you on the sidelines of the same soccer fields.

In a world that seeks to divide, we are forever grateful to live in a state that brings people of different faiths together. Minnesota’s Catholic community has shown up time and time again for our Jewish community when we have faced moments of heartbreak and suffering. During this time of crisis, we stand with you, offering our prayers, and our support.

As always, we are tremendously grateful to our partners in law enforcement who immediately ran toward gunfire with hopes of saving lives. We are also thankful for the outstanding professionalism of the JCRC’s security team who not only keep our Jewish community safe but stand ready to be of assistance to our Catholic brothers and sisters.

May we all continue to work for a world that is free of senseless violence, ridding evil from our midst. Sacred spaces must remain sacred; sanctuaries remaining as sanctuaries and schools as schools – all free of terror and hate.  As we commit to building worlds of peace and love, we sit with you in your grief, your mourning, and your anguish. Let the souls of the innocent rest in peace and may their memories forever be a blessing.