To the family, friends, and fellow worshipers of Angeline Fimognari, who lost her life in the city’s most recent homicide, I extend my sympathies. 

 

My only knowledge of Angeline is that which has been widely publicized. But like anyone else following the story, I know her death and the circumstances surrounding it have left many people questioning why. Why an innocent, elderly woman? Why in all places, the church she visited daily for prayer and worship? And most certainly the most difficult to answer, why would God let something like this happen to her?

 

I choose to believe that God doesn’t let these things happen to us. And I choose to believe that He was in fact right there, with Angeline at the very moment she needed Him most. 

 

Sadly, crime knows no boundaries, and pain and suffering enter every life at some point on some level. I only hope that Angeline’s loved ones find some small comfort in the certain place in heaven her prayerful life secured for her, and that from there, she can help them find peace. 

 

Would our anger and sadness not be better channeled into prayer for Angeline, her family and friends, and for guidance into how each of us can hopefully find a way to better our communities and the world we live in?  What better tribute to a woman of whom it has been said gave of herself and to everyone she knew, love, kindness, warmth and prayer?