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In case you missed it – and I hope you didn’t – one of the big events in our life in these parts was Tuesday’s St. Joseph Altar at my youngest’s school. Here’s one photo – go here for more and a Catholic school-related rant – and to Instagram for video.
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And then two days later, what happens? Emergency lockdown, that’s what!
He said some kind of dispute erupted between one of his co-workers and their boss. The employee pulled out a gun and fired multiple times. Harris said he did not know the nature of the argument.
“I just tried to get out of the way because a bullet ain’t got no names,’’ he said. “The dude shot three or four times.”
He said his boss was struck in the back. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service radio traffic indicated he was shot in the mouth as well, but that has not been confirmed. The victim was alert and conscious when he was transported to the hospital. Harris took his boss his cell phone and his boss told him he was going to be OK.
“It didn’t have to escalate to this,” Harris said.
A businessman was on the top of the parking deck when the shooting happened. He said he heard multiple shots, and then called 911.
The Birmingham Police Departments K9 Unit was brought to the scene to try to track down the suspect. The cleared the area, but South Precinct Capt. Ron Sellers said they have good identity on the suspect. “The suspect knows who he is. He knows he shot someone. It’s best you come froward and tell your story,” Sellers said.
A nearby school – Saint Rose Academy – was briefly put on lockdown while police searched for the suspect.
A bullet ain’t got no names.
How true is that!!
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It was scary for a couple of minutes here – I got a text from the school saying URGENT LOOK AT YOUR EMAIL SCHOOL IN EMERGENCY LOCKDOWN…
…email? Email? Email?
Well, itdidn’t come and it didn’t come and I was starting to worry a little and was almost ready to call the school when the email finally came through.
My son said it was, indeed, a little scary. They were all outside, then were hustled inside to an area behind the stage. The maintenance man was formerly in law enforcement and an officer came on the property as well, but the staff handled everything very well, as far as I can tell, and all was back to normal by dismissal.
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In other local Catholic news – check out our Cathedral’s Facebook page for images of lovely refurbished floors and new pews.
Also yesterday – on the traditional feast of St. Benedict – the transitus of St. Benedict, the local Benedictine Abbey – St. Bernard’s up in Cullman (if you’ve driven on I-65, you’ve seen the billboards for Ave Maria Grotto – and perhaps you’ve visited. If you haven’t, do – it’s well worth the stop) – oh, sorry – anyway, the abbey welcomed three postulants!
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Speaking of St. Benedict, here are some pages from The Loyola Kids Book of Saints on him:
He’s in under “Saints are people who teach us new ways to pray.” Here are some excerpts – click on images to get a fuller view.
Finally – I’ve posted this before, but in case you have missed it, this is a fantastic video from the Benedictines at St. Bernard’s Abbey, located about 45 minutes north of Birmingham. It’s wonderful, not just because of the way in which the monastic vocation is explained, but because those words really apply to all of us as we discern God’s will – every moment of every day.
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Yesterday (Thursday) was also World Downs Syndrome Day. Here are a couple of related videos:
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For more Quick Takes, visit This Ain’t the Lyceum!