Archdiocese Holds Peace Mass in Wake of Violence

CBS 58-- The Archdiocese of Milwaukee led a Holy Mass for Peace in the wake of the weekend violence.

Hundreds of people gathered at All Saints Parish on the northside.

“I came here to pray for peace in the city and hope that whatever violence is going on, about the burning down houses,” said 7-year-old Ayden. “I hope it stops pretty soon.”

Ayden lives in Sherman Park with her grandmother, Mary Tate-Smith. The little girl watched the violence unfold just outside her windows.

“I felt heartbroken,” Ayden said. “All those people had to rebuild everything they spent days and days working on.”

She came with her grandmother to All Saints Parish Thursday night.

“Prayer can heal anything,” Tate-Smith said. “And with prayer and when people come together and they try to look past their differences.”

The Archdiocese called this a mass for peace 

Very Reverend Timothy Kitzke, the Vicar General of Urban Ministry, says he wants people to leave knowing change is possible, but everyone needs to work for the solutions.

“As you can tell from the spirit that’s present right now it’s a spirit of hope but realistic hope,” Fr. Kitzke said.

The mass also served as a place for those effected by the violence, to heal.

“I hope if it stops, it never happens again,” Ayden said.