So. Fla. schools show support to Sandy Hook

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. (WSVN) -- Catholic churches across Miami-Dade and Broward counties held tributes honoring the victims and families of the Sandy Hook tragedy, Friday.

Catholic school students in South Florida prayed for each of the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook Massacre, nearly to the minute, a week after the shooting.

At Good Shepherd School in Southwest Miami-Dade students read biographies on the victims and wrote prayers specifically for each victim.

The prayers were placed in a jar to be sent to St. Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown, where many of the victims attended services.

At the church's namesake in Miami Shores, the St. Rose of Lima School, students gathered to pray the rosary. One student said, "I'll be thinking about all those people that died, all the heroes that saved everything."

The students later wrote personal prayers for a spiritual bouquet. The prayers will be sent to the church in Newtown that shares the same name and will be read by those in need of spiritual support.

St. Rose of Lima student Daniel Ruiz said, "They're like family to us. Their church is our church, so really, we're all just one big house since we're all family members."

The prayer and remembrance activities came a week after class discussions and questions from young students, trying to process the horrific events.

The principal at St. Rose of Lima School, Sister Bernadette Keane said, "In one of the classes one of the boys said, 'Would you really give your life for me?' and the teacher said, 'Sure I would because you are my student. I love all the students in this class. I would certainly protect you.'"

Secular private schools also remembered the victims and their relatives. At the Cushman School, students gathered in the patio for a moment of silence. Students say they have reflected on the events all week. Cushman School Student Adrian Padron said, "Me and my mom, we're just really sad hugging each other and praying that she wouldn't loose myself and that I wouldn't lose her. It was pretty sad."

The students at St. Rose Lima school will continue to remember the victims throughout the day on Friday by wearing green ribbons in representation of the Sandy Hook colors.

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