'That's what being in this community means:' Waukesha Catholics come together in mourning after tragedy

This story was republished on Jan. 20, 2022 to make it free for all

Just 24 hours after Darrell Brooks plowed his red SUV into the Waukesha Christmas Parade, the pews of St. William's Catholic Church in Waukesha were overflowing.

Longtime parishioners and new faces alike crowded into the church sanctuary's narrow walkways, as ushers scurried back and forth to find seats for the nearly 750 people at the Monday night prayer vigil.

The room stirred with worry, confusion and mourning. Some attendees knelt silently in prayer, and others murmured quietly to one another about who was missing, who had been hurt, and had they heard anything about Father Pat?

Monica Cardenas, the director of stewardship and communication for the parish, could not give an exact number, but said as of Monday night new reports were still coming in of injuries within the large but tight-knit Catholic community in Waukesha.

It was only when Father Matthew Widder announced to the congregation that Father Patrick Heppe had been discharged from the hospital that afternoon and recovering well, did the heaviness lift from the room — if only a little.

"We all come here with a story... Many times in the midst of this trauma, we gather with our stories," Widder said. "But the stories just scratched the surface, right? There is a depth, a depth of what we feel inside that words can't speak to."

So if they couldn't speak, Widder encouraged them to weep.

Widder read to his congregation the biblical story of Lazarus, a friend of Jesus Christ, who died. Before raising him from the dead, as the story goes, Jesus first weeps.

"Many times, the question that we ask in these moments is: Why?'" Widder said from the pulpit. But really, what many are asking, Widder said, is how they can move forward after a terrible tragedy.

The first step is to mourn. The second, he said, is to show up for others.

"That's what being in this community means," he said. "We're not meant to do this on our own."

Auxiliary Bishop James Schuerman from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee visited the parish Monday night to let the community know that the Archdiocese is "in solidarity" with them during this time.

"I was very moved by the fact that there were so many here, showing their support. And just being here to pray for those who are really hurting at this time," Schuerman said.

Schuerman also encouraged people affected by the tragedy to seek professional counseling, and for parents whose children were present to address what happened and let their children express their fears.

"I think is very important to allow their children to express their fear, their sadness, whatever it is that they're feeling, and as parents to honestly express what they're feeling as well to their children," Schuerman said. "I think that's the way healing begins."

While just how widely the community has been affected remains unknown, Cardenas said the staff is working with the Archdiocese, as well as Catholic Charities and their parishes, to continue support for those inside and outside their community.

"All of us, in one way or another, are connected," Widder said. "No matter what faith, we are all brothers and sisters. What's most important is to be there."

Samantha Hendrickson can be reached at 414-223-5383 or shendrickson@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @samanthajhendr.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha's Catholic community hit hard by Christmas parade tragedy