Elmhurst responds to NIU tragedy with prayers
Published Feb 20, 2008
ELMHURST— It appears that faith is the mainstay for Linda Greer as she struggles to make sense of the tragedy that took the life of her 20-year-old son, Daniel Parmenter. The 2006 alumnus of York Community High School in Elmhurst was one of five students killed by gunman Stephen Kazmierczak while attending Northern Illinois University classes Feb. 14 in DeKalb. During an ecumenical prayer service Feb. 15 at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, Greer stood up and said, “My strength is in the Lord, even though I’m going to miss a wonderful son.”
Greer, a former religious education teacher at a Christian Reformed Church, thanked the 30-some people gathered at the Presbyterian church across the street from the high school. Greer said that faith will guide them through the tragedy.
After the service, Greer addressed members of the press and continued to express how her faith is providing a beacon of light in a void of darkness. She said, “Because I know that so many people are praying for us and are holding us up, there is hope for the future. Evil is not going to overcome good in this world when there are people of God praying.”
Hands were folded, heads were bowed and eyes were moist with tears during the service arranged and led by the Rev. Cliff Lyda, pastor, and the Rev. H. Scott Matheney, chaplain at nearby Elmhurst College in Chicago’s western suburbs—affiliated with the United Church of Christ.
Rev. Matheney, said, “My institution has many layers and relationships with Northern (Illinois University).” The minister was clearly impacted by the event that took place at a campus just an hour away from their location, where Elmhurst College students compete in sporting events and socialize with other chapters of the same fraternities and sororities. As he offered prayers and words of comfort, he wiped away tears from his cheeks.
Rev. Matheney also offered practical advice in coping with the heartbreak. He encouraged the grieving community members to correspond with the loved ones’ victims. He also urged them to reconnect with the special people in their own lives. He said, “Reach out and touch the key people in your life.”
The congregation sat in stillness, praying and pondering as a grieving community. Rev. Lyda said, “The silence is very honoring of the victims and indicative that words are just not there. And it will take some time to know where to find God in all of this.”
The pastor said he found strength in his faith and community. Rev. Lyda added, “Those of us who believe in God are called upon to believe in those things we can not see. Without that, fear will take over our lives.”
The service was concluded with the congregants holding hands and reciting prayer. Then, attendees gathered around Greer to offer their condolences. The impromptu support group that was formed provided comfort by sharing hugs and shared memories.
Dennis Davis, a “good friend” and former high school classmate of Parmenter, shared with the Explorer his own memories of his carefree friend. The College of DuPage student said he ate lunch with Parmenter every day of their sophomore and junior years at the west suburban high school where Parmenter played rugby and football. Davis said, “He was so much fun.”
The prayers are expected to continue as several communities plan similar gatherings. Elmhurst College plans to host a special prayer service of solidarity at 3 p.m. Feb. 21. It is the same time campus ministers at Northern Illinois University plan to hold a prayer service marking the tragedy’s one-week anniversary.
In addition to Parmenter, other NIU students who died were Gayle Dubowski. 20, of Carol Stream, Catalina Garcia, 20, of Cicero, Julianna Gehant, 32, of Mendota and Ryanne Mace, 19, of Carpentersville. Both Garcia and Gehant were Catholics. Kazmierczak, 27, who grew up in northwest suburban Elk Grove Village, committed suicide immediately after the killing spree during a lecture class in Cole Hall on the NIU campus.
Kevin O’Donnell, director of the Joliet diocesan Office of Campus Ministry and Catholic co-chaplain at Elmhurst College, said he plans to attend the service at Elmhurst College. He discussed the tragedy with the Explorer during a Feb. 18 telephone conversation and said students had not approached him yet for counseling.
O’Donnell said in this type of situation he encourages the grieving to “talk about the person and their feelings about what’s happened.”
North Central College in Naperville, where O’Donnell ministers as well, planned to hold its own memorial service for the NIU tragedy Feb. 19.
