Saint James the Just Parish prays for healing after shooting

Intermountain Catholic

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Father Erik Richtsteig enters Saint James the Just Catholic Church to bless its interior during the Liturgy of Reparation for healing and cleansing held June 20. Fr. Richtsteig is followed by Father Ken Vialpando (far left), Deacon Bob Bambrick and community members. IC photo/Christine Young

OGDEN — Almost 200 parishioners from the Ogden area prayed the Psalms as they processed through rugged ground outside of Saint James the Just Catholic Church June 20, while Father Erik Richtsteig blessed the church with holy water during a Liturgy of Reparation for cleansing and healing.

As they entered the church, participants prayed the Litany of the Saints to bless the interior.

The Liturgy of Reparation was held for cleansing and healing following the June 16 shooting during a Mass that left 66-year-old James Evans severely wounded. Evans’ son-in-law, Charles Richard Jennings, Jr., faces attempted murder and other charges in connection with the shooting.

"When Jim was shot in the church, some damage was done to two of the pews and we brought in a crime scene clean-up company, but that was physical damage," said Fr. Richtsteig. "We also believe there was a spiritual violation done to the church and through our prayers we are helping to repair that damage."

Prior to the procession, Fr. Richtsteig said, "It’s a little scary coming back, but we don’t have anything to be afraid of because the fellow who shot Jim is in jail. I want you to pray for him. ... He is still our brother. More importantly, Jesus Christ is Lord and has given himself to us and we are not going to let the devil turn us away from our church. There were a lot of really brave people here that day: Those who took care of the families, brave kids who ducked and covered, brave men who charged the gunman and were responsible for him not shooting anyone else, and brave people who took care of Jim."

Tara Evans, wife of James Evans, said the Liturgy of Reparation "really shows the solidarity of this church because the people here are close and love each other, and I think that is because our priest believes his flock is his family; he holds us together like a family. Following the shooting, Fr. Erik was telling people what they had to do for me to take care of us. This liturgy is a way of taking care of us."

Tara Evans can still picture in her mind the gunman entering the church, pulling out the gun and shooting her husband and then pointing the gun at her, she said. "My reaction was to drop and cover, and that is when Paul Conway saved me from being shot. He is my hero."

Conway, who was ushering that day, lunged at the gunman over a pew so he couldn’t fire anymore shots and then ran after him with six other men, he said.

"I love that the church is being blessed and that everybody has come together as one. Coming back to the scene is hard, but being able to walk around with everybody and bless the church really helps."

The church is usually serene and peaceful, "so I’m glad they are blessing it to cleanse the evil away," said Emily Ann Watkins, a St. James parishioner. "I’ve been sick to my stomach since it happened, and the first thing I did when I heard the news was pray the rosary for Jim."

Sherri Hansen, a St. Joseph parishioner, came to show support for St. James parishioners and to show the community that "we will not be fearful and we will not let evil come in to our lives," she said.

Fr. Richtsteig has been overwhelmed with the kindness of everyone, the phone calls, emails and Facebook notices he has received from all over the country to offer prayers and condolences, he said; adding that he is grateful for the support of Father Ken Vialpando, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Ogden.

Fr. Vialpando was among those who participated in the Liturgy of Reparation.