09/11/2026
Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Michael Cullinan, who was the principal of Nativity Parish School at that time, shared a reflection ahead of the anniversary. 🙏
"This September 11, 2026, will be 25 years since our world changed forever. Ask anyone, and they will be able to tell you exactly where and what they were doing on that fateful day. After those tragic events of September 11, 2001, we promised that we would never forget. I will always remember that day.
On September 11, 2001, I was the principal of Nativity Parish School in Leawood. It was a crisp, autumn day with barely a cloud in the blue sky. We had just prayed at Mass for the people involved in a single plane crash in New York City and had no idea what was to unfold on that tragic day.
As we stopped for a short recess after Mass, we noticed what appeared to be a perfect ring of smoke or a halo directly above the church. Upon entering school, it soon became clear that we were facing something that we had never faced before. Our job to protect and nurture the children in our care was never clearer. Despite the beautiful weather, no outdoor recesses were allowed and school proceeded normally.
In my 41 years in education, I have never been prouder of a teaching staff than I was on that day. Despite having their own children traveling for work by air or attending school out of state, they never wavered in their duty to calmly keep this tragedy from the children to avoid panic, fear and misunderstanding; while allowing their parents to discuss it with them first when they return to their homes at the end of the day.
At dismissal time, we sent home with every student a picture of the 'halo’ over the church with a comforting Bible verse knowing full well that life as we know it was going to change forever. When the children returned to school on September 12, 2001, we talked about their fears, prayed and concentrated on hope for the future. Please pray today for the victims, their families, and for peace in our world."
📸: Kathi Rohr
