Alvernia Marks 25th Anniversary of Sept. 11 Through Service and Interfaith Remembrance

University launches new Franciscan Fridays service series and gathers faith and community leaders to honor the lives lost and legacy of service 

Alvernia University commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks through service and interfaith remembrance, bringing students, faculty, staff and community members together to honor the lives lost, recognize the sacrifice of first responders and renew a shared commitment to peace, compassion and unity. 

The university's Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement launched Franciscan Fridays, a new service series designed to provide Alvernia students with more frequent opportunities to put the university’s Franciscan values into action throughout the academic year. 

For the inaugural Franciscan Friday, students volunteered at the Reading Area Firefighters Museum in recognition of the courage and selfless service demonstrated by first responders on Sept. 11. Students supported the museum by cleaning, moving items and other projects that help preserve the space and its collection while learning more about the museum and the history it safeguards. 

“Today’s service was a reminder of the commitment firefighters have to their communities, especially during and after moments of tragedy like 9/11. Growing up in New York, 9/11 has always held a personal significance for my family. A close friend of my dad worked in the World Trade Center when the attacks happened, and both of my parents have worked in the area surrounding the Towers, so the anniversary has always been something that has felt very close to home. Being at the museum and learning from the retired firefighters about their work and the ways they continue to serve their community made that commitment feel even more meaningful. It was a powerful experience to be able to give back while also taking time to listen, learn, and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many.” 

Franciscan Fridays complement Alvernia’s larger signature Days of Service by offering smaller service projects each month. The series is designed to help students build sustained relationships with local organizations, engage more consistently with the Greater Reading community, and recognize service as an ongoing expression of the university’s Franciscan mission. 

“We added Franciscan Fridays to give our students more opportunities throughout the semester to serve in our community,” said Denise Leininger, director of the Holleran Center. “These smaller service opportunities make it easier for students to find meaningful ways to give their time and live out our Franciscan mission. Beginning this series at the Firefighters Museum on September 11 carries special significance as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the attacks and remember the lives lost, those who responded with courage and compassion, and the many people who continue to carry the impact of that day.” 

The Alvernia community also gathered on the Judge Hall Patio for its annual 9/11 Interfaith Memorial Day service, hosted by Alvernia’s Office of Mission and Ministry. 

The service brought together local representatives of multiple faith traditions and community organizations for prayer, reflection and music. The program included Catholic prayers and blessings along with additional Jewish, Ecumenical and Islamic prayers and blessings. An Interfaith message of peace and unity and musical selections from the Fresh Winds Gospel Group were also shared with the audience. 

Participants remembered the 2,977 people killed on Sept. 11, 2001, their families and the first responders, service members, survivors and others whose courage and compassion emerged amid the tragedy. 

“On this day, people of many faiths and traditions still gather together because we do know at heart we are brother and sister,” said Bernardine Franciscan Sister Marie Cacciatore, who offered the closing prayer. “Every person possesses dignity. We really are called to be our brother’s keeper, to care for one another.” 

Sister Marie called on those gathered to remember not only the tragedy of Sept. 11, but the “extraordinary courage and compassion and unity and solidarity” demonstrated in its aftermath. She encouraged people of goodwill to recommit themselves to peace through respect and openness to one another. 

“May we always remember, may we always forgive, may we always seek truth and justice,” said Cacciatore. “May we choose peace.” 

Cacciatore concluded by inviting attendees to join in a prayer associated with Father Mychal Judge, O.F.M., a Franciscan friar and New York City Fire Department chaplain who was killed while ministering to first responders at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. 

The connection carries particular significance for Alvernia. Judge Hall, where the university's memorial gathering was held, bears Judge's name, linking the campus community to his Franciscan legacy of presence, service and care for others. 

Together, the day’s activities reflected the message at the heart of Alvernia’s 25th anniversary observance: Remembrance is not only an act of looking back, but an invitation to carry forward the compassion, service and solidarity shown in the face of tragedy. 

As the memorial program reminded attendees, “May memory lead us to compassion, and compassion lead us to peace.”