Prayer vigils for shooting victims continue

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Churches across western Massachusetts held special prayer vigils this weekend for the shooting victims and their families.

Still in shock, many people continue to ask the question, why?

To try and help mend all the broken hearts, hundreds of western Massachusetts residents signed a condolences book and prayed special prayers at Our Lady of the Cross Parish in Holyoke Sunday morning.

“I lost a little child once, just a matter of days old, and that's still with me although it's 50 years later.  I just know that prayers surround the people, really and truly. It's the best thing we can do for them,” said Paula Brunault of Holyoke.

Some parishioners told 22News they are still heartbroken, especially knowing that some holiday gifts will now remain unopened, and some children will never be able to decorate a Christmas tree ever again.

While no words could comfort the families, parishioners hope their prayers will help them find a way to cope with this tragedy.

“There's nothing that we can say to these people, other than to know that we are going to pray for them, and they have peace, for them to know to have love in their heart, and know that not everybody's bad,” said Mary Koch of Holyoke.

Many people said they are also thinking of Sandy Hook students who survived the shooting... who will have to go back to school, knowing that some of their friends won't be there.