— The Rev. Erik Richtsteig on Thursday evening moved around the perimeter of the brown-brick St. James the Just Catholic Church, reciting Scripture and sprinkling holy water.
A long stream of parishioners, two or three abreast, followed Richtsteig and forged a path behind the church, where green weeds and tall, purple blossoms grow. The procession wound its way into the church and inside the chapel, where stained-glass windows and a large crucifix overlook the rows of quickly filling wooden benches.
Four days after Charles Richard “Ricky†Jennings Jr. allegedly walked into the chapel and shot his father-in-law, James Evans, in the head during a Father’s Day Mass, the priest and his parishioners were there to purify and restore the sanctity of their place of worship.
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The ceremony began with the parishioners gathered in front of the church, where Richtsteig encouraged those in attendance not to be afraid to return to the site of the shooting.
He also implored them to be forgiving of Jennings, who he hoped would emerge in the end as a better person.
Richtsteig then led the parishioners around the church, ending up a short while later in the chapel. Standing in front of the altar, Richtsteig asked God to purify the church, and church members later knelt and prayed.
Speaking to the large gathering of parishioners, Richtsteig said it is crucial that no one affected by the shooting seek vengeance.
“The evil done in this church can stop today, if we can forgive,†he told his flock.
Richtsteig also praised the many brave actions of those in attendance Sunday when the shooting took place, which he said overshadowed the evil actions of one individual.
“There were many heroes here Sunday,†he said to the gathering, singling out those who immediately began protecting children, those who cared for Evans after he had been shot and those who chased off Jennings, who police say has admitted to the shooting.
“He saw the congregation coming after him, and he beat feet. ... People without a gun charged a man with a gun.â€