World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial To Be Refurbished, Relocated at Graymoor

Nov. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- After twelve years, Hudson Valley’s 9/11 Memorial, is getting a new location and refurbishment as part of a redesign of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement’s Graymoor residence.  Currently located near the St. Jude Pond and Meditation Garden at Graymoor, the site held its first memorial commemoration ceremony in 2002.  Since then, many items have been donated honoring those lost in the 2001 terrorist attacks.  The main feature of the site is a Cross erected by the Ironworkers of Local 40 which is positioned to face Ground Zero.  Constructed of steel and ash from the World Trade Center, the beams came from the building above the subway, and the steel rods are from the North Tower. The small steel cross is from the South Tower. Its concrete base is mixed with 4 gallons of ash from Ground Zero.  In addition to the 9/11 Memorial, the St. Jude Garden has also served as the location of a statue of Our Lady of Medjugorje donated to the memorial by Croatia and a memorial to those with HIV/AIDS.

The architectural firm working on the redesign of an updated friary is currently drawing up plans for a relocated and refurbished 9/11 memorial.  “All items at the current site will be worked into the new design. Each piece will be carefully and securely stored until the new site is ready for building,” said Brother Theodore Novak, SA, who coordinates the annual memorial service and serves as Chaplain to the Garrison Volunteer Fire Department. He said, “We hope to begin work on the new location in the spring, and when the new 9/11 memorial location is completed, we will invite the public to a Blessing of the refurbished memorial.”

The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are a Roman Catholic order of brothers and priests founded in 1898 by Fr. Paul Wattson, SA at Graymoor in Garrison.  Since that time, the Friars have worked for reconciliation and healing through “at-one-ment” — the unity of men and women with God and with one another —  so that the prayer of Jesus “that they all may be one” might be fulfilled.  Through their mission and ministries they serve people of every race, religion, and walk of life. Their social ministries help the poor, the needy, and the homeless; people living with HIV; frail and elderly in hospitals and hospices; those in prison; and people seeking recovery from alcoholism and chemical addictions.  Their ecumenical work makes them leaders of the international movement to heal the divisions within Christianity and among all faiths.  Through their prayers and pastoral ministries, they bring spiritual renewal, unity, harmony, and reconciliation throughout the world and carry the Gospel message to three continents. For more information about the friars, visit http://www.atonementfriars.org.