Parishes, schools grieve a child’s death after car accident

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By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger

DAVENPORT — A 3-year-old boy died after being struck by a car in an accident in the Holy Family Parish parking lot Feb. 28.
A group of children were playing in the lot, said Father Robert Harness, Holy Family’s pastor. The lot is shared with All Saints Catholic School, he noted. The youngster was transported to Genesis East where he was pronounced dead.

Father Tony Herold, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Davenport, said 3-year-old Braddock Shovlain was a member of St. Paul’s and attended Villa Maria Child­care Cen­ter in Daven­port. Fr. Herold was heading to Milwaukee for a retreat this week but turned back when he received the message about the tragedy.

“There has been an outpouring of community support here,” Fr. Herold said. “It has been amazing.”

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Students in the upper grades at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School, which Braddock’s three older siblings attend, prayed the rosary for the youngster and his family in the church. “This is what is neat about Catholic schools when there is a tragedy — we have our faith to share,” Fr. Herold said.

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School principal Julie Delaney said counselors were on site Monday and other Catholic school counselors were on call if needed. Fr. Herold, Deacon Bob Shaw and staff members were available for students and staff.

“We will have counseling available for the students and staff as needed for the remainder of the week. Everyone pro­cesses their grief in different ways and time frames. We want to make sure we can support the students and staff when they need it, whether today, tomorrow, next week or a month from now,” Delaney said. “The St. Paul school community will continue to pray and provide support for the family. I know the All Saints and Assumption High School communities are also hurting with the loss of Braddock. We are keeping them in our prayers as well.”

All Saints Catholic School Principal Jeanne VonFeldt sent an email about the accident to all parents of the school’s students. “We are profoundly saddened by this death,” she wrote. She noted that students were informed of the tragedy to avoid rumors. Teachers were given a statement to read Feb. 29 and prayers were offered for the family. Counselors were on hand at All Saints.


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