Les parents de la victime de la fusillade d'Annunciation affirment que les progrès de leur fille sont un « miracle »

A GoFundMe page organized by Michelle Erickson on behalf of the Forchas has raised more than $1 million for Sophia's recovery and to support her family with counseling services.

Sophia's younger brother was also at the school during the shooting. Her mother, a pediatric intensive care nurse, "arrived at work to help with the tragedy, before knowing that the school under attack was her children's school and that her daughter was critically injured," according to the GoFundMe page.

Sophia's parents asked the world for prayers—and the world responded. The Forchas family received messages of support from many people, from Athens to Minneapolis.

After the tragedy, the family said that "rays of hope emerged" last week.

Sophia's doctor observed that she was "showing signs of resilience," the family said. "Her progress to date is described as miraculous. We call it a miracle."

“We thank you for all the prayers, love, and unwavering support from around the world,” the Forchas family said. “Sophia’s road ahead is challenging, but she is climbing it with fierce determination.”

“She is fighting not only for herself, but for every soul who has prayed for her,” they added. “Continue to keep Sophia in your hearts and prayers. She is a warrior! And she is winning!!”

“Broken and heartbroken, but not lost”

This week, hundreds of people gathered to support the family of 10-year-old Harper Moyski, one of the two victims who died. Eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel also died in the attack. Twenty-one other people, mostly children, were injured.

Harper's parents, Mike Moyski and Jackie Flavin, called their daughter a "light" during a celebration of life on September 14 at Lake Harriet Bandshell in Minneapolis.

“She taught us something profound: light doesn’t always mean being strong alone,” Flavin said. “Sometimes it means being gentle enough to let love in.”

“Harper didn't do anything by halves. She was extraordinary in the best way,” Flavin added. “She filled her 10 short years with so much joy and imagination, and thank God, it all counted.”

His mother described the last few weeks as "being dropped to the bottom of the ocean, where it's dark and the pressure is overwhelming, and no human is really meant to survive."

But amid their grief, Harper's parents say they are grateful for the support they have received.

“There is so much love and support lighting our way that we didn’t feel lost,” Flavin said. “Broken and heartbroken, but not lost.”

“You supported us during the most difficult days of our lives, and we are very grateful,” Moyski added.

The aftermath of the tragedy

Students at Annunciation Catholic School are returning this week to a modified schedule, with support activities and additional security and staffing.

The church where the shooting took place will have to be re-consecrated, according to the archdiocese.

Resecration is a Catholic ritual to purify a sacred place after its desecration.

Father Matthew Crane, a canon lawyer in Minnesota, explained that in this rite, "the sanctuary is stripped in a manner consistent with Good Friday."

“After the procession, in the same manner as in the initial rite of consecration of a church, the celebrant, usually a diocesan bishop, blesses the water and then sprinkles it on the walls and the faithful,” Crane explained. “Penitential prayers are recited, and the altar is dressed with linen and candles only after these rituals are completed.”

He added that the "spiritual effects" include "purification and repair."

Crane, who has attended a re-creation before, said he was "surprised by how, by participating in this ritual, I felt connected and comfortable in the place."

"I hope that at the Annunciation, or in any Catholic community, the ritual of reconsecration will give the community a deep sense of feeling at home again in a house of God," he concluded.