Fr. Mychal remembered in Syracuse

Fr. Mychal Judge, the FDNY chaplain who is officially recorded as the first victim in New York City on 9/11, is now remembered in a statue that was recently unveiled in Syracuse, New York.

Pictured from left are Fr. Fred Daley, filmmaker Brendan Fay, and retired New York City firefighter David Fullam. They were together at the Roman Catholic Parish of All Saints, Syracuse for the dedication of the sculpture "First from the Flames."

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The sculpture depicts Fr. Mychal Judge's body being carried by firefighters from the World Trade Center. The ceremony was led by Bishop Thomas Costello.

Before the sculpture was unveiled, Fr. Judge's friends and colleagues shared remembrances and reflections, which included offerings from Fr. Judge's longtime friend from his Franciscan years, Dr. J. Rene Wilett, as well as from Mr. Fay and Mr. Fullam.

"As FDNY chaplain, the son of immigrants, a gay man and a recovering alcoholic, Fr. Mychal Judge reached out to so many persons and communities with his spirit of hospitality and compassion," Fay, director of the film "Remembering Mychal," said at the ceremony.

"The sign over the parish door, 'All Are Welcome,' reflects the spirit of Mychal Judge," he said.

As part of the weekend-long celebration, Fay also displayed some of the photographs and personal letters of Fr. Judge from a book collection which he is currently editing. Photo by Julia Sprague.

 

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