Spring Break
Memorial held for Aher, McGrath
University community fills Basilica to remember students; Jenkins presides over Mass
Chris Hine
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: News
University President Father John Jenkins called Sunday, the day he learned Timothy Aher and Connor McGrath died, his "worst day as president of Notre Dame."
Jenkins presided over a Mass Tuesday at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart held in memorial of Aher, a 25-year-old Law School student, and McGrath, a 20-year-old sophomore, who died in unrelated incidents over the weekend.
Students and faculty nearly filled the Basilica and shared laughter and tears listening to stories of Aher and McGrath delivered by law professor Father John Coughlin and Keough Hall rector Father Peter McCormick.
Aher, who was from Brookfield, Conn., and received a Bachelor's degree in linguistics from the University of Chicago, died Sunday in the town of Ilford, a suburb of London. He was studying in the Law School's London Programme.
McGrath, from Oklahoma City, died Sunday in Dillon. McGrath was a resident of Siegfried Hall this semester but lived in Dillon his freshman year and had attended the University of Central Oklahoma this fall.
The University has not released information about the causes of either death, but police investigators said Monday that diabetes may have played a role in McGrath's death.
McCormick, who lived next to McGrath last year when he was an assistant rector in Dillon Hall, said he got to know him well when the two "shared a wall."
"After living in such close proximity to him, I certainly have plenty of stories to tell about Connor," McCormick said. "But only some that would be pulpit-ready."
One "pulpit-ready" story McCormick did share with those gathered involved a time he asked McGrath if he ever considered entering the priesthood.
"Connor kind of gave me that look and then proceeded to avoid me for the next week," McCormick said. "I figured he had other plans."
McCormick said McGrath was a "fun-loving social young man who took the time to get to know others" and hoped people remember McGrath as a respectful, outgoing person.
Jenkins presided over a Mass Tuesday at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart held in memorial of Aher, a 25-year-old Law School student, and McGrath, a 20-year-old sophomore, who died in unrelated incidents over the weekend.
Students and faculty nearly filled the Basilica and shared laughter and tears listening to stories of Aher and McGrath delivered by law professor Father John Coughlin and Keough Hall rector Father Peter McCormick.
Aher, who was from Brookfield, Conn., and received a Bachelor's degree in linguistics from the University of Chicago, died Sunday in the town of Ilford, a suburb of London. He was studying in the Law School's London Programme.
McGrath, from Oklahoma City, died Sunday in Dillon. McGrath was a resident of Siegfried Hall this semester but lived in Dillon his freshman year and had attended the University of Central Oklahoma this fall.
The University has not released information about the causes of either death, but police investigators said Monday that diabetes may have played a role in McGrath's death.
McCormick, who lived next to McGrath last year when he was an assistant rector in Dillon Hall, said he got to know him well when the two "shared a wall."
"After living in such close proximity to him, I certainly have plenty of stories to tell about Connor," McCormick said. "But only some that would be pulpit-ready."
One "pulpit-ready" story McCormick did share with those gathered involved a time he asked McGrath if he ever considered entering the priesthood.
"Connor kind of gave me that look and then proceeded to avoid me for the next week," McCormick said. "I figured he had other plans."
McCormick said McGrath was a "fun-loving social young man who took the time to get to know others" and hoped people remember McGrath as a respectful, outgoing person.