Tears flowed at St. Theresa's Cathedral yesterday as hundreds of people packed the church to remember the victims of September 11.

Led by Bishop Robert J. Kurtz, several local dignitaries and emergency service members joined the public in celebrating life and praying for peace.

As he reflected on the horrific events of last year, US Consul General Denis Coleman Jr. thanked Bermudians for stepping forward and offering "compassion and faith that swept our nation in the face of the evil done that day". He praised the Government for allowing nine planes to divert to the Island after America closed its airspace and accommodating more than a thousand people. "When all available rooms were full, Bermudians took the weary travellers into their own homes," he said. "As usual, Bermudians demonstrated the generosity for which they are famous for."

Although Mr. Coleman acknowledged that people's lives will never be the same after the terrorist attacks, he told the capacity crowd of choices they could take. "We could give in and give up, or we can rebuild our lives, recommit ourselves to preserve freedom, and resolve to work toward a world at peace."