Priest struggles to find words to comfort Lac-Megantic parish

LAC-MEGANTIC, Que. – The parish priest in a Quebec town gripped by tragedy says he’s struggled to find the words to comfort his flock.

Steve Lemay says he and his colleagues have tried to bring some solace to Lac-Megantic in the week since a horrific train derailment killed 50 people and razed the town centre.

But he says some residents haven’t even begun to grieve and it’s far too soon to speak of recovery.

The church has become a rallying point for the stricken community since it reopened to the public Friday.

The congregation gathered this morning for the first Sunday mass since last weekend’s derailment.

The service alluded to the disaster, praising the countless Good Samaritans who have set aside their own suffering to help others.

Offers of volunteer help have poured in, including on the web where people have offered their various skills to help struggling Lac-Megantic residents.