In response to the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church that claimed the lives of two children last week, one family is taking steps to share positivity in Minnesota.
Traveling from Cleveland, Ohio, the Chrostowski family headed to Minneapolis to serve pancakes to the community at Pearl Park, located near the site of the shooting.
The Chrostowskis, who are Catholic, were especially moved by the tragedy, given that their two children attend Catholic grade school in Cleveland.
“You have to channel that energy. You must act on the emotions you feel. I couldn’t just stay behind in Cleveland working at the restaurant. I needed to come here and make a difference,” shared Brandon Chrostowski, the leading chef and owner of Edwin’s Restaurant, with CBS.
Together with his wife and his children, 10-year-old Leo and 8-year-old Lilly, Chrostowski embarked on the nearly 800-mile journey to support a community grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy.
“It felt like the right thing to do ,to help people out and bring them back together,” Leo said.
Chrostowski added he wanted to put his God-given skills to use for the betterment of the community.
“I’m not good at sitting down and doing nothing. I know how to cook,” he said. “… We want to bring people together. It’s not a time to be alone.”
The archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis emphasized on “Prime” this past Sunday that while prayer for the community is vital and valued, it should also inspire action.
He urged that this action could include working collectively with officials and legislators to find ways to address and potentially diminish the significant issue of gun violence.
“What are the vaccines that are going to help us so that other families don’t have to experience … what’s being experienced at Annunciation in Minneapolis?” he asked.
