Vigil mourns latest domestic violence victim
By Linda Girardi For The Beacon-News December 31, 2011 5:42PM
Yvette Strawder and Gregory Perry, parents of Renee Ann Perry, are comforted during a prayer vigil for their daughter at the Maple Terrace Apartments in Aurora, Ill., on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. Perry was murdered in her Maple Terrace apartment last week. | Corey R. Minkanic~For Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: February 2, 2012 9:46AM
Advocates for peace closed the year remembering a victim of domestic violence and asked the city to remain vigilant in praying for peace.
On Saturday, the Prayer Coalition for Reconciliation held a prayer vigil for 21-year-old Renee Ann Perry, who was slain four days before Christmas in her apartment in Aurora’s Maple Terrace Apartments in the 900 block of Second Avenue.
The young mother had been strangled, stabbed and left to her death, police said. Her boyfriend, Delbert Cooper, 31, has been charged with her murder — the third murder in Aurora in 2011.
The city’s clergy led those gathered outside the woman’s apartment in scripture and prayers for the woman and those she leaves behind, then re-consecrated the Aurora Housing Authority complex and the city to God’s goodness.
A makeshift memorial — a white cross and artificial flowers — were staked at the apartment building’s entrance, where about 25 people gathered.
The Rev. Dan Haas read scripture from the Book of Galatians to remind people not to let their guard down or minimize the power of prayer for one another and the city: “ … And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men,” according to the scripture.
“We have been in a period of fewer homicides,” Haas said, “(but) don’t kid yourself that we don’t need the same amount of effort. We have to continue to sow the things that got us here.”
The clergy read from Matthew 5:44 about loving one’s enemies and Genesis 4:9 in which the Lord says to Cain: “Where is your brother Abel?” and Cain replies, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Pastor Randy Schoof of Warehouse Church prayed for the city to be place of peace and healing with true prosperity.
“This was an inhuman, violent act — her whole life was before her,” said the Rev. David Engbarth of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Engbarth remembered the mother’s two “precious, innocent” children — ages 2 years old and 2 months — left without their mother, and her parents afflicted by the loss of their child.
“Domestic violence is a scourge on our city … our city’s shelter is full all of the time,” Engbarth said. “What is the Lord asking you to do to work for peace in 2012?”
Yvette Strawder of Montgomery and Gregory Perry of Aurora attended their daughter’s vigil. Those who extended peace didn’t have to say words — their expressions of mourning and grief were shared by the parents.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment