Prayer service held for Richmond-based nuns

Richmond, Va. -- The Rev. Michael Renninger could not answer why three Richmond-based Catholic nuns, who dedicated their lives to helping others, would be the victims of a tragic car crash.

"There are some questions that go unanswered on this side of heaven," Renninger told more than 200 people at last night's prayer service at St. Gertrude High School.

But he said he can answer another question: how to respond to Sunday's crash in Prince William County that killed Sister Denise Mosier and critically injured Sister Charlotte Lange and Sister Connie Ruth Lupton.

Renninger told the congregation they should react with deep, fervent and constant prayer for the three nuns "who have been praying for us their whole lives."

Sister Connie was preparing to begin her second year as a part-time administrative assistant at St. Gertrude. Sister Charlotte is a former principal of the all-girl Catholic high school.

Susan Walker, president of St. Gertrude, said during last night's service that Sister Charlotte had surgery Tuesday. "It was successful, and today she's looking better," Walker said.

Sister Charlotte and Sister Connie both will need surgery in the next day or two, Walker added.

Renninger, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in western Henrico County, asked the congregation last night to pray for Carlos A. Martinelly Montano, who is charged in the crash with third-offense driving under the influence, involuntary manslaughter and driving on a revoked license.

The three nuns were less than 4 miles from their spiritual home at the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia monastery near Manassas when their car was struck head-on by a vehicle driven by Montano, a native of Bolivia and an illegal immigrant.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security opened an investigation Tuesday into how an illegal immigrant managed to avoid deportation, even after repeated arrests before Sunday's crash.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano issued a statement Tuesday evening saying she ordered an investigation into "the tragic loss of life in Prince William County this weekend."

Yesterday, Corey A. Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, released a statement calling it appalling that Napolitano "acts surprised" that an illegal immigrant was involved in a fatal accident.

"How can she be surprised when every single day federal authorities release criminal illegal aliens -- who have committed crimes from DUI to assault -- into our neighborhoods?" Stewart asked.

He also blamed President Barack Obama and Congress for failing to provide enough resources to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Obama, Congress and Napolitano "all have blood on their hands," he said.

Stewart last week said he wants the state to pass a law that would direct police to determine the immigration status of someone who is stopped legally for some other violation if the officer has a "reasonable suspicion" that the person is in the country illegally.

But Renninger said the focus of the tragedy should be centered instead on education involving drunken driving. "We have to avoid the temptation to politicize this tragedy," he said.

He added that the incident has snapped people out of complacency and taken them back to the most basic truths of their lives. "Every breath we take is a precious gift," he said. "We cannot waste a single day."

Sister Denise's life will be remembered tonight at a wake and tomorrow at a funeral Mass and burial. All services will take place at the monastery of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia in Bristow, near Manassas.

The wake starts at 7 tonight, and the funeral Mass is set for 11 a.m. tomorrow.