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A parish in Nebraska held a prayer during its June 16 mass for the family of the two-year-old by killed in an alligator attack at Walt Disney World Resport, pictured here in 2011.
A parish in Nebraska held a prayer during its June 16 mass for the family of the two-year-old by killed in an alligator attack at Walt Disney World Resport, pictured here in 2011. Photo/Courtesy of Lee Bailey, Wikimedia Commons

Parish reaches out to Nebraska family after deadly alligator attack

By  Joe Ruff, Catholic News Service
  • June 17, 2016

OMAHA, Neb. – Members of St. Patrick parish in Elkhorn prayed June 16 for Lane Graves, a two-year-old boy killed in an alligator attack in Florida, his father and mother, Matthew and Melissa, and sister, four-year-old Ella, during a regularly scheduled morning Mass and special rosary.

On vacation at a Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, the family was relaxing June 14 near a play area when the alligator grabbed Lane as he waded at the edge of a lagoon, authorities said. His father fought the alligator and his mother called for help, but their son disappeared under the water. Lane's body was found about 18 hours later, near the shore where he was dragged off.

The Graves are members of the parish in Elkhorn, and Ella attended preschool at St. Patrick School.

Fr. Gary Ostrander, pastor, said 100 to 150 people attended the Mass, which was followed by the rosary for the family.

"We were all remembering in our prayers, the family," said Ostrander.

The parish posted on its web site — stpatselkhorn.org — information for offering memorials or Mass intentions in Lane Graves' name.

"Please honour their privacy at this time and keep them in your prayers," parish officials said in the posting.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

In Florida, news reports said Disney World closed all of its beaches June 16 so staff members could conduct "a swift and thorough review of all our processes and protocols," including looking at warning signs posted around the property. A sign near the lagoon warned guests not to play or swim in the water, but made no mention of alligators.

"As a parent and a grandparent, my heart goes out to the Graves family during this time of devastating loss," Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger said in a statement of condolence to the family. "My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I know everyone at Disney joins me in offering our deepest sympathies."

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