Shortly after the shooting at Sandy Hook School, Monsignor Robert Weiss received an e-mail from Monsignor Basil O’Sullivan in Dunblane, Scotland.

The pastor of the parish where a school shooting took place in the 1990s was reaching out to the senior pastor of Newtown’s Roman Catholic Church, offering assurance that support and prayers were being sent overseas, parish-to-parish. Msgr O’Sullivan also provided many insights and suggestions for Msgr Weiss, both spiritually and personally.

That first e-mail led to a lasting friendship between the two priests. Msgr O’Sullivan traveled to Newtown for the first anniversary of 12/14, showing his added support in person.

When Maria Cuomo Cole and Kim A. Synder learned of the friendship, they suggested that a short documentary be created. Ms Cuomo Cole is the producer of social impact films at Cuomo Cole Prods; Ms Snyder is the award-winning filmmaker and producer who released the documentary Newtown in 2016.

Lessons from A School Shooting: Notes From Dunblane, a 22-minute documentary, captures the spirit of the two priests dealing with a community tragedy. It reminds viewers of the universality of the Church and the bond that exists between two men experiencing a mutual tragedy. Released earlier this year, the film won first prize at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival and has been screened at several additional international film festivals.

St Rose of Lima Church will host a screening of Lessons from A School Shooting on Monday, October 22, at 7:30 pm. All are invited to attend the event, which will be in the Monsignor Weiss Gathering Hall, adjacent to St Rose School at 46 Church Hill Road. A short program and discussion will follow the film.

Reservations are not needed, but additional information is available by calling 203-426-1014.