March 30, 2006
The faithful of the Diocese of Beaumont join Southeast Texans as they mourn the deaths of two student athletes.
The 22-member West Brook girls varsity soccer team was on a charter bus on its way to a playoff game in Humble with the coach and a chaperone when the accident occurred a little after 2:30 pm March 29 about four miles east of Devers on U.S. 90, a two-lane highway at that point, about 30 miles west of Beaumont.
The bus driver swerved to avoid debris that fell off a trailer. When the driver tried to re-correct, the bus rolled over, landing on its side.
Alicia Bonura, senior and member of St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, Beaumont, and Ashley Brown, sophomore, whose mother is a fifth-grade teacher at St. Anne Catholic School, Beaumont, were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Two soccer players were trapped in the wreckage. In addition to Bonura, three additional soccer players are members of St. Jude.
St. Jude youth plan to attend this evening's service.
Eight of the more seriously injured students were taken to Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth in Beaumont. Others were taken to Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital, Beaumont, and the Liberty-Dayton Medical Center, Liberty, about 13 miles west of Devers. Many of the students were treated and released, with at least five spending the night in the hospital with more serious injuries.
When Beaumont Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD, heard of the accident, he headed to St. Elizabeth Hospital, offering prayers and support to the families and friends gathered there.
"This is a big tragedy for West Brook and the entire community. It is also a time for the community to respond in prayer, solidarity and support for the families of Ashley and Alicia, and in support of the kids at West Brook. Both young ladies lived life to the fullest being active in church and school, touching the lives of many. There is a lesson for all of us -- life is a gift. It is precious," Bishop Guillory said.
At the school gym, the students, faculty, families and friends formed and reformed into small groups, crying, hugging, laughing, comforting each other, remembering the students who died and trying to get updated information on the survivors. More than once, the entire group paused and came together for prayer.
Msgr. Michael A. Jamail, vicar general of the Beaumont Diocese, along with the youth minister from St. Jude and the diocesan director of Youth and Campus Ministry, visited with those gathered at the school, talking and offering prayers when asked.
A group of about 30 students, many from St. Jude, led by a religious education teacher, began a rosary at one end of the gym and were joined by other students and West Brook faculty.
Students remembered Bonura for her enthusiasm and willingness to volunteer; Brown was remembered for her personality and laughter. Both were remembered for their love of soccer.
Among other memories, Bonura was remembered many times for her enthusiasm and willingness to volunteer; Brown was remembered for her personality and laughter. Both were remembered for their love of soccer.
Bonura, on her web page at the site Myspace.com, wrote of her love for her friends, sports, and her love of God. One of the questions on the page asks whom she'd like to meet, and her response was "I can't wait to meet God."
She also wrote, "I love to smile and love life in general and I love God, hes such a fantastic guy!"
At St. Jude, Bonura was president of the youth group and volunteered for many events and activities. At school she was active in National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Youth ministers from area Catholic churches, as well as Bishop Guillory and priests, planned to be at West Brook High March 30 and 31 to help students.
Father John Hughes, pastor of St. Jude, has spent many hours with the Bonura family. Vigil will be March 31 at St. Jude, with Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. April 1 at St. Jude.
Visitation for Brown will be from 5 to 8 p.m. April 1 at Calvary Baptist, with services Sunday April 1 at Calvary Baptist, and burial at Forest Lawn Memorial in Beaumont.