"It's an act of solidarity, and as Catholics, we believe in that communion and community with one another and that we are truly one large family," Dr. Hammel said.

According to Vance’s office, the vice president and second lady Usha Vance met privately with family members of victims, the pastor of the parish and the school principal. They included the parents of the two children who were killed, Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, and families of some of the 21 people who were injured.

David Haeg was once a bubbly first grader, said his mother, Brittany Haeg, who is calling for tougher gun control laws.