St. Catharine Parish in Holmdel will offer spiritual comfort and support when loved ones of Billy DiMaio, who was killed in the Jan. 1 truck attack in New Orleans, will gather to remember him and pray for his peaceful repose during a Mass of Christian Burial Jan. 9.
DiMaio, 25, of Holmdel, was one of 14 people killed when a man who had demonstrated affinity with a terrorist group drove a truck into the crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, La., in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. Dozens more were injured in the attack.
The family, who are St. Catharine parishioners, had told reporters that DiMaio was in New Orleans to celebrate New Year’s Eve and go to the Sugar Bowl college football game.
St. Catharine pastor, Father Patrick McPartland, will serve as celebrant and homilist for the Mass, which will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Billy DiMaio was one of 14 who died in the New Year’s day attack in New Orleans. Photo courtesy of Chestnut Hill College
A New York-based account executive for the media company Audacy, DiMaio was born in East Islip, N.Y., and grew up on Long Island before he and his family moved to New Jersey in 2013. He graduated from Holmdel High School in 2017 and then attended Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, a Catholic college founded by Sisters of St. Joseph. At Chestnut Hill he earned a degree in business administration and was captain of the 2022 championship lacrosse team.
“We are devastated by the news of the passing of our alumnus,” the college said in a statement on social media. “Billy was a leader within our community who shined not only as a star student in the classroom but also as a top athlete. . . Our prayers are with the entire DiMaio family at this tragic hour, as our entire college reflects upon the positive impact he had upon so many in our close community.”
Reflecting on the tragedy and how believers might respond to acts of abject evil, Father McPartland shared, “In cases of senseless evil actions, it is understandable to think to ask God, ‘Why would you allow this to happen?’ God created us with free will, which can be a double-edged sword.”
When experiencing traumatic pain and loss, and the resulting dark emotions that one might struggle with, Father McPartland suggests, “Prayer, meditation, Scripture and trusted mentors can help us stay in the light.”
He continued, “When people choose to commit evil deeds, we can only try our best to comfort the victims and work to restore justice and peace as best we can. We can seek to forgive those who do evil, without justifying their actions.”
“In the end, all we can do is form our conscience and work together for the common good. We can draw strength from our loving God and ask for the grace to be a positive influence in our community,” he said.
DiMaio is survived by his parents, Billy and Tracie DiMaio; sister Samantha DiMaio, brother Anthony DiMaio; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Viewing will be at Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home Jan . 8 from 2 – 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Jan. 9 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Catherine Church, Holmdel. Interment will follow in Holmdel Cemetery.
Pope prays for victims of New Orleans attack
Prayer and support offered for victims of ‘evil’ deadly New Year attack