A memorial Mass for Daniela Heredia is set for 6:00 pm July 27, 2012, at Mater Ecclesiae College

Greenville, Rhode Island -- A special Mass has been scheduled to remember the young girl who died last weekend in a tragic accident in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

Daniela Heredia, age 12, was killed when a car veered onto the sidewalk and struck her while she was walking with a group of girls in Smithfield.  The girls were on a shopping outing in Smithfield before the start of the ECyD convention being held at Mater Ecclesiae College in Greenville, Rhode Island.  Daniela was one of eight girls who had just arrived the day before from Guatemala.

The Mass in Daniela’s memory will take place at 6:00 pm Friday, July 27, 2012, in the Mater Ecclesiae Chapel at the college, located at 60 Austin Avenue in Greenville. Members of the local community are invited to attend.

Mater Ecclesiae held a private Mass for the Heredia family on Monday, July 23, 2012.  The family has since returned to Guatemala with Daniela’s body.  The funeral will be held Thursday, July 26, 2012.

“The support from the local community in the Smithfield and Greenville areas has been overwhelming,” said Regnum Christi consecrated woman Renee Pomarico, the ECyD convention director.  “Well wishes and condolences from people in the community, the

	Daniela Heredia

police and fire department and the first responders to the accident scene have been pouring in.”

Renee said the son of the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident stopped by the college to express his condolences and grief. And she said one of the emergency medical technicians who treated Daniela was very emotional when he stopped by to personally visit Daniela’s family and assure them his team did everything they could to save her. He said the team is planning to attend the memorial Mass. Renee also thanked the Smithfield fire department for sending in a Newport Creamery ice cream gift certificate for the group of girls from Guatemala.

Rene added that ECyD members from around the world have sent in spiritual bouquets, including Masses, rosaries and Holy Hours for Daniela and her family. Local residents and Regnum Christi members, locally and nationally and internationally, have also contacted Mater Ecclesiae to express their condolences and offer prayers.