Community Corner

Martinez Church Prays For Boy Injured In Boston Marathon Explosions

Aaron Hern is an altar server at St. Catherine's Catholic church. The Martinez Junior High student required surgery after being wounded by shrapnel during the marathon.

A Martinez church is saying prayers for one of its 11-year-old members who was injured in the explosions at the Boston Marathon.

Aaron Hern is undergoing a second surgery for shrapnel embedded in his leg from the bomb blasts that killed three people and injured more than 150 people at the finish line of the race on Monday.

Aaron, a student at Martinez Junior High, is an altar server at St. Catherine's Catholic church.

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Aaron was watching his mother, Katherine, finish the race when he was injured. Church officials said the boy had apparently run ahead of his father and younger sister to the finish line when the bombs exploded.

Father Leo Asuncion said Katherine Hern is a lector at the church. Aaron's father, Alan Hern, is the head football coach at Alhambra High School.

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Father Asuncion said there was a moment of silence for the Hern family at the  Monday evening service. The congregation also prayed for Aaron and his family at Tuesday morning Mass.

Mark Poyadue, president of the church's pastoral council, said the family is active in the church and in the community.

He said Alan Hern has coached and mentored his sons at Alhambra High.

"They are the most genuine, down-to-earth people you'd ever meet," said Poyadue.

Deacon Albert Dizon said the church community was stunned by the news of Aaron's injury.

"I was shocked," said Deacon Dizon. "Something like this hits you close."

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