Faith sustains parents after childhood tragedy in Texas

Who were the victims and how did the accident happen?

Blair, 13, and Brooke Harber, 11, were students at St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas. They were on vacation with their grandparents on the Guadalupe River near Hunt, Texas, on July 4, 2025. A flash flood caused the water level to rise more than 20 feet in just half an hour, washing away the cabin where the family was staying. In addition to the girls, RJ’s parents, Mike and Charlene Harber, also died in the disaster.

How are parents coping with the grieving process?

RJ and Annie report that the pain intensifies over time, but they find comfort in the belief that their daughters are in heaven. Annie admitted that she questioned God and felt angry at first, but today she uses prayer and the Church routine to get up every day. For the couple, following Christian values ​​and commandments, such as attending Sunday Mass, became the anchor that kept them alive in the midst of suffering.

What is the detail about the rosary mentioned in the story?

One of the most striking stories involves the eldest daughter, Blair. She had the habit of praying the rosary every night. Shortly before the trip, her rosary broke and she asked to borrow her father’s — an object he received when he converted to Catholicism. Blair took this rosary for the trip and, according to her father, searches confirmed that she died holding the beads in her hands, which brings the family a sense of divine protection in her final moments.

What is the fund created in memory of the sisters?

To keep their daughters’ legacy alive, their parents created ‘The Blair & Brooke Harber Beloved Sisters Fund’, managed by The Catholic Foundation of Texas. The fund has two main fronts: supporting relief efforts in cases of floods and natural disasters, and financing extracurricular activities and sports for young people who would not otherwise be able to afford to participate, reflecting the passion that girls had for an active life.

How has the tragedy impacted the religious community?

The couple says Blair and Brooke’s story has served as a spiritual inspiration to others. They receive messages from all over the world from believers who decided to return to Mass and confession after learning about the Harber family’s testimony of faith. For parents, this means that their daughters’ mission on Earth has not yet ended, as their example continues to bring people closer to faith even after their premature departure.