( CNN ) -- Sunday has long been a day for reflection in Joplin , Missouri , with residents flocking to churches and other places of worship for guidance , understanding and a sense of community . Now , several of those churches are gone , as are scores who might otherwise be going to them , thanks to a horrific tornado that ripped through the southwest Missouri city one week ago . That makes this Sunday especially significant , not to mention the subsequent days , as religious leaders try to offer meaning after such a senseless disaster . `` You could see ... the challenge they are going to face , as they preach funerals in the weeks to come , '' Missouri Gov . Jay Nixon said after meeting faith-based leaders this week . `` It 's enormous . '' Nixon , along with President Barack Obama , will be among those attending a special memorial service at Missouri Southern State University for the 142 killed ( as of Saturday evening ) and thousands more affected by the tornado . Obama to view Joplin tornado damage . Then at 5:41 p.m. -- exactly one week after an EF-5 tornado , with winds over 200 mph , first touched down -- the city will go silent . That moment will be a stark contrast to the fury the Rev . Justin Monaghan experienced as the twister barrelled toward St. Mary 's Catholic Church . The 70-year-old pastor got in a bathtub at the church , put his face down and prayed . When the winds ceased , Monaghan found himself trapped in the rubble -- where he remained until some of his parishioners rescued him , unscathed . While he 's still coming to grips with what happened , Monaghan said he believes that good will come out of this tragedy and in fact already has . `` God allows things to happen that we do n't know why , '' the pastor said earlier this week . `` But when we look back , we always hear the good things that happen as a result . '' That positive energy was on display Saturday on the church grounds . There , parishioners and volunteers picked through the debris looking for items to salvage , Monaghan said . One found the pastor 's Bible , and another was able to save his golf clubs . Two tornado-wracked towns unite through tragedy , charity . `` The enthusiasm was unbelievable , even as people were shedding tears , '' Monaghan said . `` It 's just wonderful to see . '' On Sunday , Monaghan said he will celebrate Mass at St. Peter 's , another Catholic church in Joplin . And if and when his church is rebuilt -- something that he expects will happen , with the parish council 's support -- the pastor said a 6-foot cross that somehow braved the storm will be a part of it , behind the altar . `` We would n't dream of not using that , '' he said . The Bridge Ministries , a nondenominational Christian youth organization , has opened its doors to schools , relief agencies and churches in need of space . They include members of St. Paul 's United Methodist Church , which will hold their Sunday services at the ministries ' center after their own facility was severely damaged in the storm . Dan Mitchell , the organization 's president , said he has been impressed that so many people , from near and far , offered help . Food , water and clothing have come in everything from car trunks to tractor-trailers , he said , and the center 's parking lot has transformed into a distribution point for supplies . Meanwhile , Mitchell said that locals directly affected have seen their faith strengthened in the past week . `` Faithful Christians who understand that God creates order from chaos have stood up and done what it takes , '' he said . `` They have given up their lives . If they come up against roadblocks , they get around them and they get it done . '' CNN 's Jacqui Jeras and Mike Pearson contributed to this report .
Sunday marks the one-week anniversary of the EF-5 tornado that hit Joplin , Missouri . A memorial service is being planned , and a moment of silence will be held at 5:41 p.m. A Catholic priest , whose church was destroyed , lauds the enthusiasm and goodwill . Score: 6