Gaylord, MI 49735 News & Press Releases
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Local Catholics to participate in Papal Masses
April 13, 2008
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Nearly 45,000 are scheduled to gather at Washington Nationals Park in Washington, DC, with another 57,000 expected at Yankee Stadium in New York. Tickets for both events were distributed by the two respective to other dioceses across the nation who requested them. The majority of tickets were reserved for those who live in the Archdioceses of Washington and New York who are hosting the visit and have been planning for Pope Benedict’s arrival for months.
“We had requested 100 tickets for each of the public Papal Masses,” stated Candace Neff, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Gaylord. “We received 25 for Washington and 20 for New York and they were gone in days.”
Tickets were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We had several people inquire long before tickets were actually available and we let the parishes know we had them so that they could announce it to parishioners,” Neff said. “There were very strict security requirements as well as short deadlines so it was best to allot them as people requested them. We could have easily given away many more,” she added.
Among those travelling to Washington were Eleanor Sadowski and Ann Marie Barnes from Charlevoix.
“We’re really so excited,” Sadowski said. “I’ve been to see the Pope before, but it’s just such a wonderful experience. I’m taking a big sign saying ‘Gaylord’ so when the cameras scan the crowd in the hours before the Mass begins, they can see us. We’re also going see to the National Basilica and maybe I'll even get a chance to sit in the Pope’s chair there!” Sadowski exclaimed.
Althea and Duane Reames from St. Michael Parish in Roscommon will join the faithful for the Mass in New York with their son Tim.
“When we got into this, I just thought it would be a nice thing to do,” Althea said before departing. “I had no idea it was going to be such a big thing! We’ve been looking online and seeing where our seats are and everything. It’s going to be quite a day!” Reames stated.
Joining the faithful in New York will be three generations of the Blaszek family from Lake City. New grandparents David and Sherry will attend with daughter Nicole Coverly and new infant granddaughter who will be just three weeks old.
“It really will be an experience of a lifetime for those who are going,” said Bishop Cooney. “I remember when I went to see Pope Paul VI in Yankee Stadium. I’ll never forget it,” he said.
“For some who are there, they will really be changed and they will come back with a new view of how they will live their lives,” Bishop Cooney stated. “Others will have a great experience of Church with thousands of Catholics from all across the country. But none of them will forget it,” he declared.
