Pope Days Around the World

Pope Days around the World • October 16, 2002

"You are the salt of the earth!
You are the light of the world!" (Mt 5:13-14)

“We will not let this October 16th pass without honoring and celebrating the spirituality and many contributions of our beloved Holy Father!”

Pope Day in New York • Local organizers: Anna Cozzi and Peter McFadden
Pope Day in New York features the lunch-hour distribution of the writings of the Holy Father on the streets of New York at — at latest count — nine different locations including Times Square, Wall Street, Fifth Avenue, Columbia University, and Lincoln Center. In the morning, volunteers will be distributing copies of the Holy Father’s writings to employees of the New York Times. The evening celebration is centered at the Church of Our Saviour on Park Avenue where its renowned pastor, Fr. George Rutler, will preach the homily on the Gift of the Papacy. The Rosary will be beautifully prayed, a series of outstanding talks on the Holy Father will be delivered, and the Light of the World theme song will be sung with candles lit from in front of the Church at program’s end. Visit Pope Day in New York for a copy of the full New York program.

Pope Day in Denver • Local organizer: Anastasia Northrop
Pope Day in Denver features 5:30 pm Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception followed by a program at Skyline Park of music and talks and readings honoring the thought, spirituality and contributions of John Paul II to the world. Themes include: Dignity of the Human Person, Life, Freedom, Faith, Hope, Sexuality, Tribute to Women, and more. Confessions will be available. Visit Pope Day in Denver for more information. [1200 copies of JPII on L&R have been shipped to Denver for distribution on Pope Day.]

Pope Day in Washington, DC • Local organizer: John Keck
Volunteers in Washington will be distributing copies of the Holy Father's writings on Capitol Hill, around the White House, at Union Station, American University, and Catholic University. Fr. Keith Woods of the Catholic Ministry at American U. has kindly agreed to offer his 11:30 am Mass that day for the Holy Father. Evening activities will take place in and around Catholic University of America, beginning with confessions from 5:30pm-6:00pm. Mass at 6:00 pm will be offered at the Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Two short talks — “Remembering Toronto: An Experience of the Universal Church, a Summons to a Generation” and “JPII’s Theology of the Body: An Introduction and Overview” — will be held from 6:45pm-8:15pm at Caldwell Hall, Catholic University. An 8:15 pm reception hosted by the students of Catholic University and the John Paul II Institute follows, with the evening concluded with Eucharistic Adoration in Caldwell Hall. Visit Pope Day in Washington for more information. [1650 copies of JPII on L&R have been shipped to Washington.]

Pope Day in Minsk, Belarus • Local organizer: Vasil Sankovic
“I can say now we've planned a Pope Day in Minsk and hope it will be a significant event. We've planned a small exibition devoted to JP II's activities, a Liturgy in Eastern Rite, a speech on JP II and Eastern Churches, a choir's singing, a procession around a Church and singing and prayer in front of it with candles lit, followed by coffee. All is to take place in a Roman Catholic Church (the Red Church) situated in the very center of Minsk, at the Independence Square — on 16th of October. We hope to invite there a vicar bishop and a nuncio, but are not sure of their coming. Organizers are Greek-Catholic youth of Minsk. Unfortunately, we can't do much about disseminating Pope's teachings. There are not many in Belarusan or Russian, almost nothing. We hope to invite students from Universities. May God help you and us in our efforts!”

Pope Day in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan • Local organizer: Lee Pion
“Saskatoon is in a bustle preparing for Pope Day 2002. There will be people praying for the Holy Father at Perpetual Adoration starting at midnight. Mass will be said for the intentions of the Holy Father at 7:00 pm. There will then be a talk with a video on the life and times of Pope John Paul II along with testimony from many of the youth who traveled to Toronto for World Youth Day.” [450 copies of JPII on L&R have been shipped to Saskatoon.]

Pope Day in Philadelphia/South Jersey • Local organizer: John Noronha
“Here in Philly we are already in the Pope Day spirit as we commenced our celebrations with a special Mass Sunday dedicated to our Holy Father at St. John the Evangelist Church in Center City Phila (where St. John Neumann was ordained Bishop) which coincided with the 3rd anniversary of the formation of their Young Adult Group. We had about 150-200 Young adults and the prayer of the faithful read in 9 languages. L&R brochures were handed out and we were surprised that some came back for more. On Pope Day, we will be distributing L&R brochures at Independence Hall, City Hall, the Cathedral, and the Newman centers at UPenn and Drexyl. The young adults of St. Katherine of Sienna will be celebrating Pope Day by having a Bible study followed by a Rosary, intercessory prayer, confessions and fellowship at John Harvards. At the Seminary we will be having a special mass for the Pope and a Pope-Party with a video presentation on Holy Father.” [450 copies of JPII on L&R have been shipped to Philadelphia/South Jersey.]

Pope Day in Worcester, Mass. • Local organizer: David Bonagura
At Holy Cross College, student organizers “have approval for our four activities: spreading of the (John Paul II on Love & Responsibility) pamphlet and newsletter (being prepared by the students), Mass in honor of the Holy Father, discussion on the Legacy of Pope John Paul II, and a showing of Witness to Hope in the campus center.” [900 copies of JPII on L&R were delivered to the Holy Cross campus.]

Pope Day in Couva, Trinidad • Local organizer: Gail Jagroop
At the Holy Faith Convent school — an all-girls high school — students have been given “projects to research and present various aspects of our Holy Father's Life including his messages especially those to youth. They have started and I think they are warming to the idea. So at school we will have a Pope’s Week. The girls’ projects will be displayed in the Library during the week of his anniversary. We will have 2 asemblies for the whole school where we will reflect prayerfully on his life and messages. And the girls will also sing the World Youth Day song at these assemblies. We may also have an Inter-class competition on Our Holy Father’s Life. We will also distribute bookmarks with appropriate quotes from some of Our Holy Father’s Messages to Youth. Pray for us that God’s will be done.” [500 copies of JPII on L&R have been shipped to Trinidad.]

Pope Day in Urbana/Champaign, IL • Local organizer: Chris Kreps
At the University of illinois at Urbana/Champaign, “We will be celebrating all of our masses that day — 8:00 am, Noon, 5:00 pm, and 9:00 pm — for our Pope with the homilies focusing on the gift of the papacy. In addtion, we will be holding a presentation/discussion at 8:00 pm on the Pope’s teachings of the theology of the body. In conjunction, we would like to ask for 500 additional copies of the “Love and Responsibility” publication for distribution at all of our functions this day.” [A total of 750 copies of JPII on L&R have been shipped to the Newman Foundation at the University of Illinois at U/C.]

Pope Day in Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia • Local organizers: Jana Pastorova and Evelyn Kasiarova
High school students from the “Youth Initiative of Students” group are planning two public performances based on the Holy Fathers play, “Our God’s Brother.”

Pope Day in Spokane, Washington • Local organizer: Fr. Matthew Gamber, S.J.
At Gonzaga University, “We are kind of having a Pope Week: We start with Christopher West on Monday, we are having a Culture of Life Baby Goods Drive, on Thursday we are having a doctor speak on NFP and his conversion to the Culture of Life. We will be having video presentations on the Pope’s life throughout the week. We will also have a big cake and celebration on the 16th after a Rosary and Mass. More things to follow.” [300 copies of JPII on L&R have been shipped to Spokane.]

Pope Day in Seattle, Washington • Local organizer: H.C. Vale
From our printer (of the L&R publication) in Seattle: “Just wanted to let you know that we would be happy to do some distribution for you here in Seattle. Let us know how many copies you would have available and I would be happy to bring them to my Church. Also I could take some up to the Archdiocese of Seattle, which is close to my shop. Also we have an area here in downtown — The Westlake Mall — which draws a large number of people and we could also distribute some publications there as well. Just let us know how we can help.” [450 copies of JPII on L&R have been shipped to Seattle.]

Pope Day in Ypsilanti, Michigan • Local organizer: Daniel Dentino
At Ave Maria College, we “plan on having the Masses on campus said in honor of John Paul II and on showing Witness to Hope in the student union.” All students of the college will also receive a copy of “John Paul II on Love & Responsibility.” [300 copies of JPII on L&R have been shipped to Ypsilanti.]

Pope Day in Minneapolis/St. Paul • Local organizer: Jen Messing
From 5:00 -7:00 pm the documentary on the life of the Holy Father, “Witness to Hope,” will be shown. Mass will be held at 7:00 pm, followed by benediction at 8:00 pm with praise and worship, and a closing prayer. “We're gonna have a table with the LandR publications sitting out, plus hand them out as people walk out... we’re also gonna make a big card for the Pope for people to sign.” [300 copies of JPII on L&R have been shipped to Minneapolis/St. Paul.]

Pope Day in London, Ontario • Local organizer: Danielle de Pass
“Plans for Pope Day here are going really well. The Frassati group here at King's College at the University of Western Ontario, in London, are all helping me immensely, and we have some great ideas. There will be confession before the noon mass at the college on October 16th, and mass that day will be in honour of the Pope. That evening, from 5:30 to 10pm, we're having a prayer service and then a panel of 5 speakers or so (including professors from the college and the seminary) will be speaking about the Pope and his work, with discussion to follow. This will take place at the college. We're going to all of the catholic parishes in London to advertise.”

Pope Day in Quincy, Massachusetts • Local organizer: Fr. Fred Barr
“Our celebration will be simple but sincere:Pope's Day at Mary Star of the Sea, Quincy, MA: Mass for our Holy Father on the Twenty-fourth anniversary of his beginning his ministry as the Successor of St Peter. Celebrant and Homilist will be Father Fred Barr, pastor. Copies of the Love and Responsibility booklet will be available at this Mass and the following weekend. Come and join with us.” [150 copies of JPII on L&R have been shipped to Quincy.]

Pope Day in Fort Wayne, Indiana • Local organizers: The Emiliani family
Organized on just two days notice!“During these trying times, this is a perfect opportunity to support the Holy Father and the Church we love. This is for the entire family. We will be having simple activities for all ages, but most importantly, we will be together to celebrate the gift of the papacy. Activities will include: Pope video, favorite Pope stories, color the Pope contest, make a card for the Pope, a special discussion, "In Step with the Pope," for ages 17-23, and a super-special surprise activity. We want as many people to come as possible. We hope to send the Holy Father a Spiritual Bouquet and the cards from the children to let him know how we celebrated Pope Day. I hope you can come and celebrate with us. Please share this invitation with your family and friends. All who love the Holy Father are invited. God bless.” Visit Pope Day in Fort Wayne for more information.

Pope Day in Los Angeles, California • Local organizer: Isabel Ortiz
[300 copies of JPII on L&R have been shipped to Los Angeles.]

Pope Day in Cazenovia, New York • Local organizer: Karen Stein
“I have been out of town...but am determined to do something tomorrow as simple as it might be.I live in Cazenovia, New York...upstate near Syracuse. We are getting together to watch a video, share Pope stories, and having a Pope-day cake. Would love to have 1000 of the booklets to pass out to students at LeMoyne College, Bishop Grimes high school. How do I get these? With such short notice...I am spreading out the celebration until the day of his installation...wasn't that Oct 22? I think that would be enough time to receive the booklets and pass them out to the students. There are other colleges in the area...Cazenovia College...I know the chaplain there. And Syracuse University. Also there are Catholic boys and girls clubs in our area. So they will be put to good use!”

Pope Day in South Bend, IN • Local organizer: Karen Stein
“My sister and I both have students at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. We ordered a huge cake to be delivered to my niece's dorm at 2PM today! Not sure what they will put together as this is midterm exam week but it will at least bring it to their friends' attention that this is one great Pope! With so much cake my son will need to bring some guys over to finish it off.” — Karen Stein, Cazenovia, NY

Pope Day in Bellingham, Washington • Local organizer: Matt Oakland
“This Wednesday, October 16th, on the 24th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's pontificate, more than 850 of the John Paul II on Love and Responsibility booklets will be passed out to college students at Western Washington University. At 6:30 PM, a mass will commence at Sacred Heart Parish, at which we will lift up Pope John Paul II and his needs and intentions. Afterward, we will gather in the parish hall for a discussion of John Paul II's life and works, and will pass out more of the booklets there.” [1050 copies of JPII on L&R have been shipped to Bellingham.]