Catholics ready for the pope

Whether they will get to see Pope Francis during his visit to New York this week or not, local Catholics are excited that their spiritual leader will be so close.

The Rev. Vincent Schifano, an associate pastor at St. Frances de Chantal Church, is planning to attend a Thursday evening service with the pope at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, as well as the Friday evening mass at Madison Square Garden. The Sept. 24 evening service for clergy, known as vespers, is by invitation only. “I’m anxious to hear what his message is going to be to us,” Schifano said. “I’m sure it’s one that is going to be positive and life-giving.”

Schifano was in college in 1979, studying sociology, when he was saw Pope John Paul II at both Shea Stadium and Madison Square Garden, and said it was life-changing. “I think it’s why I’m a priest now,” he said.

At St. William the Abbot School in Seaford, students are anticipating the pope’s arrival. Many plan to watch his New York services on television or on the computer. “It’s incredible now that he’s going to be so close to us,” said seventh-grader Grace Bilello. “It’s really exciting for everyone in New York and Washington and Philadelphia.”

Pope Francis arrived in Washington on Tuesday, and then was expected to head to New York on Thursday and Philadelphia on Saturday.

Isabella Rajovic, a seventh-grader at St. William, noted that New York is a very populated place, with a lot of people living in poverty, and she noted the pope’s focus on helping the less fortunate. She described him as having “the life of a celebrity with the happiness.” Her classmate, Nicholas Matzerath, said he hoped the pope would spread a message of peace and mercy.

The theme at St. William this school year is the Corporal Works of Mercy, Christian practices that focus on helping others. Seventh-grade teachers Keith Fischer and Stephen Harth say it’s a fortunate coincidence that a pope so focused on that message is visiting the area. “It just so happens that it ties into our school theme,” Fischer said. “It wasn’t planned that way.”

Seventh-grader Liam Byrne said that students at St. William are always ready to help, as they do several charitable acts throughout the year, such as collecting items for the less fortunate.

Daniel Cantanno, an eighth-grader, says he will be paying close attention to what the pontiff has to say. “To me, it’s kind of like if the president was coming to New York City,” he said. “Instead, the religious president. He can really reach millions of people just by going to one city.”

After the visit, the students will be doing assignments focusing on the pope’s messages. Seventh-grader Maggie Kiley is hoping it will be inspirational. Maeve O’Meara hopes he pushes the message of helping others. She noted his desire to meet with regular people, not just elected leaders.

Schifano, in talking with parishioners at St. Frances, said there is a lot of excitement about the pope’s visit. “I think they are very enthusiastic about him coming, and excited about what he’s going to say to them about Catholics living in America,” he said.

Schifano said he hopes Pope Francis can bring some new and creative ideas about how to solve homelessness. He noted Francis’s message in Europe, encouraging churches to take in refugee families.

Father Vinny, as he is known to his parishioners, said he plans to share his experiences in seeing the pope during his sermons this weekend. He added that the visit could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. “I think that people should understand that we as Catholics do not worship the pope,” he said, “but we do see him as leader here on Earth.”