Staff Report

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati was well represented at events surrounding Pope Francis’ historic visit to the United States last week. The Catholic Telegraph will be unpacking Pope Francis’ journey over the next few weeks, but included below is a glance at some of the members of this archdiocese who were able to participate in the papal festivities.

Both Archbishop M. Dennis Schnurr and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph R. Binzer were on hand in Washington, D.C. for the first leg of the Holy Father’s journey. Archbishop Schnurr then headed to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families, with Bishop Binzer returning to Cincinnati.

Tony Stieritz, director of the archdiocesan Catholic Social Action Office, was among those present for the Pope Francis’ address to Congress earlier Thursday. After the papal address, Stieritz planned on heading straight to the offices of the archdiocese’s congressional representatives to make sure they heard the pope’s message well.

Also there were Sisters of the Precious Blood Rose Margaret Broerman and Rose Helene Wildenhaus, who attended at the invitation of Rep. Mike Turner.

In addition, Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Margarita Brewer was in the gallery as a guest of Sen. Rob Portman. Sister Sally Duffy, executive director of the SC Ministry Foundation was part of the gathering on the White House lawn Sept. 23 to hear remarks by the pontiff and President Barack Obama, along with attending the canonization Mass of Junipero Serra at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Sister Joan Cook, president the Sisters of Charity, and novice Annie Klapheke, also made the trip to the U.S. capitol, to attend the papal Mass. Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Carol Lichtenberg, provincial, and novice Cristina Garces were among the other women religious in attendance.

More than 60 members of the St. Ignatius Catholic School faculty and staff departed early Friday morning on a bus trip to Philadelphia to join in celebrating Mass with the pope on Sunday.

Thirty-two Carroll High Schools students and 15 other members of the Carroll community also left early Friday for a weekend of prayer and reflection in Philadelphia. All of the students had tickets to Pope’ Francis speech at Independence Hall and will attend Mass Sunday.

“This is a true pilgrimage of sacrifice and reflection,” said Melissa Fisher, campus minister and service coordinator at Carroll. “Our goal is to put what we gain from this experience into practice. People love Pope Francis because he has a clear message of love and unity. This message is especially powerful for young people, and we are excited to reinforce the Holy Father’s message at Carroll High School and in the Dayton community.

The Campus Ministry of the University of Dayton also sent two busloads of students to Philadelphia.

Approximately 168 pilgrims from the archdiocese are expected to attend the closing Mass for the World Meeting of Families to be celebrated by Pope Francis on Sept. 27. Colleen Gerke, director of the archdiocesan Family and Respect Life Office has been in Philadelphia since the start of the gathering.

Other archdiocesan representatives taking part in the Philadelphia events include Debbie Wait, Finance and Accounting Office; Josh Danis, coordinator of the Family Life Office, Sidney; Noreen Wendeln, coordinator of the Family and Respect Life Office, Dayton; Lisa Weber, Worship Office; Father Ariel Fernando Pico Rincon, assistant director of Hispanic Ministry, Dayton; Sean Ater of the Office of New Evangelization; and Father John Kummer, a retired priest of the archdiocese who will be concelebrating the papal Mass on Sunday.

Posted Sept. 28, 2015