2008 Woodie Awards
The Passing of Pope John Paul
Local Catholics feel the impact
Brandy Black
Issue date: 4/13/05 Section: In The Spirit
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People around the country are mourning the death of John Paul II, especially Catholics.
He made a significant effect on thousands of lives by preaching the Gospel around the world. He had several accomplishments, for example, by being the only Pope to be able to attend a Jewish synagogue and the Muslim Mosque. He was not only a priest, but an actor and a writer. One of the books he wrote was "Crossing the Threshold of Faith."
His preaching and legacy changed the lives of many. Ryan Barker and I had a chance to talk with Rev. James at the local St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Hempstead, Texas, and he had much to say about the matter. When asked how he felt when he heard of the Pope's death, Rev. James responded saying "I felt sad, but relieved that the Pope didn't have to suffer anymore. It's not about sadness, it's about fulfillment."
He recalls the first time seeing the Pope, at the 1984 Youth Day in Rome, Italy. A few years later, seeing him again in 1987 at the Cathedral in San Antonio and then, seeing him in 1993 at the World Youth Day in Denver. The last time he saw him was in 1999 in Rome where Rev. James and the Pope celebrated Mass at his private Chapel. Rev. James recollects how there were thousands of young people in Rome from everywhere in the world, with one thing in common, they were all Catholic. Knowing that they had that one thing in common gave him inspiration and made him want to be a priest. "The Pope helped me understand my purpose in life. He made me want to become a priest," Rev. James commented full-heartily. Also, I had a chance to speak with the minister on-campus for the Catholic Newman Association, Rev. Nathaniel Saylor. He said he saw the Pope "like a father." He added that the Pope had love for young people and wanted to spread the word of God to the young. He had a chance to see him as well at the World Youth Day. "Even though his health was declining then, he was still young at heart," Rev. Saylor proclaimed. He said "death is sad but a joyful time because the Pope now has eternal life, and death cannot separate the Pope from us."
He made a significant effect on thousands of lives by preaching the Gospel around the world. He had several accomplishments, for example, by being the only Pope to be able to attend a Jewish synagogue and the Muslim Mosque. He was not only a priest, but an actor and a writer. One of the books he wrote was "Crossing the Threshold of Faith."
His preaching and legacy changed the lives of many. Ryan Barker and I had a chance to talk with Rev. James at the local St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Hempstead, Texas, and he had much to say about the matter. When asked how he felt when he heard of the Pope's death, Rev. James responded saying "I felt sad, but relieved that the Pope didn't have to suffer anymore. It's not about sadness, it's about fulfillment."
He recalls the first time seeing the Pope, at the 1984 Youth Day in Rome, Italy. A few years later, seeing him again in 1987 at the Cathedral in San Antonio and then, seeing him in 1993 at the World Youth Day in Denver. The last time he saw him was in 1999 in Rome where Rev. James and the Pope celebrated Mass at his private Chapel. Rev. James recollects how there were thousands of young people in Rome from everywhere in the world, with one thing in common, they were all Catholic. Knowing that they had that one thing in common gave him inspiration and made him want to be a priest. "The Pope helped me understand my purpose in life. He made me want to become a priest," Rev. James commented full-heartily. Also, I had a chance to speak with the minister on-campus for the Catholic Newman Association, Rev. Nathaniel Saylor. He said he saw the Pope "like a father." He added that the Pope had love for young people and wanted to spread the word of God to the young. He had a chance to see him as well at the World Youth Day. "Even though his health was declining then, he was still young at heart," Rev. Saylor proclaimed. He said "death is sad but a joyful time because the Pope now has eternal life, and death cannot separate the Pope from us."