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Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pope Francis remembered during memorial Mass in Altoona
ALTOONA, Pa. – Anne Musser felt a special affinity for Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio when he ascended to the Roman Catholic papacy and took the name Pope Francis. 'First of all, I'm very close to the Franciscans and St. Francis (of Assisi), so from the time he was named Pope Francis, I've been very close, praying for him, for his safety and well being, all that he's been through,' said Musser, a Hollidaysburg resident who plans to soon profess to the Secular Franciscan Order. 'He is a man that had so many wonderful things to offer and especially for the poor, especially for the indigent and things like that.' On Monday, Musser joined other worshipers to remember the late pontiff, who died April 21, during a memorial Mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. 'Whenever a pope dies, it is good for us, as a church, to remember that he is our spiritual father and we come together to say goodbye to somebody who has been a spiritual father to the Catholics throughout the world. … It reminds us of how he was our father and shepherding us in the turbulent world in which we live,' said the Rev. Matthew Reese, pastor of Our Lady of the Alleghenies in Lilly. Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Bishop Mark Bartchak provided a sermon that included a mention of a time he met the holy father. 'Pope Francis would be the first one to advise us not to make a big deal out of what he has accomplished as the leader of our church,' Bartchak told those in attendance. 'He knew what Jesus meant by reminding his disciples that we are all useless servants. A servant is one whose concern is for the good of others. For all of us, it means to keep our focus on what needs to be done in carrying out the mission that Jesus Christ gave not only to the clergy or religious, but to all the faithful in our church.' The bishop continued: 'Pope Francis often reminded us that if we are truly grateful for the gifts and blessings that come to us through the Lord Jesus, the only expression of gratitude that our lord desires is for us – every one of us – to share those gifts and blessings for the good of others.' The College of Cardinals will begin a conclave May 7 at the Vatican to select Francis' successor. 'Soon the cardinals will be gathering in Rome to choose the next pope, and we pray that the Holy Spirit is with them and guides them,' said Tony DeGol, the diocese's secretary for communications. Margaret McLucas, a parishioner at the cathedral, expressed a similar feeling, saying, 'I was talking to a lady the other day after the pope died, and she said we have to ask the Holy Spirit to be with the cardinals. 'What a big decision.'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local church leaders & Catholic community remember Pope Francis
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — On Easter Monday, many people woke up to the news that Pope Francis had passed away at the age of 88. The Vatican's Health Department confirmed the pontiff died of a stroke and heart failure. Christians and religious leaders around the world are in mourning, while remembering his work for more than a decade as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona held its daily mass at noon on Monday. During the service, the priest spoke about Francis and told others to pray for his eternal rest and soul. Jeannine McCloskey attends mass daily at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. She first heard from her husband. She said, 'My husband got up very early this morning, and he hollered up to me, 'he's dead. He's dead.' And I said, who? And he said, the Pope. And I could not believe it.' Pope Francis served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years and was also history's first Latin American pontiff. 'I liked him. I thought he was a good pope. He was very inclusive. He asked us to care for everybody and love everybody. I thought he was a good pope,' Sharon Condron, who attends daily mass said. Bellefonte church mourns loss of Pope Francis with memorial While the feeling of sadness lingers among the Catholic Church, other people see this as an opportunity. 'His pontificate has always drew me deeper into prayer, but especially today of all days. You know, so I'm looking for not as much what I can gain from this mass but what I can give to others, you know, the gift that I can give, as a result of hearing of Pope Francis death, how I can really embody his legacy to others that are around me,' Wally Zapotoczny, a member of the Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Bellwood said. Francis was elected in 2013. That same year, Bishop Mark Bartchak had the opportunity to meet him during a Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Pilgrimage to Rome. He said the Pope was friendly and down to earth. As he looks back at Pope Francis' time in the Vatican, he said what sets him apart from his predecessors was his experience, compassion, and the ability to listen to people more intently. Bishop Bartchak said there will be a period of mourning that will last for days, and prayers will be offered in all the churches of the diocese. 'Hopefully, we'll have an opportunity to have a diocesan celebration, a mass for everybody to come together for that. For that reason, to pray for his eternal rest,' Bartchak said. Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he decided to be buried in a last break from tradition. Sometime after he is laid to rest, the Cardinals will come together to have an election for the new Pope. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
