29-04-2025
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.'
