REMEMBERING JOHN PAUL II
Mass celebrates life of great leader

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
April 7, 2005

Upon the death of Pope John Paul II, Msgr. Roger Augustine expressed sadness at the loss of this true shepherd of the Catholic Church but added that it was also a time of rejoicing as the Holy Father would be welcomed to the eternal banquet of the Lord.

"We are sometimes at a loss as to what should be done on such a grave occasion," said Msgr. Augustine, the diocesan administrator for the Diocese of Sioux City in a statement released the day the pope died. "Fortunately, the tradition of the church informs as how to handle this situation."

He declared a period of mourning in and diocese and asked all parishioners to pray for the soul of Pope John Paul II. The diocesan administrator encouraged all parishes to celebrate a Mass for the Holy Father.

Msgr. Augustine also encouraged all parishes to display a picture of Pope John Paul II in the altar area of the church. The Easter candle or vigil candle could be placed next to it. It was recommended that this display remain in place until the pope's funeral Mass, which is slated for April 8.

About 500 people attended the noon remembrance Mass held at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. As they entered the church, they were able to sign a book of condolences set up at the front of the church.

Msgr. Augustine celebrated the Mass with 12 priests including retired Bishop Lawrence D. Soens concelebrating.

The diocesan administrator in opening comments welcomed parishioners as well as people of all faiths who attended the liturgy to pray for the repose of the soul of the Holy Father.

"In these last days we have watched and prayed along with Catholics in every part of the world," said Msgr. Augustine, in his homily. "Our attention has been drawn to Rome, to the Vatican and to the papal palace. We are moved by the great tributes from Catholics of every walk of life and from every nation. We are deeply touched by the tributes expressed by Protestants, Jews and Moslems at the death of the pope."

He said that people's attention have been riveted because of the remarkable life and ministry of a good and holy Polish priest.

"We rejoice that the Holy Spirit has drawn Karol Wojtyla from his own home and from among his own people to shepherd the universal Catholic Church as vicar of Christ and as a servant of the servants of God," said Msgr. Augustine. "The living witness and ministry of Pope John Paul II has been a profound blessing for Catholics everywhere. His greatness as a spiritual leader and as an intellectual voice in the church and in the world is even now being proclaimed among the faithful."

For 26 years the pope has served the church as bishop of Rome, noted the administrator, in an office that reaches back to St. Peter.

"His faithfulness to the arduous tasks entrusted to him has been a great witness to all of us. Even to the end he was conscious of his responsibilities to both Christ and the church." Msgr. Augustine added, "His love for the church and his faithfulness to his priestly vocation are at the core of all we celebrate and remember these days."

He referred to the pope's extensive travels with the 104 pastoral visits.

"Everywhere he went, he tirelessly greeted the sick and the poor, the outcast and the burdened." The diocesan administrator said, "He rejoiced in his ministry to young people and he encouraged the work of priest, deacons and religious everywhere he went. His demanding schedule and his clarion voice served the church in a unique way."

Msgr. Augustine pointed out that the pope had celebrated countless Masses with the faithful - in his private chapel, St. Peter's square and even in an Iowa cornfield.

"The pope's devotion to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist has provided a bountiful outpouring of grace upon the world. Rooted in his personal life and prayer and his many hours before the Blessed Sacrament, John Paul II has lifted the Body and Blood of the Lord before millions of Catholics," he said. "He has invited us to both adore the Lord of the Eucharist and to carry his message beyond our houses of worship into our homes and our places of work."

The diocesan administrator said that the pope would always be remembered as a teacher and a proclaimer of the revealed truths of the Catholic faith. Through his assorted writings, the pope always worked to illuminate the truths of the Gospel of Jesus.

"Pope John Paul II was a shepherd who served as the vicar of Christ with courage and conviction. His vision, his love for the church, his dedication to the poor and marginalized has revealed to the world the loving voice of Jesus," he said.

The cathedral choir led the music for the service.

Nancy McGuire, a parishioner at Cathedral, attended the special Mass of remembrance. She mentioned that the death of the pope was more moving for her than what she had anticipated it would be because it is an end of an era.

She was impressed by the pope's unwavering stance on a variety of issues.

"He didn't care what was politically correct. He knew in his heart what was right," said McGuire.

Kathleen Beacom, a parishioner at St. Joseph Church in Sioux City, said she would not have missed the special Mass for the Holy Father because he was the "greatest man ever."

She has enjoyed all of the media coverage of the pope and has found it helpful in raising awareness about the church.