Lasallians from across the United States are preparing to take part in events during Pope Francis’ upcoming East Coast visit September 22-27.
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Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, along with Mary Burrichter, center, and Sandra Simon, right, Saint Mary’s University trustees, presented the Signum Fidei Award to Pope Francis April 15 in Rome. Courtesy L’Osservatore Romano
Two Lasallians have received invitations to attend Pope Francis’ address to the United States Congress in the House of Representatives on Thursday, September 24 in Washington, D.C. Saint Mary’s College of California President Dr. James Donahue will be a guest of Representative Mark DeSaulnier. Brother James Gaffney, FSC, president of Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, will be a guest of Congressman Bill Foster. Brother James and Dr. Donahue will be two of only 535 Americans to attend the historic address by Pope Francis. Additionally, John Smarrelli Jr. Ph.D, president of Christian Brothers University (CBU) in Memphis, Tennessee, and his wife will represent CBU during the pope’s appearance on the West Lawn of the Capitol following the address, thanks to Congressman Steve Cohen and Senator Lamar Alexander.
Manhattan College’s President Brennan O’Donnell, Brother Jack Curran, FSC, and Brother Michael Shubnell, FSC, will attend the vespers service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Thursday, September 24. On Friday, September 25, Mehnaz Afridi, director of Manhattan’s Holocaust, Interfaith and Genocide Education Center, will attend the interfaith meeting at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. On Friday evening, students, faculty and administration from Manhattan College have 40 tickets to the Mass at Madison Square Garden. Additionally, a reporter from the student newspaper, The Quadrangle, is attending the Mass with a media pass. Several professors are also scheduled to appear on local media to discuss the visit.
Eight students and two moderators from Lewis University will travel to Philadelphia to take part in a number of activities, including the two papal parades, the pope’s speech at Independence Hall, the Festival of Families, and the Sunday afternoon Mass.
Twelve staff members and students from San Miguel School in Washington, D.C., will be part of the group greeting the Pope at the Apostolic Nunciature, the pope’s residence during his stay, in Washington, D.C. Eight students and two faculty members from La Salle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island, will witness the Pope’s appearance on the Capitol lawn after his address to Congress and then attend the canonization Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, Missouri, is planning to make the pilgrimage to Philadelphia with approximately 17 students. Additionally, from Saint Mary’s University in Minnesota, 12 students and two staff members will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to witness the Pope’s public appearance on the west lawn of the United States Capitol on Thursday, September 24. Saint Mary’s received tickets to this event from Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar.
Seven parents, 12 students and four staff members from Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, California, will travel to Philadelphia. They plan to attend the Festival of Families, the World Meeting of Families, and the Papal Mass on Sunday afternoon, along with performing a day of service and touring La Salle University.
Brother Larry Schatz, FSC, Visitor of the Midwest District, and Brother Charles Kitson, FSC, Auxiliary Visitor of DENA, will travel to Washington, D.C. for the Junipero Serra Canonization Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday, September 23.
La Salle University in Philadelphia will host the International Mayors Forum on campus Wednesday, September 23. The forum is part of the World Meeting of Families taking place in Philadelphia as part of the pope’s visit. The mayors will discuss ways in which local governments can help strengthen and sustain families through public policy and advocacy. La Salle is co-sponsoring the event with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Are you or is your ministry going to an event? Email us at communications@lasallian.info. Starting Wednesday, September 23, be sure to check Facebook and Twitter to keep up with Lasallians’ travels and attendance at events. Additionally, check www.lasallian.info/news for updates.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]