Editor’s Note: Many Diocese of Jackson families, pastors and groups attended the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia during the Papal visit. The staff asked Group leaders and attendees to reflect on the trip. In this issue, the staff has selected excerpts from their reflections on the meeting, the Festival of Families and the Papal Mass to conclude the meeting.

Barbara Rivers, Tupelo St. James
My husband and I were married on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi.  I have  had  a desire  to see Pope Francis ever since he became Pope. We got that opportunity when we discovered that Proximo Travel was offering a tour to Philadelphia.
It was also very emotional when we joined hands and sang with Aretha Franklin   “We are Family.” (at the Festival of Families) Even though we were from different places in the world, we felt like family. Philadelphia, the city where the foundations for our right to freedom of religion were laid, showed that we can be a people of hope for a broken world.
Barbara Rivers – Tupelo St. James

Cory Head, Flowood St. Paul
This was such a rare, historic event (a once-in-a-lifetime event for many) that we wanted to create the opportunity for our parish to go.  As a Youth Director, it was especially important to me for the youth in our church to have every opportunity to go as possible.
The favorite part of the trip for many of us was receiving the Eucharist that had been blessed by the Holy Father.

Monica Walton, Flowood St. Paul
The message I got from the World Meeting was to celebrate life with your unique blessings, gifts, talents and personality. We are a diverse world and embracing our differences brings us together. We don’t all speak the same language but we can still communicate through our actions. I felt unity through Christ and our Catholic worship with people from across the globe.
The message I got from Pope Francis is that families are a blessing. Happiness isn’t always at the forefront. Times can be difficult. Life can be challenging. But, we can all do something to make the world better. We are all responsible for each other. He summed it up very simply….. just do the right thing. Act out of love in all we do and the world will be better place!

Linda Gamble, Jackson Christ the King
I decided to go at the last minute because as the time get closer something was pulling me to go. I think it was very spiritual because I really couldn’t afford the trip but at the end I sacrified the money and make arrangements to go. And I am so glad I did.
Also, as a bonus, I made a friend-for-life, Mary Hazlett, from Franklin, Maryland, who was my roommate at the hotel where they stayed. We had a wonderful time together touring the city, eating, and attending the different events planned for us. I hope we can travel again together, maybe to Rome?

Teresa Preuss, Jackson St. Therese
It was an incredible experience to see so many people gathered in one place, to hear his message of love and forgiveness, especially to see them so anxious to get a glimpse of the pope, to hear his message about family unity. I like the way he talks about  family and the importance to be together and have an open communication with their children. All families have problems but he says that with love and communication everything can be handle in a Christian way.

Esperanza Velásquez, Jackson St. Therese
What message did you get from the Pope?
Nothing touched my heart in the most profound way than his last sermon during the Mass celebration at the closing of the World Meeting of Families 2015 taking place throughout this fantastic week in Philadelphia. There, at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Holy Father expressed his concern for the family, specifically, the challenges this institution is facing in today’s dangerous world.  He talked about marriage, love, and children. “I understand,” he said, “how children can be difficult some times, but talk to them with love, softly and be patient.”  It has not escaped my notice the very special manner in which he loves the children, and how, in turn, the children return his genuine love.  I find it so endearing. To me, Pope Francis is my Holy Father, but, for all those children, Pope Francis is a loving Holy Grandfather. Who does not love grandpa?  May God guard and protect him for many years to come.

Sheila Przesmicki, Booneville St. Francis
What is your reaction to the Papal visit overall? As several people said to me, “Pope Francis is a rock star!” But he isn’t a star in the passing sense of the word. His energy, enthusiasm and “Joy” in spreading the Gospel seems to have stayed with people. He has left a positive impression on most people, whether they agree with Church teaching. His arms are mercifully open to all, with compassion and understanding, and this apparently is drawing people back to the church, even if it is in an exploratory manner.
What message did you get from the World Meeting? Families are churches, and churches are families. Within families there is joy, pain, suffering and healing. If we would remember that we are all brothers and sisters, and at the end of the day we all must live together, we might have more compassion and willingness to reach out and help each other, no matter as family, neighbors, citizens or church members.

Kim Turner,  Jackson St. Richard
I traveled to Philadelphia with my husband and 5 boys, a 13 year old, two 11 year-olds, a 7 year-old and a 3 year-old.
From the World Meeting I got the message that family is so important.  How you react to each other comes from the seed we start in the family.
From Pope Francis I heard we should treat all people with kindness and generosity.  We should respect our grandparents and be there for our children, that families are the foundation of society.
Also on our way to the train one day we saw a priest helping a homeless man.  These are the small experiences that my children will remember, they will have no question on what to do in these situations because they have seen it.

Thomas Turner, (11-years old)
I thought it was really cool and fun. The message I got was be good to each other. My favorite part of the trip was seeing him say the Mass while we were all in the streets and meeting new people

Amy Topik, Flowood St. Paul
Pope Francis’ visit was very positive, and energizing to all Christians, Catholic and Protestant. For me personally, this trip was just the spiritual renewal I needed. Pope Francis has such enthusiasm for his work, and it is evident in every word he spoke on this trip. I was so blessed to be a part of his visit.
The message I received from Pope Francis is that we are all called to be the hands and feet of Christ here on earth, no matter what our vocation is. We must be our brother’s keeper.
Since the trip I made a commitment to be more sensitive to the needs of others around me, and to pray more deeply that everyone I come in contact with can see Jesus in me through my actions.

Ana de Lange, Madison St. Francis of Assisi
We traveled as a family.  My husband Aad and I, and our four children:  Sophia (13), Stephan (11), Carolina (9) and María José (7). I saw it as a wonderful opportunity to nurture and to celebrate the universality of our faith.
The meeting…it surpassed my expectations.  Excellent speakers addressing different topics, all relevant to our reality.  The Youth Congress…the opportunities to provide service as a family to pack meals for Burkina Faso… all that was meaningful.  If I were to choose a message, I would probably rephrase the words of Pope Francis:  “Love is the measure of our faith.” A faith that is universal, in time and in space. Yes, the meeting itself spoke to me about the “UNIVERSALITY” of our faith. Very few times in my life I have been part of such diversity: so many nations, so many cultures, so many different backgrounds, yet all united. More than 2,000 years ago Jesus said to one of His disciples: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church” (Matthew 16,18). Those words which I had heard and read over and over, suddenly became alive when we were part of the many thousands celebrating the Eucharist together.

Aad delange, Madison St. Francis
I think this pope has a mission and a vision to be there for everyone, and try to unify.
The message I got from the World Meeting was that we should strive forstrong and solid family life, the cornerstone of society, and it should be our inspiration to get to a better world.
The message I got from Pope Francis is that there clearly is hope for the world, and it doesn’t seem to take a lot. Try to set aside differences.

Maria delange, 9-year-old
It’s good that Pope Francis came to the U.S.A. to tell people what is good and bad.
At the World Meeting I learned that it’s important to pray the rosary.
What message did you get from Pope Francis? To be nice to others.
Have you made any changes to your prayer or faith life because of the trip?
Pray and try to help poor people. I saw some living on the streets in Philadelphia.  My favorite part was filling food baskets for Africa through Catholic Relief Service.

Carolina deLange, 13-year old
The message I got from the World Meeting of Families was love others. Treat others how you would want to be treated.
What message did you get from Pope Francis? We all have the duty to do good.

Stephan deLange, 11-year-old
What message did you get from the World Meeting? To go on God’s path.
What message did you get from Pope Francis? To be kind to others.
What was your favorite part of the trip? – Seeing Pope Francis.

Sophia delange, 8-year-old
What was your reaction to the trip?
It was very cool but I especially loved the meeting. The World Meeting of Families taught me so much about suffering, three-letter-word, sin. That God didn’t create bad people. He gave us freedom. And other people chose sin.
Pope Francis’ message to me is to love your family not matter what.

By Father Gerry Hurley
What a wonderful and exciting trip. Initially our trip was conceived as a plan to bring our youth to see Pope Francis, but in checking among our youth we found there was a great measure of interest among the parents, as well as other adults in our parish.
We ended up with 17 Youth and 30 Adults on a bus. The best word to describe our trip is enthusiasm. The enthusiasm of the Holy Father himself, and the delight he had in being with his people, the enthusiasm of the crowds who gathered and welcomed him, and the enthusiasm of our group in being able to be part of such an historic event.
The message that I took from the gathering was that the Holy Father was presenting one singular message, it was a message of hope, of trust, of determination. It was the message of Jesus Christ. It is the same message he preached in Rome, it was the same message he preached in Cuba, and the same message he preached here in our United States. A message of peace, and love, and freedom for all people, and an invitation to use all the resources that God has placed at our disposal for the betterment of our whole world.
I find it really ironic that the press and the media in many instances didn’t seem to get that message. They attempted to morph the Pope’s message into some form of political agenda. Their attempts showed a real lack of understanding of the length and enormity of Catholic social teaching, down through the history of the church.
There was really nothing new about the teaching, because after-all it was the teaching of Jesus Christ.  However there was something very special about the one who was presenting it. It was totally congruent with his own simple lifestyle.
One of my favorite parts was being in line for 3 hours to go through security in preparation for the Papal Mass. I was so impressed by the patience of people as they moved slowly along in the lines. There was just something so special about the integrity of that. A sense that we were really preparing for something really large – and we were – Mass with Our Holy Father presiding.
Our group told me later they decided to begin reciting the Rosary as they moved along in the line, I think they may have been a little shy about it in the beginning but as they found others joining in immediately, they were touched.
It is a small world, or so they say, in this instance we met a fellow parishioner in the midst of that whole crowd. She is a native of Philly, and she and her sister were working there helping out both of them were guiding priests to their communion stations at the Papal Mass. She knew many of our youth because she had taught them in school, and knew many of our adults because of her involvement in our parish. It was a great reunion.
It was a once in a lifetime experience, and everybody in our group felt blessed to be a part of it. The only question left now is whether we go for Dublin in 2018. (Father Hurley is the pastor of Flowood St. Paul.)

Editor’s Note: Many Diocese of Jackson families, pastors and groups attended the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia during the Papal visit. The staff asked Group leaders and attendees to reflect on the trip. In this issue, the staff has selected excerpts from their reflections on the meeting, the Festival of Families and the Papal Mass to conclude the meeting.

Father Gregory Plata
The word “Catholic” was first used by Ignatius of Antioch in 107 AD, meaning universal, to describe the nascent, but quickly growing Christian church. That description could not have been more pointed than what was witnessed during September’s World Meeting of Families and visit by Pope Francis to the city of Philadelphia. Catholics from around the world, representing every country, race and culture, came to share ideas of how to strengthen family bonds, and apply the teachings of Jesus Christ in their every day life. This gathering also included 17 pilgrims from Greenwood, representing the Catholic families of St. Francis of Assisi and Immaculate Heart of Mary parishes.
I have to say I was very proud of my home city and the way they presented themselves. Everyone, from the police force to the public transit workers to street cleaners could not have been more accommodating. Philadelphians don’t always have a good reputation due to the vociferous nature of their sports fans, but I think this week changed that perception.
Led by Father Greg Plata, OFM, who pastors both parishes, the pilgrims arrived on Thursday evening, September 24, staying in Wilmington, DE, a stone’s throw from Central Philadelphia. On Friday, the group spent the day following Father Plata, a native of Philadelphia and history buff, who showed them around the historical area of the city. The group also had an opportunity savor the iconic Philadelphia cheese steak, as well as other Philly foods such as soft pretzels with mustard.
On Saturday, September 26th, the group from Greenwood merged with thousands of people of various denominations and cultures who converged on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Festival of Families event. Before the presentations and concert began that evening, Pope Francis traveled through the central part of Philadelphia, greeted by thunderous applause and shouts of joy from thousands after addressing the various dignitaries and a large crowd gathered at Independence Mall. That evening’s concern included songs performed by Aretha Franklin, who did a rousing rendition of Amazing Grace, to Italian tenor Andrea Boccelli. Mixed between the concerts were families representing five continents, who shared with Pope Francis their joys and struggles. The pope warmly welcomed each. One of the most touching was a family from the Ukraine, who brought their handicapped son in his wheelchair, stating that their son, Boris, was the joy of their life, and how they felt blessed by God to have such a child despite his physical disabilities.
On Sunday, September 27th, the group from Mississippi headed out early for the Papal Mass. Dropped off at the Sports Complex in South Philadelphia, the group traveled by subway to a designated point, and then walked to one of the security check points for entrance into the Parkway. Once again, a throng of thousands had converged on the city, some waiting for hours to gain entrance into the Parkway. Despite the long wait, there was a true sense of peace and patience as one of the greatest gathering of Christians joined for this historic event.
Before Mass, Pope Francis had visited one of the area prisons, bringing a message of hope to the inmates
Crowd size was hard to estimate for the Mass, but a figure was put as high at one million, which included those who were not able to get into the Parkway and were on the periphery. Large screens were set up throughout the Parkway, giving thousands access to sight and sound during the Mass.
“As Catholics, we are taught from an early age to show respect and reverence of worship during the Mass,” commented Fr. Plata. “I was amazed at the silence of so many people, and their participation at Mass through singing and responses to the prayers.”
Responses to the Mass were sung in Latin, which proved a universal language still remembered by many in the church and allowed more participation by people who spoke various languages and were in attendance.
While security was tight, those involved ranging from the local police department to the Secret Service could not have been more amenable and helpful. It seemed as if the pope’s visit created an infectious attitude of serenity and respect among all people.
“I think our group was profoundly affected by this experience, and the positive messages of Pope Francis during his many talks,” stated Fr. Greg. “It made me even more proud to be a part of the Catholic church, and to have had the privilege of sharing these joy filled days with my Catholic sisters from Mississippi.”
(Father Plata is the pastor of Greenwood St. Francis of Assisi and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parishes.)

By Elsa Baughman
MADISON – Paul Sanfrancesco, a consultant for Sadlier Publishing, was invited by the diocesan offices of Education, Child Protection and Faith Formation to present “Catholic Citizenship in the Digital Age,” to pastors, DRE/CREs, youth ministers, teachers, principals, lay ecclesial ministers, parents and catechists at St. Joseph School on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Sanfrancesco started with an overview of apps and social media channels available today. He said that today’s technology is overwhelming and that many people, including teachers, are apprehensive about it, but, he told participants, “you know faith formation, you know how to be a parent, how to be a good Christian. Nothing has changed, the foundation of everything we believe in still applies to technology.”
Sanfrancesco who is also an adjunct professor in the graduate education department at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and Neumann University in Aston, Pa., advised participants to not be afraid to use it. “Embrace it and learn its value in education. Go to YouTube to watch a video, use Twitter. If you don’t know how to use it, ask your children, grandchildren, a neighbor or a friend to show you.”
“When reaching out to your children on social media, how you communicate is going to be key to them,” he said, noting that children need to hear encouraging messages from their parents and teachers. “Give them positive feedback, thumbs-up in Facebook. It’s great because they are receiving something that the TV generation didn’t.” Words like, ‘good job,’ and ‘I love you’ mean a lot to them,” he said.
There are some pitfalls to modern digital life. As a cautionary tale, he told the story of a 22-year-old senior at a university in Pennsylvania studying to be a high school English teacher. Two weeks before graduation she posted a picture on her Facebook page in which she appeared drinking from a cup and wearing a Halloween pirate hat. The caption reads, “drunken pirate.”
When the university found out, she was denied the teaching degree and teaching certificate. She sued the university and lost. In Pennsylvania, every educator or student teacher  has to sign an ethics and morality clause that reads, “I will be a responsible, model citizen when I am teaching young adults in the schools in Pennsylvania.” Her profile picture violated this clause.
He said people in some professions such as teachers, doctors, clergy, lawyers and law enforcement, can’t have this kind of post, ever. “Even if the picture is in social media for just a minute, it’s always going to be there, you lose ownership of it.”
He warned, “we live in a world today where everybody is constantly judging you and sometimes assumptions lead to reality, even if the statement is not true.”
Sanfrancesco said we can’t control people’s messages, but we can control our own. He encouraged participants to focus on the positive ones and avoid controversy.
“I have learned about things I didn’t even know existed, at all. I am going home and check with my children,” said Jackson St. Therese parishioner Ingrid Piernas.
Piernas pointed out that with today’s technology, everything boils down to the choices we make, like in the case of the Pennsylvania student. “Even though we may not post pictures of ourselves, we have to be cautious because there are other people with cameras around us, so we should be mindful of our conduct,” she said.”
She also indicated that the speaker also made a great point noting sometimes there might be a disconnect between our Catholic faith and how we conduct ourselves on social media. “We say we are Catholic and we try to follow our faith and values but the way we present ourselves or the things we post in social media may not necessarily reflect that Catholic faith.”
For Shae Robinson, principal of Jackson Sister Thea Bowman Elementary School, knowledge about some of the apps available was also very helpful. “I didn’t know they were out there. That information opened my eyes to a lot of new things,” she said. “We need to be aware and monitor what our children are doing at home and at school,” she added.
Robinson agrees with Piernas that people need to be careful what they post on social media and how others may perceive what is posted because it can be viewed negatively and could cause people to lose a job or prevent them from gaining employment.
“To me it was very interesting about the picture of the young university student drinking from a cup. It was our perception of what was in the cup and how she came to lose her teacher’s certificate.”
Roland Powell also left invigorated with new ideas about what is in the internet, Facebook, Twitter and all the other sites available today. He acknowledged he was glad to attend because there was a lot he didn’t know, especially about the impact the internet has in the young generation. “We need to focus on the positive side of all this new technology, in generating new ideas, new approaches that would nurture and improve our kids and adults and move them in the right direction,” he said.
Powell is a board member of Sister Thea Bowman School.

NATCHEZ – Bishop Joseph Kopacz blessed and unveiled 22 history plaques at the O’Connor Family Life Center of St. Mary Basilica Sunday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m.
“These plaques highlight significant events, people and institutions in the story of Catholicism in the Natchez area, a story that extends beyond 300 years,” said Father David O’Connor, pastor. An invitation was extended to individuals and groups who are interested in church and local history.
The purpose of these plaques is to present a visual overview of the beginnings and the growth of Catholicism in the south west part of Mississippi. It is the hope and aim of the designers of these plaques that these will offer information and inspiration for many people. These plaques will be hung on the walls of the great hall in the Family Life Center. The series begins with reference to the first documented Mass in Fort Adams in 1682, traces many moments of growth and struggle through the years and concludes with a glimpse of St. Mary congregation in 2014.
This visual history gives recognition to the impact of the French, the Spanish and English immigrants as well as the impact of outstanding bishops, priests and lay leaders. It also tells of the formal establishment of the Catholic Diocese of Natchez in 1837 as well as the local impact of the Civil War. It recognizes the ministry of the Daughters of Charity, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and the role of orphanages and schools in the area.
Father O’Connor said that the missionary nature of Catholicism is highlighted by plaques on the beginnings and continued growth of Holy Family and Assumption congregations, on the centrality of education, and on social service to the poor and needy of the community through orphanages and community programs.
“For many Natchezians who have listened to the bells of St. Mary toll over the years since 1850, one plaque depicts the bell and its history in a way not available before now,” said Father O’Connor.
The service of unveiling was be led by Bishop Kopacz but each plaque was unveiled by parish members representing different generations of parishioners. This series of plaques serve as a memorial for Garland Michael Lyell, son of Dr. Linda Wilbourn.
Father O’Connor expressed his thanks for the research assistance he received from the St. Mary Archive committee, Dr. Charles Nolan, parish and school staffs, St. Mary pastoral council and the archives of the Daughters of Charity and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Lorraine Hampton designed the plaques and Michael Murphy and Stephen Flowers provided photography.

By Maureen Smith
GREENVILLE – Joseph Le was ordained a transitional deacon at a 10 a.m. Mass in St. Joseph Church Saturday, Oct. 10. His parents and many siblings, including his brother, who has taken first vows as a Cistercian, and several nieces and nephews traveled from Dallas and California for the event.
Deacon Le’s parents said they are very happy and thankful to God to have two children who have answered the call to religious and priestly life.
During the Mass, Deacon Le presented himself to Bishop Joseph Kopacz, promised obedience to the bishop and his successors and prostrated himself during the invocation of the saints in the litany. Then after the imposition of hands, Bishop Kopacz presented the new deacon with the Book of the Gospels, a sign of the office of deacon.
Deacon Le first studied with the Carmelites, but discerned that life as a diocesan priest would be a better fit for him. He served in Greenville during his seminary studies and considers it his home parish.
Next May 14, both Deacon Le and Deacon Jason Johnston, who was ordained eariler this year, are scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Kopacz in the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle.

Editor’s Note: Because of the conflict between travel schedules and print deadlines, this issue of Mississippi Catholic will focus on Pope Francis’ visit to Washington and New York. Look for coverage of the World Meeting of Families and the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia in the next issue.
By Maureen Smith
Awesome was the most popular word used to describe seeing Pope Francis address Congress. Several representatives from the Diocese of Jackson were on hand for the historic occasion including Father Joe Dyer, pastor of Forest St. Michael the Archangel, Father Ricardo Phipps, director of Catholic Charities Jackson; Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth, associate executive director of the St. Dominic Health Services Foundation and Will Jemison, coordinator for the Office of Black Catholic Ministry for the diocese.
“The pope addressed social justice issues,” Jemison told Gannett News. “It’s one thing when lawmakers address it. It’s another thing when the pope addresses it. He’s the Holy Father.”
Jemison was there with 300 people from Mississippi. He said he felt like the address was a call to action.
“I received the word from the pope today that inspired me to make sure I am still doing what I can to make sure that social justice issues are addressed in this country, that economic issues are addressed in this country and I also feel the challenge given to me is to challenge my elected officials to work for the common good of all people,” said Jemison.
Father Phipps attended the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra and watched the congressional address.
“There was awesome energy there, just to be with all of the crowds who were there to welcome the Holy Father. I had a chance to be at the Mass at Catholic University and just the Holy Father’s celebration style he was a very loving figure- the time that he spent going around in the Popemobile just greeting people and touching and waving at the children – it was a very refreshing sight to see.

Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington Sept. 24. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Father Phipps said he feels like Pope Francis is very personal, even when addressing a crowd of thousands. “In some ways it almost felt like, as I was listening to some of the things he was saying and his encouraging words I wondered ‘is he talking just to me? How does he know what I need to hear today in terms of staying focused on taking joy in where God has me planted right here and now.’ It was a great experience that I know I will never forget and then just being there in D.C.”
Sr. Dorothea Songeroth was able to be in the congressional chamber. “I’m still up in the clouds. I feel a little like Cinderella. I just thank God I was able to do this. I am so grateful to Congressman Greg Harper. Just to be there was a blessing beyond words.
“His message was absolutely inspiring and beautiful, but he did let us know that we have to live by the Golden Rule. He is a Pope for all people and a pope for this time,” she said.
Sister Sondgeroth said she is thrilled about what this pope is doing for the church. She said she has met people who have left the church and are returning. “He is bringing people back to the pews,” she said. “He invited the seminarians and novices to attend Mass inside the basilica. He recognized these young people as the hope for the church in the future- and that was heartwarming,” she added.
Father Joe Dyer was also in the gallery, thanks to a ticket from Representative Bennie Thompson, and said the response to the Holy Father was overwhelming. “There were printed instructions on proper behavior in the gallery. We were to remain seated, no applause and no vocalization or yelling. When the doors opened and he walked in everyone stood and cheered and applauded. It was very spontaneous and seemed to be heartfelt,” said Father Dyer.
“I thought his address was very clever. He addressed controversial issues in a way that was not controversial,” he went on to say.
Father Dyer is also pleased with the impact the pope’s charisma is having on the church. “It is a blessing that we are not a church of personalities. Our unity is not dependent on the personality of our leadership, but I am glad that his personality is one that attracts people. He is bringing some credibility to the church.”
One of Pope Francis’ gifts, said Father Dyer, is his ability to speak plainly. “He can say trite things and get an enthusiastic response.
“He quoted the Golden Rule. If we had done that in one of our homilies in seminary, they would have made us take it out — it’s too trite. He can say truthful things – things we have heard before – but he says them with more clarity,” said Father Dyer.
Everyone who attended was glad the pope challenged lawmakers to work for justice and everyone was delighted that he called out four famous Americans: Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. “I was surprised and very much pleased (that he spoke about Civil Rights Movement),” said Father Dyer.
“It was very much like Jesuit scholarship to link those four people and he linked them many ways throughout,” he added.
All interviewed thanked the members of Congress who gave them the opportunity to hear Pope Francis and say it is an experience they will never forget.