In 2013, Pope Francis uttered arguably his most famous quote: “Who am I to judge?” This quote reminds us that never once did Jesus ask us to judge one another. Rather, Jesus said “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
As we mourn the death of Pope Francis let us follow his example of serving the poor and welcoming all people into our lives.
In lieu of my usual monthly update, I have asked some of our parishioners, ministry members, and staff to share their thoughts on Pope Francis’ impact on the Church:
“I read Pope Francis’s recently published autobiography, Hope. I will be forever impacted by his words, his authentic care for all of God’s creations, his bold and forward thinking and his sense of humor. Most importantly, is his message of Hope for all, he tells us that hope is a gift from God and we must embrace, cultivate, share and promote it to all. What a vital message for the end of his life and the future of ours.” | Shelly Hollingsworth, Reader
“Soon after I began my ministry here at Sacred Heart, Pope Francis made the following statement that summed up my own personal statement of faith and this resonated with me so much that I adopted this as my quote on my signature line for my Sacred Heart email. ‘For me, faith is born from the encounter with Jesus. A personal encounter, which has touched my heart and given direction and new meaning to my existence’. Over the past 12 years, I have witnessed our holy father live out his purpose and call to life by reflecting so clearly the presence of Christ to ALL he encountered; I can only aspire to live that mission as clearly and sincerely as he did in the faith formation ministry here at Sacred Heart and throughout my life.” | Barbara Ferreris, Director of Faith Formation
“Pope Francis met with many LGBTQ+ people throughout his papacy including our very own Deacon Ray Dever (Open Doors co-chair) fostering dialogue and building relationships. He was a true advocate encouraging Greater Acceptance and Compassion with an Emphasis on Dignity. His support for same-sex unions and blessings by priests was a monumental step toward our acceptance and recognition within the church. He strongly denounced laws that criminalize homosexuality and other forms of LGTBQ discrimination. We pray for a successor to carry on his evangelization.” | Don Murray, Open Doors ministry & Reader
“Pope Francis was so much to so many people, to people of faith and none. Even before he became Pope in his actions and words he was the face of Christ seeking an encounter with all who are on the margins and vulnerable. He was a model example for all people of good will, washing the feet of prisoners, daily reaching out to Catholics in Gaza, opening the doors to LGBTQ+, upturning the tables of corruption within the Vatican and elsewhere, dismissing Bishops who had turned a blind eye to sexual abuse by clergy, enabling the voice of the laity and clergy to be heard in the synodal process and so much more. With his passion for the care of the environment he brought the Catholic Church into accord with other Christian denominations already exploring the Season of Creation.
When it came to liturgy his presiding directed our hearts and minds to God and beyond himself. A humble servant of God and God’s world refocusing the Church and her people on the responsibilities of membership of the Body of Christ.” | Philip Jakob, Director of Music
“If actions speak louder than words, this Pope is one of the loudest. His radical acceptance of the fundamental dignity of every human person was a constant presence. The love he showed for each of us, from president to prisoner to rich man to refugee, obliged me to change how I see each person I meet, even those who anger or frighten me. And his simple life reminded me of my responsibility for all of God’s creation, living or not, sentient or not.” | Candy Olson, Social Justice Committee
“Pope Francis heard the cry of the poor. He did not believe the poor to be a burden but rather the heart of the gospel. As a parish, Sacred Heart is blessed to have many opportunities to help our neighbors in need. We too hear the cry of the poor through outreach ministries such as Hands of Hope, St Vincent de Paul, Bikes from the Heart, Giving from the Heart and others. We thank Pope Francis for his shining example.” | Susan Coppin, SVDP & Hands of Hope
While I admittedly fell away from the Catholic Church for most of my adult life, after being an altar boy and Lector in grade school and high school until 1993, Pope Francis’ visit to the United States in 2015 reminded me that my faith was still alive in my heart. My Mom became a huge fan of Pope Francis and when she died in 2017, I believe that with God and the Holy Spirit, she led me to my new home at Sacred Heart. Since then, thanks to Pope Francis’ teachings of inclusion for the marginalized, particularly the LGBTQ+ community, and the acceptance of the Franciscans, I am now blessed and grateful to live as an openly gay Catholic man who serves in all the ministries that I love and I have been called to be part of in our parish. | Felix Vega, Faith Formation, Altar Server, Reader, Knights of Columbus
“His deliberate example of living the role of a shepherd who is close especially to his most vulnerable “sheep” was his language without words that reflected what Jesus would be and do. He understood that the role of leader meant a unique opportunity to empower others vs. the opportunity to enjoy the privileges of the office. The combination of his formal education that culminated in a doctorate in chemistry before entering the Jesuits plus the discipline of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and the enlightened thinking from the early maternal influence in his family combined to develop his unique example of goodness and grace in action. I’ll miss the model he provided in serving Our Lord.” | Beryl Byles, SHHS Docent, Reader
“I can remember many of the Popes of my lifetime. All of these Holy Fathers lead our Church and were considered World Leaders. Pope Francis was able to lead me personally. Pope Francis cared deeply for me; for each of us. He was able to bring the Word of God to us in a way that felt he was speaking to us personally. He seemed to care for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Real Christian values. I felt a personal connection to Pope Francis.” Aprile Black, Receptionist & Gift Store Volunteer
“I never got to meet Pope Francis personally but I was always amazed that a person with his position and responsibilities could have such a kind demeanor and welcoming spirit. I always got the impression that whomever he was meeting was the most important person in the whole world. The peace and joy he held in his heart and the love he showed for the people was unmatched. He certainly set the bar for all of us to seek. Truly a disciple of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Well done good and faithful servant!” Larry Bevis, Outreach Committee, Knights of Columbus & Reader
O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful, look favorably on your servant Francis, whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd; grant, we pray, that by word and example he may be of service to those over whom he presides so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care, he may come to everlasting life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
