“In a particular way, God has called me by your election to succeed the Prince of the Apostles, and has entrusted this treasure to me so that, with his help, I may be its faithful administrator (cf. 1 Cor 4:2) for the sake of the entire mystical Body of the Church.” – Pope Leo XIV
GARY – Ivette Gonzalez Muniz, of Gary, said when she heard the news that a new pope had been selected, it was “absolutely fantastic” and called it a “blessing” to have Cardinal Robert Prevost become the head of the Catholic Church. Watching the television coverage of the election of the new pope inspired her to attend Sunday Mass after not having been to church for some time.
“All these people getting along and having the faith of God and receiving everything that he has to offer for all the people,” she said, “it’s going to be wonderful.”
Myrta Davila, another Gary resident, also shared her excitement for what Pope Leo XIV might do for the faith.
“It’s bringing people back to the Church,” Davila said. “It’s unifying people everywhere.”
Muniz and Davila were among the members of the Diocese of Gary who filled the Cathedral of the Holy Angels on May 18 to celebrate with the Catholic Church the papacy of Pope Leo XIV. The diocesan liturgy, titled the 42nd Annual Wedding Anniversary Celebration In Thanksgiving for Pope Leo XIV Inaugural Mass, was held the same day as the pontiff’s inaugural Mass in Rome.
“Today is a joyful occasion,” said Bishop Robert J. McClory, presider. “We celebrate the wedding anniversaries of so many couples gathered here today and we do so on a day that we honor and give God thanks for Pope Leo XIV, who has just officially inaugurated with his Mass today his ministry as our Holy Father. He’s a local boy made good, so we thank the Lord that he used Pope Leo’s family as that first place where he encountered Christ.”
During his homily, Bishop McClory referred to the words Pope Leo stated during the Mass that morning in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Leo described a vision for what he would love to see in the Church, using the image of leaven – the substance which makes the whole bread rise.
“We want to be a small leaven of unity, communion and fraternity within the world,” said the bishop, repeating the pontiff's words. “This is what the church should be. We should be united, loving and caring for each other. We want to say to the world with humility and joy, ‘Look to Christ. Come closer to him. Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles. Listen to his offer of love and become his one family in the one Christ.’”
Bishop McClory said married life is lived out with challenges, problems, tensions, disagreements, heartaches, love, forgiveness and compassion and although people may think those things only affect themselves, the Holy Father, he said, said those relationships can have an extraordinary impact on the world.
Bishop McClory continued, sharing another statement recently shared by Pope Leo during an initial meeting of ambassadors and diplomats to the Holy See.
“It is the responsibility of government leaders to work to build harmonious and peaceful civil societies,” he read. “This can be achieved above all by investing in the family founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman.”
What the pope is saying, the bishop explained, is that before any government exists and before any formal society is in place, the smallest society is the domestic church, the husband and wife and their family.
“That little cell of society, that little microcommunity, if we get that right, our cultures will flourish and harmony will prevail,” Bishop McClory said.
Deacon Gilbert Sanchez shared his feelings that Bishop McClory has been a wonderful shepherd in leading the diocese for all of the Mass celebrations. He said this particular one, celebrated for marriage anniversaries and the first Mass of Pope Leo XIV, likewise did not disappoint.
“My most memorable takeaway is always the Eucharistic celebration for every Mass I’m blessed to celebrate,” he said. “But this one was a little unique for the reason that I was able to serve as deacon and celebrate my upcoming 15-year marriage to my wife (Martha Rios-Sanchez).”
Deacon Sanchez said, like most Catholics around the world, his family was grieving the loss of Pope Francis. The conclave coming together for the election of the new Pope, he believes, was the start of an ascent from that loss. Once it was revealed that a new pope was elected (white smoke) and Pope Leo came out on the balcony, Deacon Sanchez felt a sense of amazement.
“An American pope for the first time in history,” he said. “I’m thrilled the Holy Spirit guided the cardinals, and I personally took it as an opportunity to speak of my faith since that moment, to those who aren’t Catholic. Pope Leo XIV has become a conversation starter in our country.”
Deacon Sanchez hopes Pope Leo continues to foster unity within the Church, between its members and also brothers and sisters throughout other Christian denominations.
“We are all trying to get to the Father and be with him in heaven,” he said.
