MERRILLVILLE – As the world continues to pray for the health of Pope Francis, the faithful of Northwest Indiana join with prayers for his continued healing.
Some members of the Diocese of Gary have studied the pontiff’s words closely while others have been blessed to be in his presence in recent years.
Ryan and Katherine Wilson, members of St. James the Less in Highland, met Pope Francis on Aug. 9, 2023, during their honeymoon in Italy.
Ryan Wilson said he knew they would be seated in the Sposi Novelli (newlyweds) section of the Wednesday audience, but they didn’t expect it when the pope greeted them individually.
“While I shook his hand, I told him, ‘Pope Francis, we are praying for you.’ As he moved to shake Katherine’s hand, he responded, ‘God bless you (in English).’ It was really inspiring,”
Katherine Wilson felt that they were in the presence of a great man and at the same time couldn’t believe how humble he was, as his attendants assisted him through the audience in his wheelchair.
“He’s just like the rest of us, in our triumphs and weaknesses,” she said. “It’s easy to imagine how difficult holding the weekly audience is year in, year out, but Pope Francis is there with gratitude and joy.”
Matt Kresich, of Highland, served as a Gary Diocese Synod Representative. He said it is hard to summarize the life of any pope succinctly but believes four writings are helpful to understand the papacy of Pope Francis thus far and what his ultimate hopes are for the Catholic Church.
“Pope Francis is the first pope who I can remember vividly from his election through his entire pontificate,” he said. “I have had the opportunity to study his teachings academically and be able to experience his writings in real-time.”
Kresich believes the first writing that is key to understanding Pope Francis is also his first major work, “Evangelii Gaudium.” Translated as “Joy of the Gospel,” Pope Francis sought to bring new urgency to the spreading of the Good News. In that writing, Kresich said, the pope reminds us the call to mission is one we are all tasked with through baptism.
Two years later, Pope Francis would pen his most well-known writing, “Laudato Si’.” While this document is seen primarily as calling attention to environmental concerns, it is situated in the wider reflection on a world of broken relationships. The pope urges us to move past the “throwaway culture.”
“Perhaps the most striking image of Francis’ papacy is him walking through an empty St. Peter’s Square in the rain to bless the world in the midst of the pandemic,” Kresich shared.
Kresich points out there is certainly much to disagree about during this time and said Pope Francis was keenly aware of this and the undisputed rift it caused in many parts of the world. To respond, he penned “Frateli Tutti,” an encyclical that sought to address the need to be better brothers and sisters to one another.
The last work is not a particular document but rather a new term, “synodality.” Kresich has written extensively on this subject and explained that synodality boldly challenges Catholics to walk together as People of God. Synodality calls on the faithful to elevate the voices of the poor and marginalized to have a greater participation in the life of the Church.
“Pope Francis’ entire body of work fits into the narrative of reconciling relationships,” Kresich said. “It must begin with our own relationship with the Lord. Then, our relationship must radiate throughout our churches, to all those we meet in life, and finally to all of creation. Francis saw the division in the world and moved us to find a better way.”
Beth Casbon, who has served on the diocese’s Social Teaching Commission and helped to organize a Green Mass within the diocese on several occasions, touted the pontiff's efforts to care for the environment.
“Pope Francis' deep commitment to environmental stewardship, his call for ecological conversion and his emphasis on the interconnectedness of all life have encouraged me to adopt more sustainable habits and to advocate for ‘environmental justice’,” Casbon said. “More importantly, his leadership has reminded me that protecting creation is a moral imperative for all Catholics that is rooted in love and respect for future generations.”
Diocesan coordinator for Youth and Young Adults Vicky Hathaway feels fortunate to have traveled a few times to see Pope Francis. The first was in 2016 for World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland. She said it was “such a gift” to be with all the other pilgrims as they walked to a large open field where they slept in anticipation of the next day’s closing liturgy. That Saturday night, the participants joined the Holy Father for adoration and a prayer vigil.
“I will always remember that prayer vigil,” Hathaway said. “Pope Francis's words were so beautiful. He was inviting us all to build bridges. Instead of trying to divide ourselves, we were invited to reach out our hands and build bridges through our relationships with people.”
The next time she was in the presence of Pope Francis was in 2019 for World Youth Day Panama. Hathaway was invited by the USCCB to participate in the Stations of the Cross prayer service that typically takes place on the Friday of World Youth Day. Although she admits to being a little nervous at first, she felt humbled to have had that opportunity.
In 2022, Hathaway was invited to help chaperone a pilgrimage to Rome with the National Youth Advisory Council for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. The group was tasked with attending a Papal audience and asking him to send a message to the youth of the United States.
“The young people we were traveling with were a bright, passionate group who were active in their parishes and dioceses,” she said. “When it was our turn to approach the Holy Father, he blessed the young people and listened to them as they shared what they had prepared: that young people in the United States are facing many challenges, but are very faithful and are hard workers. They asked the Holy Father for a message they could take back. “Be joyful! Be always joyful!” was his response.
Hathaway feels her current ministry has been guided by the teachings of Pope Francis. In 2017-18, he called for a Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment. It was the first time that the faith and needs of young people were discussed at that level in the Church. Pope Francis called for insights from young people from around the world through online surveys, local discussions and young adult representatives. From those discussions came Pope Francis’ letter, “Christus Vivit,” or “Christ Alive.”
“The words matter,” said Hathaway. “I quote ‘Christus Vivit’ all of the time and it inspired the USCCB’s current framework for ministry with youth and young adults, ‘Listen, Teach, Send.’ But perhaps more importantly, the actions of the Synod mattered even more. Young people were present during all of the discussions. They were part of working groups. They shared their experiences with Pope Francis and with the Synod bishops. Though they couldn't vote, they made their voice heard by cheering for proposals they liked and staying silent during ones they thought had missed the mark. They were partners on this journey.”
