52 Masses

Bear with me, but this will get a little convoluted. But like most, yesterday was an exciting day, so you can forgive a fellow a little convolution.

The announcement of the new pope, Habemus Papam, and his chosen name, Leo XIV immediately reminded me of my trip to Europe last year. My wife and I spent time in Germany, Switzerland and France. The highlight, for me, was our short stop in the gorgeous town of Eguisheim. This Medieval village gave us, among other things Pope Leo IX, who would be canonized 28 years after his death. In Eguisheim, they refer to him as Saint Leon.

As the conclave was reaching its decision on the next leader of our Church, I was not at home waiting the white smoke. Rather, I was in Mexico on a work trip, schlepping around a trade show in the town of Monterrey. And where in Mexico is Monterrey located?

In Nuevo Leon. A new Leon.

God bless our new holy father.

For only the second time in my life, I attended a movie on opening night. *

Last night, my wife and I joined a number of parishioners from St. John the Evangelist at the premiere of Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality. The story has particular significance to those of us at St. John (and St. Michael and St. Gabriel), as we will become the Saint Carlo Acutis Family of Parishes upon his canonization.

That canonization was supposed to take place on Sunday, though that was delayed due to the passing of Pope Francis. That explains both the timing of the release and the unfortunate assumption in the film when he is referred to as a saint. But that’s about the only misstep in an engrossing and well-done film.

The story tells about the life of Carlo Acutis, while also how Carlo was able to defy the damage done through digital obsessiveness in his evangelization efforts. At the same time, we follow a group of high school students from North Dakota on a pilgrimage to Italy, the fellow young people who represent the fruits of Blessed Carlo’s considerable efforts.

*Years ago, at my baseball-loving son’s insistence, we saw the Jackie Robinson story, 42, on opening night. So, I’m two for two in choosing worthwhile subjects for such a distinction.

Since Rome was out of the question, I thought the next-best way for me to recognize the passing of Pope Francis was to attend Sunday Mass at Bellarmine Chapel. The parish is located on the campus of Xavier University, operated by Pope Francis’ fellow Jesuits.

While his photo was up near the altar and we offered prayers for the repose of his soul and for the Holy Spirit to guide the Cardinals in their selection of his successor, the focus of this Mass was elsewhere. Specifically, on Alice, Blair and Luka, the three children who became the newest members of the faith through Baptism Sunday.

I have to think Pope Francis would have preferred it that way.

May you soon join God our Father, all the angels and saints in his kingdom, Papa Francisco.

(Photo courtesy Xavier University)

Kem had off this past week, so we headed for that popular Spring Break destination, Western New York.
We spent four days in and around Buffalo, taking in a variety of water phenomenon.

Our trip started at Letchworth State Park, where we hiked and took in the three waterfalls on site, the Lower, Middle and Upper Falls. Their beauty far exceeded their names.

The following day, we hiked out to the Eternal Flame Falls in Orchard Park, then hightailed it to Niagara-on-the-Lake, an absolutely charming Canadian city. By the time we departed, we had contributed mightily to that much-talked about trade deficit with our friends to the north.

Finally, on our last full day, we explored the site that draws the most eyeballs, Niagara Falls. We viewed these three amazing natural wonders from all angles but the water itself, as the Maid of the Mist was still in dry dock.

Yet, we had one more stop to make before heading home to Ohio. On Friday, we took a slight detour off I-90 to Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica in Lackawanna, the soon-to-be 100 years old church that was the labor of love for noted Buffalo priest, Father Nelson Baker.

Yes, after so many “falls” on this first week of Easter, it was nice to finish in a beautiful place where we’re reminded that He is Risen.

I spent Saturday morning in Sedamsville, an Ohio River-hugging neighborhood just west of downtown Cincinnati. The cause was, quite frankly, one of the most meaningful I’ve ever been a (very small) part of.

I was there for a volunteer day with the Serenelli Project. The project’s mission is to serve men who are coming out of prison or who have a criminal history but seek to live a Catholic life.

It was founded by Marty Arlinghaus, who heads up the prison ministry program for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. During one of his prison visits, he was ministering to a man who had found Christ while incarcerated and asked, “Could someone like me be a priest?”

He didn’t have an answer then, but took that inspiration to start the Serenelli Project (named after the man who stabbed – and was forgiven by – St. Maria Goretti before she died from her wounds). His organization purchased a home in the Sedamsville neighborhood to serve as the monastic home for anyone who wants to follow Alessandro Serenelli’s path from a life of crime to one serving the Lord.

Work continues on the home that will be the monastery. We were there Saturday for general clean-up around the home and throughout the Sedamsville community. I plan to join the long-term volunteers again next month and into the future.

It was a wonderful way to prepare for Holy Week.

Photos: The St. Maria Goretti Chapel; the home from Delhi Avenue; the former Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, which the organization hopes to purchase; volunteers during Saturday’s clean-up.