1. 'A very sad time' - local reaction to death of Pope John Paul II
Vincennes Sun-Commercial (IN) - April 2, 2005
Author/Byline: JENNIFER EARLES, staff writer
Section: News
Local residents reacted to the news of Pope John Paul II's death with sadness.
"This is a very sad time for everyone," said Mildred Yochum, Vincennes. "He was a great man and I don't know what we will do without
him."
Yochum, along with many other Vincennes Catholics attended a late Saturday Mass at Old Cathedral, 205 Church St. She sat along side
her husband, Francis, praying in honor of the late pope.
"They will elect someone else to take his place, but it won't be the same," she said. "There is no one else who could connect with people
like he did."
"He was a great communicator and a very dignified man," said Rev. Joe Swartz, Sacred Heart, 2004 N. Second St. "He always fought for
the side of peace throughout the world during his 26 years as pope."
Locally, Swartz said, Catholics have sat by their televisions over the past few days awaiting updated news of their leader's health.
"I have been keeping up with the news for the past few weeks," said JoAnn Cacel, holding her rosary as she prayed at Old Cathedral.
"And even though it was expected, every one is still very saddened. The world will be mourning for a log time."
"He was a very vigorous leader who had a profound respect for all life," Swartz said. "He affected the hearts and spirits of all Catholics
and I think everyone will feel a great loss and a tremendous void.
"It is amazing the unique connection every person felt to him."
"I think it is obvious by the amount of concerned people throughout the world and here in Vincennes," Swartz said. "How much he will be
missed."
At St. John's Catholic Church, 803 Main St., Rev. Dave Fleck said many members of his congregation also feel a special connection to
their faith's leader.
"He was the most traveled pope in history," Fleck said. "He reached out to the world's poor and visited many third world countries."
"I have witnessed three popes in my lifetime," said Joe Sievers, Vincennes. "And he was probably the best one, the most traveled and
well-respected Catholic leader."
"He also touched the hearts of many young people," Fleck said. "Bringing the Catholic faith to so many people."
"I don't foresee any major changes in the immediate future," Fleck said. "We will just have to see where the new leadership takes us."
At the Old Cathedral Catholic Church, Rev. John Schipp said local churchgoers are united in prayer.
"He was a personal witness of faith," Schipp said. "He was deeply connected to his beliefs and his followers."
The Old Cathedral and other local Catholic churches will hold their regularly scheduled Masses this week, which will include special
prayers for Pope John Paul II.
Local Catholic churches will hold regularly scheduled Masses this week, which will include special prayers for Pope John Paul II.
St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville will hold vesper service for Pope John Paul II at 7 p.m.
For more information go to:
www.evansville-diocese. org
Record: 10CBA81C6430AE5B
Copyright: Copyright 2005 Vincennes Sun-Commercial