Tucsonans pray for John Paul II, reflect on his life

09:38 PM MST on Sunday, April 3, 2005

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

To people across Tucson, news of Pope John Paul II's passing was expected but sad.

And because of it, they visited area churches to pray for their pontiff, remember his achievements and hope for the future of their faith.

"Window to the world"

At St. Cyril of Alexandria on East Pima Street, which offers monthly Masses in Polish, the late pope's native tongue, parishioners gathered in small groups throughout the afternoon to weep and pray.

Joanna Schmit, a native of Warsaw, Poland, who has lived in Tucson 14 years, could barely contain her grief as she tried to put her feelings into words.

It's hard for non-Poles to understand the loss Poles feel, especially those who lived under communism, said Schmit, 41, a mother of two whose maiden name was Wojciak.

"When he became pope, it was a very difficult time in Poland. We didn't have freedom, and he gave us the courage to fight for it," Schmit said through tears, clutching gold and white rosary beads John Paul gave her when she was 16. She was in a Polish dance troupe at the time and danced for him outside the Vatican.

"He was our window to the world," said Schmit. "All of a sudden the whole world could see this wonderful example of Polishness."

The pontiff's death also was felt keenly by St. Cyril's parishioner Mike Bell, who isn't Polish. He rushed to the church to pray as soon as he heard the bells tolling to signal the pope's passing.

"I was a sophomore in college when John Paul II became the pope," said Bell, 47, a Tucson attorney and father of four. "He's been there through all of my married life, all of my life as a father."

As loved ones often do when a family member passes, Bell reflected on his favorite memories. Near the top of the list was the pope's 1983 decision to meet face to face with and offer forgiveness to Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish terrorist who tried to assassinate him in 1981.

"It's hard not to be moved by an act like that, to see that level of forgiveness," said Bell.

He said he takes comfort knowing that John Paul's suffering has ended, and that the pontiff is at peace in heaven.

"He is now where he spent his whole life hoping to be," he said.

Rest in peace

A sign at St. Joseph Church, 215 S. Craycroft Road, on Saturday read, "Pope John Paul II Requiescat in Pace." Rest in peace.

And in the church, young and old gathered before 5:30 p.m. Mass to go to confession and pray for the Holy Father.

At the front of the church, a picture of Pope John Paul II from his younger days graced one side of the altar while on the other was a painting of the Divine Mercy, Jesus with his arms outstretched and rays of light flowing from his hands.

Armando Garcia, 53, said he was at work Saturday and didn't hear of the pope's death until about an hour had passed.

"There is sadness in his departure because he was such a wonderful man in his compassion for all of humanity," Garcia said. "I think he set a wonderful example leading our lives and following the path of Jesus."

Hector Grajeda, 62, also said the pope will be remembered for love of humanity. "This is a very sad day. Not only did a pope pass away, but a great person passed away," he said.

Deacon Efren Medrano, 55, remembered seeing John Paul in Rome in 1995. Medrano was then in his first year of deacon classes, and was amazed to hear the pope addressing the thousands gathered in their own languages.

"It was just incredible. To see this man, it was very special for me," he said. "You felt like he was talking directly to you."

Medrano said he was in his car Saturday afternoon when he heard of the pope's death over the radio.

"Basically you're in shock, so you pray and you do the sign of the cross," he said.

"Blessed and lucky"

At St. Augustine Cathedral there was no formal announcement, but word of the pope's passing began filtering in during a wedding ceremony.

For Modesto Martinez, 62, who had come to Tucson from San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, to see his nephew Wednesday, the news came with a mixture of sadness and relief.

"He had suffered enough; it was time," he said outside the church. "He was an important leader and spiritual guide to the world, and a good shepherd to the church, particularly for us as Latinos. He made so many trips here to America to be with us."

He noted that the decision of who will be the next pope is now in the hands of the church hierarchy, but he's hopeful they will look for someone with the same qualities that allowed this pontiff to reach out effectively.

Ed Wiederspiel, 66, of New York, a winter resident of Tucson, had not heard that the pope had died when he and his companion New Yorker, Dee Del Monte, dropped by St. Augustine to pray, but said he suspected something important had happened when the church bells began ringing at about 3 p.m.

"He was a very profound man who gave a lot of dedication to the church and also to world affairs. I would say the world has lost a great individual," Wiederspiel said.

"He definitely showed dignity in the way of his passing," he said.

Del Monte, 63, said she was impressed by the pope's ability to bring balance to the Catholic Church, promoting reforms while maintaining the conservative traditions that are important to the religion.

"We were blessed and lucky to have this pope," she said.

"No longer in pain"

At St. Thomas the Apostle, 5150 N. Valley View Road, the congregation filled the church for a 5 p.m. Mass that remembered the pope's passing.

"Does anyone here doubt for a minute that he's with the Lord?" asked its pastor, the Rev. Todd O'Leary.

Tucsonan Lois LiMantia, 70, said she had a "profound sadness" about the pope's death. "But at the same time, joy that he's no longer in pain."

The same was felt by Paul Gannon 43, who stopped into Mass Saturday evening while on vacation in Tucson from Washington, D.C.

"Now it's about the future of the church," he said.

Still, Mass went normally Saturday night with little mention of the pope's death, but there was a different energy, said 27-year-old Joe Christian, who had been praying for the pope with his wife, Leslie, all week. "You knew he was on everyone's mind."

"Into the hands of God"

About 100 people gathered at St. Ambrose Parish, 300 S. Tucson Blvd., Saturday evening as part of the weekly vigil Mass.

The Rev Arthur Devine told the faithful that the church was mourning the loss of a blessed leader.

"It's very hard to think of the Catholic Church without him as its head," he said.

Honoring the pope's legacy, Devine assured all present that John Paul was constantly diligent in the faith, serving the church until his final breath.

While taking time to mourn the death, Devine said the legacy of John Paul should serve as an example for all people. That renewal of devotion to the church would be what the deceased pope would have wanted, he added.

"It's going to take a lot"

Parishioners at Sacred Heart Church, 601 E. Fort Lowell Road, said they are concerned about John Paul's successor.

But Lena Delgado, 53, said she and her family still prayed for a graceful and peaceful death for the pope.

He was always in her prayers because he set an example for Catholics to be open-minded, compassionate and faithful, she said. That made John Paul different and easier to relate to, she said.

The pope tried to be a unifier in a church that had long considered itself self-sufficient, said the Rev. Joseph McGowan.

"Hopefully we'll find someone just as great if not greater," Delgado said.

With seemingly more sin in the world, the next pope will have to be as forgiving as John Paul but also take a firm stand on critical issues, said Ione Odermann, 78.

"It's going to take a lot to get the world back in shape," she said.

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