Is it really that long already?
Thirty-three years ago!
Hardly seems possible as the memories are still so strong and fresh and clear. Well, at least I think they are. We shall see.
I want to share with you in this and some coming writings my memories of that Event that took place in Detroit now some thirty-three years ago.
This whole sage began late February or early March. OK, got that piece of information kind of foggy already but it did begin right around then. I know the exact year - 1987. I got a phone call one evening inviting me to Sacred Heart Seminary the next morning. There was going to be a press conference and an important announcement.
I could already surmise the nature of the announcement. Rumors had been swirling for some time already. Pope John Paul II was scheduled to visit the United States later that year. Word was that his visit just might include a trip to Detroit. However, that also seemed unlikely as the nature of this trip was taking him south and then west. Detroit was an extreme diversion from the rest of the itinerary. Edmund Szoka was the bishop of Detroit at that time. Word was that he had considerable sway in Rome but was his sway strong enough to make the unthinkable happen? Then came the phone call about that coming important announcement.
And the next morning, sure enough. John Paul II was coming to Detroit. It would be a brief, very brief swing through. He would arrive on a Friday late afternoon and depart the very next day, late. But he was coming!
The Archbishop had worked his potent magic!
Plans were announced and already taking shape. There would be a visit to the Cathedral (obviously) and a gathering at Hart Plaza downtown and as a finale, Mass hopefully at the spacious Pontiac Silverdome, then home of the Detroit Lions.
Over the coming weeks more details would be fleshed out but the announcement had been made. It was official. John Paul II was coming to Detroit.
I was at that press conference to receive the news.
Then at the end of the conference, after the folks from the media had their fill, I approached our Archbishop. "Congratulations! You did it." That's what I said, or maybe something like that. And then I made my move. "If you need my help with anything regarding this trip, just let me know. I am willing to do what I can, contribute what I can."
I was properly thanked and assured that consideration would be given to the offer.
And so the day of the historic announcement passed into history.
It was a few weeks later and I was at the seminary for still another gathering, this one nowhere near as headline grabbing as the previous one. It was some sort of educational gathering. However, what made it historic for me, personally, was the walk to my car after the conference.
I was walking along with the head of the Worship Office for the Archdiocese. He mentioned to me that he would be calling me soon. He reminded me of the offer I had made to be of assistance for the papal visit. There was, evidently, a job for me. Curious, I asked what that might be. His response was coy. We will talk soon.
I assured that I was ready. Only one possibility would keep me awake nights or facing nights filled with nightmares.
"And what would that job be?" he asked me.
The thought of having to coordinate the distribution of Communion for the Mass at the Silverdome. Attendance was projected at 100,000 and it would be a Saturday late afternoon. It would be a Sunday Mass! And the Assembly, massive as it might be, would be expecting Communion.
Yes! That project would give me many a sleepless night!
And then he told me. And I can almost hear the words clear as they were thirty-three years ago.
"Go home and get yourself a good night's sleep. We will talk tomorrow."
Of course more is coming! This is just the beginning of the story.
No comments:
Post a Comment