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When the sisters at Hamden's Sacred Heart Academy learned that Pope John Paul II was holding a special prayer service with America's youth they scrambled to make this opportunity available to their students. They all see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity that they can share with other Christians back here at home. They were told to pack light, But Sacred Heart Academy senior Carolyn Heimann managed to make room for her homemade rosary beads. She's sewn together 60 so far and will work until Tuesday when she hopes to get them blessed by Pope John Paul II and bring them home to Connecticut. Carolyn Heimann: "To hospitals or to the school or our church community... Hopefully that what we gain from the pope we can be able to share." Ten Sacred Heart Academy students in all paid their own way to St. Louis to pray with the Pope and bring his message back to their peers. Kate Bencivenga, Senior: "Personally I think there seems to be a lack of faith just due to the culture and I think he kind of brings the faith about." These students applaud John Paul II for speaking out to young people. Kristen Judd, Senior: "Like the statement I had to write an essay on to go on this trip - that we all have a goodness inside of us we have to work toward that to make the Christians more known as being helpful in the community." Hundreds of students from around the nation will join these high schoolers in a youth rally and prayer service with the Pope. Kathleen McNary, Sophomore: "I think this is the chance of a lifetime it's going to be a really neat opportunity that doesn't come along very often. And it's not only a thrill for the students. Sr. Christine Kiley, Sacred Heart Academy: "They took our addresses and phone numbers for a security check so we're hoping to really be close." News Channel 8's Darren Kramer will be in St Louis for the Pope's visit, and is planning to meet with the Sacred Heart students about their trip. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT |
Students Prepare for Visit to See the Pope