August 27, 2017 Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH 6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile, Alabama 36608 Email: Church@CorpusChristiParish.com! Website: www.corpuschristiparish.com TELEPHONE NUMBERS Parish Office: 342-1852 Fax 342-6313 School Office: 342-5474, ext. 1 Fax 380-0325 Rel. Ed. Office: 342-5474, ext. 7 Fax 380-0325 Full-Day Care: 342-2424 Fax 343-3119 Youth Ministry: 342-1852 Fax 342-6313 PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PASTORAL STAFF Very Reverend James F. Zoghby, V.F. Reverend John S. Boudreaux Deacon Arthur W. Robbins Mrs. Kristy F. Martin, School Principal Mrs. Diane M. Stoyka, Parish Catechetical Leader Mrs. Judi B. Ankiewicz, R.C.I.A. Coordinator Mr. Peter J. Stoyka, Youth Ministry Director Mr. Thomas C. McKee, Gym Manager TO REGISTER AS A MEMBER OF THE PARISH Please fill out a Census Form. Census Forms are available in the church vestibule and parish office. COMMUNITY CENTER RENTALS & SERVICES For rental information and kitchen services, please call the parish office at 342-1852 or 342-1420. SUNDAY MASSES Vigil: 5:30 p.m. Saturday Morning: 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. WEEKDAY MASSES 6:30 a.m.: Monday through Friday 8:15 a.m.: Monday through Saturday SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday: 5:00 p.m. and by request, particularly after the 6:30 & 8:15 a.m. weekday Masses. BAPTISM, MARRIAGE, ANOINTING OF SICK Please call the parish office (342-1852) or information and scheduling baptism, marriage, anointing of sick. ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.) Please see published schedule for specific dates and times, or call the parish office (342-1852). SUNDAY SCHOOL (C.C.D.) Grades K 12, Sundays during school year, 10:05-10:55 a.m. in school bldgs. SCHOOL, SACS-accredited for Grades PreK3 through 8. To register, or to obtain further information or to arrange for a personal tour of our school, please call the school office, 342-5474, ext. 1, or send an email to kmartin@corpuschristiparish.com.
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Sunday School Classes today, Aug. 27, from 10:05 to 10:50 a.m. No classes next Sunday, Sept. 3. (Labor Day holiday) Sunday School classes for parents: Adult Education classes will be held in the school library while the children are in class from 10:05-10:55 a.m. Many topics about our Catholic faith and traditions will be discussed along with any questions. Info: Mrs. Diane Stoyka at dianestoyka@yahoo.com, or at the Religious Ed. Office on Sundays during Sunday School. CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Building the Body of Christ, one student at a time. Openings available in some classes. Contact the School Office at 342-5474, ext. 1, or email kmartin@ccscatholic.com. or visit www.corpuschristiparish.com/school. SCRIP is for sale in the atrium after the 9:00 a.m. Mass every Sunday. SCRIP gift cards provided by our parish school include grocery stores, department stores, restaurants, gas stations and many more retailers. Cards are available in $5, $10, $15, $20, and larger amounts. For more detailed information, please contact our SCRIP office at 342-5474, ext. 1204 or SCRIP@CorpusChristiParish.com. Thursday Women s Bible Study 9:15-11:45 a.m.. In the Com Ctr Conference Rm. This year s study will cover two books: Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Brant Pitre, and The First, Second and Third Letters of St. John and the Revelation to St. John by Ignatius Catholic Bible Study. All women are welcome. For info, or to sign up, please contact Joanne Donaghey, 251-554-6753 or joannekd@alo.com. Nursery is available. Tuesday Night Bible Study Meetings are at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Parish House. The Bible Timeline, a Catholic study with a series of 24 videos. Info: Dave Burchette, 251-367-6660 or davebur1955@gmail.com. Women of Mary Wednesdays, 7 to 8 p.m. Room 3 (2 nd Floor, Community Center) All women are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion. Info: Sr. Deborah Kennedy, R.S.M., 753-4872. Men of St. Joseph Tuesdays, 7 to 8 a.m. in the Family Room Also Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. in the Parish House All men are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion. Info: Damian Bell, 639-2522 or 367-4486 or Damian@rockbwm.com. Wed Evening Info: Walter Bracewell, 599-1650 or walter.bracewell@gmail.com Society of St. Vincent de Paul Poor Box, Food, Clothing donations and In-Need Drop Box at the SVDP table in the vestibule. Join the Society of St. Vincent de Paul by attending a meeting on the 3 rd Mon. of the month, 6:30 p.m., the Parish House To seek help, call 243-4061; leave name & phone no. Jazz Brunch in the Banquet Hall With Jazz Musicians Performing Live! 2 nd Sunday of the Month (Every month except June, July, August) Buffet Served from 12 Noon to 1:30 p.m. $10.25 for Adults! $4.25 for Children (Age 12 & under) Resumes September 10! See you in September Wednesday Night Dinner 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Banquet Hall $9.25 for Adults! $4.25 for Children (Age 12 & under) Aug. 23: Homestyle Meatloaf & Gravy, Southern Fried Chicken, Yukon Mashed Potatoes, Corn Niblets, Seasoned Turnip Greens, Green Salad, Dinner Roll, Coconut Cake. Iced Tea, Lemonade, Coffee. Kids Meal (on request): Chicken Tenders & Fries. Must RSVP no later than TUESDAY EVENING Return an RSVP Card, or call 342-1852 or email WedNightDinner@CorpusChristiParish.com In the Banquet Hall Breakfast Monday through Friday, 7:00 to 9:30 a.m. Fresh Hot Beignets on Tuesdays! Lunch Monday through Friday, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please support the advertisers on the back of the bulletin Their ads enable us to have our bulletins printed by Diocesan Publications at no cost to the parish. Ads are purchased from Diocesan Publications. For information about placing an ad, contact them at 1-800-292-9111 or www.diocesan.com. AA Alanon OA CODA AA: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Cougar Den. Alanon: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg. OA: Sat., 9 a.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg. CODA: Tues., 6:45 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS K of C Installation Ceremony for 2017-2018 Officers Sun., Aug. 27 after 11 a.m Mass. A Lunch/Hangout will follow the installation. Interested in becoming a Knight? As a Knight, you have the opportunity to strengthen your parish, give back to your community and grow in your faith in joining the Corpus Christi Council of K of C. Next K of C Meeting: 4 th Mon., Aug. 28, 7 p.m., The Parish House. Info: Chad Pugh, Grand Knight, 232-0648 or chad.pugh34@gmail.com.
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA AUGUST 27, 2017 Widowed Persons Support Group For information call parishioner Glen Porter at 666-8977. Children s 1st Reconciliation & 1 st Eucharist Dates Mon., Sept. 25, 2017: 1 st Reconciliation Parent Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Mon., Dec. 4, 2017: 1 st Reconciliation Service, 7:00 p.m. Mon., Feb. 19, 2018: First Eucharist Parent Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Sun., Feb. 25, 2018: 1 st Eucharist Enrollment Mass, 9 a.m., followed by 1 st Eucharist Mini Retreat, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Sat., April 14, 2018: First Eucharist Practice, 10:00 a.m. Sun., April 15, 2018: First Eucharist Mass, 1:00 p.m. Info: Diane Stoyka, DianeStoyka@yahoo.com or 342-5474, ext. 7. High School Confirmation Schedules H.S. Senior Class of 2019: Sun., Sept. 17, 2017, Spirit Day with sponsors, at Corpus Christi, 2:00 to 6:30 p.m., Lesson 8. Sun., Jan. Date TBA, 2018, Confirmation Luncheon, 12:00 to 2 p.m. Sun., Jan. Date TBA, 2018 Confirmation Practice, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Tues., Jan. Date TBA, 2018, Confirmation, 6:00 p.m. H.S. Senior Class of 2020: Sun., Nov. 12, 2017, Spirit Day, at Corpus Christi, 2:00 to 6:30 p.m., Lesson 6. Sat., Jan. 27, 2018, Confirmation Retreat, at Visitation Monastery, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Lessons 2/3/4. H.S. Senior Class of 2021: Sun., Oct. 15, 2017, Spirit Day & Welcome Mass, at Corpus Christi, 2:00 to 6:30 p.m., Lesson 1. Sun., Feb. 18, 2018, Spirit Day, at Corpus Christi, 2:00 to 6:30 p.m., Lessons 5 & 7. The Annual Red, White and Blue Masses Celebrated at the Cathedral For God s blessing on those who serve in these professions: The Blue Mass (Monday, Sept. 11, at 12:10 p.m.) for police officers, fire fighters, first responders and other safety personnel. The Red Mass (Friday, Sept. 29, at Noon) for our Judicial System, judges, attorneys and elected officials. Sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society. If you would like to join the St. Thomas More Society, or participate more fully in the annual Red Mass Celebration, contact Greg McAtee at 251-661-9399. The White Mass (TBA) for physicians, nurses and all health care professionals. First Friday Adoration 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the chapel. Sign-up sheet is on the table in the chapel. Welcome New Parishioners Chris & Katie Flores and their children, Ava, Jacob and Carson Simon & Susan Rizk and their daughters, Victoria and Lillian BAPTIZED IN CHRIST Harper Kay Crabb (daughter of Sterling Alexander Crabb & Mary Del Holleman Crabb) Bennett Collier Gill (son of Jeremy Douglas Gill & Kelsey Lynn Collier Gill) Flowers The flowers before the altar this weekend have been placed in memory of Armando Gomez for his August 30 th birthday. Given by his wife, Peggy, and children. Around the Archdiocese: The Fall Quarterly Meeting of the Mobile Deanery Archdiocesan Council (ACCW) will be held on Wed., Sept. 6, at 9:15 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church. Mass at 11:15 a.m., and lunch will follow the Mass. The cost of lunch is $13 per person. Please make your reservations by Thursday, Aug. 31, with Carlee Russell (533-4771, carlee.russell@icloud.com or Shirley Alexander at 662-6537 or Shirley.alexander1@gmail.com. All Catholic ladies are welcome. Info: Fannie Burden, President, 666-4960 Providence Hospital Senior Center, 35. N. Cody Rd. (Boys & Girls Club), Hot Lunches, (Cost is donation only), Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet friends, play games, receive info on health & wellness. No fees. Info: Peggy Gomez, Providence Hospital Community Coordinator, 544-4480. Providence Hospital Fundraisers, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.): Nikki Leah s (children s clothing) Aug. 31 & Sept. 1, Hosp. Lobby. $5 Masquerade Jewelry Sept. 18-19, DePaul Ctr. Conquering Adversity, The Neighbor Center, 1 st Annual Celebration Luncheon: Monday, Sept. 11, at 11:30 a.m. at Spring Hill College Campus, Byrne Hall. The Neighbor Center is a re-entry resource center with a mission to reduce recidivism by offering assistance with Job Search, Job Training, Housing, Medical Care and Transportation. Get your tickets, $50/person and $400/table for 8, at www.mobileinterfaith.org or the neighborcenter@gmail.com or 251-308-8725. FIRST COLLECTION TODAY: Tithing Offerings. SECOND COLLECTION TODAY: Home Missions. THE CHURCH IN LATIN AMERICA FINAL: $2,376.44 HOME MISSIONS ONLINE & COLLECTION: $801.88 AUG. 13 TH BUILDING FUND ONLINE & COLLECTION: $892.97 AUG. 13 TH TITHING ONLINE & COLLECTION: $22,311.47 Thank You and God Bless You Receive a detail listing of your contributions by mail, email or fax at any time: Call 342-1852 or email Church@CorpusChristiParish.com. God bless all for tithing, contributions, bequests, remembrances in wills in support of God s work here at Corpus Christi Parish. To make a donation of stock, ask your financial manager, or call Selena Hemphill at Morgan Stanley at 470-1084 or 800-624-7814. To set up Online Giving: Please go to www.corpuschristiparish.com; click Church ; then click the green Online Giving icon on the left side of the church s homepage. Follow the instructions to either make a one-time contribution, or set up a recurring withdrawal, from a checking, saving or credit card account to tithing or building fund, school annual fund or other special collection. For assistance, call 800-348-2886, ext 4, or the parish office, 342-1852. Offering Envelopes If you wish to use Offering Envelopes, just notify the parish office (342-1852). An initial set will be sent to you right away, and then, every two months, you will receive a two-month s supply of envelopes.
St. John XXIII Pope John XXIII held office for only 5 years, but he remains one of the most popularly beloved popes in the history of the Catholic Church not only by Catholics but also by non-catholics. He convened the Second Vatican Council in 1962, after calling everyone to pray for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and the whole world. A Family of Peasants Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was the third of thirteen children, born in 1881, into the Roncalli family, who were poor farmers in the town of Sotto il Monte. Angelo would walk to school barefoot and carry his shoes so he wouldn t wear out the leather. About his father he writes in his journal: My father is a peasant who spends his days digging and hoeing... and I am worth much less, for my father is at least simple and good, while I am full of malice. Angelo was a cheerful and naturally religious boy, who is delighted when his normally reserved father hoists him on his shoulders to get a glimpse of a church procession in a nearby town. He recalls this incident when, as pope, he is first carried into St. Peter s Basilica on the grand portable papal throne. Once again I am being carried... More than seventy years ago I was carried on the shoulders of my father at Ponte San Pietro...The secret of life is to let oneself be carried by God and so carry Him to others. World War I Angelo entered the seminary at age 12, and was ordained to the priesthood in Rome. When the First World War erupted, Father Roncalli was conscripted into the Italian army as a hospital orderly and, later, as a military chaplain. The experience affected him deeply. While he will always maintain that war is and remains the greatest evil, he experienced a sense of God s presence beside the men with whom he served. A few years after the war, in 1920, he spoke of ministering to the dying and wounded men: It often happened that I had to fall on my knees and cry like a child, alone in my room, unable to contain the emotion I felt at the holy deaths of so many of the poor sons of our people. After the war, Pope Benedict XV appointed Roncalli as the national director of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith in Italy. Because of his success in that position, Pope Pius XI named him apostolic visitor, to Bulgaria, and he was consecrated archbishop. He served in Bulgaria for the next ten years. His next diplomatic position was as apostolic nuncio (ambassador) in Istanbul, Turkey. As in Bulgaria, Archbishop Roncalli dealt with a wide variety of Christian denominations, and b eco m es k n o wn fo r his perseverance, good humor and patience. World War II During World W ar II, Archbishop Roncalli risked his position and security to help rescue Jews in Hungary from the horror of Nazism, saving them from being sent to the concentration camps by issuing baptismal certificates which Nazi officials recognized as legitimate, thus allowing Jews to leave Hungary unharmed. He used diplomatic couriers, papal representatives and the Sisters of Our Lady of Zion to transport and issue these baptismal certificates as well as immigration certificates and visas many of them forged to Hungarian Jews. Operation Baptism was so effective that when the Soviets captured Budapest in February 1945, some 100,000 Jews had been spared. Reconciliation In 1944 Roncalli was appointed by Pope Pius XII as apostolic nuncio to France. When, in Rome, Archbishop Roncalli visited Msgr. Domenico Tardini, who ran the Vatican diplomatic service. I presume you chose me for Paris, said Roncalli. The brusque Tardini answered, You re the last one I d choose. (It was Pope Pius XII himself who had wanted Roncalli in Paris.) When Roncalli was elected pope, Tardini expected the axe. He offered his resignation as secretary of state but John XXIII insisted he stay on, saying, You don t have much esteem for me and you re perfectly right, but I
esteem you. You ve worked at the center of the Church while I ve worked on the outskirts, and you know what it wants from the center, so we make a good team. Too much love and mercy? When serving in Paris, Cardinal Roncalli wondered whether he should be stricter. But he was convinced that it was better to sin by too much love and mercy than by too much justice. If the Eternal Father says to me, Roncalli, you needed to be harsher at times, I will say, Eternal Father, it is You who sent Your Son to give me bad example! In 1952, at age 71, he was named a cardinal and became the archbishop of Venice, Italy. Over the door to his study he places the motto Pastor et Pater - pastor and father - to remind him of the nature of his new job, which he expects will be his last. Do you really believe in God? During a visit, a university professor told Cardinal Roncalli boldly, I only want to speak about French literature with you; I m not a believer. When the visitor happened to refer to his mother s saying the rosary, Roncalli said, Oh, do give my regards to your mother! This prompted the professor to ask Roncalli, Eminence, do you really believe in God? He gently said, Professor, I do not believe in God. I see God. I see God in your mother who says the little rosary. I see God in a little sick baby. Professor, with the prayers of your mother, one day you also will see God. Following Pope John XXIII s death, the pope s secretary saw this professor, who asked, Do you remember when I visited the pope when he was a cardinal and we had that conversation? Yes, I remember. Monsignor Capovilla, today I too see God. Elected Pope In 1958, at the conclave to select a successor to Pope Pius XII, 77-year-old Cardinal Roncalli becomes one of the early favorites. And after eleven ballots, at 4:50 in the afternoon of October 28, Cardinal Roncalli is elected pope. He had feared this, had wished that it were not so, but in the end his lifelong trust in God does not fail him. Listening to your voice, he tells the conclave, I tremble and am seized with fear. What I know of my poverty and smallness is enough to cover me with confusion. But seeing the sign of God s will in the votes of my brother cardinals in the Holy Roman Church, I accept the decision they have made... I will be called John. The dean of the college of cardinals asked the new pope by what name he will be called. I will be called John, he says, resurrecting a name that had been thought unsalvageable, thanks to the murderous anti-pope John XXIII, who reigned in the fourteenth century. There have been 22 authentic pope Johns. I will be the 23 rd. The name of John is dear to me, he explains to the assembled cardinals, because it is the name of my father, and because it is the name of the humble parish church where we were baptized... Pope John also chose the name John because of its association with the Gospel of John in which we hear Jesus great command: Love one another. Ample Girth Immediately after the election, the new pope is escorted into an anteroom where a Roman tailor has two white papal cassocks ready - one for a thin pope and one for a fat one. But even the large cassock does not fit the 205- pound pontiff. In the end the tailors used safety pins and covered his ample girth with a surplice. And so, in contrast with his gaunt, ascetic predecessor, Pius XII, a portly, jovial and talkative Pope John XXIII walks onto the balcony overlooking St. Peter s Square with a smile, to the overjoyed crowds. It s only me! A few days after he was elected pope, John s family was granted a special audience. The Roncallis entered the papal apartments timidly and nervously dropped their gifts. Peasant bread, ham and wine, packed in brightly covered cloths, tumbled to the floor. John eased their embarrassment. He smiled and said reassuringly, Don t be afraid, it s only me! No, no! I don t want it! In 1958 the somber, monarchical institution of the papacy had not fully entered the 20th century. Outdated rituals of a princely court lingered, dating back to the days when popes ruled the papal states. Pope John XXIII, by his official accomplishments and by the sheer magnitude of his personality, swept the Church into the modern world.
After the 5-hour traditional coronation (today popes are installed ), the pope s secretary asked, Are you pleased with the way things went? How sad I was! was the unexpected reply. How sad I was when I saw the poor old Cardinal Copello was told to kneel, and then he incensed me on his knees three times as is done to the Eucharist. No, no, I prohibit this. The secretary advised, Let it go for now; change things slowly, slowly. No, no, I don t want it! was John s adamant reply. Another ceremony involved the cardinals coming one by one to be received by the new pope. It took more than a day. Each made the traditional gesture of homage to him as Christ s representative, kissing first his feet and then his hand before being raised for a brotherly embrace. At the end of the first day, the pope said, Tomorrow I don t want any of this foot kissing! I don t want this rite! And nobody from that moment on was allowed to kiss his feet. Get up and sit down! He stopped the practices of having Vatican officials, reporters, and others, bow three times when they came to him, back out of the room when they left him, and speak to him while on their knees. In conversation he abandoned the tradition that no topic could be introduced except by the Pope. An Italian journalist remained stubbornly on his knees while the Pope was giving him some instructions. Get up now and sit in this chair, the Pope asked. Holy Father, I am quite comfortable on my knees. I am used to a position which I always took in the presence of your predecessors. It s proper to pray on your knees, but not to work, the Pope replied. Get up and sit down! Mingling with the crowds In contrast to his predecessors, Pope John often traveled around Rome wearing a simple black cassock, mingling with the crowds on sidewalks, talking with the people. This caused panic among the pope s guards who would often find him in one of Rome s poorest neighborhoods having supper with a local family. The guards would say to him, Holy Father, you must come with us! Why? asked John. I wasn t going to hurt them! His trips drew criticism from Vatican officials who thought he should stick closer to home. When he heard of it, he quipped, So they say I go out too much during the day. Very well, from now on I ll go out at night! John XXIII detested solitude, particularly during meals. He insisted that he would not follow the custom of the pope dining alone. He said, I feel like a seminarian under punishment. I ve search all through the sacred Scriptures, and I have found nothing that prescribes that one should eat alone. On one occasion Pope John XXIII visited the Vatican s carpentry shop and ordered a round of wine for the workmen. Pope John was, preeminently, a pastor who understood how to engage the world outside the Vatican walls. He loved to be with people, to talk to them heart to heart. Not even the protocol of centuries could prevent his great goodness from breaking through. To Prison On December 25, 1958, Pope John XXIII became the first pope since 1868 to leave the Vatican to make pastoral visits in his Diocese of Rome when he visited children at Bambino Gesu Hospital and Santo Spiritio Hospital. The following day he visited Rome s Regina Coeli prison. Pope John introduced himself to the prisoners with, My name is Giuseppe (Joseph -his given name before becoming pope), I m your brother. You could not come to me, so I came to you. The convicts gave him a missal bound in white leather which the pope used from that day on when celebrating private Masses. He confessed to the convicts, as they tearfully applauded him, that one of his relatives had once been arrested for poaching. John XXIII then asked to visit the prison wards. After the warden s initial hesitation, the gates were opened and the pope walked past the cells where the prisoners were waiting for him. His meeting with a convicted murderer, who awaited him on his knees, was particularly t o u c h i n g. The convict didn t dare raise his eyes. The young man was unable to speak and only sobbed. The pope drew close. The convict asked Pope John, Does what you said apply to me, even though I
have sinned so much? Can there be any forgiveness for me? Assuring him of God s loving forgiveness, John XXIII bent over and embraced him. Before leaving the prison he said, The next time you write home, be sure to tell your families the pope has been to see you and spent time with you. When the pope says Mass and recites his daily rosary, he will be thinking of each and every one of you and your loved ones with great affection. Perfidious During the first year of his papacy, Pope John XXIII interrupted a Good Friday liturgy when one of the celebrants used the word perfidious (faithless or traitorous) to describe the Jews. John had the prayer repeated with the offending word omitted. In 1960, Pope John XXIII removed the word faithless from the prayer for the conversion of the Jews. Prior to the Council, the Good Friday prayer for the Jewish people read: Let us pray for the faithless Jews, that our God and Lord would withdraw the veil from their hearts that they may acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ. By 1985, it read: Let us pray for the Jewish people, the first to hear the Word of God, that they might continue to grow in the love of his name and in faithfulness to his covenant. Ecumenism Two days after The Second Vatican Council opened on October 13, 1962, 40 observers representing almost every one of the Christian denominations came to visit the pope. Before they arrived John entered the room where these guests were to be received and saw that an elevated throne had been prepared for him. Bring that chair down, he immediately ordered. He knew that this seating arrangement would be offensive in a situation that called for being a brother with brothers. Thus the chairs were arranged in an oval, the pope s chair only minimally elevated. Reformation four hundred years earlier. A year later, November 1961, history was made again when for the first time the Catholic Church was represented at a meeting of the World Council of Churches. Praying with a Protestant One morning the pope received a note alerting him that England s ambassador to the Vatican, Anglican Sir Marcus Cheke, was dying. John was asked if he would like to send a message expressing his good wishes. Send a message? Wouldn t it be better for me to go? The response to the pope was that such a thing was unheard of. But go John did, not with fanfare but making a simple, quiet visit to a private clinic, accompanied by his personal secretary. The two were in the room with the ambassador and his wife. On the table lay a crucifix and a Bible. Ever the diplomat, the ambassador first said, Holy Father, I thank you for the honor you give to England. Then he added that he and wife were offering the sacrifice of his life for the union of Christians. Pope John was very touched by these words. Ambassador, you know whom I represent... Would you permit me that we pray together? Catholics and Protestants praying together in this period was not acceptable practice, but the pope and diplomatic couple prayed the Our Father together anyway. Then John picked up the crucifix and offered it to the ambassador and his wife to kiss. Before leaving, he embraced each of them and said, We ll see each other again not the standard view the faiths had then of each other s eternity. The pope went home very content and moved emotionally. He said he hoped he didn t scandalize anyone by his prayer. No, no, the secretary assured him. Not long after that, a curial bishop greeted the secretary and asked, Did the person convert? The secretary replied boldly: Your Excellency, this act was not about conversion but charity. Anglicans and Orthodox Christians, to John, were our separated brothers baptized Christians after all, although some Catholic authorities in the 1960s were loath to acknowledge that or any point of unity. And he acted toward them in brotherly fashion. With the support of a German Cardinal named Augustin Bea and almost no one else John received the archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Anglican communion, Dr. Geoffrey Fisher, in December 1960. An archbishop of Canterbury and a pope had not met since the