Day 3 in Philadelphia. We got off to an early start and things went much more smoothly on Day 3. We had decided to start off our day by going to the historic part of Philadelphia. This section of the city had been closed off on Saturday due to the Pope speaking from Independence Hall. To get to this area we did not need to go to through security so we walked through the nearly empty streets and arrived in no time. The weather was perfect and the area around Independence Hall was beautiful. We began the day's adventure at the Visitor Center. We bought a few souvenirs, took some pictures in front of their Rocky statue and got in line to see the Liberty Bell. There was the typical security to go through but it only took about 5 minutes to get in. We glanced through the displays admired the Liberty Bell and took a few pictures. We also toured Independence Hall. The tour guide had many interesting facts but I was most impressed by the room that had a chair that George Washington had actually sat in. Looking at the chair and picturing George Washington sitting in it was very moving for me.
Independence Hall
The very chair that George Washington sat in!
That was fascinating to me!
George!
My Rocky pose!
Me and the bell! Daaron and I in front of the Hall after our tour
Aaron recommended we go to the Reading Terminal Market for lunch. We had a bit of trouble finding it. On the way a man asked if we needed some help and we told him we were looking for the Market. It didn't take long to realize that this man was under the influence of alcohol or something. He continued to walk along side of us and was talking to Darcie and at one point took her hand. I grabbed her other hand right away as I was right beside her. One of the Police Officers that was in riot gear and standing on the sidewalk became aware of the situation and stepped forward in case we needed assistance. The man got the hint and backed off. Enough excitement for one day!
Reading Terminal Market
The market was filled with lots of choices for eating as well as fresh fish, seafood, and lots of other specialty shops. The streets had started to fill up with people and the Market was a bit crowded. Surprisingly Fr Jeremy and the group he was with were there at the Market having lunch at the same time so we got to touch base with them. We found a table to get set up at and I offered to stay while the Reinharts went to get lunch, While they went I looked at the brochure to see what I might like. There were a number of Philly Steak places, gyros, Chinese, and even an oyster bar. I was eating carefully to avoid any gallbladder issues so I decided on a salad or a turkey sandwich. I looked at the salad bar but decided a turkey sandwich would be more filling. I got in line at the place that I thought was merely deli turkey sandwiches and realized yes you could get a turkey sandwich but better than that the place sold most of the foods that you would find at the Thanksgiving table. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes...I had been craving mashed potatoes for about the last month. The rest of my family can take or leave mashed potatoes so I recently told Colleen I was going to just go to KFC and get some take out mashed potatoes. As I sat down to eat my turkey, mashed potatoes, and green beans I thought how grateful I was for all the blessings of this trip, God had blessed me with the opportunity to come to Philadelphia to pray for and celebrate the family and to see the Pope. From the moment I heard about this historic event I desired to be a part of it and didn't think I would get the chance but I did...and on top of all that He even blessed me with a serving of mashed potatoes... and gravy!
Thank you God!
Watching the parade and prep for Papal Mass
Pope Francis makes a stop and blessed the intentions at the Shrine of Our Lady Undoer of Knots
Initially, we thought we would go back through security for Mass. It was obvious wherever we were we would be watching the Mass on the Jumbotron. We had been told if we were in the secured area we could receive the Eucharist. At Independence Hall there were 4 Jumbotrons and comfortable folding chairs set up from the Pope's talk the day before. We decided to stay there and participate in the Papal Mass. It was a beautiful Mass and though much of it was in different languages we were able to follow along with the subtitles (though sometimes the translation was a bit humorous). Two things struck me that were beautiful about our choice to stay at this location. The first was that people wandered through the area and many stopped and sat or stood and watched the Mass for a bit. Two ladies sat down in front of us and they were there at the sign of peace and we and others came up to them and offered them a handshake as a sign of peace. Their faces lit up and you could tell they were moved by the gesture. The second thing that happened was at the homily I looked and there in a grassy area in front of us was a small group of sparrows that looked like they were listening to Pope Francis just as they did to his namesake St Francis. I have to admit I was disappointed to not physically receive the Eucharist but I offered up my disappointment for families and I prayed a spiritual communion.
After Mass we made our way back to the subway station. When we got to the stairs to enter the station we looked at the line and saw it went back a city block. We quickly made our way to the end of the line. There were 2 couples in front of us talking. The first couple said they got in line for the Mass to get through security at 11:30 and finally got through at 3:30. The second couple said they got in line at 12:30 and did not get in. Hearing this affirmed we made a good decision to stay at Independence Hall for the Mass. Thank you God for that confirmation. Boarding the subway was like nothing I have ever experienced. It was wall to wall people. Many of the youth and especially the Hispanics were singing and cheering. Everyone was patient and charitable...it was a beautiful example of what our world can be. Amazingly it was only about 30 minutes from the time we got in line till we boarded the subway. Everyone made it back to the bus well before the stated 9:30 meeting time and we hit the road. We got right on the highway and never once hit a traffic jam. I am still in awe of the way things worked out and how quickly and peacefully we got out of Philadelphia. One other thing that was moving is how many people were thanking the police officers, servicemen and women, and volunteers for the city of Philadelphia.
LOVE is our mission!
Subway home
Darcie, her Pope doll and I on the bus!
On the bus heading back to Ohio
What a wonderful weekend and as I said I feel blessed. I was filled with such joy as a result of all that I experienced. I will close with the words that tocuhed me most that weekend...the Pope's words...
Faith opens a “window” to the presence and working of the Spirit. It shows us that, like happiness, holiness is always tied to little gestures. “Whoever gives you a cup of water in my name — a small gesture — will not go unrewarded”, says Jesus (cf. Mk 9:41). These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different. They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children, by brothers. They are little signs of tenderness, affection and compassion. Like the warm supper we look forward to at night, the early lunch awaiting someone who gets up early to go to work. Homely gestures. Like a blessing before we go to bed, or a hug after we return from a hard day’s work. Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs which make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life, and life grows in faith.
Jesus tells us not to hold back these little miracles. Instead, he wants us to encourage them, to spread them. He asks us to go through life, our everyday life, encouraging all these little signs of love as signs of his own living and active presence in our world.
So we might ask ourselves here today at the end of this festival: How are we trying to live this way in our homes, in our societies?
Pope Francis’s homily at his final Mass of his historic trip to the United States September 27,2015
