A group of 40 students and 10 chaperones from Everest Collegiate High School and Academy weren’t content to watch Pope Francis? visit to the United States on television ? they drove to Philadelphia to see it for themselves.
‘We drove through the night on Friday (Sept. 25) and arrived in Philly around 11 Saturday morning, after taking a train from New Jersey since they weren’t allowing buses into the city,? said Jill Swallow, formation director. ‘After freshening up and celebrating Mass, we hit the streets to find a good spot for watching the Pope drive by on his way to speak at Independence Hall.?
They picked a good spot, right next to Quinn Madden, a baby girl dressed up like the pope who received national press coverage.
‘Our hope was that this baby would attract his attention and he would stop right in front of us,? Swallow said. ‘And that’s exactly what happened. The look on Pope Francis? face when he saw the baby was priceless.?
The students all wore bright orange T-shirts, and soon found that was also the color worn by volunteers at the World Meeting of Families event.
‘Several people approached us to ask questions, and we’d have to say, ‘Well, we’re not volunteers, so we’re trying to figure things out, too,?? she said. ‘Then, they’d take a better look at our shirt and compliment us on its design and phrase, ‘Keep calm and serve on.? That’s why we came, not just to receive, but to give.?
During the four-hour wait, they passed out smiley-face stickers, motivational and inspirational quotes, and clothes pins with positive messages such as ‘be not afraid,? ‘God loves you,? and ‘smile,? and ‘pass it on,? on the other side.
‘It was fun to see people discover a clothes pin on them and then smile before secretly pinning it on someone else,? Swallow said.
They also spent time responding to protesters, who were shouting at priests and religious sisters.
‘Brother Kevin Gore, LC, a formation instructor at Everest, encouraged the group to stop and give a word of gratitude and encouragement to each priest or sister we saw,? Swallow said. ‘Some of the students added on to this effort by shouting out their gratitude to the various groups of law enforcement they saw along the way, ‘Thanks for your service.? There was a tangible sense of joy, love, and positivity shared by the majority of people present in the city.?
The students also handed out extra food to homeless men and women along the way.
‘Several students were able to talk with those they gave the food to, hear their story, ask them if they had any prayer intentions, and just give them some inspiration,? she said.
Then, they participated in Mass with the Holy Father.
? Though we were tired from lack of sleep and lots of walking and standing, Mass was definitely a highlight,? Swallow said. ‘It’s not every day you get to attend Mass celebrated by the Vicar of Christ on earth.?
Everest Collegiate High School and Academy is an independent, private Catholic school offering Pre-K through 12th grade, gender specific education on a co-ed campus in Independence Township.
? Phil Custodio