Article Added On: April 03, 2005 - over 3 years ago
Title: City in sorrow
Author: KEVIN CONNOR
Publication: Toronto Sun
Publication Date: January 01, 2005 - over 3 years ago
Faith Groups: Roman Catholic
Themes: religious attitudes in Canada

Sunday, April 3, 2005

HERONIMA Niemyski remembers having an "out-of-body" experience when she met Pope John Paul II in 2002 at St. Casimir's parish in Toronto. Yesterday, after his death, she returned to her Roncesvalles Ave. church to pray under the cross he gave the parish, trying to ease the worst heart-wrenching despair she has felt in her 70 years.

"When I met him it felt like something not from this earth. He was everything. He was our soul. No words can describe this loss," said a teary-eyed Niemyski, who was born in a small Polish town near where the late Pope was born.

"He gave us such hope and joy, especially when we were under communism. He was God's gift to us and gave us such strength."

Marianna Kreplewski, another parishioner at St. Casimir's, met the Pope on five occasions and helped erect the statue of John Paul II next to her church in 1984.

"The first time I met him he was a cardinal. Every trip we took to Europe we would go to the Vatican to see him," Kreplewski recalled.

"He loved all people. I hope the next pope will follow in his footsteps."

Neil MacCarthy, director of the Office of Catholic Youth Archdiocese of Toronto, met the Pope in Rome while planning for World Youth Day in 2002 in Toronto.

"Being with him was like being frozen in time, like there was no one else in the world," MacCarthy said yesterday at St. Michael's Cathedral.

"Having to say goodbye is very difficult. I'm 33. He is the only pope I have ever known and he was like a grandfather to me. This is an emotional time, but as part of our faith we believe in passing on to eternal life."

There were masses held yesterday for the Pope at the more than 200 Catholic churches in the GTA.

"Even in death we gather as a family. The family around the world is coming together to pray," MacCarthy said.

Joshua Rossetti, 7, and his father were among hundreds who went to St. Michael's to say a prayer for the pope.

"I said a Hail Mary for him and I hope that he didn't hurt," Joshua said.

Christine Mizon-Stein, a Catholic married to a Jew, got out of her sickbed to pray for the Pope at St. Michael's.

"I have been frustrated with the church and many young Catholics have walked away. It's not easy being Catholic. Some things have put me on the outside, but today it's important for me to be with my Catholic family," Mizon-Stein said.

"The Pope's message was to embrace everyone and he opened dialogue on issues that were difficult for Catholics. The new leader will need to embrace everyone.

"In a modern world if we don't find ways to bridge gaps we are doomed."