Pope Can’t Attend St. Agnes’ Centennial Celebration

When Sister Joan Martin was told there would be no episcopal presence at the school’s 100th Anniversary Mass on April 19 due to Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to New York, she decided to invite the Holy Father to join the festivities.

Each student composed a hand-written letter addressed to the pope on school stationary. Young women shared a bit about themselves, their school and of course, requested the pontiff’s presence at the centennial celebration.

Four hundred letters accompanied one penned by Sister Joan and a formal invitation to the Mass of Thanksgiving and dinner in a large envelope mailed to the Holy Father. Also tucked inside the package were a shirt and hat bearing the school emblem.

“Herlich wilkommen!” were the cordial welcoming words expressed by Samantha Buergermeister, a freshman whose grandparents were born in Schramberg. “It would be an honor to have you come visit us and give us your blessing.”

In her letter, junior Connie Chavez noted that the Dominican Sisters of Amityville have their roots in Germany, his homeland. She then suggested some sites in her native New York for the pope to see during his visit.

Msgr. Gabriele Caccia, assessor for the Holy See’s secretariat of state, sent a reply from the Vatican dated Feb. 12. He wrote:

“His Holiness sends his cordial best wishes to the entire school community on the happy occasion of its Hundredth Anniversary. He encourages the Dominican sisters, their colleagues, as well as the students and parents to never tire in bearing witness to the hope in Jesus Christ which nourishes their lives (1 Pt 3:15).”

The monsignor then delivered the disappointing news that Pope Benedict’s schedule wouldn’t allow for him to visit the school or to attend the Mass, however, he did impart an apostolic blessing.