Mass For The Pope

I took the boys to the 6:30 p.m. Mass they had at our church for the Pope. Our priest mentioned our church's connection with the Pope. On the silver jubilee of our church he had asked someone he knew in Rome to get a silver chalice in honor of the church's silver jubilee. This person was able have the Pope consecrate it and the Pope used the chalice in a Mass. For this Mass for the Pope the priest used the same chalice. The church also had an autographed picture of the Pope at the altar. The prayer we said at Mass for the death of John Paul II was:

God of mercy and kindness, your servant John Paul II echoed in your church the words of Jesus "Do not be afraid" and "Put out into the deep." May these words find a home in our hearts and encourage us as we move into the future. Direct your Church by the power of the Holy Spirit and raise up a supreme Pastor who will confirm his brothers and sisters, who will feed and strengthen them with word and sacrament, who will stand strong in witnessing the Gospel before the world, and who will be a sign and source of unity for your Church. Bless us your people with grace and determination to continue the mission of your Son Jesus and to be "a people brought into unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." Amen.