Pope's blessing was 'an amazing moment', says young Bristol Catholic
A YOUNG Catholic who received a personal blessing from the Pope during his visit to the UK said it has given her renewed hope and faith.
Alice O'Neill, from Westbury-on- Trym, was among more than 3,500 Bristolians who visited London and Birmingham over the weekend hoping to get a glimpse of the Holy Father during his four-day trip.
Among them was TV presenter Sherrie Eugene-Hart, who led prayers in front of 80,000 people and described the event as like "being backstage at a Michael Jackson concert".
Miss O'Neill, the head altar server for the Sunday 9.30am mass at Clifton Cathedral, was chosen to represent the parish of St Peter's and St Paul's for the Clifton Diocese.
The 20-year-old swimming teacher attended the Papal Mass in London's Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, and after taking communion stood on the steps outside as the Pope addressed a 2,000-strong group of young people.
When she kneeled at his feet, Pope Benedict XVI took her hand and gave her a blessing.
Miss O'Neill said: "I can't describe how amazing a moment it was.
"I was right next to him and he gave me a blessing. It was mesmeric, just so profound.
"He is such a gentle man. He sometimes seems stern when you are far off and from the things he says, but his messages are so hopeful.
"I felt really blessed and honoured that I was even there, and afterwards I couldn't quite believe that I had met the Pope.
"This period in our lives, when everything is changing and you leave school or are going to university, can be quite difficult to still have faith.
"But if there had any danger of me drifting away from the church there isn't any more. It has really confirmed my faith."
After her meeting, Miss O'Neill joined 80,000 other Catholics in Hyde Park, where the Pope led a vigil.
Sherrie Eugene-Hart was one of three people chosen to lead prayers at the event, and stood yards from the Pope.
She said: "It truly was awesome. The togetherness I felt during that informal procession of random people from all walks of life, all colours, all backgrounds and all faiths was stunning.
"When the Holy Father entered the stage a calmness fell upon me.
"I prayed for peace, healing, hope and faith and love. "That was my moment and I went for it.
"People who know me would know that Sherrie was not in her comfort zone. My voice did quiver. But I was glad I did it."
Father Michael McAndrew, the former parish priest of St Francis at Nailsea, was also among the Bristol Catholics who attended the visit.
He went to the address at Westminster Hall on Friday – surrounded by former Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
Father Michael said: "The Holy Father told us that this was a wonderful country and that what we had given to the world was fantastic.
"People knew they were in the presence of a great man.
"To be so near to him, when there are a billion of us in the world, it was just a unique experience that is not going to happen to me again."
Father Michael even looked on as the Pope, bishops and cardinals tucked into a lunch of Welsh lamb, blessed by the Holy Father.
Other Catholics from Bristol were similarly moved by their experiences.
Sherry Franklin, 50, a learning support worker from Long Ashton, had travelled to the Birmingham Mass with her sister Irene Cox, 52, a chronic diabetic who is in a wheelchair.
Mrs Franklin said: "To be in the presence of the Pope is a dream come true.
"I have a very ill sister and it has been her greatest wish to one day see the Pope in person. To be with her and see her dream fulfilled is just so wonderful."
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by Gary, Wellington
Thursday, September 23 2010, 1:04PM
“Dave, Bristol - I do have respect for peoples faith but i don't respect people who blindly follow someone as ignorant and as dangerous as the current Pope. Anyone who supports the current Pope is either stupid or morally corrupt. And there are plenty of people out there who are not religious and who do great things for their community. These people do it because they are good people unlike some of those who are religious and have an hidden motives.”
by Gary, Wellington
Thursday, September 23 2010, 1:02PM
“Dave, Bristol - I do have respect for peoples faith but i don't respect people who blindly follow someone as ignorant and as dangerous as the current Pope. Anyone who supports the current Pope is either stupid or morally corrupt. And there are plenty of people out there who are not religious and who do great things for their community. These people do it because they are good people unlike some of those who are religious and have an hidden motives.”
by Martin, Clifton
Thursday, September 23 2010, 2:14AM
“Dave, you may not have a problem with me being an atheist, but your beloved pope does, to the point of calling me a Nazi. If you want others to respect your religion, then perhaps your religion should respect others.”
by Dave, Bristol
Wednesday, September 22 2010, 11:27PM
“Amazing how many Catholic haters there are on here! I was one of many Catholics who did go to see the Pope in London and can I say what an amazing atmosphere it was there. Protests...so what...there were hardly any. Compare 5,000 people going on the anti-pope mass (quoting the police figures not others used by atheists) and over 200,000 lining the streets before the Pope even got to Hyde park where there were an additional 80,000 people. It is sad that the comments on here, like on many sites reflect such a small section of society. Anyway, Pope Benedict came with the message of love and hope not just for those of the Catholic faith but to everyone in society. Lastly, I have no problem with people not having a religion but please respect those that do, many of whom give a massive contribution to the communities they live in.”
by Rachel, Bristol
Tuesday, September 21 2010, 1:33PM
“@ Pete
You said " Religion (especially the Catholic religion) is about power, control and money. Be good to your fellow man and consider others and their feelings. This is a code which all decent human beings should live by."
I agree with the second part of this, we should be good to others, be empathic and understand other people.
However, not all religion is based on power or money. I agree that the Catholic religion has some extremely large flaws, and the fanatical members of the religion do nothing to instil confidence to those on the outside. But if you looked into other religions, the smaller branches of Christianity and Catholicism then you'll find ones that are accepting of everyone, and actively try and improve the life of people around them. Whilst I appreciate that these don't get much press, maybe you should research before making such blanket statements.”
by Bristol Dave, Bristol
Tuesday, September 21 2010, 1:04PM
“@hannah - "who mentioned condoms?"
The Nazi in a dress you revere did.
I also particularly liked
"Among them was TV presenter Sherrie Eugene-Hart, who led prayers in front of 80,000 people and described the event as like "being backstage at a Michael Jackson concert"."
Is that because the pope's almost dead too?”
by Clive, Bristol
Monday, September 20 2010, 5:12PM
“*A young Catholic* ?
She's a twenty year old grown woman who should know better than to believe in sky faries.”
by Malik, Brislington
Monday, September 20 2010, 4:53PM
“@ Suzanne
I AM a hater.
I hate paedophiles raping kids and destroying their lives. Do you know how many of those poor kids ended up committing suicide because of the horror of their abuse at the hands of these men you admire so much for "spreading a message of love and peace"?
I hate men who conspire to cover up sex crimes against innocent children because they're more concerned with the reputation of their precious church than protecting kids from being raped.
I hate when people are more concerned with pushing their irrational dogma about condoms than preserving human life by slowing the spread of AIDS. Are you aware that your precious Pope lies, telling people in Africa that condoms actually cause AIDS? People die because of those lies.
I have a conscience, so yes, I hate. Of course I do. The question is: Why don't you?”
by Malik, Brislington
Monday, September 20 2010, 4:35PM
“@Pete
Brilliant post mate.”
by Matthew, Bristol
Monday, September 20 2010, 3:25PM
“Abstinence makes the Church grow fondlers.”