The Pope and the Paulists

September 21, 2015

Father Eric Andrews, CSP, at the offices of ESM Productions, producers of the Papal Events in Philadelphia. Fr. Andrews serves as “decoder of all things Catholic” as well as the quasi-chaplain.

As America prepares to welcome Pope Francis, the Paulist Fathers’ charisms of preaching, evangelization, inter-religious dialogue, and excellence in media will all be in evidence.

Paulist Father John Geaney, C.S.P., who has been actively involved in Catholic media for most of his priesthood, will be working with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (U.S.C.C.B.) to assist broadcasters and journalists covering the Pope in Washington, D.C. and New York, making sure they have all the information they need. Father Geaney was part of a similar team for the four visits of St. John Paul II in 1979, 1987, 1993, and 1995. “Those were amazing events,” Father Geaney said. ”Lots of work, but amazing moments and memories. I expect the same will happen with Pope Francis.”

Three Paulist Fathers will be tapped to offer commentary of the Papal events. Father Dave Dwyer, C.S.P, host of Sirius XM’s Busted Halo Radio Show, will be anchoring extensive coverage of the Papal Visit on Sirius XM’s Catholic Channel Tuesday through Sunday. Like Father Geaney, Father Dwyer is no stranger to Papal events. “I was in Rio with Pope Francis for World Youth Day two summers ago, and I was doing live play-by-play in Rome when the conclave elected him,” he said, “but this promises to be even more exciting because this event is so American.” Father Dwyer will also be providing commentary for CNN, Al Jazeera Network, Fox News, and MSNBC.

Father Gilbert Martinez, C.S.P., pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church in New York will join anchorman David Ushery to provide commentary for WNBC Channel 4 in New York for a prayer service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday evening, and for the Papal Mass at Madison Square Garden on Friday night. Father Charlie Donahue, C.S.P., Director of Formation at the Paulist Seminary, will also be providing commentary on the Pope’s visit to New York for the U.S.C.C.B.’s live coverage on the Internet, a primary source for all media outlets. Father Charlie remarked, “there is an amazing team of media-savvy people at the Bishop’s Conference who are working hard to present this wonderful moment.” He was also pleased to note that Paulist Founder, Servant of God Father Isaac Hecker was listed among the eminent New York Catholics in the official media guide.

Pope Francis will meet with representatives of many faiths Friday morning, September 25, at the 9/11 Memorial in Downtown Manhattan. Among those working behind the scenes to put this event together is Father Ronald Roberson, C.S.P., associate director of the Secretariat of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the U.S.C.C.B. About a dozen religious leaders, including representatives from Buddhist, Protestant, Greek Orthodox, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh faiths, will join the Pope at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. The service will include prayers from these spiritual leaders in honor of those who died on 9/11. Father Roberson, who is an expert on the Orthodox Christian Churches, has been instrumental in gathering the religious leaders to join the Pope for this special service.

In Philadelphia, Paulist President Father Eric Andrews, C.S.P. will be assisting ESM Productions, producers of all the large outdoor events, including the Pope’s address at Independence Hall, the Festival of Families celebration, and the public outdoor Mass on Sunday, September 27. ESM Productions, led by Executive Producer Scott Mirkin, partnered with Paulist Productions and St. Paul the Apostle Church, the Paulist Mother Church, to produce “A New York Christmas to Remember,” which aired on CBS Christmas Eve 2013 when Father Andrews served as President of Paulist Productions.

“When the Christmas project started it was quickly evident to us that we couldn’t do it on our own. Marybeth Sprows, VP of Development and Production, quickly got Scott Mirkin on board, and what a difference that made!” Father Andrews remembered.

For this production, Father Andrews is happy to help Mirkin and his team in any way he can, mostly serving as someone who can decode all things Catholic, as well as acting as a quasi-chaplain to the staff. “I am really impressed by their ability to get up to speed on the Catholic Liturgy,” said Father Andrews. “I am here to remind them what a gift they are to the Pope and the Church and to be with them in the middle of a huge and stressful undertaking. Laughing helps!” Meanwhile, back in Los Angeles, Ms. Sprows and Paulist Productions are producing pre-production elements that will be used for the Saturday evening entertainment event the Pope will attend.

Joining Fathers Dwyer and Andrews in Philadelphia is Paulist Missionary Preacher Father Bruce Nieli, C.S.P. He will be attending the World Meeting of Families representing the Paulist Fathers and a number of other Catholic entities in which he is actively involved.

Finally, Paulist Fathers in Washington, D.C. and New York City will be concelebrating Mass with the Pope at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and at Madison Square Garden in New York. In New York, Paulists will pray with the Pope in a special way at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the 9/11 Memorial Site. Many Fathers have signed up to hear confessions before the Mass at Madison Square Garden. Paulist Novices and Seminarians have received a special invitation to attend a Papal audience in Washington, D.C. before the Mass at the Basilica.

As the week progresses, Paulists will be posting photos and reflections of their experiences on the Paulist Fathers Facebook page and on Twitter. Stay with us for the journey!