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THE MONITOR • OCTOBER 1, 2015
Precious Gift
Pope Francis kisses baby of Toms River family By EmmaLee Italia Correspondent Therese Filachek and her family were among the 10,000 pilgrims who were able to snag tickets to Independence Mall during Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia appearance Sept. 26. Although pleased about getting tickets, Therese’s husband, Andrew, was skeptical that they would be able to get their family, including daughters Anna, 6, Catherine, 4, and Gabriella, 5 months, anywhere close to the Pope. “[Andy] is more of a realist, I’m more of an idealist,” Therese laughed. “He said, ‘Therese, we’re not going to get to see him.’ I think he didn’t want me to get my hopes up and be disappointed.” But their encounter with Pope Francis would be surprisingly up close and personal: baby Gabriella was kissed by the Pope as his popemobile passed them that Saturday. The Filacheks, members of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, waited eight hours, arriving at Independence Mall early enough that they were among the first to arrive – and were promptly approached by Philadelphia’s Fox 29 News for an interview. “My eight-year-old nephew Peter was telling them how he was named after the first Pope,” Therese said. “Before we knew it, the news was spreading on Facebook that our family was on T.V.!” The Filacheks attended a papal audience in 2014 after visiting family in Switzerland, and knew from experience that they needed to move closer to the popemobile’s route. So they opted for a spot closer to the road as the crowds grew, and spent their time visiting with
THE BLESSING OF A LIFETIME • Gabriella Filachek, 5 months, is kissed by Pope Francis on his way to Independence Hall Sept. 26. Getty Images
the other families. “We were joking to the people around us that we could use Gabriella as bait,” Therese recalled. “We said, ‘He’ll come this way if he sees we have a baby!’” As Pope Francis came closer to where the Filacheks stood, the procession slowed. One couple who also attended Therese’s alma mater, Franciscan University of Steubenville, were with their six-week-old baby; to their amazement, a security guard came over and took the child to the Pope for a kiss. “I was already crying with happiness for them, it was so sweet,” Therese said. “And then the security guard came over and took Gabriella. The Pope had this huge smile. He kissed Gabriella and looked straight at me. I was shaking and crying and laughing, I didn’t know what to say.”
People crowded around the Filachek family, asking for their email address to send them the photos and videos they took of the moment. All of them wanted a picture with Gabriella or the chance to hold the baby who was kissed by Pope Francis. “I feel blessed beyond belief,” Therese said. “I feel like I was there on behalf of so many people, praying for my parish and all the families.” The Filacheks returned to the lines for the papal Mass on Sunday, tickets in hand. The line was over six hours long; by the time the Filacheks got through, they only caught the last 15 minutes. But they chose to view the experience as a pilgrimage, and a time to connect with other families there with common purpose. “Just the experience of standing in that line, talking with everyone, recognizing people from our parish and
FILACHEK FAMILY IN PHILLY • Andrew, Therese, Anna, Catherine, and Gabriella Filachek stand outside of Independence Hall. Ken Falls photo
university – this is what it’s supposed to be about,” Therese explained. “We were passing out water and food for the kids in line, talking about how Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes… It’s about families coming together and being Christ to one another. We’re teaching our kids virtues.” Therese shared the video of Gabriella being kissed with other families awaiting the Mass, particularly those who were sad that they weren’t able to make it. She saw their faces brighten through their disappointment as they watched the blessing take place. “I see it as a sort of evangelization,” she said. Therese believes the meeting with Pope Francis was no accident. Prior to the trip, she even told Andrew and her sister-in-law that she had a dream the Pope kissed Gabriella. “It’s as if God had this planned.”
Multiple generations encounter Pope in City of Brotherly Love Seeing the Pope in America seems to have become a McBride family tradition. Mary Elizabeth and John McBride, parishioners of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade, began the tradition in 1979 when Pope John Paul II visited Philadelphia. On that historic occasion, the McBrides attended the Papal Mass; John saw the Pope at the Philadelphia Art Museum after completeing his route as a postal worker. Two generations later, the McBrides are at it again. Gerald McBride, son of Mary Elizabeth and John, and parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Moorestown, headed for Independence Mall on Sept. 27 to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis, along with his daughter, Maria; son, Sean, member of St. Ann Parish, Wildwood; and niece, Christine Adams, member of St. John Neumann Parish, Mount Laurel.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST • Mary Elizabeth and John McBride, of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Maple Shade are shown waiting for Pope John Paul II’s Papal Mass in Philadelphia in 1979. Photos courtesy Margaret McBride
A FAMILY TRADITION • Gerald McBride, one of seven children of John and Mary Elizabeth McBride, and three of their grandchildren attended last week’s Philadelphia festivities.