Andrews Family

Our new Holy Father arrived in Washington D.C. this afternoon and I have set our DVR to record all of his public appearances. I look forward to “watching him, listening to him, praying for him, and celebrating with great joy the fact that our shepherd is so near.” Here are plans one family has for celebrating his visit. I wish I had that much coordination! If you’d like to stay up to date, try one of the following links:

EWTN’s Live Television Coverage 

Pope Benedict XVI in America

Our friends, the Hamands will be present for the Mass at Nationals Stadium. We have also heard of other families from Austin making the trip and the phrase, “once in a lifetime experience” has come up repeatedly. It is rightly so that it should be referred to in such a way, but it made me realize how much I take for granted. I have been in the presence of the Vicar of Christ three times already and JR twice (though I admit I am greedy and hoping to be in the presence of THIS Holy Father someday too). I went to World Youth Day 1993 in Denver; we both went to World Youth Day 1997 in Paris; and most notably, we had our marriage blessed personally by His Holiness John Paul II in 2002. What an amazing and blessed life we have lead and we are only 30!! My brothers will also be blessed as Nathan went to World Youth Day 2000 in Rome and Zach will go to World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney. So Zach will be the first to be in the presence of our new Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. What a gift! May the opportunity to be so near the Holy Father draw us closer to our Heavenly Father and His plan for us.

I’ll try to scan in a photo of JR & I with JPII . . .