Saturday, September 29.  After more than two years of discussion, fundraising, planning, and work, a new shrine in honor of Blessed John XXIII, the Pope who called the Second Vatican Council, is ready to be unveiled by Larry Brouse, Parish Administrator (right) and Chris Trentham, Lease Crutcher Lewis (left).


Blessed John XXIII reaches out in a gesture of openness, welcome, and prayer. The statue is the work of Seattle sculptor John Sisko, who collaborated with architect Stephen Lee to create the unique setting for the image.


The statue stands 54" high, somewhat smaller than life size.


John Sisko (left) used his father (right) as a model for parts of the work, especially the hands.


Father Ryan with Stephen Lee, architect, and John Sisko, artist.


The background of the statue is a subtle sketch of St. Peter's Basilica, where the Second Vatican Council opened on October 11, 1962.  The gold frame around the image of Pope John suggests the balcony at St. Peter's from which the Pope traditionally greets and blesses the people.


At the 10:00am Mass on Sunday, September 30, the statue is blessed.  It was a great joy to be able to welcome home our retired Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen, who is celebrating his 50th Anniversary as a bishop this year. He was appointed Bishop of Helena by Blessed Pope John XXIII in August, 1962, and within a few weeks was on his way to Rome to participate in the Second Vatican Council.


Father Ryan offers the prayer of blessing.


The image is blessed with incense.


At the end of Mass, the ministers process to the new shrine to offer a prayer and light a candle.


Blessed John XXIII, pray for us and for the Church!




At the Noon Mass, Father Ryan gathers with the children at the new shrine for the Prayers of the Faithful.  He shares with them some stories of Blessed John XXIII, who had a special love for children.  Once, a little boy wrote to Pope John, saying:  "Dear Pope, I can't decide if I should be a policeman or a Pope.  What do you think?" Pope John wrote back: "Dear Bruno, I think you should learn to be a policeman.  Anyone can be Pope.  The proof of this is that I am one!"




Our retired, much beloved Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen offered a brief greeting and blessing at the end of Mass.  Click here to listen.