Courtney Inspirted by Pope’s Message of Compassion
COURTNEY
New London Day
Erin Kutz
Boston University Washington News Service
April 17, 2008
WASHINGTON – Pope Benedict XVI’s mass at the Washington Nationals stadium Thursday was an opportunity for Republicans, Democrats, civilians and military to come together, said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District.
Though the clear markings of a baseball field could be seen from his seat, he said no reverence was lost on the 46,000-person crowd. “It really was being in church—people were really engaged,” Courtney said. “The Blackberrys were off. All eyes were on the altar.”
Courtney attended the papal mass with his wife, Audrey, who’s a member of the choir at St. Joseph’s Church in Rockville. He pointed out the pope’s themes of hope.
“There was clearly a message of compassion, something people in public office should really be attuned to,” Courtney said. “To me, at the end of the day that’s what public service is about.”
In addition to noting the impressiveness of the music at the mass, Audrey Courtney said the experience testified to the enormity of the Catholic faith. “That was the feeling I got from it—being part of something so big and so ancient,” she said.
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