Impetus for basilica homecoming
Thousands pray at St. Josaphat

PRAYERS FOR JOHN PAUL — Milwaukee's Polish community gathered at the Basilica of St. Josaphat April 3 for a Divine Mercy Sunday prayer service and Mass. The services gave over 1,000 people an opportunity to mourn and pray for Pope John Paul II, who died April 2. (Catholic Herald photo by Sam Lucero)

By Brian T. Olszewski, Catholic Herald Staff

MILWAUKEE — Conventual Franciscan Fr. William “Bill” Callahan has been hosting a homecoming at the Basilica of St. Josaphat since Pope John Paul II’s death on April 2.

For the observance of Divine Mercy Sunday on April 3, more than 1,000 people attended. The next night, for a Mass at which Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan presided, it was another standing room only crowd.

“Many times in all walks of life, we recognize as a death in the family when someone is perceived as a leader,” said Fr. Callahan, pastor of the parish since 1994. “We seek comfort and come back to our roots.”

That coming back includes not only older people of Polish heritage, for decades considered the backbone of the parish, but it includes members of the Hispanic community, and younger people. According to the pastor, one third of the 1,580 families at the basilica are under the age of 40 and the number of baptisms has continually increased over the last six years.

“It (the pope’s death) brought all Catholics home,” he said. “We have a wonderful mix in our parish community.”

While labeling it “amazing” to see so many people at the parish in recent days, Fr. Callahan wasn’t totally surprised.

“We see people coming because they are definitely grieving the loss here — the loss of a leader, a loved one, someone you’d trust,” he said. “That’s what we have tried to minister to.”

The one time Fr. Callahan met Pope John Paul II remains a vivid memory.

“What struck me was the strength in his hands,” the priest said of their 1998 meeting. “He had incredible strength … his hands were strong and warm.”

For Pope John Paul II’s 25th anniversary as pope, the basilica requested and received a papal blessing that was placed in the church during the archdiocesan celebration of that event on Nov. 12, 2003 — the Feast of St. Josaphat.

“The people here enjoy being Catholic, they enjoy being part of the church,” said the priest who was ordained in the basilica in 1977. “They enjoy the leadership of Pope John Paul II and Archbishop Dolan.”

Fr. Callahan said he and those who serve at the basilica try to focus the parish on “Eucharist, liturgy, and building a genuine Christian community.”

He added, “The people remain faithful to the church; their attraction is to Jesus Christ, not just Pope John Paul II.”

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