Pope John Paul II Passing from Life to Life

Monday April 4, 2005

The Annunciation of the Lord

Father James E. Goode, OFM, President of the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life, on behalf of the NBCAL Board of Consultants and the many NBCAL affiliates throughout the United States gives the following statement on the occasion of the passing of Pope John Paul II at 9:37 PM (Rome Time) on April 2, 2005. Vigil of the Second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday:

The National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life mourns the passing of our beloved

and esteemed Pope John Paul II who has led us for twenty-six years.  We offer our prayers to the Lord that our faithful Pope John Paul II rest in eternal peace.

He lived and died doing what he loved best serving our Lord Jesus Christ.

In faith we rejoice because our Holy Father Pope John Paul II is now at

home with God.

When my work below is ended and my race is run,

I will hear my Savior calling at the set of sun;

Then I’ll send a message upward, past you vaulted dome,

“Angles, get my mansion ready, I am coming home.”

I am coming home to heaven, with the angels there to dwell,

I am coming home to glory, where I’ll never say farewell;

I am coming to that city, never more to roam,

Angels, get my mansion ready, I am coming home. Amen

(Johnson Oatman, Jr – C. Austin Miles)

Thank you Pope John Paul II for passing our way.

Thank you Pope John Paul II for being our Vicar of Christ.

Thank you Pope John Paul II for leading us in faith, hope and love.

Thank you Pope John Paul II for teaching us to “Be Not Afraid” no matter what.

Thank you Pope John Paul II for making us proud to be Black and Catholic

Thank you Pope John Paul II for boldly proclaiming the sacredness of all life.

Thank you Pope John Paul II for inspiring us to be Black Catholic Evangelist for Life.

                             Pope John Paul II rest in everlasting peace!

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.

The Son whom you merited to bear, alleluia,

Has risen as he said, alleluia,

Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Gaude et leatare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.

Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia!

For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.