Local Latino Community Celebrates New Pope
By: Alan Van Zandt
Updated: March 17, 2013
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) Sunday Mass at St. Joseph's St. Patrick's Church featured English, Spanish and even a little Latin.
The message of unity was the idea of Pastor Jorge Ramirez.
But, many in his congregation were surprised Cardinals selected a Latin American pope.
"I was in shock," he says.
Pastor Ramirez is originally from Bogota, Columbia, and says Pope Francis will understand the needs of Latinos.
"The majority of the people are living in poverty and the pastor needs to be very close to his people," he says. "We are very familiar so we see our bishops and our priests as part of the family."
The theme of the new pope helping the poor was echoed by Maritza Ream, who is originally from Venezuela.
"He visits the barrios," she says. "Those are the areas where poor people live and he goes there and he has a very special place for the poor in his heart."
Anywhere from 100-150 parishioners attend St. Pat's Spanish speaking services each week, including Gladys Lopez with her family. She's excited there's a new Latin American pope
"I think the church is part of our culture, she says through translation. "The new pope understands Latin culture, speaks our language and knows our traditions."
"Latin Americans are very devout in their beliefs and even if we go through hard times we still with Jesus and never lose the faith."
Father Jorge says the naming of Cardinal Jorge as new pope originally brought some confusion to some of the students at St. Pat's school next door to the church.
"They listen to the news that the name of the new Pope will be Jorge," says Ramirez. "They tell each other 'oh, Father Jorge is going to Rome, he is no longer the pastor at St. Pats'."
Regardless of how the words come out, Ramirez says the message is still the same, regardless of the language spoken.
"God is merciful. God is everyday looking for his people. God is expecting that we return to his heart," he says.
The message of unity was the idea of Pastor Jorge Ramirez.
But, many in his congregation were surprised Cardinals selected a Latin American pope.
"I was in shock," he says.
Pastor Ramirez is originally from Bogota, Columbia, and says Pope Francis will understand the needs of Latinos.
"The majority of the people are living in poverty and the pastor needs to be very close to his people," he says. "We are very familiar so we see our bishops and our priests as part of the family."
The theme of the new pope helping the poor was echoed by Maritza Ream, who is originally from Venezuela.
"He visits the barrios," she says. "Those are the areas where poor people live and he goes there and he has a very special place for the poor in his heart."
Anywhere from 100-150 parishioners attend St. Pat's Spanish speaking services each week, including Gladys Lopez with her family. She's excited there's a new Latin American pope
"I think the church is part of our culture, she says through translation. "The new pope understands Latin culture, speaks our language and knows our traditions."
"Latin Americans are very devout in their beliefs and even if we go through hard times we still with Jesus and never lose the faith."
Father Jorge says the naming of Cardinal Jorge as new pope originally brought some confusion to some of the students at St. Pat's school next door to the church.
"They listen to the news that the name of the new Pope will be Jorge," says Ramirez. "They tell each other 'oh, Father Jorge is going to Rome, he is no longer the pastor at St. Pats'."
Regardless of how the words come out, Ramirez says the message is still the same, regardless of the language spoken.
"God is merciful. God is everyday looking for his people. God is expecting that we return to his heart," he says.
