Back from Asia, Bishop Lynch leads bay area Catholics in Mass for Pope
SPRING HILL - The leader of the bay area's Catholic diocese was 8,000 miles away from his flock when Pope John Paul II died. Monday, Bishop Robert Lynch was back in Florida, leading a mass in memory of his personal friend.
More than 1,000 gathered at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church in Spring Hill for the memorial mass, which was being held at the same time that thousands of Catholics were lining up in Rome for the public viewing of the pope's body.
A video slideshow of the pope's life played as Lynch prayed with Catholics at their largest church in three counties.
(snip)
Lynch was in Asia as part of a tsunami relief delegation when Pope John Paul II died over the weekend. It took him a few days to get back, but the traveling gave him time to reflect on the passing of the pope, whom he knew well.
The bishop said not only did the pope teach his followers how to live, but, "he's also taught us how to die. Life was still valuable, and there were still contributions that could be made. I don't think anyone tonight is saying he didn't make a contribution right up until the end."
=======================================================
Say, Bishop Lynch -- besides noticing how well fed you are, what do you think our Dear Pope thinks of you now?