NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      ST. LOUIS, 25 (NE) While the last preparations are taken care of in order to receive the Holy Father in St. Louis, a great number of Catholics get ready through prayer for such an important encounter. This spiritual preparation is carried out by some at the Holy Family Log Church in Cahokia, oldest temple west of the Mississippi.

      In this temple one of the first three Masses was celebrated by the first evangelizers of these lands. Cradle of the Catholic tradition of this place, the Holy Family Log Church in Cahokia, which celebrates this year its 300th anniversary, will be a central place of pilgrimage during the Supreme Pontiff's visit. Awaiting for the Pope's arrival, a vigil of prayer was held on Saturday night and other liturgical activities will be carried out on the following days as well.

      This same spirit of awaiting in prayer is lived at Saint Francis Xavier Church, where some 1000 Catholic students from area colleges and universities will carry out a vigil today, on the eve of Pope John Paul II's arrival.