Moline Rotarians Attend Vatican Event

Posted by Gary Francque
 
  
 
On April 30th Rotarians traveled to Rome, Italy to participate in Rotary International’s Jubilee of Rotarians event at the Vatican.
 
ROME, ITALY - Rotarians from around the world, including Moline Rotarian Gary Francque, traveled to The Vatican to participate in the Jubilee of Rotarians.
   
In 2015 Pope Francis, leader of the Catholic Church, declared a Jubilee Year of Mercy to be held Dec 8, 2015 – Nov 20, 2016. The Year of Mercy is an invitation to show love, kindness, and generosity to all.
 
Rotarians have always been shining examples of those virtues! In recognition of Rotary International and its humanitarian work worldwide, the Holy Father invited Rotarians from all over the world to join him for a Jubilee celebration on April 30, 2016, and Rotary International president K.R. Ravindran called for fellow Rotarians to join him at the Vatican to participate in the Jubilee of Rotarians events hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Rome.
 
The Jubilee of Rotarians program consisted of many events including:  
Friday April 29th
5:00pm - Opening Ceremony and international forum on humanitarian issues of refugees at LUMSA University, Rome
6:30pm - World premier concert in support of Rotary’s End Polio Now effort at Auditorium della Conciliazione
8:30 pm - Three separate Rotary International “black tie” End Polio Now benefit dinners throughout Rome.
Saturday April 30th
10:00 am – Special Jubilee audience with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square in recognition of Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign, and a special blessing for Rotarians. Pope Francis personally met with Rotary International president K.R. Ravindran after the blessing to express his appreciation for the work that Rotary is doing.  All were then invited to pass through The Holy Door of Mercy in St. Peter’s Basilica.   
7:30 pm – Jubilee of Rotarians closing ceremony and concert at The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, Rome.
 
Rotarian Gary Francque and incoming Rotarian James Barnett attended the Jubilee of Rotarians event as representatives of Rotary Club of Moline and Rotary District 6420. The two, catholic school buddies and Alleman Class of 70 graduates, arrived in Rome on April 28th and were welcomed by Monsignor Richard Soseman, a priest from the Quad Cites who has been working at the Vatican. On Friday April 29th Gary and Jim attended catholic mass at St. Peter’s Basilica celebrated by Monsignor Soseman at one of the 25 alters in St. Peter’s. The two were then afforded a personal tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican grounds by Monsignor Soseman.
 
On Saturday April 30th Gary and Jim attended the Jubilee event at St. Peter’s square. Some 9000 Rotarians from 80 countries answered the call of Rotary International president K.R. Ravindran to attend the Jubilee event.   
 
The ceremony began at 9:00 am with a special recognition of Italian military and police forces, highlighted with performances of the bands of the military branches. Next was the traditional parade of the Holy Father through the 100,000 pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square. Thousands cheered and waved banners as the Holy Father made his way around St. Peter’s Square, blessing those present, shaking hands and kissing children, a very profound and moving experience for all.
 
At 10:00 am Pope Francis took the podium and, after readings and prayers, recognized Rotary International’s worldwide humanitarian efforts. The Holy Father then blessed those present and invoked his blessing onto their families and fellow Rotarians. All were invited to pass the blessing on to those at home.
 
Later, Gary and Jim attended the closing ceremony of the Jubilee of Rotarians at the beautiful, centuries old Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, in Rome. There, Rotary International president K.R. Ravindran spoke of the importance of continuing Rotary’s worldwide humanitarian efforts, and thanked the Rotary Clubs of Rome for hosting the event.
  
While in Rome, Gary and Jim also toured the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, Castel Saint Angelo, the Flavian Amphitheater / Coliseum, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and enjoyed great Italian food and wine, and gelato! 
 
See photos and Rotary International’s coverage of the Jubilee event on the RI website at url: https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/news-media/pope-welcomes-rotary-jubilee-audience