He's now been laid to rest so what are your fondest/best/most important memories of Pope John Paul II?

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I really respected the fact that he travelled so much, believed in the youth so much, that he took a stand and stayed with it, - oh I could go on and on he was an amazing man in my opinion

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There are so many things to remember him for - but his example of forgiveness with the man who shot him is the thing that sticks in my mind the most.

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"A new baby is like the beginning of all things--wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities." (Eda J. Le Shan)

One of the things that sticks out in my mind, is when I became the age that the guys in my age group started alter serving classes. I wanted to be an alter server. My parents asked our Priest about it and I was turned down. I was so devestated. Not long after that, the rules were changed globally and I got to become an alter server. It felt so wonderful to be able to be an active part of the mass and of the celebration each Sunday. The fact that I was able to do so really strengthened my bond to Catholicism and to the Pope.

His faith, his passion for bringing the youth back into the Church, his forgiveness... I will always remember those things.

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He was fair, forgiving and just a wonderful person. A terrific writer & speaker. 7 languages fluently and 20 conversationally! Wow. He was an asset to this world and he'll certainly be an asset to Heaven.

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~Brigette

Host of Holiday Fun, Party and Event Planning and Crafter's Nook on Sheknows. Co-Host of Scrapbooking,
Buy, Sell, Swap and Share and the Catholic Board on Sheknows.

I think I have to agree with Cheryl...forgiving the man who tried to kill him.

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Liz

I've been thinking of this since he passed. When they announced that he had said something like I sought you and now you've come it really really hit home. He was one of two people that really influenced the fact that I remained Catholic (in my family you don't get confirmed unless you want to be Catholic and you do go out to research other religions a bit before making that decision - we have a very ecumenical family). So as I was preparing for my confirmation I had a lady who was a great souce of information and she handed me some information on the World Youth Day that had been held in 91. I was amazed at all the young people and I read a lot about how JPII was reaching out to young people. That reach grasped me a never let go. So in 93 when we had the chance to go to Denver we jumped on it and to this day it's one of my best memories, that week was one of the best weeks in my life. So to me while I didn't know him I felt that in a way his soul knew my soul and had called out to me.

My favorite thing about him was the way in which he stood behind his convictions. It didn't matter what others thought or tried to get him to do he stood behind them. He didn't cower to world leaders and he felt compelled to tell them what he thought even if it wasn't what they thought.

Ok, I could go on and on and on

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