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SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Local church honors new Pope Francis

By Jennifer Larkin, Special Writer
   St. Augustine’s of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church in the Kendall Park section of South Brunswick chose to honor the new Pope in a distinctive way – by flying 12 Papal flags and ringing bells for almost a half hour, according to Elizabeth DeLuca, a contact at the parish.
   As it was announced by the The Holy See press office in Rome, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Supreme Pontiff on March 13 and chose the name Francis.
   According to The Holy See press office in Rome, the cardinal proto-deacon Jean-Louis Tauran made the announcement to the people at 8:12 p.m. from the external loggia of the Hall of Blessings of the Vatican Basilica, following the traditional white smoke which announced the selection of the new pope at 7:06 p.m. Rome time.
   ”I announce to you with great joy; We have a Pope,” Cardinal Tauran said in a press release from The Holy See in Rome. “ The most eminent and most reverend Lord Jorge Mario, Cardinal of Holy Roman Church Bergoglio, Who has taken the name Francis.”
   Ms. DeLuca said that although the papal flags are not required, the special day of ceremony is something that the parish priest, Fr. Robert Lynam, chooses to partake in.
   In tandem with this announcement is the Parish’s upcoming special mass on April 7, according to Ms. DeLuca.
   ”We have a great devotion to Pope John Paul II and Father has been to Rome many times,” Ms. DeLuca said. “In addition to the mass, another ceremony will take place as part of the blessing of the Pope John Paul’s relic.”
   The relic, a lock of Pope John Paul II hair, according to Ms. DeLuca, is already awaiting its blessing in the sacramental life of this church’s Roman Catholic Parish.