POPE BENEDICT XVI CELEBRATES HIS FAREWELL MASS IN ST. PETER'S BASILICA.............

Pope Benedict XVI, who announced his resignation on Monday, as Holy Father and Supreme Pontiff of the 1.2 billion member Roman Catholic Church effective February 28th, the first Pope to do so in nearly 600 years; presided at Ash Wednesday Mass yesterday in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, before overwhelmingly large numbers of persons in attendance for what is being called his Farewell Mass as the active Successor of St. Peter.  In his Ash Wednesday homily opening the Season of Lent, the purple vested Pontiff preached the need to end, "religious hypocrisy", and "rivalry", in the Catholic Church, urging the Faithful to be sincere in Living their Faith.  Pope Benedict condemned what he referred to as, "religious hypocrisy", calling for an end to divisions that disrupt unity, saying, "the face of the Church is sometimes marred by sins against unity in the Church and divisions in the clergy".  That declaration is interpreted as the departing Holy Father's concern over the pedophilia and Vatileaks scandals besetting the Church.  He went on to warn against, "individualism and rivalry", occurring in the Church.  As for his stunning decision to resign the Papacy, Benedict said he did so, "for the good of the Church".  He asked the the congregation to, "pray for me, pray for the future Pope, pray for the Church".  Upon resigning, Benedict XVI, will be officially titled the Bishop Emeritus of Rome, and will live privately in a renovated convent within the Vatican.  At his weekly Wednesday Audience yesterday Pope Benedict XVI said he will live out the remainder of his earthly life, "dedicated to prayer", and "hidden from the world'.  Also yesterday, Vatican offices announced the Conclave to Elect the next Pope will convene between March 15-19, a five day window that is the Friday before Holy Week to Tuesday of Holy Week.  Yet the expectation continues it should lead to the selection of a new Pope by the College of Cardinals by Easter Sunday.  As a priest I am proud to hear and see Pope Benedict speak of internal animosities and wrongful intentions on the part of Church members, including the ordained leadership; that have no place in the People of God who are the Body of Christ in the World.  As someone whose priestly ministry is caught in such crossfire, I deeply appreciate that the Supreme Pontiff even as he prepares to step down understands the need to eradicate such occurrences.  As one of the banners displayed in St. Peter's at the Vatican read yesterday, I join my voice : "Thank You Your Holiness"............Fr.  Troy