02.08.08 Parishes compile lists for Papal Visit tickets

A limited number of tickets have been made available for parishioners of the Camden Diocese who wish to attend the Solemn Pontifical Mass at Yankee Stadium, N.Y. on April 20.

In December, the diocese asked each parish to compile a list of parishioners interested in attending the Mass.   Based on this list, the diocese was asked to provide an indication of the anticipated ticket count to event organizers at the Archdiocese of New York by January 1.   Last week, the Archdiocese of New York confirmed that the Diocese of Camden will receive 500 tickets for distribution to the parishes that have expressed interest.  Parishes intend to provide tickets to parishioners on a first-come first-serve basis.

The names, addresses and birth dates of ticket holders, along with appropriate identifying information, will be provided to the Archdiocese of New York for each ticket holder. This is required by the United States Secret Service and the New York City Police Department for security purposes.   A photo ID will be required for admission to the stadium.Transportation for parish groups, including bus charters, will be coordinated directly with the Archdiocese of New York. The Archdiocese has established a bus company to service all participating dioceses. These buses will have access to the secured areas, secured parking, and access lanes on highways and streets. No other buses will have this access. The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, will arrive in Washington, DC April 15 and will travel to New York on April 18 for a three day visit. In addition to the Yankee Stadium Mass, the Holy Father will address the U.N. General Assembly, officiate at a service of prayer for the leadership of Protestant and Orthodox communities, celebrate a Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral for priests, deacons and men and women in consecrated life, visit seminarians at St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, and will pray at Ground Zero for the victims and heroes of the World Trade Center tragedy.