The Pope will hold a midday prayer service with all U.S. Bishops at the Cathedral of St, Matthew of the Apostle in the morning and then a canonization mass in the late afternoon where members of Catholic parishes in New Jersey will also be represented.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Members of New Jersey's clergy are traveling to Washington D.C. to represent the state's Catholic community during Pope Francis's first visit to the United States.
The Pope will hold a prayer service on Wednesday morning with all U.S. Bishops at the Cathedral of St. Matthew of the Apostle and then a canonization mass in the late afternoon where members of Catholic parishes in New Jersey will also be represented.
"It's a privilege," said Rosemarie Gazaleh, who along with her husband, Richard, will attend the 4:15 p.m. canonization mass. They are parishoners at the Cathedral of St. Francis Assisi in Metuchen, where Rosemarie worked in the parish office until she retired and is a cantor, leading the congregants in song.
The Rev. John Rozembajgier, who is now vice-rector and dean of community life at the college of liberal arts at the Pontifical College of Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, is still attached to the Metuchen Diocese and grew up in New Brunswick.
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He was on hand in Washington D.C. Tuesday afternoon when Pope Francis arrived at Andrews Air Force Base and has been involved in the whole planning of the visit.
"I'm very excited," he said.
On Saturday, the Pope will be in Philadelphia.
Bishop Dennis Sullivan of Camden is scheduled to attend the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, before heading to the Pope's 4:45 p.m. visit to Independence Mall.
On Sunday, Sullivan will attend a Papal meeting with all the bishops at St. Martin's Chapel, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary before attending Mass in the Windy City.
Jessica Beym of NJ Advance Media contributed to this report
Sue Epstein may be reached at sepstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @susan_epstein. Find NJ.com on Facebook.