Ted and Cara Stolarczyk and their daughter, Theresa, pose Nov. 30 before the icon of the Holy Family at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, replicas of which they helped hand out to worshipers at the Mass. The Stolarczyk family are members of St. Anastasia Parish, Newtown Square. (Mary Cullinan)

By Lou Baldwin • Posted December 2, 2014

Attendance was way beyond expectations for the 6:30 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on Sunday, Nov. 30. It was the first Sunday in Advent and the start of the new liturgical year, so it was also the perfect time to highlight the World Meeting of Families next September.

In honor of the event Archbishop Charles Chaput blessed small replicas of the official icon of the Holy Family that were distributed to families in attendance.

(See a photo gallery and watch a video from the Mass here.)

In the end there were not enough to go around for all the unanticipated people who packed the cathedral, estimated to number more than 1,000. Folding chairs had to be brought out to seat some of the standing-room-only worshipers, while the shrines in the side aisles allowed many young children to stretch their legs during the Mass.

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The image of the Holy Family that was painted by Kennett Square artist Neilson Carlin for the World Meeting “is the symbol of the most important unit in our personal lives, which is the family – our parents and grandparents, our children and spouses,” said Archbishop Chaput. “This is where the action is. This is where Christian life is learned and practiced in the best possible way.

“The image you are taking home with you today is an image of the Holy Family and you are called in your families to imitate them, to be holy in the same way they are,” the archbishop said.

“I couldn’t believe the crowd,” said Donna Farrell, executive director for the World Meeting of Families, who attended with her family. “The parking lot is filled to overflowing. It is just more exciting than I could have imagined.

“We have been working on this for weeks and the Office for the New Evangelization should get the credit, they really got the word out.”

The image “means a lot to people,” she said. “They would like to have that in their home so that they can prepare spiritually for Christmas and for the World Meeting of Families.”

Rob and Ann Post of St. Genevieve Parish in Flourtown pose with their children Madeleine, Julia, Max and Benjamin. The family helped distribute replicas of the World Meeting of Families icon before the Nov. 30 Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. (Mary Cullinan)

Most remarkable was the number of large families with their well-behaved children at the Mass.

“We are here with our seven kids,” said Bob Tryzsbinski of St. Elizabeth Parish in Upper Uwchlan. With him were his wife Alicia, who you might guess has Irish heritage, considering the children were Connor, Donovan, Sean, Clare, Brendan, Bridget and Kathleen.

“We are very traditional and love the World Meeting of Families and are happy to have this year to celebrate it,” Bob said.

Mike and Marta Volpe, from St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Norristown, were there with slightly over five children — Micah, Cecilia, Lucia, Tobias, Magdalena and the little one yet to be named that Marta is carrying.

“We’ve known about the World Meeting all along and we heard about this Mass yesterday and thought we should come,” Marta said.

“This is so important and the picture of the whole family including the grandparents is beautiful,” said Tullio Falini from St. Agnes Parish in West Chester. Attending the Mass in addition to his wife Nancy were four of their children, Francesco, Analisa, Teresa and Patrick, and grandchild Mia Rose.

R.J. Snell, his wife Amy and children Grace, Emma, Mather and Clara, of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Philadelphia, helped distribute the replica images.

“This is exciting,” R.J. said. “Catholicism cherishes what is good and the family is at the heart of what is good.”

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Mae Carlin didn’t have any small children with her, but she thought the official painting of the Holy Family was “a masterpiece,” as well she should, considering the artist, Neilson Carlin, is her son. “I think the celebration is timely. God will do great and marvelous things,” she said.

Also featured at the Mass was the first presentation of the official hymn of the World Meeting of Families, “Sound the Bells of Holy Freedom.”

It was composed by Normand Gouin, who is a former music director for Old St. Joseph Parish in Philadelphia. A liturgical composer now at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., Gouin has created other pieces for the Cathedral Choir in the past.

The hymn was sung for the first time during the offertory procession of the Mass Sunday night by a small group of Cathedral Choir members.

The text was written by nationally known liturgist Norbertine Father Andrew Ciferni of Daylesford Abbey, formerly from South Philadelphia.

“With its powerful words and melody, ‘Sound the Bells of Holy Freedom’ is an excellent choice for our official hymn and I hope it encourages all who hear it to deepen their daily relationship with God and with their own families in significant ways,” Archbishop Chaput said.

Hear the choir perform the hymn at the cathedral here. The lyrics for the hymn follow:

“Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom”

Sound the bell of holy freedom; call all nations of the earth.
Sons and daughters of one Father, sent to spread God’s saving Word.
Come, and gather, as one fam’ly at the table of the Lord.

David branch from root of Jesse, Mary that vine’s flow’ring rose.
She brought forth for us the Savior as the angel did propose;
Overshadowed by the Spirit, by her “yes” new life arose.

Blessed Joseph, spouse of Mary, teacher of your God and Lord,
You did shelter and provide for wondrous child by kings adored.
Open to God’s Word in dreaming saved your child from Herod’s sword.

Jesus, youth in low’ly Naz’reth, faithful son, and loving child,
Guest and host at Cana’s wedding, finest wine you did provide.
You, our rock, and you our shelter, keep us ever by your side.

At the cross, a grieving mother, on the cross, her only son,
With all mothers and their children, Blessed Mary, you are one.
In our joys, and in our sorrows may we do as you have done.

Sound the bell of holy freedom; call all fam’lies of the world
To be fed by love incarnate; to proclaim God’s holy Word;
Through the love of Christ our brother, in the Spirit make us one.

Scott and Liz Parrish of Sacred Heart Parish in Hilltown return from the offertory procession at the Mass with six of their eight children, two of whom are away at college. (Mary Cullinan)