Lubbock Catholic organizations hosting 'Watch Parties' for Pope Francis

As Pope Francis is arriving in the United States, the Diocese of Lubbock is getting ready for a special event they're hosting for young Catholics.

The Pope After Party on Wednesday night is for 6th through 12th graders to come together and learn more about Pope Francis and his visit.

D'Maris Murillo, the associate youth director for the diocese, said Wednesday's event is about getting the youth excited and pumped up about Pope Francis coming to the United States.

They're going to be replaying the canonization of Junipero Serra and hosting a "did you know" session for the students to learn more about the pope.

"We really want them to get to know who Pope Francis is, we want them to be excited about Pope Francis," Murillo said. "You know he is a different kind of Pope. He says that the Shepard should smell like the sheep. He's trying to get his hands in there. He's trying to really be with the people."

The Pope After Party is Wednesday night from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

They are expecting anywhere from 60 to 200 kids to come with their youth ministers.

We also spoke with Father Francis at the Catholic Student Center at Texas Tech University on Tuesday.

Father Francis says they will be hosting watch parties for students all week by live streaming the major events on the Pope's schedule.

They began the watch parties on Tuesday afternoon when the Pope arrived around 3 p.m.
Father Francis says through these watch parties they are hoping to provide an outlet for students to watch the events together and engage in discussion.

"Just like maybe it's the first time somebody watches a football game or a baseball game and they may have questions about the sport. They can do that here, too," Father Francis said. "Students can ask questions of each other and of the priests that are here. They might be wondering what is going on and we can explain it to them as we go."

He says students are excited to take part in watching this historic event and supporting those they know from Lubbock who will actually be at the Pope's visit.

Brent Forsythe, the Campus Ministry intern, says he will be at every watch party he can make it to.

"This is a really big deal for us Catholics because he is the guy that we look towards, and we look up to," Forsythe said. "To see him going out into the community and trying to spread the good news to everyone. It's just really exciting and fun to watch."

Texas Tech students can find the full schedule of events for the watch parties at raidercatholic.org.

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