Reporters Notebook

Rolling rally ends

Jessica Fargen — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:32:27 +0000

Ran Allen could be seen hanging off the back of a duck boat waving to cheering fans as the rolling rally drew to a close.

The Celtics procession has passed through Copley Square is coming to an end as green and white clad fans clear out and city crews descend to clean up thousands of tiny pieces of rectangular white and green confetti that was blasted onto crowds for the past 90 minutes.

The parade kicked off in front of the TD Banknorth Garden, where fans lined up 10-deep to catch a glimpse of the championship team and workers stood in office windows taking in the scene from above.

Celtics on the move

Jessica Fargen — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:50:49 +0000

The duck boats are on Tremont Street now, but just minutes ago the procession loaded down with the cigar-chomping Championship Celtics left TD Banknorth Garden to thunderous applause and a flurry of green and white confetti. Fans shouted “MVP,” “defense” and “Let’s Go Celtics” as thousands strained to catch a glimpse of the Green Team.

A group of teen-aged girls from Cambridge Rindge and Latin took turns climbing a 7-feet tall fence to catch a glimpse of their idols.

“Paul Pierce, I swear, he was just pointing the video camera right on me,” screamed Annie Boursiquot, 16, who was hoisted onto the fence by her friends.

Inside the Celtics pre-rally

Jessica Fargen — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:47:55 +0000

The team just walked onto the court to Queen’s “We are the Champions.” MVP Paul Pierce hoisted the Championship trophy into the air and Kevin Garnett walked in with a cigar in his mouth.

“Let me hear it!” Garnett yelled at the small, invite-only crowd inside the Garden.

Coach Doc Rivers and Mayor Thomas Menino also spoke to the crowd.

The rally started about an hour late, but it’s unclear if that will affect the start time of the rolling rally.

Benedict has arrived

Jessica Fargen — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 18:28:06 +0000

To cheers and waving white flags and chants of “Benedicto,” Pope Benedict XVI has entered Yankee Stadium in the popemobile and will soon take his place in the infield altar, which has been converted into an open air church. The Mass starts at 2:30 and is expected to last 2 hours.

Harry Connick Jr. is taking the stage

Jessica Fargen — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:43:32 +0000

Connick is playing a grand piano right about where home plate would be at Yankee Stadium as the 57,000 people expected for the papal Mass start to fill up the stadium.

Benedict devotees did the “wave” while music from the likes of Connick, Jose Feliciano and Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan filled the air.

Tynan sang Bruce Springsteen’s moving 9/11 tribute “Into the Fire” as well as “God Bless America,” which drew wild applause from the crowd.

Several sections of Yankee Stadium are dotted with Red Sox banners, fleece blankets, Red ”Big Papi” baseball hats brought by the 3,000 pilgrims from the Boston Archdiocese, who are treated to one of the best views in the house.

Praying for peace at Ground Zero

Jessica Fargen — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:47:44 +0000

During a solemn and somber remembrance at Ground Zero this morning Pope Benedict XVI asked the Lord to “bring peace to our violent world,” lit a candle and blessed the ground in four directions.

Benedict asked God for his “light and guidance” in grappling with the tragedy of 9/11.
“Grant that those whose lives were spared may live so that the lives lost here may not have to be lost in vain,” he said.

A 9/11 moment, then a Mass for thousands

Jessica Fargen — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:04:35 +0000

Pope Benedict XVI is expected to arrive at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan at 9:30 this morning where he’ll light a candle in remembrance of victims who died in the 9/11 attacks. Benedict is expected to kneel before a pool of water and offer a silent prayer.

After that, Benedict will travel via motorcade to Yankee Stadium, where at 2:30 he’ll say his second Mass in two days. Today’s service will be the third time a pontiff has said Mass at Yankee Stadium. Some 3,000 Catholics from the Boston Archdiocese are already aboard 40 buses bound for the Bronx. Another 1,000 people from the Springfield Diocese received tickets for the Mass and are headed to New York as well.

Winding down

Jessica Fargen — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:48:53 +0000

Pope Benedict XVI’s second full day in New York City is winding down after appearances at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and a popemobile procession down Fifth Avenue. The pontiff ends his day tonight at Saint Joseph’s Seminary where American Idol Kelly Clarkson is expected to perform.

He visits Ground Zero tomorrow morning and caps off his historic visit to the United States with a Mass for thousands at Yankee Stadium.

Mass has started

Jessica Fargen — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:51:03 +0000

Pope Benedict XVI arrived to screams and chants at 9 a.m. and quickly entered Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, where he is expected to give his homily within the hour. The entire Mass, including scripture readings, organ music and songs, can be heard outside the church.

Waiting for Benedict

Jessica Fargen — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:38:28 +0000

Hundreds, if not thousands of people are pressed up against metal barricades this morning along Fifth Avenue in front of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral as the excitement builds for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI, who’ll say Mass at the historic church within the next two hours. Pope devotees standing next to the massive church this morning sang, clapped and chanted “Beneditto” and “Benedict We Love You.” Organ music could be heard on the streets outside.

Security measures for people attending papal events has been extreme. Journalists with spots across the street from the church reported for security screening at 6 a.m. Helicopters can be heard circling overhead and police officers, some with K9 units, and secret service agents are everywhere.