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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Rev. Monsignor George A. Majoros spent a lot of time around Pope Francis during his visit to the U.S. and he came away with some enlightening thoughts on the pope and his message.</p><p>Majoros was born in Philadelphia and ordained in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. His parents, Michael and Ethel (Lutestanski) Majoros, were born and raised in Wilkes-Barre. Majoros said he still has strong family ties in the area and he often visits his many cousins and family members for various family functions.</p><p>Majoros said Pope Francis, in just five full days in the U.S.:</p><p>&#8226; Canonized a saint in our country.</p><p>&#8226; Spoke to Congress.</p><p>&#8226; Reaffirmed the importance of church and family life.</p><p>&#8226; Pleaded for inclusive attitudes toward immigrants.</p><p>&#8226; Reiterated the rights of religious freedom.</p><p>&#8226; Called for action on climate change and care for creation.</p><p>That&#8217;s a pretty full slate, don&#8217;t you think?</p><p>Here&#8217;s what Majoros said about Pope Francis:</p><p>&#8220;This man left me feeling exhausted, but exhilarated; tired but inspired; not alone, but connected to everyone and everything created; with a sense of urgency to attend to my fellow human beings with greater compassion, mercy and love,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Majoros took it all as a challenge from Pope Francis &#8212; a challenge for all &#8212; &#8220;to put what we believe into action with joy.&#8221;</p><p>He said, as Pope Francis said, &#8220;Don&#8217;t let your enthusiasm run dry.&#8221;</p><p>Majoros was referring to one&#8217;s enthusiasm for family and society.</p><p>He said as he reflected on Pope Francis&#8217; visit, he was amazed at the pope&#8217;s stamina.</p><p>&#8220;Through it all, he smiled, he waved, he spoke and he listened,&#8221; Majoros said. &#8220;He came as a pilgrim of faith, compassion and mercy to believers and non-believers alike.&#8221;</p><p>In today&#8217;s world, we see the further deterioration of the family unit. We see households with two working parents. We see the absence of family time, whether it be at the dinner table, or in the family room. We see an on-the-go lifestyle that caters to each individual&#8217;s wants and needs and fails to stress the importance of doing things together &#8212; as a family.</p><p>Majoros said St. John Paul II, hailed as the Pope of the Family, created the World Meeting of Families in 1994 in Rome. He said Pope Francis also inspired the theme because he embodies the message of mercy, joy and love at the heart of the Gospel.</p><p>Majoros noted what Pope Francis said.</p><p>&#8220;I pray that our days of prayer and reflection on the importance of the family for a healthy society will inspire families to continue to strive for holiness and to see the church as their constant companion, whatever the challenges they may face,&#8221; the pope said during his visit.</p><p>Majoros said when Pope Francis arrived for Mass at the Cathedral-Basilica on Sept. 26, he was looking visibly tired, but the standing-room-only crowd seemed to enliven him as he celebrated Mass. He said the pope later talked at Independence Mall on religious freedom.</p><p>Then, Majoros said, after a brief respite, the Holy Father took part in the Festival of Families, where he listened to representative families from all over the world speak about their challenges and the faith that sustained them.</p><p>And on the final day of his trip, Majoros said Pope Francis visited a prison, and celebrated the Closing Mass for the World Meeting of Families.</p><p>And now, as he reflects on Pope Francis&#8217; words, Majoros offered a challenge &#8212; &#8220;our challenge to put what we believe into action with joy.&#8221; Majoros said he &#8220;humbly suggests&#8221; three things for us to do:</p><p>&#8226; Re-read the pope&#8217;s words, speeches and homilies (<a href="http://www.vatican.va" target="_blank">www.vatican.va</a>) to understand better, reflect and integrate it in our lives.</p><p>&#8226; Accompany others, that is, listen to others and learn about them and from them so we can build a better culture of life in our society today.</p><p>&#8226; Get involved whenever and wherever you can to make a difference in the lives of others, especially the poor, marginalized and disenfranchised.</p><p>And Majoros summed it all up very simply.</p><p>&#8220;These simple ways can keep our enthusiasm alive and well for our good and the good of our fellow human beings and this planet we call Mother Earth,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Good advice.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">O'Boyle</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Columnshot-1-1-.jpg</photo0><caption0>O'Boyle</caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_MonsignorMajoros_toned.jpg">
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

In Focus: Monsignor, a native of Wilkes-Barre, reflects on time spent with Pope Francis