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	Visit Inspires a Mix of Wishes By Ernst Lamothe Jr. Democrat & Chronicle April 20, 2008 http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080420/NEWS01/804200346/1002/NEWS The Rev. Denise Donato has paid close attention to the words and actions of Pope Benedict XVI during his first visit to the United States, even though she knows he wouldn't say the words she wanted to hear. "My hope was that he would bring up women in the church and that God calls people to serve as priests regardless of gender, martial status or sexual orientation," said Donato, family minister at Spiritus Christi Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. "But I know that is a pie-in-the-sky hope." Spiritus Christi broke away from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester in 1998 over issues such as same-sex marriage and increased roles for women. The congregation was formerly part of Corpus Christi Church. The firing of the Rev. Jim Callan, a 22-year administrator at Corpus, also helped cause the schism. The Vatican forbids female priests. However, Donato appreciates some of the public comment Pope Benedict uttered about the sexual abuse scandals. "I'm glad he is meeting with survivors of sexual abuse," she said. "He needs to be sympathetic because there is still a lot of healing that needs to happen in the church and a lot of hurt that remains, so taking the initiative to talk about the issue is pretty significant. Pope Benedict needs to treat this visit as more of a listening tour." David Higgs, chair of the organ department at Eastman School of Music, will pay close attention to the German pontiff's visit, but for a far different reason. He will be watching for Jennifer Pascual, a former student and 2001 Eastman graduate. Pascual will oversee all the music for liturgical events during Benedict's three-day visit to New York City, including being lead conductor for today's Mass at Yankee Stadium. The Mass will have a 200-person choir and 58-piece orchestra behind home plate. She is also the first female director of music at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City — one of the most prestigious music appointments in the United States. "She was a very brilliant and motivated student that always had a way to make things happen, so I guess nothing has changed," said Higgs. "She also had a talent of making the most delicious chocolate-covered strawberries at all the organ department parties and those treats are sorely missed." Higgs said Pascual, who helped with various music departments in the Rochester diocese including at Sacred Heart Cathedral, was already an accomplished organist when she arrived in 1996. He said he is just wowed by his former pupil. "Whenever someone from Eastman does well you feel like a proud father because we are all a family here," said Higgs. "Hearing about their accomplishments never gets old to anyone." Contact: ELAMTOHE@DemocratandChronicle.com
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