Pope Benedict XVI arrives in America today, and Brenda Boehnlein of Chesterfield County couldn't be more elated.

"I am thrilled. I've had a countdown ever since I won the tickets," said Boehnlein, who is taking her friend, Ann Niermeyer, with her to the papal Mass at Nationals Park on Thursday.

Boehnlein is among 400 winners in ticket lottery held by the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. Both women work as administrative assistants for the diocese.

Francis Stevens of Petersburg wasn't a lottery winner, but he's still fortunate. He's attending the Mass as a guest of a priest who is a friend.

While there, he will say a special prayer "that we keep our beloved school . . . open."

His son attends St. Joseph School, which is in danger of closing unless it can raise $1 million by Monday.

"I'm hoping the pope will encourage his bishops to instead of shutting the school to look at ways to keep it open," Stevens said. "I'm pleased with the quality of education and the Christian foundation he's receiving, and I would hate to see that go."

Catholic education is also on the mind of Annette Parsons of Williamsburg. The chief school administrator for the diocese will be among hundreds of Catholic college and university presidents and other key educators meeting with the pope on Thursday afternoon at Catholic University in Washington.

"The visit is historic in that, as far as I am aware, no other pope has requested the presence of all the leaders of Catholic education," Parsons said.

"I hope that the Holy Father will speak to the strengths and challenges of Catholic education and help to chart a new vision for the 21st century.

"I also hope he will touch on Catholic schools as the key to the future of the Catholic Church. And the special calling of those who serve in Catholic schools and the role our schools play in evangelization, faith formation, and moral development."

The Diocese of Richmond spans 33,000 square miles, covering three-fifths of the state; the Diocese of Arlington covers Northern Virginia. The Richmond diocese has 25 Catholic diocesan schools and five Catholic private schools; the Arlington diocese has 39 diocesan schools and four private Catholic schools.

There are more than 600,000 registered Catholics in Virginia, according to figures compiled by the church.

The pope's visit "comes at a time when I think we will all benefit from the spirit of hope he is trying to give us as a nation," the Most Rev. Francis X. DiLorenzo, bishop of the Diocese of Richmond, said in a statement to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The pope's presence in Washington and New York is a sign of his interest and concern for Americans and the Catholic church in the U.S., DiLorenzo said.

"He is most attuned to the situation American families face during these hard economic times and the challenges they have in a world which seems to be countercultural to Christian values. I think his message during his six-day visit will give us a renewed sense of hope in Christ so we are encouraged to seek to live God's loving will in our daily lives," DiLorenzo said.
Contact Robin Farmer at (804) 649-6312 or rfarmer@timesdispatch.com.