Aug 28, 2009 1:23 pm US/Eastern
Mission Hill Church Prepares For Kennedy Funeral
MISSION HILL (WBZ) ―
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A private funeral Mass for Sen. Kennedy will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica -- commonly known as the Mission Church -- in Mission Hill.
WBZ
Noon mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Mission Hill is normally held in the cavernous main church.
But parishioners are worshipping this Friday in the lower church, as television crews have taken over their space. They're busy setting up cameras and microphones in preparation for Senator Ted Kennedy's funeral Saturday morning.
"I think that having his funeral mass here in this huge basilica is a beautiful thing," said Angela Byran.
Photos: Inside Mission Church
She met Kennedy years ago when he was visiting the church daily to pray for his daughter Kara. Kara was undergoing cancer treatments at a nearby hospital.
"He and his wife came in and I was probably the only one in the church and actually we prayed the Our Father."
The church, which is commonly called Mission Church, has been a magnet for people wanting to feel a connection to the Kennedys in this sad time.
Cora McCain of Dorchester brought her foster daughter here.
"It's just very historical," she said.
Ashok Joshi of Philadelphia is in Boston on business.
He came to Mission Church to see where the funeral will be held.
Last night, he was one of more than 20,000 people at the public viewing for Senator Kennedy at the JFK Library and Museum.
"That was a pretty moving experience," he said. "Everyone was really taken up by emotions."
Mission Church pastor Fr. Raymond Collins hopes the service will be not only a comfort to the Kennedy family, but also a help to all who see it.
"We hope we can help some people think more deeply about God and the Church in their lives."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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