Crofton family attends pope's Mass

Crofton family attends pope's Mass at Nationals Park
Paula Popp - For The Capital
The Scheidhouer family decorated the outside of their home and flew the Bavarian and Vatican flags to honor the pope's visit to the United States. FRom left are Sharon and Gerry Scheidhauer adn 5-month-old Nicholas, Jack, 8, and Brooke, 11.
By PAULA POPP
Published April 22, 2008

Gerry and Sharon Scheidhauer decorated the outside of their Crofton home with yellow and white flowers and flew the Vatican and Bavarian flags in honor of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Washington, D.C., last week.
"I got my inspiration from the National Shrine in D.C. where they planted yellow and white flower beds for the pope's visit," said Gerry, who makes a weekly pilgrimage to the shrine.

During his visit to the shrine on April 15, Gerry said he had lunch at Colonel Brooks' Tavern and found himself sitting next to Cardinal Sean O'Malley from Boston. The result was a photo of 5-month-old Nicholas Scheidhauer with the Boston archbishop.

The couple and their four children, Max, Brooke, Jack and Nicholas, also attended the pope's Mass at the new Nationals Park last Thursday. The Archdiocese of Baltimore notified them several weeks ago that out of 100,000 requests, the family would receive six of the more than 46,000 tickets distributed.

Gerry's father, Jerry Scheidhauer, also of Crofton, attended the Mass of Pope John Paul II in 1995 at Camden Yards, and also attended Pope Benedict's Mass.

"We're a big Catholic family and this is our spiritual leader," said Gerry about why he wanted to take his family to the event.

"We often watch the pope say Mass on TV on Sunday," said Sharon.

Originally from Bowie, they have lived in Crofton for 15 years and are members of Our Lady of the Fields Parish in Millersville.

Gerry owns an import/export business and Sharon works for the Drug Enforcement Administration in the public affairs office.