The QHW's article about one of our seminarians at the Papal Mass

The Quincy Herald-Whig published a story about Dominic Rankin's involvement in the Papal Mass on Christmas Eve in the Vatican Basilica. Dominic is a seminarian for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois studying at the Pontifical North American College here in a Rome, and is also from the Gem City.

Unlike the reporters for the Associated Press, the QHW's Steve Eighenger contacted Dominic for the story. Because of this his article, is far superior to that published in the State Journal-Register and is more than a series of misconstrued details. Here's a sample:

"'The patience of God' -- God's immense love and generosity toward us -- was a point that Pope Francis returned to again and again during his homily for Christmas," Rankin said. "It was also the idea that was running through my mind as I knelt there -- in Rome, in St. Peter's Basilica, in the first row of chairs behind Bernini's immense baldacchino, serving Christmas Mass for the pope.

As the Holy Father pronounced the words of consecration, ‘This is my body… this is my blood ...,' repeating the words that Our Lord pronounced so long ago ... it was an incredible moment.

The other seminarians are not mentioned in Eighenger's article, but this is quite normal considering this is a "local interest" story.

Kudos to Eighenter and the Quincy Herald-Whig for doing what reporters ought to do.