Then-Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
St. Louis (KSDK) - When New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan is elevated to Cardinal in Rome Saturday, he'll be surrounded by St. Louisans.
A large contingent from his hometown will be traveling overseas to support him.
At Villa Duchesne, she teaches church history, now Diane Everitt will be seeing some firsthand.
"I'm looking forward to being a part of church history and also be able to bring that to the classroom in some way," said Everett.
She'll post photos and updates as Dolan is elevated to Cardinal.
Everitt is part of a St. Louis group traveling to Rome for Saturday's ceremony.
"He's from here. He's a Cardinal fan. You know, he's one of us," she said.
Dolan already left for Rome. Family, friends and supporters will follow close behind.
Among them, Jeanne Callahan, who's got her bag packed.
"We've known Tim, the Cardinal to be, since he was a young priest. And we followed him through his career," said Callahan.
Dolan presided over the baptism of her nephew and the marriage of her daughter.
In turn, Callahan has tried to be there for milestones in his life too.
"When he was made Archbishop of Milwaukee, we flew up there for the ceremony. So we had to go to Rome," she said.
Friend Gloria Schwarz says she knew this was a moment she couldn't miss.
"You want to do what you can to be with him and support him in all ways because he is so wonderful with everybody," she said.
And they'll get plenty of time with the Cardinal-designate. The group will attend a series of masses, receptions and events leading up to the elevation ceremony.
They leave from Lambert on Tuesday and will be in Rome and Vatican City for about a week.
KSDK