Sen. Kennedy Misses Sister Shriver's Mass

Thousands of people, including many Special Olympians, lined the street Friday outside a Cape Cod church where a private funeral Mass was being held for presidential sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Shriver, the founder of the Special Olympics who is widely credited with helping to change the world's perception of the mentally disabled, died Tuesday at age 88. Her only living brother, Sen. Edward Kennedy, who has been battling brain cancer, was not planning to attend his sister's funeral.

Her daughter, Maria Shriver, and her husband, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and other family members carried the casket into Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church after a procession moved slowly past thousands of people outside.

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The crowds were largely silent amid the ringing of the church bell and the playing of a lone bagpipe. The procession was led by law enforcement and athletes, including Margarite Heffernan, of Harwich, a Special Olympian in 1968, and her son Sean, from Orleans, who is now an athlete. The two carried the Special Olympic torch ahead of the casket.

"If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't be here today," said Michael Bogdan, 28, a Special Olympian who competed in swimming and track.

The private Mass was to feature traditional Irish music and eulogies from her grandchildren, son-in-law, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and others.

Among the invited guests are Vice President Joe Biden, Oprah Winfrey, Jon Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

The private funeral came a day after thousands of mourners flocked to Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church during a public wake.

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