Faith Fridays

After looking ahead to Sunday's readings, what came to mind was this:

We often gloss over the first and second readings despite their significant relation to the Gospel. Do not let the second reading pass you by this week. It is a clear message for this time and place. Try reading it on its own.

And upon reading Luke 16?

The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.” - John Wooden

While it is difficult to contest this modern adage, as believers we have the additional accountability to God that not only sees all that we do but also knows our heart as we do it. What a way to walk through our very human and broken experience!

And while understandable, it is unfortunate that so many conclude that this ever-watching God sets us up for a life of guilt. If we believe God that He is loving, forgiving and merciful, then guilt cannot be God's intention for us. True love does not beget guilt. Feeling, if not also taking ownership of, one's own wrong-doings might, and best settled by an internal examination of conscience, act of contrition and reconciliation... but that is an expression of our love of God in return.

Consider better that our omnipresent omniscient God is always lovingly by our side, despite our failings, offering us His mercy. It is in accepting His mercy that we can continue to navigate this complex worldly experience, and become better versions of ourselves by our efforts "when no one is watching."

For many years in the last decade it was my privilege to accompany a young lady through her childhood, high school and college years. Zeenat is the ultimate, inspiring example of the child who, in the words of my brother Marty, “will be president some day if someone will just pay attention to her.”

I think of her today as I read about that savvy steward who knew how to use money and resources (especially those belonging not to him but to his Master!) in order to save himself from ruin. Watching those who love Zeenat use the system stacked against her in order to get her an education, a safe home life, good nutrition, and support and growth for her deep religious faith was a Master Class in ingenuity.

I learned, during those years, a valuable lesson in the right use of wealth. Those who are poor need the resources of those who are prosperous, and they who use their lives and expertise in getting help to those who need it are the heroes of this world.

A whole army of teachers, social workers, and Catholic support groups made Zeenat’s success their #1 project. Using their minimal financial resources (but savvy connections with those in better positions to help), these First Responders acquired for her, while her brothers floundered and dropped out, a great education all the way through college. They found her safe homes to live in, and watched in awe as her own genius led her up and out of poverty.

Today she works in the financial district of Los Angeles. And her brothers? She paid it all forward, and pulled them up and out of poverty too.

What creative ways have you found to help bring justice and help to yourself and others?

Kathy McGovern©2022 www.thestoryandyou.com

Liz Barreca has offered to continue to host a Youth Group for our middle school and high school students on a volunteer basis. Thank you Liz for your dedication to the youth in our church!

Youth Group will meet every FIRST SUNDAY of the month, after Mass until 11:30am starting Sunday, October 2nd, 2022.

Come join in for fun, games, activities, and formation! Retreat and service opportunities are on the horizon too.

Contact the office with your questions: 303 534 4014.

Come see the new Bride's Room! Trey replaced the carpet and the cherry furniture has moved in. This room will serve many purposes: Bride's Room, Liturgy Resource and Planning Area, Accounting Station, Small Meeting Room and Bible Study... What do you envision?

Our pastor, Father Sam is away at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in England on silent retreat. Please offer prayers for safe and healthy travel, and a worthwhile experience. (The place looks lovely!)

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day

12:15pm Mass

Offered for Sandwich Line Volunteers

ALL Sandwich Line Volunteers are invited to attend the Feast Day celebration of St. Francis of Assisi at the 12:15pm Mass at St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

The Sandwich Line at St. Elizabeth of Hungary is well-rooted in Franciscan tradition, as the order once served here. Their example stems from St. Francis of Assisi who "did not try to abolish poverty." As he lived it, "he tried to make it holy." This is our inspiration for serving the hungry and homeless the way we do today.

Fr Richard is offering the Mass for all Sandwich Line volunteers and their intentions. All are welcome to attend.

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Have you heard something amusing or poignant on the line?

Share your experiences here!

Submit to lisa@stelizabethdenver.org

Religious Education - Sunday Mornings at the Cathedral

Open to children from 3rd grade to high school, including those who still need their sacraments.

It isn't too late to register yet, if you are interested please email:

religioused@denvercathedral.org."

Click on an image above to zoom in for easier reading.

Dear brothers and sisters,

It’s unbelievable that another month has passed and we are on another Faith Friday’s edition.

This publication has been such a blessing in the lives of so many members of our community. I’m deeply grateful to Lisa for putting this together.

I want to take advantage of this opportunity to invite you to participate in our activities and social media:

1. Tuesday October 4: Mass offered for the volunteers of the Sandwich Line and their intentions.
2. Youth Group on first Sundays of the month after Mass. For more info: http://stelizabethdenver.org/youth-group/
3. Weekly bulletin: http://stelizabethdenver.org/bulletin/
4. Our website: http://stelizabethdenver.org/
5. Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stelizabethdenver

May God keep blessing you abundantly.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Richard, MC

This is a personal thank you from me, Lisa, to you... there have been many of you who have recognized the challenges of the transition and have offered help, kind words, prayers and validation. I am so grateful to you - you know who you are - for your support by word and deed. "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path." - Psalm 119:105

As was previously announced, St. Elizabeth of Hungary is the recipient of an award from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 2021 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)! The $150,000 award will be used to add security in the form of cameras and monitoring on the exterior of our buildings. The Request for Proposal is in development, and the State of Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will conduct a site visit in October.

Thanks to Theresa Brandorff, Grants Manager at the Archdiocese of Denver, a second application for a 2022 award was submitted on our behalf. This grant was written for the enhancement of security on doors, windows and gates that allow entry to our property and buildings. We have just received word that our second grant was approved! We have yet to learn the amount of the award.

Moreover, we have received word from the Archdiocese of Denver that we have been awarded an ACA Grant in the amount of $30,000 to help offset operating expenses during this transition year. This will be paid out in quarterly installments. As of last week, we received the first $7500 promised.

Updates to the Financial Snapshot are coming. We hope to include more timely updates in the weekly bulletin starting next quarter.

The financial presentation to the community will be scheduled for October 2022.

If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact your Business Manager, Lisa McMahon: lisa@stelizabethdenver.org

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ONLINE: Start or increase contributions today through our electronic giving program. It takes just a few minutes to set up a recurring giving plan. To learn more, go to NEW! Online Giving.

ON YOUR PHONE: Download the VANCO MOBILE app to your phone from your app store for easy and efficient Mobile Giving. Search for "St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church" - and set up your profile. Simple!

THROUGH TEXT: Just text the amount of your donation (whole numbers only) to 844.975.3611. You will get a link back to which you connect to complete your donation. Fast!

Business Manager - Lisa M. McMahon

On-Site at St. ElizabethT/Th: 9:30am - 11:30am

On-Site at Cathedral T/Th: 11:30am - 2:30pm

Maintenance - Trey Turner

On-Site Monday - Friday: 12pm - 2pm

Safety Associates on duty 9am -12pm:

Monday through Friday: Trey Turner

Saturday and Sunday: Lisa McMahon

FOCUS missionaries have arrived and are meeting and praying daily in the rectory and church! It is a great blessing to see the life and vitality they bring into the space.

Frs. John and Richard are diving in with a very hands on and helpful approach to assuming roles and responsibilities for St. Elizabeth of Hungary. See "Introducing...!" below for their bios.

On site, there has been much organizing, culling, and moving of things throughout the church and rectory in an effort to preserve our history and our assets, and to make the available space in the church as usable as possible for continuing our work and our ministries.

To that end:

1. Old and mismatched chairs were removed from the choir loft, church pews were aligned, and a meeting space was created for 10 people on the south side of the loft. A Wall of History is planned for the old photographs and memorabilia that used to hang in the Rectory halls.

2. Green padded church chairs were allocated to St. Anthony's (north) Chapel for prayer and/or adoration, along with a folding table so meetings may be held on the ground floor.

3. The Working Sacristy has been cleaned and reorganized so it can now serve as a Music, Environment and Hospitality easy access storage area, as well as Copy/Work Room, Break Room, Grooms' Room and Small Meeting Room.

4. The Pantry off the main kitchen will be retained as a part of Sandwich Line operations, and has been repurposed as an office for the Safety Associate. Volunteer information, Department of Health protocols and logs as well as emergency supplies will be kept on hand in this office. It will serve as a landing spot for the Safety Associates, as well as an internal area from which they can stay visually connected with our guests in the alley.

5. The Bride's Room is a work in progress. Once the carpet is replaced, the cherry wood office furniture will outfit it. The room will remain the Bride's Room but also serve as the Liturgy Office and Resource Room, Accounting Station, Work Space, and small Meeting Room. This should be completed by month end.

6. Some Sacramental Records have been brought up to the Cathedral and the Business Office is in the process of packing up. Thankfully, more time was granted for this part of the move.

7. This past Sunday, parishioners were invited to come take from the items that we are leaving behind. These items were gathered in the Dining Room, Atrium and Kitchen. These rooms, in addition to the Fancy Table Room and Altar of Repose Room, have now been turned over to FOCUS for their use as they begin their outreach and ministry on campus. We wish them well.

Fr. John Ignatius Ezratty, mc was born in Buenos Aires (Argentina). He joined the Religious Order of Miles Christi at the time of its foundation. He studied Philosophy at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina and Theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. He was ordained a priest in 2002. He served as the Executive Secretary of the Order and as a Pastor of St. Helena Parish in Luján, Argentina.

After being Dean of Studies, Professor of Philosophy and Spiritual Director at the Miles Christi Seminary in Argentina, in 2010 he came to the United States and was assigned to the community of the Order in the Archdiocese of Detroit, MI. From there he traveled the country preaching spiritual retreats and offering spiritual direction.

Fr. John just arrived in Denver where he will work as a full time National Chaplain for FOCUS (The Fellowship of Catholic University Students) and serve at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church at the Auraria Campus.

Fr. Richard Castro Huergo, MC, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 1, 1975. He is the oldest of five siblings, four boys and a girl. After high school, Fr. Richard felt moved to join the religious order Miles Christi and started his philosophical studies. Fr. Richard obtained a Licentiate in Philosophy in Argentina at the Colegio Maximo de San Miguel.

In 2002 his superiors sent him to the Miles Christi house in Michigan. There he earned a Masters in Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the Archdioceses of Detroit. In December 9, 2006, he was ordained as a Priest for Miles Christi.

After ministering in Michigan for a while, Fr. Richard moved to San Diego where he was a high school chaplain, preached silent retreats and offered spiritual direction for about 14 years.

Fr. Richard enjoys going for walks and is very proficient in information technology. He currently has been assigned to St. Elizabeth of Hungary and is a chaplain to the Auraria Campus Catholic community.

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) is a Catholic collegiate outreach whose mission is to share the hope and joy of the gospel with college and university students, inspiring and equipping them for a lifetime of Christ-centered evangelization, discipleship and friendships in which they lead others to do the same.

Their approach is to win the hearts of college students, build them in the faith and send them to the world by:

• Encountering God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.
• Building genuine friendships, meeting students on a deeper level.
• Teaching students how to share the gospel, who in turn teach other students how to pass it on.

For more information: www.focus.org

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Everyone who receives this newsletter is invited to send in your own stories, pictures, anecdotes, or messages - or propose a new section for content. We would love to hear from you!

To register as a parishioner go to: https://connectnow.parishsoft.com/Denver

To make an online donation: click the blue Online Giving button at http://stelizabethdenver.org/

To add yourself to our newsletter distribution list, contact: lisa@stelizabethdenver.org

Email: lisa@stelizabethdenver.org
Website: www.stelizabethdenver.org
Location: 1060 St. Francis Way Denver, CO
Phone: 303 534 4014
Twitter: @stelizabethden

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