Denver Catholic

INDEX Archbishop's Column ......................2 Real Life Catholic .............................3 The Catholic Difference ..................4 Nun of the Above quiz ....................4 World/Nation.....................................6 Puzzle Page......................................13 Bulletin Board ................................. 14 Service Directory ...................... 14-15 www.DenverCatholicRegister.org I Follow us on INSIDE SCHOOLS 113 Years of Service to the Gospel Volume LXXXIX - No. 29 SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 Pleading for peace in Syria Vigils worldwide seek end to Syrian violence BY NISSA LAPOINT PHOTO BY NISSA LAPOINT/DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER Digging into education PAGE 8 CATHOLIC LIFE 40 Days for Life now in seven Colorado cities PAGE 3 As politicians in Washington continue to debate a U.S. military strike on Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons, Catholic voices in Denver and abroad grew louder about the dire consequences, culminating in a global vigil for peace. Pope Francis called a military solution to Syria "futile" and petitioned faithful to a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the world. He led a vigil Sept. 7 before some 100,000 in St. Peter's Square in Rome. In Denver, Archbishop Samuel Aquila led a five-hour prayer vigil amid an accelerating tempo of pressure toward military action against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose regime is accused of using sarin gas to kill more than 1,400 people in August. The archbishop echoed the pope in condemning the use of chemical weapons and the importance of seeking peace first. "Should a strike take place against Syria, it will be very easy for the entire tinderbox of the Middle East go up in flames, creating perhaps another world war," he told faithful gathered for the vigil at the Cathedral Basilica of PHOTO BY DANIEL PETTY FOR THE DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER ARCHBISHOP Samuel Aquila leads faithful in eucharistic adoration at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Denver the evening of Sept. 7. Pope Francis called for the day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and the entire world. the Immaculate Conception in prayer. Others, like Regis UniShirley Montoya of the CaDenver. "It is important for us versity and St. Catherine of Sie- thedral Basilica said it's imto understand the complexity na Parish in Denver, held their portant for Christians to pray, of the situation, but more im- own vigils. fast and "just keep love in our Alex and Elisabeth Kilates hearts." portant yet is our prayer, joining our hearts and minds with of the Cathedral Basilica said all Catholics throughout the they came to pray for Syrians. Engulfed in strife "We're part of the mystical world." Debate on a response to Syria The vigil was punctuated body of Christ," Alex said. "It's arose as conflict in the country with Benediction, song, re- not about whether or not we're escalated. citing the rosary and periods going to go as a country to atTensions in the Middle East beof silence. Parishioners came tack the Syrian government. tween Sunni and Shia Muslims, from across the diocese and It's really about the people and the two major denominations of filled the 800-seat Cathedral their suffering and praying for See Peace, Page 2 Basilica to dedicate an hour to them." BOOK YEAR OF FAITH: CROSS Book explores the longings of the human heart and the Church's response PAGE 12 The cross is the instrument of execution on which Christ died; a symbol of the unique sacrifice of Christ as sole mediator between God and man. Jesus invited his disciples to take up their cross daily and follow him (Luke 9:23). Catholics begin their day, prayers and actions with the Sign of the Cross—"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen"—because it signifies the grace of redemption Christ won for us on the cross and designates us as belonging to him. The Sign of the Cross strengthens us in temptations and difficulties. —Denver Catholic Biblical and Catechetical schools

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