Denver Catholic

INDEX Archbishop's Column ......................2 Call to Charity column ....................3 The Catholic Difference ..................4 Nun of the Above quiz ....................4 World/Nation.....................................7 Puzzle Page......................................13 Bulletin Board ................................. 14 Service Directory ........................... 15 113 Years of Service to the Gospel www.DenverCatholicRegister.org I Follow us on INSIDE SEMINARIES FATHER TOBÍAS RODRÍGUEZ New rector named for archdiocese's Redemptoris Mater Seminary PAGE 3 ANNIVERSARY For 25 years, they've prayed for us PAGE 12 HOLY ADVENT Starts Dec. 1 Archbishop's Column PAGE 2 Family Advent Calendar PAGE 5 Advent Penance Services (Bulletin Board) PAGE 14 Volume LXXXIX - No. 40 NOVEMBER 27, 2013 Students serve up Thanksgiving tradition STUDENTS from St. Bernadette School in Lakewood helped pack and serve some 3,000 warm Thanksgiving meals to senior citizens Nov. 23 during the Aurora Senior Citizens Thanksgiving dinner volunteer project at the Aurora Eagles Club. Thirty-one students, parents and hundreds of volunteers packed and served meals to seniors and the homebound to celebrate Thanksgiving and show appreciation. This is the first PHOTO BY DANIEL PETTY FOR THE DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER year St. Bernadette students volunteered for the community service project since the project's inception in 1976 along with police, fire and veterans groups. Grant aids Charities' flood relief, more needed BY JULIE FILBY Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver has been named recipient of a $1.8 million grant from its national office, Catholic Charities USA, to support ongoing flood relief and recovery efforts in the state. Denver's Catholic Charities was one of the area's primary early responders when a series of massive storms devastated portions of northern Colorado last September. As a result, flooding and mudslides damaged or destroyed nearly 20,000 homes across 4,500 square miles in 24 counties. Since the beginning, the agency has been committed to continuing their response "as long as it takes," according to president and CEO Larry Smith. "We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our program capabilities in an ongoing effort to assist victims in regaining and sustaining their physical, social, economic and spiritual well-being," Smith said. "Without Catholic Charities USA, our efforts to help those in need would have been greatly limited." Immediately following the floods, the local Charities' headquarters established three disaster relief centers—in Greely, Loveland and Windsor—in conjunction with a national team from Catholic Charities USA. To date, thanks to nearly $700,000 in donor support, they have assisted some 1,300 households with financial assistance, distribution of donated goods, and relocation to nearby temporary housing; in collaboration with partners including Red Cross, United Way and various federal, state and county offices. Their focus has now shifted to long-term assistance, which they have committed to for at least a three-year period. The grant will help fund continuing efforts. "We've moved into the next phase of responding where we can really help people toward long-term recovery," explained Diane Elio, emergency assistance and disaster response manager based at Charities' headquarters in Denver. This involves providing financial assistance in the form of rent and deposits, utilities, fuel and household furnishings; help securing housing, employment and transportation; and replacing or filing legal documentation; as well as case management and counseling. "The holidays are a really See Charities, Page 12 School of Faith ARCHBISHOP'S LECTURE SERIES EUCHARIST AS THANKSGIVING Eberstadt: family is answer to West's ills PAGE 2 MARY EBERSTADT Eucharist is the Greek word for "thanksgiving." Instituted by Christ at the Last Supper, the Eucharist has three Trinitarian components: Thanksgiving and praise to the Father; the sacrificial memorial of Christ and his body; and the presence of Christ by the power of his word and Spirit (CCC 1358). In the Mass, we receive Christ in the form of bread and wine and are present at Calvary where Christ gave himself up for our sins. In return, we present the joys and sorrows of our lives to God in thanksgiving for his gifts of creation, sacrifice and redemption. For Catholics, every Mass is a celebration of thanksgiving. —Denver Catholic Biblical and Catechetical schools

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