Denver Catholic

I 3 DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER I MARCH 26, 2014 BY DOMINIC NEDBALSKI This is the second article in a five-part series featuring Catho- lic summer activities for youths. Imagine taking part in ar- chery, hiking, fishing, whitewa- ter rafting and crafts all while building your relationship with Christ. These are just some of the adventures that await partici- pants of Camp Wojtyla. Located on 1,200 acres of wilderness in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Camp Wo- jtyla provides participants with a unique mix of adventure and faith formation. "We have kids whose parents raised them so well," said Annie Powell, program director. "But faith has to become their own. It's important to have that head to heart connection." Camp Wojtyla was launched by FOCUS (Fellowship of Cath- olic University Students) in 2006 under the direction of Annie and Scott Powell, both of whom have served as FOCUS missionaries. Today the Powells run it as a separate nonprofit. It is named after Blessed John Paul II, who loved to minister to youths in a nature setting. Middle school participants spend six days at Camp Wojty- la, while high school campers spend eight days there. Some 35 college students staff the camp for two months as leaders. The leaders are unpaid, meaning their participation is done completely out of love for God and the campers. That's al- ways evident to Powell. "Kids will come down for breakfast and see these joyous, energetic college students," she said. "They quickly realize that they (the staff ) care about me as a camper." A typical day at camp con- sists of breakfast followed by an outdoor adventure like rock climbing or archery. The one daily team challenge is geared to promote unity and encour- age kids to overcome personal challenges such as getting up a rock face. "We want them to extract meaning from all experiences," said Powell. "It can come from just a silly game or conversa- tion. But there's reflection after every adventure." Daily Mass, adoration and confession gives participants regular opportunities to stabi- lize their faith. "They'll understand that God is a part of everything," said Powell. "That's what our pro- gram intentionally teaches." One of the highlights of Camp Wojtyla occurs at night. Following a moment of solidar- ity during the Stations of the Cross, participants and leaders attend a candlelight Mass that overlooks a meadow. A bonfire celebration con- cludes the week. Testimonials on the Camp Wojtyla website give witness to the power of the experience. "The last day at the team celebrations, I had tears in my eyes seeing the results of the week and could see how the Holy Spirit was at work," said Sylvia Harmon, parent of a re- cent middle school camper. "He is still talking all about it and learned so many things about his faith, relationships, God and who he is as a young man." Powell explained that much of the mission's power comes from the wilderness, therefore, participants are not allowed to have a cell phone or car during camp. "Every morning, I woke up to God's beautiful creation and that was enough to remind me how much he truly loves us," said camper Cassie Savrda. "Camp Wojtyla was incredible and I will never forget it." For more information on reg- istration or becoming a camp counselor, check out www. camp-w.com. Limited spots are open in select camps. Wait- list registration is available for all camps. "We want kids to see the Catholic life to the full and when they see imposters, they realize that the life in the Church is life to the fullest," said Powell. Next week's issue focuses on Colorado Challenge Summer Camp, whose goal is to help girls discover who God created them for, and how to love and live life to the full. CATHOLIC LIFE BY DOMINIC NEDBALSKI Archbishop Samuel Aquila is taking the joy of the Gospel to Colorado State University in Fort Collins next week. The archbishop will be there to discuss Pope Francis' ap- ostolic exhortation, "Evan- gelii Gaudium" ("The Joy of the Gospel"). The 2013 papal message was written to the bishops, clergy, consecrated persons and the lay faithful on announcing the Gospel. "Evangelii Gaudium" de- tails the Church's mission of evangelization in the modern world. Archbishop Aquila will speak about the document's impact, its implications for society and the unique mes- sage Pope Francis has for the faithful. Titled "Pope Francis and the Joy of Faith in Action," the talk is put on by Ram Catholic, the Catholic campus ministry organization of Blessed John XXIII University Parish that serves CSU students. The talk was organized through the Aggiornamen- to Institute, a Ram Catholic program whose mission is to bring scholars from around the world to speak about "top- ics that address conflicts with today's world and the Catholic Church." The institute formed out of the announcement of a Year of Faith by Pope Benedict XVI, who emphasized we must bring the "today" of our times into line with the "today" of God. "The institute has a way that makes faith concrete," said Jessica Harris, director of faith formation at Blessed John XXIII. "It helps students see how different walks of life act in the Church." Aggiornamento translates literally as "a bringing up to date." "Catholic intellectuals of dif- ferent vocations come to show how you can be Catholic and successful in any academic field you choose," said Harris. Previous talks included dis- cussion on stem cell research and different literary topics. Harris notes that Pope Fran- cis has brought new ener- gy and excitement to young adults in her parish. "He's making faith acces- sible in a new way," she said. "He's living by example and is a pope that shows caring concern." Archbishop Aquila's talk, the last of the academic semester, expects to draw somewhere between 200-300 people. Ram Catholic is looking forward to having the shepherd of the Denver Archdiocese at CSU, Harris said. "He's the local representa- tive of the Church and of the pope," she said. "He carries weight and authority given to him by apostles at the local level." "Pope Francis and the Joy of Faith in Action" will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 31 in the north ballroom of the Lory Student Center. Parking is available just north of the stu- dent center and is free after 4 p.m. Happiness is the truth: archbishop to take good news to CSU AGGIORNAMENTO INSTITUTE LECTURE When: 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 31 Where: north ballroom, CSU Lory Student Center Who: Archbishop Samuel Aquila Topic: "Pope Francis and the Joy of Faith in Action" Cost: free Information: 970-484-3356 Camp Wojtyla brings youths closer to faith through nature CAMP WOJTYLA Website: www.camp-w.com Phone: 303-586-1799 Email: apowell@camp-w.com PHOTO PROVIDED CAMP WOJTYLA is named after Blessed John Paul II, who loved to minister to youths in a nature setting. PHOTO PROVIDED See Obamacare, Page 3 should happen on the lowest possible level. "I think the HHS mandate demonstrates precisely why the principle of subsidiary is so im- portant," Therrien said. "This law allows the federal govern- ment to control the accessibil- ity and distribution of all health care resources. Is it good to allow the secular government to have this much power?" Business decisions William Newland said his Denver-based business Her- cules Industries strives to treat its 360 employees with respect and dignity, which includes offering generous health care coverage. However, they faced a dilemma when the HHS mandate forced the company to offer health coverage they found objectionable. The company filed a lawsuit in April 2012 arguing it has the right to exercise its faith in business. The 10th U.S. Cir- cuit Court of Appeal stopped enforcement of the mandate on the company in October 2013. "Obamacare demands that Americans choose between two poison pills—either com- ply and abandon your faith or resist and be heavily punished and fined," Newland said. "But every American, including business owners, should have the right to live and do busi- ness according to their faith." Lawsuits Along with some 20 oth- er attorneys general, John Suthers signed a brief op- posing Obamacare and the HHS mandate, arguing it's unconstitutional. At issue is the commerce powers of Congress, he said. "For the first time in histo- ry in the Affordable Care Act, Congress will say we have the power to force others into commerce; we have the power to force people to buy a partic- ular product or service. This is a huge departure from what the government has histori- cally done," Suthers explained. Medicaid expansion, a part of Obamacare, is also prob- lematic, he said. The requirement to expand the poverty level of Medicaid recipients or risk losing feder- al funding will amount to a $1 billion tax burden in Colorado by 2021, he said. The issue of religious liberty and the HHS mandate will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court through two cases, Se- belius v. Hobby Lobby Stores and Conestoga Wood Special- ties v. Sebelius. The Court be- gan to hear arguments March 25. Obamacare From Page 2

• Cover