Denver Catholic

2 I CATHOLIC LIFE APRIL 2, 2014 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER ARCHBISHOP'S COLUMN MOST REV. SAMUEL J. AQUILA Rejoice! This is the message that was proclaimed this past Sunday as we shifted our focus from the prayer, fasting and almsgiving that characterize Lent to rejoice over being half- way through our journey to Jesus' resurrection at Easter. The name for Laetare Sunday comes from the opening words of the Scripture that are prayed or sung at the begin- ning of Mass and are known as the introit. Last Sunday's introit begins, "Laetare Jerusalem" ("Rejoice Jerusalem"), quoting from Isaiah 66, which continues: "be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance." What a beautiful reminder that Christ has come to save us and that he will restore the world so that it is even more glorious than before the fall of Adam and Eve! And yet, if we let our eyes and hearts stray from this eter- nal perspective, rejoicing can seem ridiculous, especially when we look at the world around us. The evil one always wants to take us away from the joy of the Gospel and lead us into discouragement and despair. I want to remind you, though, that through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it is not only possible but necessary to rejoice in times of difficulty. I cannot think of a single saint who did not experience this test of the authenticity of their faith and joy. St. Peter and the apostles exemplified this when they were brought before the chief priests because they preached in the Temple about Jesus and his resurrection from the dead. Upon being questioned by the Jewish council, Peter replied: "The God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him" (Acts 5:29-32). After their appearance before the council, they were told not to speak in the name of Jesus and were beaten. What is astounding is that the apostles responded to this treatment by rejoicing that they were "counted worthy to suffer for the name" (Acts 5:40). When was the last time that you were treated poorly be- cause of your faith and your response was to rejoice instead of getting angry, defensive or discouraged? Without a Christian belief in the resurrection, rejoicing over physical suffering or even verbal suffering can seem almost sadistic. But if you look more closely at the apostles' reaction, you will see that their response is fueled by love for Jesus' name. Jesus experienced the same kind of rejec- tion and persecution. In the Jewish tradition, a person's name signifies their identity and mission in life. So, when the apostles rejoiced because they suffered for Jesus' name—which means "God saves" in Hebrew—they were echoing the same message that Peter gave the council: God exalted Jesus to save Israel. Besides the other apostles, Peter also pointed to the Holy Spirit as a witness. We should not fail to call upon the Holy Spirit when we suffer, asking him for his gifts. How often do you ask the Holy Spirit for his seven gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord? All of these gifts play a part in helping us rejoice in the midst of difficulty. In particular, wisdom and fortitude can help us to see circumstances as God does and to persevere in loving him despite adversity. The late Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan comes to mind as someone who was able to rejoice while he suffered through 13 years in prison for the faith. On the day that he was arrested in 1975, Cardinal Van Thuan decided he would live his captivity not merely as "a Jesus brings joy to adversity DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER CIRCULATION CUSTOMER SERVICE: 303-722-4687 OR CIRCULATION@ARCHDEN.ORG Published by the Archdiocese of Denver, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 Denver Catholic Register (USPS 557-020) is published weekly except the last week of December and the first week of January, and in June, July and August when it goes bi-weekly. The Register is printed by Signature Offset in Denver. Periodical postage paid in Denver, CO. Subscriptions: $35 a year in Colorado; $42 per year out of state. Foreign countries: $42 surface, all countries, 6-8 weeks for delivery; $135 air, all other countries (average). Mexico, $48 air; Canada, $55 air. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Denver Catholic Register, Circulation Dept., 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 or e-mail circulation@archden.org. Editorial: 303-715-3215 or editor@archden.org Advertising: 303-715-3253 or dcrads@archden.org Circulation: 303-715-3211 or circulation@archden.org Online: www.DenverCatholicRegister.org General Manager Karna Swanson Editor Roxanne King Business Manager Michael O'Neill Thought about being a deacon? BY NISSA LAPOINT Men who've thought about a call to the diaconate are invited to a one-day discernment re- treat in Denver. The archdiocese's St. Francis School of Theology for Deacons will host the first of a series of retreats June 28 for men seeking information and guidance. The day will include spiritual time to aid men in discerning ordination into holy orders. A deacon, meaning "ser- vant" in Greek, has a special attachment to the bishop and is ordained to the ministry of service. Deacons may serve the Church by baptizing, proclaim- ing the Gospel, preaching, pre- siding at marriages and funer- als, and assisting bishops and priests during Mass. Deacons cannot consecrate the Eucha- rist or hear confessions. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church restored the diaconate as a permanent rank of holy orders. Both mar- ried and unmarried men may receive the sacrament. Some deacons may find they're called to minister in one of many ways. Deacons may minister to prisoners, the sick, migrants, the poor and mar- ginalized or be assigned to help serve a priest at a parish. The upcoming retreats in- clude time for Q-and-A. Mar- ried men are asked to bring their wives, since a commitment to serve the Church involves the entire family. The retreats begin with Mass at 8 a.m. at the John Paul II Cen- ter, 1300 S. Steele St., in Denver. The day ends by 4:15 p.m. Those interested in pursuing the vocation are asked to meet with their pastor for an initial discernment then register for the discernment day by calling 303-715-3236. A pastor will sub- mit a recommendation and the candidates are asked to submit an application. DISCERNMENT RETREATS When: June 28, July 26, Sept. 13 or Oct. 11 RSVP and questions: 303- 715-3236 or evelyn.andazola@ archden.org Mountain priest gets new post at chancery BY NISSA LAPOINT Longtime Denverite and mountain pastor Father Randy Dollins will return to the city this summer to assume his new as- signment as the Denver Archdio- cese's vicar general and moderator of the curia. Father Dollins, pas- tor of St. Mary Parish in Breckenridge and Our Lady of Peace in Silver- thorne, was appointed by Archbishop Samuel Aquila to undertake the position at the chancery on the John Paul II Cen- ter campus effective May 21. "I have a genuine enthusiasm to be down there and to serve the Archdiocese of Denver and serve the archbishop," Father Dollins said. He will succeed Msgr. Thomas Fryar, who served as vicar gener- al and moderator for 10 years and as pastor for eight years at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immac- ulate Conception downtown. After serving in several roles at the chancery since 1989 includ- ing vicar for clergy and vocations director, Msgr. Fryar will become the new pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial effec- tive June 18. "I'm finding that with all the mixed feelings, the hardest of the priesthood for me is leaving a community and taking a new as- signment," Msgr. Fryar said. "But I've also found God has never given me a call and assignment that hasn't been a real blessing." For Father Dollins, the position represents a welcome change since his family and friends live in the Denver-metro area, he said. "I'm excited to re- turn to Denver," Father Dollins said. "I've been in the mountains since I was ordained. All my friends and family are in Denver. I'm excited to be closer to them." Father Dollins has roots in Mission Vie- jo, Calif., where he was baptized before his family moved to Aurora in 1979. A graduate of Overland High School, he worked as a graphic designer at a sportswear compa- ny before serving as a youth min- ister at his home parish Queen of Peace in Aurora. Father Doll- ins also served for the National Evangelization Teams in Minne- sota before he returned to Den- ver and entered seminary. Father Dollins earned a bach- elor's degree in philosophy and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in sacred theology. He earned his master's in divinity from St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. He was marked with the seal of holy orders September 2006 upon his diaconal ordination and on May 2007 upon his priestly or- dination at the Cathedral Basilica. "I've been in Denver my whole life," he said. "The archdiocese is really dear to me." Since his ordination, Father Dollins has ministered to the mountain community and over- saw the building of a $6 million, 13,000-square-foot church, Our Lady of Peace, in 2012. He combined his love for the great outdoors with prayer and fellowship through "Power and Prayer with Padre." The ministry was an avenue for area Catho- lics to join in prayer and skied together. He also offered a simi- lar summer ministry called Hail Mary Hikes. Father Dollins is behind the Lenten "Sacrificium" project that's grown in popularity since 2010. Black or purple wristbands marked with the words "Sacrifici- um" were made to help faithful re- member their intended sacrifices during the penitential season. Between 2007 and 2011, Fa- ther Dollins served as parochial vicar at churches along the West- ern Slope. He became pastor at St. Mary in Breckenridge and was appointed vicar forane to over- see the Western Slope Deanery in 2011. In 2013, he assumed the role of director of continuing formation for priests, a position he will con- tinue while vicar general. Father Dollins said he looks forward to collaborating with the archdiocesan offices and promot- ing the vision of the archbishop. FATHER RANDY DOLLINS See Aquila, Page 5

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