Denver Catholic

2 I CATHOLIC LIFE MAY 28, 2014 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER ARCHBISHOP'S COLUMN MOST REV. SAMUEL J. AQUILA "I have asked you. They have asked you, and she, my mother, has asked you. Will you refuse to do this for me, to take care of them, to bring them to me?" This is what Jesus said to Mother Teresa in a vision she had shortly before leaving the Loreto Sisters to work with the poor. In the Archdiocese of Denver we have people who are hungry or homeless. But the greater poverty, Mother Teresa reminds us, is to lack love, to not know God and experience his embrace. This week the archdiocese is launching a redesigned website (www.archden.org) that has the mission of intro- ducing people to Christ and his Church. We are doing this to help address the profound spiritual need that exists in our society and as a response to Pope Francis' call to create a "culture of encounter." Our faith is not a theory. It is an encounter with a person, Jesus Christ, who lives within the Church. In his 2014 message for World Communications Day, Pope Francis explained how to build a culture of encoun- ter by referring to the parable of the Good Samaritan, who acted as a "neighbor" toward the beaten and bruised stranger he met. "A culture of encounter," Pope Francis explained, "demands that we be ready not only to give, but also to receive. … The Internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is some- thing truly good, a gift from God." Using social media as a "neighbor" means drawing near to people and, in the words of the pope, taking responsibility for them as the Good Samaritan did. As you meet people, both in-person and online, I ask you to see it as a chance to be a neighbor who points the way to Christ. It is easy to be afraid of the mess that might result from trying to help someone, to take shelter in the anonymity of the Internet and pass along unnoticed like the priest and the Levite did in Jesus' parable. But Jesus calls us to focus on the person who is suffering from spiritual pov- erty or loneliness, rather than on ourselves, and to rely on his grace to help us. As I read Pope Francis' message on communications I came across a beautiful reflection that I would like to share with you so that you might be inspired in your efforts to be a neighbor in the digital world, and more importantly, in person. "Let our communication be a balm which relieves pain and a fine wine which gladdens hearts. May the light we bring to others not be the result of cosmetics or spe- cial effects, but rather of our being loving and merciful 'neighbors' to those wounded and left on the side of the road. Let us boldly become citizens of the digital world." This is the work of the new evangelization: to bring the news of reconciliation and forgiveness to the world through new means and with new enthusiasm! St. John Paul the Great, one of the Church's greatest communicators and evangelists, reminded us of Jesus' words of encouragement and so I recall them again. "Do not be afraid! Do not be afraid to engage in con- versations that touch those wounds that come from sin, from an absence of God or from damaged relationships. Do not be afraid to speak about the life, joy and happi- ness that Christ has brought you through his Church." May all of us take heed of the call to evangelize and to proclaim Jesus Christ to the world! Jesus is the greatest gift we can give another person, and a gift our world so desperately needs to encounter. Be an online 'Good Samaritan' OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS Deacon Matthew Archer, reappointed deacon at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Arvada, effective June 1, 2014. Deacon David Baez, reappointed deacon at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora, effective June 1, 2014. Deacon Ruben Duran, reappointed deacon at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora, effective June 1, 2014. Deacon Jerome Durnford, reappointed deacon at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Northglenn, effec- tive June 1, 2014. Deacon Taylor Elder, reappointed deacon at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Northglenn, effective June 1, 2014. Deacon Charles Hahn, reappointed deacon at Spirit of Christ Parish in Arvada, effective June 1, 2014. Deacon Steven Hinkle, reappointed deacon at Spirit of Christ Parish in Arvada, effective June 1, 2014. Deacon Tim Kelly, relieved of duties at Christ the King Parish in Evergreen, and appointed deacon at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Denver, effective July 1, 2014. Deacon Jerome Kraft, reappointed deacon at St. Joseph Parish in Fort Collins, effective June 1, 2014. Deacon Richard Medenwaldt, reappointed deacon at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Broomfield, effective June 1, 2014. Deacon James Moat, reappointed deacon at St. Anne Parish in Grand Lake and St. Peter Parish in Krem- mling and their Missions effective June 1, 2014. Deacon Leonard Onesky, reappointed deacon at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Broomfield, effective June 1, 2014. Deacon Christopher Pomrening, reappointed deacon at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Aurora, effec- tive June 1, 2014. Deacon Alan Rastrelli, reappointed deacon at St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial, effective June 1, 2014. Deacon John Riviera, reappointed deacon at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Windsor and St. Mary Par- ish in Ault, effective June 1, 2014. Deacon Frederick Torrez, reappointed deacon at St. Mary Parish in Greeley, effective June 1, 2014. Deacon Don Weiss, reappointed deacon at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Fort Collins, effective June 1, 2014. Deacon Richard Wilson, reappointed deacon at St. Mary Parish in Brush, effective June 1, 2014. Could I be a deacon? DCR FILE PHOTO BY DANIEL PETTY BY DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER The diaconate is an ordained ministry for men, either married or single. A clergy rank of the Church in Apostolic times, the diaconate eventually became a preliminary step toward ordination to the priesthood. While it still serves this purpose for men in priesthood formation, after the Second Vatican Council the permanent diaconate was reestablished as an independent rank of holy orders. Deacons can officiate at baptisms, weddings, wakes and funerals. They can also preach and distribute holy Communion. They cannot consecrate the Eucharist, hear confessions or anoint the sick. The St. Francis School of Theology for Deacons is hosting a series of discernment retreats for men (and if married, for their wives, too) who are interested in learning about the diaconate. The first retreat day June 28 will begin with Mass at 8 a.m. and include spiritual time plus a Q-and-A ses- sion. It will be held at the St. John Paul II Center, 1300 S. Steele St., in Denver. RSVP by calling 303-715- 3236 or email evelyn.andazola@archden.org.

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