Denver Catholic

2 I CATHOLIC LIFE AUGUST 27, 2014 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER ARCHBISHOP'S COLUMN MOST REV. SAMUEL J. AQUILA From Conan O'Brien to little kids inspired to help those in need, people across the country have taken up the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in the past few weeks. The campaign has achieved astronomical success, raising $53.3 million for ef- forts to fi nd a cure to Lou Gehrig's disease. In the Archdiocese of Denver, the superintendent of Catholic schools has taken the challenge and nominated several principals for it, but with one crucial difference. (See photo on Page 6.) Instead of directing donors to the ALS Association, the archdiocese is asking people to give to the John Paul II Med- ical Research Institute, or the Stem for Life Foundation. This is because the ALS Association funds an embryonic stem cell research project. Funding embryonic stem cell research cannot be glossed over because it involves serious moral issues. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains in paragraph 1753 that a "good intention … does not make behavior that is intrinsi- cally disordered … good or just. The end does not justify the means." The catechism then adds a line that applies even more clearly to embryonic stem cell research. "Thus," it says, "the condemnation of an innocent person cannot be justifi ed as a legitimate means of saving the nation." This means that regardless of how terrible or debilitating a disease is, it is never right or ethical to take the life of another person to fi nd a cure. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati was recently in the news for asking its students and principals not to take the ice bucket challenge, or if they did, to only donate to groups that use ethical research. The headlines were predictable: "Cincinna- ti Archdiocese throws cold water on ice bucket challenge;" "Archdiocese of Cincinnati douses enthusiasm for ice-bucket challenge in Catholic schools;" and "Archdiocese looks to freeze ice bucket challenge." But the media missed the point of the Cincinnati archdio- cese's objection. The idea was not to spoil students' fun but to underscore that the lives of embryonic children matter immensely and are just as valuable as those of us who have been blessed to be nurtured and brought into this world. Innocent life before birth and after birth has value and God given meaning for every Catholic and may not be terminated, whether by abortion or by research. Tens of thousands of people suffer from amyotrophic lat- eral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and many other debilitating illnesses, but we should not be so inhumane as to compound that suffering by taking the lives of innocent, defenseless embryonic children. Aside from the ethical considerations, the dismal results from clinical trials using human embryonic stem cells argue against their continuance. Dr. Robin Smith, president of the Stem for Life Foundation, explains in her 2013 book, "The Healing Cell," that at the time The ice bucket challenge's ethical surprise For more informa on and to register: www.HikeforHospice.org or call 303-561-5790 Join us for the 9th annual Hike for Hospice to benefit Porter Hospice and St. Anthony Hospice Sunday, September 14, 2014 Check in between 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m Olinger Mount Lindo, off Hwy. 285 South, Morrison, CO For more informa on and to register: www.HikeforHospice.org or call 303-561-5790 Sunday, September 14, 2014 Check in between 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m Olinger Mount Lindo, off Hwy. 285 South, Morrison, CO Join us for the 9th annual Hike for Hospice to benefit Porter Hospice and St. Anthony Hospice Sunday, September 14, 2014 Sunday, September 14, 2014 Check in between 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m Olinger Mount Lindo, off Hwy. 285 South, Morrison, CO Join us for the 9th annual Hike for Hospice to benefit The Catholic Register Proudly Supports Presen ng Sponsor: Right At Home Longtime formator Deacon Smith retires from archdiocese BY ROXANNE KING The Aug. 23 ordination of six permanent deacons was a joyous but poignant occasion for Deacon John Smith, who's been involved in di- aconal formation for the Denver Archdio- cese since 1979. The class was the last he will bring to ordina- tion here. Deacon Smith, 73, is retiring from the St. Francis School of Theology for Dea- cons at the end of the month. He began serving as director of diaconal formation in 2006. Deacon Mark Salvato be- came director of formation last year while Deacon Smith brought his fi nal two classes— another group of permanent deacons were ordained in Jan- uary—to ordination. "They are good, holy men," Deacon Smith said of his last groups, adding, "I will always consider the diaconate com- munity here as my brothers." And while he considers Den- ver his home diocese even though he's commuted from Mesquite, Nev., to minister here the last 12 years, he's not pining for what was. Rather, he aims to increase the minis- try he's been involved with at his home parish, La Virgen de Guadalupe, in Mesquite. "I always look to what God is calling me to, not what he's calling me from," Deacon Smith said. "Jesus says, 'God is the God of the living,' and I al- ways understand that in terms of not looking backwards and not projecting forwards, but staying focused on where I'm at." Ordained April 15, 1978, in Denver by Archbishop James Casey, since his ordi- nation Deacon Smith has primarily minis- tered in diaconal for- mation—35 of his 36 years—either fulltime or in addition to other apostolates. Just two years after his ordina- tion, he helped restructure the then just 4-year-old deacon formation program. His ser- vice has included 18 years as a chaplain at St. Anthony Hospi- tal, 10 years of parish ministry at St. Joan of Arc in Arvada, two years as pastoral administrator at Holy Family Church in Den- ver, and several years in jail and prison ministry through St. Joseph Parish in Golden. Four years ago, Deacon Smith and his wife, Kathy, were honored with a papal award, the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontif- ice ("For the Church and Pon- tiff") for exceptional service to the Church. "Deacon John's prayerful dedication and zeal for his vo- cation is a humble refl ection of Jesus Christ the Servant," said Deacon Joe Donohoe, director of Deacon Personnel. "He may be making his home in Nevada; but, the fruits of his ministry will live on in Denver through the many deacons who have been touched in such a posi- tive and powerful way by Dea- con John. We will miss him and his wife, Kathy." A transplant to Colorado from California, Deacon Smith spent four years in the U.S. Air Force and has a bachelor's de- gree in religious studies from Regis University, philosophy and psychology degrees from Metropolitan State College and a doctorate in psychology from The Union Institute. Mar- ried 49 years to Kathy, the cou- ple has two children and four grandchildren. His diaconal ministry has given him the opportunity to witness miracles of healing in people's lives and has caused his and his wife's faith to deep- en as well as taught them to re- ly on God's providence. "God was like a hound push- ing me to do this. It wasn't anything I wanted to do," Dea- con Smith said of his call to the diaconate. "It wasn't until I agreed to give him 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year that I fi nally had peace." He's sought to be faithful to his call, and God has been faithful in return. "God always provides," he said. His favorite part of diaconal formation ministry? "I always greatly enjoyed watching the men getting or- dained and then going out to serve the Church and God," he said. "It's like a little piece of me is out there with them." DEACON JOHN SMITH three children, Denise, Arturo Jr. and Sarai. They are parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua in Denver. Deacon Pedro Mota, 48, a con- struction worker, was born and reared in Durango. He and his wife, Leticia, have been married for 27 years and have four children, Pe- dro, Daniel, Luzemma and Odalys. They are members of Our Lady of Peace in Greeley. Deacon Antonio Guerrero, 48, the director of religious education at St. Dominic Parish in northwest Denver, was born in Candelaria and reared in Zacatecas. He and his wife, Maria, have been married for 18 years and have two children, Samuel and Analicia. They are members of St. Dominic's. Deacon Mario Alberto Vielma, 49, a King Soopers employee, was born and raised in Torreon. He and his wife, Maricela, have been married for 24 years and have two children, Mara and Ma- rio Jr. They are members of Holy Cross Parish in Thornton. Deacon José Antonio Rodríguez, 47, who previously worked in the hotel industry, was born and reared in Chihuahua. He is single and a member of St. John the Baptist Parish in Longmont. Deacon Roberto Cuevas, 43, a U.S. postal carrier, was born in Toluca and reared in Puebla. He and his wife, Felicitas, have been married for 16 years and have three children, Jesús, Roberto and Rafael. They are members of Ascension Parish in Denver. Deacons From Page 1 See Aquila, Page 5

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