Denver Catholic

DC_March 11, 2017

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2 MARCH 11-24, 2017 | DENVER CATHOLIC Archbishop's Page Archbishop's Column Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila PHOTO OF THE WEEK Published by the Archdiocese of Denver, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 Denver Catholic (USPS 557-020) is published bi-weekly, except monthly in January. Denver Catholic is printed by Prairie Mountain Publishing, LLC in Boulder. Periodical postage paid in Denver, CO. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $50 a year in Colorado; $57 per year out of state. Foreign countries: $57 surface, all countries, 6-8 weeks for delivery; $135 air, all other countries (average). Mexico, $63 air; Canada, $70 air. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Denver Catholic, Circulation Dept., 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 or email circulation@archden.org. CIRCULATION & CUSTOMER SERVICE: 303-715-3230 or info@archden.org. General Manager KARNA SWANSON Director ANDREW WRIGHT Business Manager MICHAEL O'NEILL ARCHBISHOP'S SCHEDULE MAR. 12: Mass, St. Lawrence Korean Parish, Aurora (11 a.m.) MAR. 15: Mass with seminarians and faculty, Redemptoris Mater Seminary chapel, St. John Paul II Center (5:30 p.m.) MAR. 16: Mass and blessing of oratory, St. Mary Academy, Englewood (9 a.m.) MAR. 17: Mass, Catechetical Formation Conference for Educators, Doubletree by Hilton, Denver (10:30 a.m.) MAR. 18: Mass and Institution of Lectors for deacon program, St. JPII Center (5 p.m.) MAR. 19: Mass, Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (10:30 a.m.); Prayer service commemorating 500th anniversary of the reformation, Bethany Lutheran Church (3 p.m.) MAR. 22: Mass and Institution of Acolytes, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, St. JPII Center (12:10 p.m.) MAR. 25: Mass and student awards for pro- life essays and artwork, Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (11 a.m.) @ArchbishopDen Feb. 26 4 new transitional deacons for #ArchDen - day of joy & blessing! +sja Healing the Reformation's wounds F ive-hundred years have passed since the Reformation rippled through the Church, caus- ing painful division and spurring changes. Sadly, even more divisions have occurred in that period. But the ecclesial and cultural landscape today is much di' erent than it was then, and we must respond to Christ's prayer that "we may all be one" (Jn 17:21) by speaking together about our faith, inspired by his Word and the Holy Spirit. This necessity reminds me of Pope Francis' passage in Evangelii Gaudium, where he observes that the "credibility of the Christian message would be much greater if Christians could overcome their divisions and the Church could realize 'the fullness of catholicity proper to her in those of her children who, though joined to her by baptism, are yet separated from full communion with her'" (EG, 244). Pope Benedict XVI also remarked in a March 2007 message to the Lutheran Worldwide Federation on the need to pursue Christian unity. He said, "(W)e are called in common witness to proclaim the saving mes- sage of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world su' ering distress and seeking orienta- tion at so many points. After all, 'We boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God'" (Rom. 5:2b). With this in mind, on March 19, I will be joining Evangelical Lutheran Bishop Jim Gonia for a cere- mony to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation at Bethany Lutheran Church in Denver. It will be an occa- sion for us to recognize that despite our di' erences, we are fellow pilgrims who are seeking the face of God. We also recognize that overcoming historic divisions and healing wounds is di¡ cult. It requires the presence and action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew this, which is why he prayed that his followers "may all be one," just as he and the Father are one (Cf. Jn 17:21). The noted spiritual writer, the late Carmelite Father Wilfrid Stinissen, described the Holy Spirit as "the great ecumenist." He says this is because if we let the Holy Spirit "live in and through us, we grow in unity, whether we will it or not. It is his 'charism to make all things one. He makes the Father and Son one God. He wants to make all denominations into one holy Church and all people into one body'" (The Holy Spirit, Fire of Divine Love, pages 10-11). The reality is that there is much that Lutherans and Catholics have in common. Over the past 50 years, our two churches have engaged in a theological dialogue that has found 32 points of agreement between us. Among the key areas of agreement are an acknowledgement of the apostolic nature of the Church, recognition of the divine origin of the ordained min- istry and its necessity for the church and a shared understanding of the Eucharistic presence. Despite the prevailing cultural winds that would have us discard our belief in the truth and merely search for agreements that allow us to work together, our ongoing dialogue must continue to be grounded in our faith. It must be what Pope Benedict XVI called "a dynamic inspired by the Word of God, by the divine Truth who speaks to us in this word." It is my hope that as this dialogue continues, Catholics and Lutherans are able to set aside our suspicions and seek the face of God together. I also ask you to join me in praying for the full unity of all Christians and to seek out opportunities to carry out works of mercy together, building up the body of Christ. The Commemoration Ceremony will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Denver on March 19, 2017 at 3 p.m. It will be an occasion for us to recognize that despite our di• erences, we are fellow pilgrims who are seeking the face of God." ARCHBISHOP AQUILA " Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila embraces Darrick Leier during the ordination to the Transitional Diaconate for Leier, Ángel Pérez, Roberto Rodríguez and Tomislav Tomic at the Cathedral Basilica of the Im macu- late Conception on Feb. 25. PHOTO BY DANIEL PETTY | DENVER CATHOLIC

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