Denver Catholic

21 WYD 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION | DENVER CATHOLIC | AUGUST 11-24, 2018 Sacred Heart Jesuit Rereat House i i 4801 North Highway 67, P.O. Box 185, Sedalia, CO 80135 Phone 303-688-4198 ext. 122 (information/reservations) www.sacredheartretreat.org facebook.com/sacredheartretreat EVENTS Silent Weekends September 14-16 – Men Fr. Paul Patin, S.J. Traditional Ignatian Retreat September 28-30 – Nam và N Fr. Hanh Pham, S.J. Xin Cho Chúng Nên Mt – Tĩnh tâm Hôn nhân Gia đình October 5-7 Fr. Vince Hovley, S.J. Most Precious Blood Parish Retreat Prayer Days September 18 Sr. Eileen Currie, M.S.C. Making Choices in Daily Life October 9 Fr. Vince Hovley, S.J. An Art of Living October 22 Fr. Ed Kinerk, S.J. Gratitude and Forgiveness EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS TODAY! MARIPOSA 1240 W 10th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204 MARGERY REED MAYO DAY NURSERY 1128 28th Street, Denver, CO 80205 CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER 1155 Decatur Street, Denver, CO 80204 High Quality and affordable child care and education offered year-round Contact Enrollment Line today for this great opportunity: 720-799-9280 or enrollment@ccdenver.org Starts July 1, 2018 Pre-school 3-5 years* Hours 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday Colorado Shines Level 4 *limited sibling spots for infant and toddlers available Mention this ad for a FREE application fee ccdenver.org/ece "We provide more than aordable early childhood education. We prepare children for school, empower families, and alleviate poverty." of people are out there, and every one of them thinks that he is looking at them.' And he was like that! He just had that connection even in a huge crowd." LOCAL LOGISTICS In the past two decades, Denver has hosted the 2008 Democratic National Convention and the city has celebrated three Super Bowl wins by the Denver Broncos and two Stanley Cup titles by the Colorado Avalanche, but things were a bit diŸ erent back in 1993. "We were still kind of just the little town on the plains to a lot of people, just this western outpost," said Benemann. "So, we knew leading up to it this was such a huge deal, and it really did end up putting us on the map." The local TV stations had live cover- age of every major event during the week, each one memorable in its own way. "I remember [the pope] entering Mile High Stadium in the "pope mobile" but then also shaking hands with so many young people," said Walsh, a news anchor at CBS4. "The cheers were louder than any Broncos game." And when Pope John Paul II went up to the mountains to visit Camp St. Malo, the media went as well. "Ed Sardella was doing a live shot in front of St. Malo and the pope came out and just wandered away from his security and started shaking hands with all the people that were out there, and then he wandered right into our live shot and Ed Sardella talked to him live on TV!" said Shapiro. "It was totally unplanned, but that's just the way this pope kind of was." There were also unique experiences behind the scenes. Shapiro recalled sleeping at his station in a sleeping bag, so he'd be ready to go every morning for the next event. Trujillo said ABC7 rented a house at Cherry Creek State Park to avoid the tra¢ c, and Walsh hosted a CBS4 crew at her own house near the park for the same reason. "Thousands of pilgrims walked by [our house] on their way to spend the night in the park. I remember how they sang and laughed," said Walsh. "As I look back, what strikes me most is it was a kinder, gentler time. I heard countless languages, but I never heard a harsh word. Those young people were packed into the park, but they were thrilled to be there." POPE IN THE PARK The week, and the coverage, culmi- nated with the Mass at Cherry Creek State Park. "Just remarkable to see that many people come together in spirit and in prayer, and people of all diŸ erent denominations — that was really excit- ing," said Benemann. "Really, no matter what your faith community, it seemed like just about everybody in town was extremely excited to have the pope here." With estimates of 750,000 people in attendance, it is still to this day possibly the largest gathering in state history. "It was such a melding of humanity in a way in which violence and upset and discord and all that seemed to be set aside," said Landess. "It was a fabulous event for Denver and a fabulous event for the world to see." And even though the anchors and reporters were working, they said they still felt a part of the life-changing week. "No matter who you believe... or what your religious beliefs are, I think when you see one man draw a crowd bigger than anything that's ever been done in Colorado, I would hope that our community would have stepped back and said there is something powerful happening in Denver, Colorado, right now and it's all good," said Trujillo. "I think it is always easiest to look at the last big thing and say, 'That was the biggest ever,' but I certainly can't remember anything as big as World Youth Day," said Benemann. "We have had sports championships, and con- ventions but for me that will always be the most signifi cant event I will have covered in my career as a reporter." Mike Landess presents a gift to the pope. I think it is always easiest to look at the last big thing and say, 'That was the biggest ever,' but I certainly can't remember anything as big as World Youth Day." JIM BENEMANN "

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