Denver Catholic

23 WYD 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION | DENVER CATHOLIC | AUGUST 11-24, 2018 www.proximotravel.com 508-340-9370 Hablamos Español 855-842-8001 anthony@proximotravel.com Call us 24/7 Several trips to different destinations: the Holy Land; Italy; France, Portugal, & Spain; Poland; Medjugorje, Lourdes, & Fatima; Ireland & Scotland; England; Austria, Germany, & Switzerland; Greece & Turkey; Budapest; Prague; Our Lady of Guadalupe; Colombia; Brazil; Argentina; Domestic Destinations; etc… We also specialize in custom trips for Bishops, Priests and Deacons We also offer other trips with prices starting at $2,499 ~ Prices are ALL-INCLUSIVE with Airfare from anywhere in the USA Disclosure *APR (Annual Percentage Rate). The Annual Percentage Rate is the advertised rate. Borrowers credit score must be 680 and above to receive the 3.49% interest rate. Terms not to exceed 60 months; debt to income ratio not to exceed 45%; Loan to value not to exceed 125% of NADA value. Rates are subject to change. **Oer not valid for existing Credit Union loans, or renances of recreational vehicles or vehicles used for business purposes; some vehicles may not apply based on age or condition; not valid on indirect loans.Oer only good on new, pre-owned and renanced vehicles. Oer good July 1 - August 31, 2018. 1 Subject to credit approval, cannot be combined with any other oer, must mention at time of purchase. Matching down only applies to in-stock vehicles above $6000. Vehicle must be nanced using standard nancing terms through Fidelis Catholic Federal Credit Union. Oer is for a limited time only. Rates are subject to change. Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency NCUA AUTO LOAN RATE 3.49 % NEW | USED | REFINANCED ** up to 60 Months APR * When you purchase a vehicle from AutoTrek you receive: • 90 Days No Payment • Up to $500 Matching Cash • 3 Years Roadside Assistance 1 Call: 303.424.5037 Click: Fideliscu.org or Come by today FOLLOW US: facebook.com/FidelisCatholicCreditUnion @FidelisCatholicCreditUnion society was thinking and think, 'It would be good to be a priest. It would be supported by people,' because priests are kind of celebrities at WYD. That expanded into thinking that being a Catholic was actually cool," he recalled. The seed that was planted would bear its fruit after WYD '97 in Paris, where he took a group of young men and women, so they could experience what he expe- rienced. There, he met Archbishop Chaput, who talked to him about the priesthood and entering the seminary. His most vivid memory is being amazed at the figure of the pope. "I didn't know the pope was that big of a deal. I knew the pope was the head of the Church but at WYD people were going abso- lutely nuts for him. So, I was just saying, 'I think I missed something.' I remember sitting there and thinking, 'Being Catholic is a lot more than I thought.' "But when the pope came in and I saw his charisma I said, 'I under- stand why this guy is such a big deal.' I was witness- ing the appearance of a living saint, so you're confused when you don't know how to cate- gorize it," Father Dollins concluded. SISTER MARY CONCEPTA Local Superior of the Sisters of Life in Denver Growing up as a Catholic in Maine was not easy for Sister Mary Concepta. Witnessing only her family practice the faith among friends and acquaintances made Catholicism seem lonely. That idea changed radi- cally when she attended WYD '93 as a high school student, which set her on a journey that would lead her to the religious life. "I grew up in a very rural community with not many Catholics, so I was completely astounded by how many young Catho- lics there were [at WYD] that really desired to learn and live their faith," she said. "Being present at all these events… made a tre- mendous impact on me, knowing that I was not alone in desiring to live my faith, even though I had felt that way my entire life." Other than feeling like a survivor after arriving at Cherry Creek Park in the heat and altitude, she remembers vividly being in adoration with the Holy Father and the impres- sion his words had on her. "What made the big- gest impact was that he was encouraging us to be bold in this culture that wants to deny and minimize faith, to not be afraid because we're surrounded by so many young Catholics that desired the same thing, to be authentic disciples of Christ," she recalled. Attending WYD '93 had much to do with dis- covering her vocation. During the WYD activi- ties, her group went to an "excellent" catechism ani- mated by Franciscan Uni- versity of Steubenville. After meeting students and former students of the college, she made the decision to apply to the school. It was as a student at Franciscan that she met the Sisters of Life. "The ministry we're now doing in Denver is all about spreading the Gospel of life, the beauti- ful plan that God has for each person," Sister Con- cepta said. "The overfl ow of the Holy Father calling me to the greatness of dis- cipleship at WYD [is now present in] being able to plan that seed in the hearts of young people in college campuses and call them to the joy of the Gospel." FATHER FELIX MEDINA Pastor at Queen at Peace Parish He had a dream of becoming a scientist until he heard Jesus speak to him in the words of Saint John Paul II at WYD '93. He then realized his aspiration was small compared to the mission Jesus had for him. When he was a college student, Father Felix was excited about attending WYD in Denver from Spain, with his youth community of the Neocatecumenal Way. He remembers the pope's homily at Cherry Creek Park, which changed his life. "I saw that he was talking to me. Some- thing was touching me personally because of all the fears that I had of giving testimony, of going out of my comfort zone," he said. "I had my plans, I was studying mathe- matics at the University of Salamanca and wanted to be a scientist, but John Paul II was saying that life was under attack, that there was battle of life and death and that the Lord was calling us to not be afraid." It is then that he heard God's voice. "In that homily, I heard for the fi rst time in my life that God was calling me in a personal way, that he was telling me, 'Be not afraid. It's not the time to be ashamed of the Gospel,'" he recalled. "And I saw that this was a calling for me and that I couldn't live with this fear of giving my life to God, with the fear of being like the apostles and sharing with others what God had given me." He was later chosen to go to the Redempto- ris Mater Seminary in Denver without know- ing it and was ordained a priest in 2004. "Out of all the places where I could have been sent, now I am fi ve minutes away from Cherry Creek. I remem- ber that experience every time I pass by there," he said. "It's a passionate adventure to be a pastor." Carmen Elena Villa and Moira Cullings contrib- uted to this report.

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