Denver Catholic

24 AUGUST 11-24, 2018 | DENVER CATHOLIC | WYD 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION S hortly after Pope John Paul II vis- ited Denver during World Youth Day in 1993, Curtis Martin had the opportunity to meet with the pope and share his vision for an organization called FOCUS. The idea was that FOCUS (Fellow- ship of Catholic University Students) would evangelize students on college campuses, a place where many people lose their faith. When the pope heard the idea, his message for Martin was simple. "Be soldiers," he said. "We've really taken that as a heart- felt call to be soldiers for Christ, to be willing to lay down our lives for the sake of the Gospel," said John Zimmer, Vice President of Apostolic Development at FOCUS. Over the past 25 years, FOCUS has impacted tens of thousands of young people across the country and the world. It's one of several organizations that hit the ground running after the pope's visit, sparked by his call for a New Evangelization, and whose impact has shaped the Catholic Church in Denver and throughout the world. SEMINARIES BRING 'A RICHNESS' TO THE ARCHDIOCESE After WYD 1993, the Archdiocese of Denver went on to shape future priests fi rst-hand by creating two local seminaries. Redemptoris Mater was established in 1996 and St. John Vianney in 1999. Both seminaries are located on the campus of the John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization. "After the experience of the World Youth Day in Denver in August 1993, Archbishop [J. Francis] StaŸ ord saw the goodness of establishing a diocesan in Denver and studied the possibility of opening a diocesan and missionary Redemptoris Mater seminary here," said Father Tobias Rodriguez-Lasa. Father Rodriguez-Lasa is the cur- rent rector at Redemptoris Mater, an international seminary that brings in men from around the world. "Internationality adds richness to the formation experience," said Father Rodriguez-Lasa, "as these future priests learn to live, work, study, play sports and interact in a variety of ways with other fellow seminarians coming from other cultures and world viewpoints." Father Rodriguez-Lasa believes bringing in seminarians from other countries "is a richness for everyone in the archdiocese, as it makes present the Catholicity and universality that constitute one of the distinctive char- acteristics of the Church." He fi nds that having two seminar- ies in Denver helps the seminarians — especially those from other countries studying in Denver — to stay in close contact with the archbishop and other local Church leaders, as well as gain a better understanding of the parishes and ministries in the archdiocese. Working within those parishes and ministries is a key part of formation at both seminaries, as the seminarians help the young and the elderly and oŸ er ser- vices for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. This, said Father Rodriguez-Lasa, is how the seminaries play a role in the New Evangelization in Denver. "The miracle is that the more we par- ticipate in the New Evangelization," he said, "the more we receive from it." AUGUSTINE INSTITUTE 'ON THE CUTTING EDGE' OF JPII'S VISION The Augustine Institute has formed disciples who have gone on to evange- lize through a variety of apostolates. By oŸ ering an M.A. in Theology, an M.A. in Leadership, study programs, videos and more, the Augustine Insti- tute has created lay leaders in the New Evangelization. Around the Archdiocese Turn your Clunker into Cash! Go to svdpUSAcars.com Or call 1-800-322-8284 e Society of St. Vincent de Paul has a quick and easy way to turn your unwanted car, truck or boat into cash and help those in need. Deacon Ronald Michieli The parishioners of Saint Anthony Parish in Sterling, Sacred Heart Parish in Peetz, Saint Catherine Parish in Iliff, in great gratitude, thank you for your faithful service. Deacon Michieli with his wife, Barb h Complete Wash in 10-12 Mins. Complete Auto Detailing $10 99 and Up www.carwash-waterworks.com www.carwash-waterworks.com 276 Broadway • (303)733-5349 Happy WYD 25th Anniversary! Full Service Wash Gift Certificates Available BY MOIRA CULLINGS moira.cullings@archden.org Pope John Paul II called for a New Evangelization; Denver answered SEMINARIES IN THE 2018-2019 ACADEMIC YEAR 73 men studying for the priest- hood for the Archdiocese of Denver, 52 men from outside the Archdi- ocese of Denver studying for the priesthood at St. John Vianney 33 men studying for the priest- hood at Redemptoris Mater 125 men in formation studying in Denver at both St. John Vian- ney and Redemptoris Mater i

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