Denver Catholic

7 DENVER CATHOLIC | NOVEMBER 10-23, 2018 A s a chaplain at the new veterans' hospital in Aurora, Father Jose Mena spends his days serving those who served our country. "Many veterans are at an age that is very di• cult, many of them have broken relationships and they need someone, so we need to be involved with the veterans," Father Mena told the Denver Catholic about his ministry. The new $1.7 billion Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center opened in July to provide physical care for our nation's veterans. Father Mena is one of the chaplains from various religions available to o¢ er spiritual care. "They often have feelings of worth- lessness, they think that nobody cares about them," said Father Mena. "But there is hope for everyone in Jesus." Father Mena begins his day by visiting patients in pre-op (about to have surgery), continues with visits to patients in palliative care and the ICU, celebrates daily Mass at noon in the chapel, has spiritual direction meetings with VA sta¢ members, and spends the rest of the day visiting more patients and their families. "The best way to be successful as Catholics is to help others," said Father Mena. "And the way that we need to demonstrate our love is to do it for the most needed." A PRIEST AND A DOCTOR Jose Leonidas Mena-Juarez was born in Miami to a Cuban mother (his father had been killed in Cuba), but grew up in Nicaragua. Mena would enter the seminary and be ordained in 1992, but he also studied to become a doctor. "It is a very poor country, so there is always a need," said Father Mena. "The best way is go and see where there is a need and make sure everything that is donated gets to the poor." Father Mena tells stories of being hurt and jailed by the Communist gov- ernment, but said that didn't stop him from serving the poor, including the families of the Communist military. "We have a lot of Communists that hate the Church," said Father Mena. "Most of the time they were against us, so I tried to be the bridge, so that way I could have access to all of the poor." CHAPLAIN IN COLORADO Father Mena moved to the United States in 2016, at fi rst joining his broth- ers in Alaska where he learned English. With the approval of his diocese in Nic- aragua, Father Mena joined the Archdi- ocese of Military Services and this past summer was assigned to the new VA hospital in Colorado, where he contin- ues to serve those that need it the most. "They (veterans) never forget about their situation when they were in war," said Father Mena. "If they have hurt a human being that they are aware of, they will never forget about it." As a chaplain and a priest, Father Mena can help them seek forgiveness. "Even if they are not Catholic, I just go through the Bible and show them: God is merciful, God is forgiving," said Father Mena. "It doesn't belong to you anymore, it has been forgiven by God." And Father Mena says one of his greatest joys is helping injured veter- ans fi nd a new purpose for their lives. "You are still alive and God needs you alive," Father Mena explained. "So let's fi nd out what He needs you for!" Around the Archdiocese 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 December 7-9 Men & Women Sr. Eileen Currie, M.S.C., Pat Wight & Fr. Paul Patin, S.J. Individual Directed Prayer Weekend January 25-27 Men & Women Fr. Ed Kinerk, S.J. Cosmology Prayer Days November 1 Fr. Hanh Pham, S.J. Các ánh ông Công December 5 Fr. Paul Patin, S.J. Advent Day of Re ection January 16 Sr. Eileen Currie, M.S.C. A Winter Day Alone with God SERVING THE DENVER CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SINCE 1890. The heritage behind our mortuaries and cemeteries is one of history and tradition. For more than a century, Catholic families have trusted Olinger Mortuaries and Cemeteries to care for their loved ones. Respect for traditions, understanding the needs of the Catholic faith, and providing affordable options is at the heart of what we do. With over 87 years of combined experience, parishioners Harry Stevenson and Matt Whaley assist families with care and compassion. Their expertise combined with professional services in 11 Olinger neighborhood chapels is virtually unprecedented in serving the Denver Catholic community. (303) 455-3663 www.denverfuneralproviders.com Harry Stevenson 56 Years Matt Whaley 31 Years BY MARK HAAS mark.haas@archden.org @markhaastv Serving those who have served Father Jose Mena gives spiritual aid to veterans as chaplain at new VA hospital born in Miami to a Cuban mother (his father had been killed in Cuba), but grew up in Nicaragua. Mena would enter the seminary and be ordained in 1992, but he also studied to become a doctor. "It is a very poor country, so there is always a need," said Father Mena. "The best way is go and see where there Father Jose Mena would like to ask all Catholics to pray for our veterans. He also invites Catholics to come to Mass at the VA chapel (12 p.m. Monday – Friday; 1 p.m. Saturday/Sunday), or to volunteer to visit veterans with him. You can reach Father Mena at 720-723-6702 or Jose.Mena@va.gov. i PHOTO BY MARK HAAS

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