Denver Catholic

15 DENVER CATHOLIC | SEPTEMBER 14-27, 2019 Around the Archdiocese A place for reconnecting With God. Come for a day or week. Book your next retreat with us! 719-258-1600 For Tour or Reservations www.eltesororetreat.org I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From whence shall come my help? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. - Ps 121:1-2 It was nearing mid-morning on a beautiful Rocky Mountain day. The bus had returned empty to camp hours ago, having dropped o£ the last load of campers at the trailhead down the road from Annunciation Heights' front gate. One could only hope that campers and staff were currently having the time of their life up on the mountains surrounding Estes Park. Suddenly the call came over the radio, crackling but clear: "Trailblazer Group One has reached the summit of Twin Sisters Mountain!" There was a palpable joy emanating from the small handheld radio. Yet another group had summited, and they were currently walking in the footsteps of history, on top of the world.¬ Decades ago, on this same mountain, Msgr. Joseph Bosetti, the founder of Camp St. Malo and himself an intrepid mountaineer, would lead groups of campers on a sunrise hike to the summit. There he would say Mass for his crew of adventurers, introducing them to the glory of God while being bathed in the beauty of Creation. And for the sta£ of Annunciation Heights, as well as for the entire archdiocesan community, this summer was a resur- rection of Msgr. Bosetti's dream, begun those many years ago. Once again, campers and clergy were hiking that same mountain, and indeed celebrating Mass, in an e£ ort to deepen and foster relationships with God and others. This experience, along with so many others, characterizes the inaugural summer of adventure and friendship held at Annunciation Heights. Encour- aged by the mission developed by Msgr. Bosetti, sta£ began each week with exu- berant energy, welcoming and befriend- ing all those who came to spend a week at the Heights. With the camp theme of "I Call You Friends," based on Jesus' declaration to his disciples in John 15, campers were invited to enter deeper into the reality of true friendship: with God, with themselves, with others, and with Creation. From late night camp- fi re talks to team building games on the ropes course, camp provided an opportunity for genuine friendships to develop and grow. And with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation being central to the daily schedule, relationships with God also blossomed in the hearts of many who opened their hearts in prayer. These friendships were truly at the heart of the summer at Annuncia- tion Heights, and by God's grace, such spiritual fruits were carried back to the homes and families of the many campers who came from all over the country. Yes, summer camp was about having a great time, but additionally, it was about impacting families and the Church through lives transformed by a week in the mountains — by a spe- cial week with God. Msgr. Bosetti had this vision nearly a century ago, and today it is again being carried out in the mountains just east of Long 's Peak. Next summer, Annunciation Heights has its sights set on even greater goals: higher mountains, more campers, greater adventure, and more growth in faith! It is with hearts full of gratitude and anticipation that the sta£ looks to next summer, excited to see what God has in store, ready to embark yet again on a journey into the mountains to receive all that God has to o£ er. For in the words of Msgr. Bosetti himself: "There is no such thing as too much mountaineering, just as there is no such thing as too much virtue!" BY LUKE HLAVIN A return to the mountains: Annunciation Heights resurrects a dream To volunteer or donate to the mission of Annunciation Heights today, visit annnunciationheights.org. i MT. OLIVET CATHOLIC CEMETERY 12801 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO (303) 424-7785 ARCHDIOCESE OF DENVER MORTUARY Serving the greater Denver area (303) 425-9511 ST. SIMEON CATHOLIC CEMETERY 22001 E. State Hwy. 30, Aurora, CO (720) 859-9785 Peace of Mind for your Family with Pre-Planning More info at cfcsColorado.org A Ministry of The Archdiocese of Denver PHOTO BY KATHERINE GEIGER

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