Denver Catholic

3 DENVER CATHOLIC | MARCH 14-27, 2020 Around the Archdiocese Prudent planning starts with just a conversation. Find us on Facebook, on our website or simply give us a call at 303-468-9885. In St Paul's sixth chapter in his Letter to the Galatians, he reminds us, "So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially to those who belong to the family of the faith." •e Catholic Foundation gathers, stewards and facilitates charitable giving for the long-term bene t of donors, parishes, schools and ministries in the Archdiocese of Denver over the past 20 years. •e Foundation team nancially ensures that a strong, vibrant, and faithful Catholic community „ourishes at your parish and throughout northern Colorado. We can help you meet your charitable goals through Gifts in the following areas: Donor Advised Funds, Planned Gifts from your Estate, Endowments, Charitable Gift Annuities, IRA Charitable rollovers and gifts of cash, stock and real estate. Our partnership with you provides a promising future for the Church and the causes that matter to you most. faith faith Your faith faith Legacy Beyond Lifetime your giving @ TheCatholicFoundation.com TheCatholicFoundation.com You're invited to experience the joy of giving now and beyond your lifetime. @ beyondyourlifetime Additions · Remodels · Full Builds Design Thru Build Residential & Commercial General Contractor PARISHIONER Matthew Alderman c. 720.217.1263 w. 303.495.2777 aldermanbuilders.com FREE CONSULTATION Archdiocese's most senior priest, Father Purfi eld, dies at 93 F ather James Purfield, who marked his 65th anniversary as a priest last year and was the eldest priest in the Denver Archdiocese, died Feb. 19. He was 93. During his long priesthood he served in numerous parishes in metro-Denver and Colorado Springs, did mission work outside the country, pastored a note- worthy 30 years at All Saints Parish, and was known for his faithful service to the homebound and compassionate aid to the needy. "He excelled in loving those who no one else noticed and who would come at the most inconvenient times," Father Roland Freeman said in the eulogy at his longtime friend's funeral Mass Feb. 24 at Denver's Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. "[He had a] deep awareness of Christ the poor one who is always with us." James Richard Purfi eld was born in Colorado Springs on Aug. 26, 1926 to U.S. Army Col. Emmett J. Purfi eld and Helen Carson Purfi eld. When he graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School in 1944, World War II was still ongoing. He entered the U.S. Navy and served as a Seaman 1 st Class until June 1946. While in the Navy, he was stationed six months at a shore station on the island of Trin- idad, British West Indies. "He met a priest on the island of Trinidad whose name was Father James Purfi eld, I think he was the one who really convinced Father Jim to become a priest," the priest's younger brother, Bill Purfi eld, said with a gentle laugh. After being honorably discharged, he attended Maryknoll Junior Semi- nary in Los Altos Calif., for a short time before working a brief stint at a Phoenix newspaper as part of the Maryknoll's Christopher Movement. He entered St. Thomas Seminary in Denver in 1948 and was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1954. As a priest he served many di‚ erent parishes around the Denver area and beyond. He also ministered as chaplain at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs. Additionally, he served on mission for a year in Mexico in the mid-1970s and a year in Lima, Peru, in the early 1980s. During Father Purfield's three decades as pastor at All Saints, his brother was among his parishioners. "I always called him Father Jim," said Bill Purfi eld, expressing his respect and admiration for his elder brother. "He was really great about helping people, particularly people who were homebound. He did a lot of that." He had a deep prayer life that under- girded his ministry, strong opinions that he vociferously shared, was a loyal friend and relished playing cards, Father Free- man said in the funeral eulogy. "His ministry was the same as Jesus's," he said. "To invite into his love and friendship all who in God's provi- dence came to him." "Father Purfi eld loved his priest- hood," emphasized Father Freeman. "For him it was the most precious gift of his life." BY ROXANNE KING editor_king@icloud.com @RoxanneIKing FILE PHOTO

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