Denver Catholic

11 DENVER CATHOLIC | AUGUST 22-SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 found a "home" in the welcoming com- munity at SEAS. But it was precisely the close and welcoming parish community that parishioners Judy and Patrick Fox found when they arrived 10 years ago which led Judy to wonder whether a new parish building was really neces- sary in the fi rst place. "As much as the church is very welcoming and warm, I found what I call 'church' among the community of parishioners. So, at fi rst when Father Joseph announced that we needed to build a new church, I said, 'Why? I think the church is fi ne. We don't need to have anything fancy to worship,'" Judy said. She not only realized the need for a new church building after learning about the state of the structure and the costly repairs that had to be made, but also when she was able to walk in the completed church. "It's truly a great place where God needs to be worshipped," she said. "It's gorgeous, it's beautiful, it's something that God deserves. It can bring people closer to him." "It was really cool to share with our kids and talk about how this is [a his- torical moment], and that hopefully for many, many years our family will be able to come back and say, 'We've been here since the beginning,'" Kris- ten added. This desire to leave a legacy – a beau- tiful place of worship – for the future generations of the Fort Collins area was one of the many reasons that led parishioners to give so generously to complete the $8.9 million project. "This process has had its ups and downs, but in the fi ve years it's taken to build this church, from the begin- ning to the end, God has always been present in every step of it," said Father Toledo, who was amazed by the gener- osity and desire of the parishioners to build a beautiful place of worship for God and the community. "The parishioners at St. Elizabeth were so generous. When we needed pews and were short, somebody would come and say, 'Father, here's the money you need to get the pews.' When we needed an altar… when I didn't know where the money for the candles and additions would come from, someone would come up and say, 'Father here's the money,'" he said. "This church is not just meant for the SEAS community, but as a gift to the Lord and to the whole archdiocese, because we're all on a journey toward heaven," Father Toledo concluded. "And this is a place that I hope people from all over the archdiocese stop by, if they ever fi nd themselves in Fort Col- lins. That's why we build churches. We don't build churches as monuments for ourselves – the church is meant to be used for the mission of bringing people to the Lord." St. Elizabeth Ann Seton pastor Father Joseph Toledo hopes the new church will be a place of wor- ship and encounter for those who visit. photos by Katie brennan Independent Living Assisted Living 2835 West 32nd Avenue | Denver, Colorado homeishere.org The Gardens at St. Elizabeth The Gardens at St. Elizabeth offers amenities and services in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. For more information, call our trusted advisors, Pam or Melissa today at 720.909.3814. • Concierge services • Health and safety checks • Room service with chef-prepared meals No rent until November! * *Restrictions apply.

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