Denver Catholic

CATHOLIC LIFE I 3 Denver Catholic Register I July 3, 2013 Black Forest Fire victims using faith to recover their lives By Dominic Nedbalksi The most destructive fire in Colorado history claimed more than 500 homes and displaced more than 38,000 people. The flames burned 14,280 acres and killed two people. And yet, the victims of the disaster were not defeated. Marc Lanning, business manager at St. Gabriel Parish in Colorado Springs, was pretty sure his parents' ranch had burned down once he heard the whole corner of houses in the neighborhood were gone. However, not long after, he saw a green list indicating the ranch was saved. "I was excited of course," he said. "We were waiting for days and days." Lanning and his parents were some of the fortunate ones in the aftermath of the Black Forest Fire. He's witnessing the devastation some of his fellow parishioners are dealing with. "A bunch of people are going through the process of cleaning up," Lanning said. "We're Photo provided Above is what remains of the home of the Fran and Larry Rutherford family of Security, Colo. The Ruthefords said their faith is helping them through the tragedy and they are appreciative of all the help offered to them. "A disaster like this has brought out the best in the local community, churches and parishioners, said Larry Rutherford. "Everyone has rallied." just trying to get them back to normal." The Fran and Larry Rutherford family, parishioners of Immaculate Conception in Security, Colo., are facing similar challenges to those parishioners at St. Gabriel. But they weren't even in Colorado at the time their house was being burned. They were on vacation. "We were on a cruise in Alaska and turned on FOX News because they were talking about a raging fire in the Black Forest area," said Fran. "But we couldn't email or call (at the time), so we had to wait until we came into port in Juneau." Their daughter then broke the news. "She was crying and told us the house had burned down." Although it's been two weeks since they lost their home, the Rutherford's are still trying to cope with reality. "It's taking longer to comprehend and accept because all of our heirlooms are gone, along with photos, crafted quilts, letters and so on," Larry said. "Forty-three years of history is gone, even our records." The Rutherford's mentioned several organizations who have helped them to move forward, including the Red Cross, Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army and various insurance companies. "And the county disaster response center was really good," Larry said. Denver conference heartens journalists to know and share beauty of the Church By Julie Filby Why was @Pontifex chosen for the pope's Twitter account, and will he join Facebook? How can one defend the faith without raising his or her voice? How can the Catholic media get the good news of Jesus Christ in the hands, and hearts, of as many people as possible? These are just a few of the questions addressed at the 2013 Catholic Media Conference in Denver June 19-21. There, nearly 300 Catholic communication professionals—including the staff of the Denver Catholic Register, El Pueblo Católico and the Denver Archdiocese's Office of Communications—gathered at the Denver Marriott Tech Center for three days of presentations from representatives of Catholic news agencies, newspapers, magazines, websites, blogs and television; as well as multimedia journalists, legal professionals and business managers. Two overarching themes carried throughout the conference were: highlight the beauty of Catholicism in Church communications, and know the faith well enough to share it effectively. This message was clear in a general session, which was open to the public, delivered by theologian and Photo by Jeffrey Bruno for the Denver Catholic Register Father Robert Barron, founder of Word on Fire ministries, addresses some 400 people the evening of June 19 at the 2013 Catholic Media Conference held in Denver. new media pioneer Father leads you to the good, which fiRobert Barron of Word on Fire nally leads you to the true." ministries. Examples he shared includ"I want to compliment Den- ed Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, the ver because … this has become Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, a hub of the new evangeliza- and Blessed Mother Teresa's tion," he began to the crowd motherhouse in Calcutta, India. of nearly 400. "A lot of the re"Here's the wager," he conally 'happening' things in the tinued, "once you are captivatCatholic Church are happen- ed by the winsomeness of the ing here, and I do trace a lot beautiful, you are then led to of it back, as everyone does, the good, namely, how can I to (World Youth Day in Denver participate in the life that made in) 1993." that beautiful thing possible?" He offered suggestions to Following the talk and a make new evangelization ef- Q-and-A session, he previewed forts more effective. his new documentary "Cathol"Lead with beauty," he said. icism: The New Evangeliza"Begin with the beautiful, which tion" to be released in August. Mother Dolores Hart, prioress of the Benedictine Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Conn., and former Hollywood star known for being the first to kiss Elvis Presley on screen, also presented a keynote talk at the conference. "The Church is facing a world that is going into a new dark age and you are the persons who bring light," she said, adding that the Church relies on Catholic communicators. "The people need to hear the word through the papers, the magazines, the events, the scenes," she continued. "The Church needs you. … I am not saying that because it's a nice thing to say to you; it's a hell of a thing to say to you. "You're going to have to go through a lot to do what you know in your heart must be done." A third keynote was provided by Basilian Father Tom Rosica, CEO of Salt & Light Catholic Media Foundation in Canada. Father Rosica served in the press office at the Holy See during the recent papal conclave and selection of Pope Francis. "For four solid weeks this past Lent … we had a golden opportunity to teach, catechize and evangelize the nations," he said, recognizing journalists for their Things are starting to look up for the Rutherford's. Somehow, their garden is coming back. Rhubarb, asparagus, green beans and garlic have all shown signs of life after being singed by the fire. Aside from aid through organizations, the Rutherford's have been getting loads of help from inside and outside the Colorado Springs community. "We've had many offers in the form of prayer, meals, financial assistance and help with cleaning the property," Fran said. "We've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of help, love and prayer." A strong faith has also shone through this time of darkness for them. "Our faith teaches us not to be attached to things," Fran said. "It's been a real lesson because right now, we have nothing. I'm not sure how we'd get through this without our Catholic faith." Dominic Nedbalski: 303-7153262; volunteer.dcr@archden.org; www.twitter.com/DCRegister Register wins three Catholic Press awards The Denver Catholic Register won three 2013 Catholic Press Association Awards at the Catholic Media Conference awards banquet held June 21 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. The Register won third place Best Special Supplement on an Ordinary's Transition for its July 25, 2012, issue "Archbishop Aquila returns to Denver to be installed as fifth archbishop," by Roxanne King, Robert Linn, James Baca, Julie Filby, Nissa LaPoint and Jean Torkelson. The Register won second place Best Local Treatment of the Olympics for the Sept. 5, 2012, story and photos, "Miss Olympic medalist: Missy Franklin" by Julie Filby and James Baca. And it won third place Best News Writing Originating with the Paper on a Local or Regional Event for the July 25, 2012, story, "Archbishop to faithful: evil will not have the last word" (a report on a Mass held for victims of the Aurora theater shooting) by Nissa LaPoint. The Denver Archdiocese's Spanish-language monthly newspaper, El Pueblo Católico, won six awards in the Spanish-language newspaSee Conference, Page 10 pers category.

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