Denver Catholic

LOCAL NEWS I 11 Denver Catholic Register I July 3, 2013 Thousands 'come home' to St. Joseph Hospital in Denver g Photo provided courtesy Exempla St. Joseph Hospital Some 1,000 people who were born at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver pose for a "family" reunion photo at Sports Authority Field at Mile High June 22. By Dominic Nedbalski It may be the largest reunion of its type ever. Exempla St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver wanted to put together the largest reunion of babies born at the same hospital, so it organized the "Coming Home to St. Joe's 2013 Reunion" June 22 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The celebration featured plenty of food and drink, a fitness expo, popular vocalist Hazel Miller, as well as Denver Bronco players and cheerleaders. According to Monica Owens, events manager of St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, more than 2,000 people attended the event, while 1,000 participated in the "family" reunion photo that took place later in the afternoon. "It was a very successful day," she told the Denver Catholic Register. Held in conjunction with the Stadium Stampede run/walk fundraiser, organizers said the reunion demonstrated how people feel about the hospital. "The St. Joseph Hospital Reunion was an outstanding event celebrating Denver's outstanding hospital that has served the needs of the community for 100 years and has delivered an outstanding crop of prominent Colorado citizens," said Walt Imhoff, a Catholic and well-known retired investment banker who was born at the hospital, as were his four siblings. Frances Owens, chairwoman of the event, was equally thrilled. "Saturday's 'Coming Home to St. Joe's Baby Reunion' was an amazing reflection of the love and appreciation Denver-area residents have for St. Joseph Hospital," said the former first lady of Colorado. The event was part of a multi-year celebration called the Heritage Project, which will ultimately lead to the unveiling of the new Exempla St. Joseph Hospital in December 2014. The venerable hospital has 140 years of operation under its belt and provides some $56 million worth of care annually to those unable to pay. St. Joseph's also carries the label of Colorado's oldest private teaching hospital, being established in 1876 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Kan. Since its inception, St. Joseph's has maintained a reputation as a teaching hospital, provider for the poor and one of the top-rated hospitals in the nation. That sterling reputation should only continue when the new $623 million facility replaces buildings as old as 103 years. "2013 is the 140th anniversary of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth being invited to Denver," noted Bain Farris, president and CEO of St. Joseph's. "This past weekend allowed us to celebrate one of the more important ways we have served the Denver community during these years. The people that came to celebrate with us on Saturday were a representation of the fact that historically one in 12 babies throughout Colorado have been born at St. Joseph Hospital.   "We are not only proud of our history, but are proud that as of December 2014, we will continue the spirit of service with the opening of the new Exempla St. Joseph Hospital." Mass to mark Aurora shooting By Nissa LaPoint The one-year anniversary of the tragic Aurora theater shootings will be remembered this month by a special Mass at an Aurora parish. The Denver Archdiocese's Archbishop Samuel Aquila will lead the Mass 7 p.m. July 19 at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Aurora. Victims, their families and the community will gather to recall the lives lost that night at the Century Aurora 16 theater and pray for ongoing healing. "The Aurora shooting was a great tragedy for our community," said J.D. Flynn, the Denver Archdiocese's chancellor. "We continue to seek the Lord's healing. We continue to pray for the victims and their families. We continue to invite the Lord to bring us peace." The July 20, 2012, shooting took 12 lives and injured many others. The community came together for prayer services, Masses and funerals. The archbishop offered a closing prayer at the theater's reopening Jan. 17. Meanwhile, in court proceedings, the shooting suspect James Holmes pled not guilty by reason of insanity. To commemorate the anniversary, priests and deacons from parishes in Aurora will assist at the July 19 Mass. All are invited, including civic dignitaries, religious leaders and their families. Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, Gov. John Hickenlooper and the state's U.S. representatives were invited to the Mass. Music ministers from parishes will join to sing liturgical music and the names of the deceased victims will be read. The parish is at 19099 E. Floyd Ave. in Aurora. For more details, call 303-715-3156. www.stbernadettelakewood.org Our staff, parishioners and school community extend our gratitude and appreciation to FR. JIM GOGGINS for his faithful service to us. Best wishes in his new appointment as Pastor of St. Mary, Greeley. We offer a warm welcome to our new pastor, FR. CLIFF MCMILLAN. We look forward to our spiritual journey together in the years to come. Thank You Father Chris Renner For your service to our parish community. We ask God's blessings upon you as we have been blessed having you as our pastor for the past 14 inspiring years. You are appreciated and we will miss you. Welcome Father James R. Fox Our staff and parishoners extend a warm welcome to you at Christ the King. We are looking forward to having you as our new Pastor and Shepherd. Congratulations Fr. Juan Espino, DCJM on your June 22, 2013 ordination to the priesthood May God bless you as you begin your ministry as a Parochial Vicar at St. Mary Parish. Thank you for your continual witness of faith to us. St. Mary Catholic Parish Fr. Alvaro Montero, DCJM, Pastor 6853 S Prince St • Littleton, CO 80120 • stmarylittleton.org

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