Denver Catholic

cathOlIc lIfe I 3 Denver CatholiC register I June 19, 2013 June 21, fridAy CALENDAR Fast by abstaining from meat and eating only one full meal. Give up snacks, desserts and alcohol. June 22, sAturdAy Attend the "Prayer in the Square" rally from noon to 2 p.m. at the state Capitol at 200 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. June 23, sundAy June 24, mondAy June 25, tuesdAy Give up TV for the day and replace the time with prayer, such as a rosary, Memorare and Divine Mercy Chaplet. Sign up for texts messages from the U.S. bishops on religious freedom issues by texting the word "FREEDOM" to 377377 or visiting www.usccb.org/freedom. Colorado Catholic Conference upholds Christian values in the public square Contact government officials and ask them to support religious freedom. For information, visit www. cocatholicconference.org or call the Colorado Catholic Conference at 303-894-8808. June 26, WednesdAy June 27, thursdAy June 28, fridAy Pray a decade of the rosary for students studying politics. Fast by abstaining from meat and eating only one full meal. Give up snacks, desserts and alcohol. s r nJune r 29, sAturdAy Host a movie night and watch "A rMan For All Seasons" about St. Thomas More or d "For Greater Glory" about the struggle for religious freedom in Mexico. Read the U.S. bishops' document "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" available online at www.usccb. org/issues-and-action/ faithful-citizenship. June 30, sundAy Spend time in eucharistic adoration praying for local, state and national elected officials. July 1, mondAy Give up social media or other computer time and replace it with prayer, such as a rosary, Memorare and Divine Mercy Chaplet. r eJuly 2, tuesdAy Pray a decade of the rosary for -lawyers defending -freedom. July 3, WednesdAy Offer a special prayer or sacrifice for veterans and those currently in the military in thanksgiving for the right to worship freely as Catholics. 7 Liberty From Page 1 attempting to force adoption and foster care services to place children with same-sex couples or unmarried, cohabitating couples; forcing religious groups to host same-sex marriage or civil union ceremonies; and concerns in other areas such as immigration and humanitarian services. "The American proposition hinges on a certain primacy of the well-formed conscience," said Flynn. "Democracy can't be successful unless we have some common ideas about what justice is, or what liberty means, or what goodness is." The well-formed conscience is in danger, he said. "There's a force, well beyond American politics, which would like to undermine the things we have in common in order to mire us in chaos," he said. "Religious liberty is fortniGht for freedom What: Prayer, fasting and public action for religious freedom When: June 21-July 4 Rally: Prayer in the Square, noon-2 p.m. June 22 Where: West steps of the state Capitol, 200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver More info: www.fortnight4 freedom.org July 4, thursdAy Sing or recite a favorite patriotic hymn for the country. Capital at 200 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. Speakers will include Msgr. Peter Quang Nguyen, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Denver who escaped communist Vietnam in the 80s; State Rep. Kevin Priola, R-Adams County; Natalie Hattenbach, St. Mary Littleton school parent and organizer of a group that helps get Christians more involved in public life; Joe Walters, dean of spiritual formation at Colorado Christian University; and others. Music will be provided by Shaun Garrison, a missionary with Fellowship of Catholic University Students. For more information visit www.archden.org or call 303-715-3230; for more on the national initiative, visit www. Fortnight4Freedom.org. For suggested prayers and fasting, see the accompanying calendar above. important because it is one of those things that unify us in opposition to the forces of chaos." The upcoming Fortnight for Freedom is "an invitation to do something about it," he said, through fasting, prayer and action. All are invited to join Archbishop Aquila at an ecumenical Julie Filby: 303-715-3123; rally "Prayer in the Square" June julie.filby@archden.org; www. 22 on the west steps of the state twitter.com/DCRegisterJulie PhOtO by RObeRt LInn FOR the denveR CathOLIC RegIsteR Jenny KRASKA, executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference, standing, and conference coordinator Diane Chavez at work in their office. others, who worked for seven By WAyne lAuGeSen consecutive legislative sessions Cesiah Guadarrama's parents before the bill finally passed out brought her to the United States of the General Assembly this year when she was only 6. She didn't and was signed into law by Gov. know the phrase "illegal immiJohn Hickenlooper. grant" and had no say in her fam"It helps keep families togethily's decision to live in the United er and gives these kids the same States. opportunity to succeed that's afToday—thanks in large part to forded their peers," Kraska said. the Colorado Catholic ConferThe conference, which works ence—Guadarrama's prospects on behalf of all three Colorado are considerably brighter. Catholic dioceses, lobbies for The Colorado Catholic Conlegislation that protects and deference is one of nearly 40 vital fends Catholic values and the ministries that receives funding Church itself. from the Archbishop's Catholic "It's my job to be involved in Appeal, an annual fund drive to the political process every day," raise money to spread, teach, said Kraska, who left the practice promote and deepen the faith. of law in Minnesota seven years Guadarrama grew up like ago to head the conference. most other children in Colorado, The conference takes marchattending school during the day ing orders from the bishops of and struggling through homeColorado's three dioceses: Denwork at night. Despite meeting ver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. all requirements to graduate "The Colorado Catholic Confrom Westminster High School, ference plays an indispensable with impressive grades, Guarole in keeping Catholics abreast darrama faced a future of no of pending legislation that dipost-secondary education. rectly affects the Church and the Because of her immigration rights of all people," said Bishop status, which she never conMichael Sheridan of the Diocese trolled, Guadarrama would have of Colorado Springs. "The Cathto pay roughly twice the rate of inolic Conference is the arm of the state tuition to attend any public bishops of Colorado and can be college or university in Colorado. trusted to present important isHer family could not afford it. sues clearly and objectively." Then the Colorado Catholic Bishop Sheridan said the Conference stepped in to help conference was instrumental in improve the future, for her and getting Colorado voters to pass others in similar predicaments. a constitutional amendment in "These students did not have 2006 that defines marriage as an a choice to come here, so the institution of one man and one church has long supported it (inwoman—a definition the Legstate tuition) on a number of difislature cannot change without ferent levels," said attorney Jenny another vote of the public. Kraska, executive director of the Support of ASSET put the Colorado Catholic Conference. Catholic Conference in alliance Kraska, this spring, celebrated with legislative Democrats for the passage of ASSET—an acrothe past seven years, but its nym for Advancing Students for agenda is inherently bipartia Stronger Economy Tomorrow. san—as are Church teachings on As Kraska lobbied, Guadarrama social and moral issues. As Krastold legislators "ASSET would be ka found herself aiding Demothe best graduation gift anyone crats who tried to end Colorado's could give me." Passage of ASSET was a hardsee appeal, Page 6 fought victory for Kraska and

• Cover