Denver Catholic

APSM 2013 CatholicRegister Ad.pdf B4 I CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 1 11/11/13 NOVEMBER 20, 2013 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER 4:09 PM Vatican art book quench BY JULIE FILBY Wrap Up HOLIDAY SPENDING In his newly released book "Meditations on Vatican Art," author Legionary Father Mark Haydu encourages readers to experience masterpieces from the Vatican art collection in a meditative and prayerful way. "People need and want beauty, they're starved for it," Father Haydu told the Denver Catholic Register Nov. 16 while at St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial during a stop on his U.S. book tour. "On a moral level beauty is holiness, so they're starved for interior peace. On an aesthetics level, they're starved for harmony, beauty and transcendence." "Meditations on Vatican Art"—which quickly sold out 500 copies at the Centennial signing—is a 216-page, full-color hardcover collection of works thoughtfully selected from the 300,000 pieces contained in the 12 Vatican Museums. It includes pieces by masters such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, Cano and Pinturicchio. Each is paired with reflections based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, scriptural meditations, history and contextual notes help readers understand the artist's perspective and meaning, and questions for reflection. "It's enough art to put you in the context, learn something new, and increase your cultural background," the priest said. "And just what you need as a platform to go into the message of the art and have a spiritual experience." Father Haydu, 41, originally from Akron, Ohio, has lived and studied in Rome for 12 years. He has served as the international coordinator of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums for the last six years, since his 2007 ordination. In that role, he guides the activities of patron chapters in both Europe and the United States, including a Colorado chapter, and manages the development for restorations. LEGIONARY Father Mark Haydu author of "Medita at St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial during a st The book was born of his desire to evangelize with art, he said: "To share the faith through art as a priest, and not just a fundraiser; but as someone whose first concern is helping people discover God through beauty." Father Haydu has also served as a spiritual director for seminarians, offering expertise in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. He holds bachelor's degrees and licentiate degrees in theology and philosophy from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. "It's important for Catholics, for anybody really, to learn to go to God through what they see," he explained. "Our path to God is always through our senses, so if we're able to educate our senses to see Choirs, concerts to prepare hearts fo BY NISSA LAPOINT with your NUFCU Visaš card! As Christmas approaches, there are a multitude of sacred music concerts that will be performed at churches across Denver to help prepare hearts for Christ's birth. Advent Services and Carols The Chamber Choir will perform carols 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at Our Lady of Loreto Church, 18000 E. Arapahoe Road, Aurora. No cost. Call 303-766-3800 for details. The same Advent performance will be held 4 p.m. Dec. 1 at Christ the King Church, 830 Elm St., Denver. Call 303-388-1643 for details. Christmas Carols and Concerts Need A Visa® Card? Call Us! 303.424.5037 • www.nufcu.com The Littleton Symphony Orchestra will give two performances of "The Nutcracker" 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7 at Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 S. Datura St., Littleton. Tickets for youth and children are free. Adult tickets are $15, THE ST. MARY Church orchestra of Littleton will p purchased at www.littletonsymphony. dlelight" concert Dec. 24. Parishes across Denver a org. Call 303-933-6824 for details. concerts to families and children. A children and adult choir will join to 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at St. Andrew United perform "Through the Eyes of a Child" with an orchestra 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and Methodist Church, 9203 S. University

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