Denver Catholic

2 MARCH 7-13, 2015 | DENVER CATHOLIC Archbishop's Page Denver Catholic (USPS 557-020) is published weekly except the last week of December and the fi rst weeks of January, and in June, July and August when it goes bi-weekly. Denver Catholic is printed by Signature O¤ set in Denver. Periodical postage paid in Denver, CO. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $35 a year in Colorado; $42 per year out of state. Foreign countries: $42 surface, all countries, 6-8 weeks for delivery; $135 air, all other countries (average). Mexico, $48 air; Canada, $55 air. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Denver Catholic, Circulation Dept., 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 or email circulation@archden.org. EDITORIAL: 303-715-3215 or denvercatholic@archden.org | ADVERTISING: 303-715-3253 or denvercatholicads@archden.org CIRCULATION CUSTOMER SERVICE: 303-715-3230 or circulation@archden.org General Manager KARNA SWANSON Director ANDREW WRIGHT Business Manager MICHAEL O'NEILL Published by the Archdiocese of Denver, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 Archbishop's Column Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila PHOTO OF THE WEEK Prior to its March 3 opening, Archbishop Samuel Aquila blessed the new St. Anthony North Health Campus in Westminster Feb. 25. The campus at 144th Avenue and I-25 has been under construction for two years. For more information, visit www.StAnthonyNorthHC.org. See related story on Page 7. PHOTO BY JUSTIN LEVETT PHOTOGRAPHY Feb 21 @ArchbishopDen 10 am Rite of Election @ Cathedral #ArchDen. Let us welcome those entering the Church @ #Easter! +sja " Conversation with God from the depths of the heart"—this is how the newest doctor of the Church, St. Gregory of Narek, began every one of the 96 prayers in his most famous work, "Lamentations." On Feb. 23, Pope Francis declared St. Gregory of Narek, an Armenian monk and poet, a doctor of the Church. This distinction means that his writings are recognized as having doctrinal insight and being benefi cial for the faithful. One of the hallmarks of this new doctor's writings is his focus on man's separation from God and his journey to reunite with him. The very fi rst prayer in "Lamentations" captures this spiri- tual pilgrimage well. St. Gregory writes, "The voice of a sighing heart, its sobs and mournful cries, I o" er up to you, O Seer of Secrets, placing the fruits of my wavering mind as a savory sacrifi ce on the fi re of my grieving soul to be deliv- ered to you in the censer of my will." That we all need God's mercy is a fundamental truth of our existence. It is equally true that he wants to hear your deepest desires and struggles, and he wants to forgive you of your sins. When he celebrated the Ash Wednes- day liturgy, Pope Francis spoke to this reality, declaring, "Dear brothers and sisters, the Lord never tires of having mercy on us, and wants to o" er us his forgiveness once again—we all need it— inviting us to return to him with a new heart, purifi ed of evil, purifi ed by tears, to take part in his joy." This Lent, I encourage you to receive God's mercy in the sacrament of confession. Whenever I have the chance, I encourage people to go to confession at least once a month, and I usually go once a week. Every time I seek reconcil- iation with God there are three things that I experience and that every Catho- lic can experience. The fi rst is that by examining my life I become aware of my sins and how they distance me from the Father's mercy and love. I experience a new freedom and strength because I am relieved of the spiritual weight of my sins that makes it harder to do the good and avoid evil. The second is that I am restored to my true identity as an adopted son of the Father. There is nothing like hearing the words of a fellow priest, "through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." In those words I relive the story of the Prodigal Son and experience the love of the Father for me as his son. Finally, it is a time for me to die to myself, to honestly acknowledge that I had strayed from God's will and sought my own will. With Jesus I am able to pray, "Not my will, but your will be done." As a priest and bishop, it is a blessing to participate in the sacrament of recon- ciliation. Whenever I hear a thorough, honest confession, I am moved by the humility of the penitent and the beauty of God's mercy working to restore what has been broken. Some of you may have taken part in the March 5 "Light is on for You" cam- paign, when priests in many parishes around the archdiocese heard confes- sions for three hours. If you missed that opportunity, I encourage you to look in your local parish bulletin or on their website for the next chance to experi- ence God's mercy. God cannot be outdone in generosity, so let us trust in his abundant mercy, no matter what our sins are. Once we do, we will be able to say, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. For his mercy endures forever!" Confess and be free The writings of St. Gregory of Narek, Armenian monk and poet and the newest doctor of the Church, focused on man's separation from God and his journey to reunite with him. Archbishop Aquila encourages Catholics to reunite with God during Lent through the sacrament of reconciliation.

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