Denver Catholic

13 DENVER CATHOLIC | MAY 16-22, 2015 F ather John Grabrian, a priest of the Archdiocese of Denver for 45 years, died May 5. He was 71 years old. "Father John kept putting off his retirement," explained Gordon Reagh, friend and staff member at Christ on the Mountain Parish in Lakewood where Father Grabrian served the past 18 years. "Parish and priesthood always came fi rst." He loved to be around people, Reagh continued, and had a good sense of humor. He also loved the Denver Broncos and gave sermons from the heart. "He was a down-to-earth person and a great priest," he added. "He will surely be missed." John Joseph Grabrian, Jr., was born Jan. 11, 1944 in Denver, to John J. Grabrian, Sr., and Alice Holland Grabrian. He attended St. Catherine of Sienna School and graduated from Regis High School in 1962. He attended St. Thomas Seminary in Denver and was ordained to the priesthood May 30, 1970, by Arch- bishop James V. Casey at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Father Grabrian's fi rst assignment was parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Denver from 1970 to 1973, fol- lowed by four years at All Souls Parish in Englewood. His initial assignment as pastor was at St. Paul in Idaho Springs, and its mission parishes St. Mary of the Assumption in Central City and Our Lady of Lourdes in Georgetown from 1977 through 1984. He was assigned parochial vicar at St. John the Evangelist in Loveland in 1984, then named pastor in 1991. He remained in Loveland until 1997, and during that time, also served as chaplain for the Loveland Police Department. In 1997, he began his service at Christ on the Mountain where he served as pastor until his death. In addition, he was canonical pastor at St. Mary Magdalene Parish from 1998 to 2004. A viewing and vigil was held May 11 at Christ on the Mountain Church. A funeral Mass was celebrated May 12 by Arch- bishop Samuel Aquila at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, followed by internment at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wheat Ridge. Zamora-Chavez Argel Almeraz Madison Bartlett Lissete Benavidez Philip Brown Kaela Buffum Hogan Brian Burbach Valeria Burciaga Theodore Camfield Kenneth Carlson Rebecca Carrillo Rebecca Cleven Nicholas Combs Matthew Costin Robert Costin Nicholas Crosthwaite Gabrielle Dexter Nicholas Dobbins Jake Donahue Thomas Efrem Paul Eshelman Benjamin Espinola Peter Espinola Katelin Espinola Misgana Gebremariam Marina Godinez Rebecca Haven Reinier Haverhals Catherine Hegarty Jair Hernandez Felicia Hernandez Orlando Herrera Torie Huddleston Lily Jansen Elizabeth Jensen John Keyte Luke Koestler-Roach Joseph La Rosa Caroline Landry Nghia Le Sang Heon Lee Humberto Lopez Clare Lowrey Jacqueline Lujan Arana Matthew Mannion Madison Mares Kimberly Mata-Martinez Matthew McCabe Thomas McCarty Joseph Mellentine Kathryn Merth Zachary Michalczyk Stephanie Montes Ann Moore Carley Moore Thomas Moran Amy Moser Aidan Naughton Samantha Nazish Joseph Negusse Nhat Anh Chu Ngo Lea Nichols Kyrie O'Shea Keara O'Toole Alondra Ortiz Olivia Osland Denise Overbey Francis Paolucci Hae Won Park Karen Perez Anna Pham Jennifer Potter Ricardo Pruneda-Castro Victor Ramirez Maureen Reilly Daniel Rios Francisco Rodriguez William Rogan Marina Ruddick Rose Sabin George Sandoval Carleigh Scull James Silvestri Ingrid Solano Henock Solomon Gabrielle Spino Benjamin Suhr Faustine Sullivan Nyadak Thau Riley Thielke Lily Tovado Nguyen Tram Colin Turner Joseph Tynan Ethan Varela Stephany Vazquez Elizabeth Vergil Augustino Vigil Bianca Villa-Ramirez Myranda Weakland Luke Weinmann Matthew White Bishop Machebeuf High School an academic community of faith Bishop Machebeuf High School 458 Uinta Way Denver, CO 80230 P: 303.344.0082 www.machebeuf.org Our graduates have gained admission to: American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Ave Maria University, Baylor University, Benedictine College, Colorado School of Mines and Technology, Colorado State University, Colorado State University, Pueblo, Community College of Aurora, Community College of Denver, DeSales University, Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, Evergreen Valley College, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Gonzaga University, Johnson and Wales University, Laramie County Community College, Loras College, Metropolitan State University of Denver, New Mexico Military Institute, Northern Arizona University, Pennsylvania State University, Regis University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, United States Air Force, United States Merchant Marine Academy, United States Navy, University of Wyoming, University of Colorado, University of Colorado - Boulder, University of Colorado - Denver, University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of Kansas, University of Kentucky, University of Mary, University of Mississippi, University of Northern Colorado, University of Portland, University of Wyoming, Western State Colorado University Congratulations to our graduating Class of 2015! The Class of 2015 earned $3 million in scholarships D eacon Leo Anthony Joseph Oehrle, who spent his entire diaconal ministry serving the faithful at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Northglenn, died April 30. He was 88. "Deacon Leo's love for the Church was refl ected in his kindness and positive attitude that brought joy to each human encoun- ter; especially with his brother deacons," said Deacon Joseph Donohoe, director of deacon personnel. "He will be missed by our community." Leo Anthony Oehrle was born Feb. 7, 1927, in Denver to Leslie and Nora Oehrle. He was baptized at St. Patrick Parish in Denver and was an altar server at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Denver. He would often walk to church with his family, and sang in the church choir at a young age. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1944. Deacon Oehrle married Ann Theresa Lyons Aug. 1, 1947, at St. Nicholas Parish in Platteville. Over the course of 68 years together, they welcomed fi ve children: Theresa, Daniel, Kevin, Kathleen and Matthew; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Deacon Oehrle's occupation in the trucking industry took him to Idaho, Wyoming and California, and eventually he returned to Denver in 1975. He was ordained a deacon June 24, 1989, by Cardinal J. Francis StaŸ ord at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Deacon Oehrle was assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and continued to minister there until his retirement in 2002. Deacon Oehrle was a gifted singer and enjoyed playing music. He was also a member of "La Frantics," a melodramatic group in Denver. In his ministry work, he particularly enjoyed teaching sacramen- tal preparation classes at the parish. A vigil was held May 5 at Olinger's Highland Mortuary. A funeral Mass was celebrated May 7 by Archbishop Samuel Aquila at Immaculate Heart of Mary, fol- lowed by internment. Deacon Leo's joy remembered Deacon Leo Oehrle Father John Grabrian Deacon Leo's love for the Church was refl ected in his kindness and positive attitude that brought joy to each human encounter; especially with his brother deacons." DEACON JOSEPH DONOHOE " Parish and priesthood came fi rst Supreme Anderson council from the pregnancy, see her hear the and rec- miracle of the her." coun- place an machine in a center possible. will bear Faith," We are Hayley and helping bring inspiration to with local councils, the Council has than 540 c h i n e s cost of million. impact

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