Denver Catholic

7 DENVER CATHOLIC | JANUARY 9-22, 2016 508-340-9370 855-842-8001 us 24/7 Portugal, & England; Caribbean Brazil; Gerardo; $3,799 Join Dr. Ted Sri and Fr. John Ignatius, SCJ, who will discuss the meaning of the Jubilee Year and how to live a spirituality of mercy. Be inspired by the merciful life and witness of Julia Greeley, Colorado's own "Angel of Charity." Mercy Chose Me A conference on living the Jubilee Year of Mercy Mass at 8:00 a.m., Conference 9:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. JANUARY , Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Hall Northglenn, CO Visit archden.org/mercy to register for this exciting event. (303) 715-3207 frequently delivered the goods—often to poor white families—under cover of night, to remain anonymous. She died on June 7, 1918, the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Over the years, many have expressed a desire to see Greeley canonized. Locally, a book about her life is in its second print- ing, and a guild and a women's homeless shelter bear her name. Despite that, many have never heard of "Old Julia." "There is only one known photo of her," Uebbing said, referring to a photograph that depicts Greeley holding a baby girl she sometimes cared for. "That's the reason for commissioning the sacred image. It will raise awareness of her. It will include images of the things she did. We want to bring her to life today." Unfortunately, the lone photo of Gree- ley doesn't clearly depict her face as her hat shadows her eyes. Iconographer Vivian Imbruglia of Rancho Cucamonga Calif., aims to change that. "This is not a portrait," Imbruglia said. "This will be diª erent in that you will see her face. In the photo, you only [clearly] see her nose and mouth." The image is being written on wood covered by linen and will depict symbols pertinent to Greeley's life: the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Eucharist, her red wagon, the Rocky Mountains, a child and a fi rehouse. "My prayer," Imbruglia said, "is that this image will tell a story for someone who doesn't know her, as opposed to a portrait." Imbruglia had the sole photo of Gree- ley enlarged to look at as she works and, immersing herself in prayer, believes Greeley is helping her with the project. "Her face has been slowly revealed to me," the iconographer said. "I feel like she's being unveiled before me." The good woman wasn't considered very attractive, however, she was known for exuding joy with an unforgettable smile. "She's coming out beautiful," Imbruglia said, likening Greeley's beauty to that of St. Mother Teresa. "I hope it honors her." "I was really happy when I heard the archdiocese was going to include [Gree- ley] in its Year of Mercy celebration," said Mary Leisring, president of the Julia Greeley Guild. "We had a saint walking the streets of Denver yet very few people know about her." Leisring and Capuchin Franciscan Father Blaine Burkey, auth or of In Secret Service of the Sacred Heart: The Life and Virtues of Julia Greeley, will be featured in a short documentary the archdiocese is making about Greeley that will be shown at the Jan. 23 "Mercy Chose Me" conference on living the Year of Mercy. Imbruglia's sacred image of Greeley will be unveiled at the conference, to be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Northglenn, and a panel will discuss her life. "She was treated so miserably in many ways and yet she spent her whole life helping people," Father Blaine said. "She practiced the works of mercy in a heroic degree." FOR MORE INFORMATION Mercy Chose Me conference: www. archden.org/mercy Julia Greeley: www.juliagreeley.org Even though she was only earning $10 to $12 a month cleaning and cooking, she was using it to help other people who were poor." DAVID UEBBING chancellor for the archdiocese " This is the only photo remaining of Julia Greeley, pictured here with a young child. Greeley will be featured as a model of mercy at the Jan. 23 Mercy Chose Me conference at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. FILE PHOTO

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