Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/679374
7 DENVER CATHOLIC | MAY 14-27, 2016 Move-In Special Call today at 303-964-3804 to learn more about how you can save $500. Restrictions apply. Our faith-based, welcoming environment includes: • Independent Living • Assisted Living • On-Site Physician Clinic • Daily Mass • Secure Memory Care Unit • Adult Day Programs Out with the cold in with the 2835 W. 32nd Avenue Denver, Colorado 80211 303-964-3804 CHILivingCommunities.org F ather Andre Mahanna is a man on a mission — a mission of hope and mercy. In May of last year, Father Mahanna hosted the fi rst annual Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast, gathering clergy and laity for a morning of prayer and soli- darity to raise awareness for the perse- cution of Christians in the Middle East. On May 20, the second annual Ecu- menical Prayer Breakfast will be held at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Lakewood. Though the primary function of the breakfast is to raise awareness of the dire situation in the Middle East, any funds raised will go directly to St. Ra² a's Mission of Hope and Mercy, an organization founded by Father Mahanna that provides aid to those facing persecution in the Middle East, as well as those displaced by violence and forced to fl ee as refugees. "Our care is fi rst for the Chris- tians and then others who are perse- cuted," Father Mahanna stated in a press release. "Not because they are a minority, but because they are on the frontline of a modern day genocide. They are su' ering barbaric situations now, so they are, in fact, the true har- bingers of what Americans should be aware of." Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila will preside over the breakfast, which will once again boast attendance from a variety of local clergy. Those invited include the local Greek Orthodox leaders, Protestant, Episcopalian and Evangelical pastors, and Muslim guests. Ecumenical relations are a priority of Father Mahanna, and he sought to gather an interfaith community to come together for the common goal of peace in the Middle East. The prayer breakfast is open to the public. Over 350 were in attendance at last year's prayer breakfast, and Father Mahanna hopes to draw even more this year. Two Syrian refugees will share their testimonies during the prayer break- fast, and Father Mahanna also intends to announce a fundraising campaign to benefi t the Mission of Hope and Mercy in an e' ort to provide even more assis- tance to refugees and persecuted Chris- tians in the Middle East.³ "We have to help them, otherwise we will be at the mercy of terrorism, which has no mercy," Father Mahanna said. Second annual Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast to raise awareness for plight of Mideast Christians BY AARON LAMBERT aaron.lambert@archden.org @AaronLmbrt PRAYER BREAKFAST i RSVP by May 15 at info@ savechristianmiddleeast.org To learn more about St. Rafka's Mission of Hope and Mercy, visit http://savechristianmiddleeast.org Bishop Stephen J. Berg of the Diocese of Pueblo assisted Arch- bishop Aquila with the confi r- mations at Sealed and Sent. The Josh Blakes- ley Band performs after the Mass.