Denver Catholic

13 DENVER CATHOLIC | SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 13, 2017 After 100 years of service to the Archdiocese of Denver, our Cathedral is in need of some vital repairs. Reinforce steeples to prevent crumbling Increase security on access points Repair, paint, clean interior Thank you for your generosity! Visit denvercathedral.org or call us at 303-831-7010 for more information A RESTORATION FOR THE AGES All donations are tax deductible $4.4 million $3.3 million $2.2 million $1.1 million $2.3 million $1.7 million $1.1 million $575,000.00 INTERIOR EXTERIOR "Our historic and iconic Cathedral Basilica needs your help." Father Ron Cattany Pastor and Rector COLLECTED $162,295.16 COLLECTED $156,845.00 303.743.8804 HoranCares.com Helping You Honor Life or a light fixture there. He eventually worked to build a hospital, personally assisting in installing the electricity, and digging a 300-foot well. He worked out a system of irrigation with the rain, and also experimented with fertilizers to improve the soil of Santiago Atitlán. Between 1972 and 1975, he spent his time "helping the sick and dying, bring- ing all types of aid, and working with the catechists," Ambrosi explained. "He presided over daily Mass, cel- ebrated many baptisms, marriages, and frequently heard confessions," he continued. Father Stanley also collected donations for the mission, as well as spending time on the farms and teach- ing the people about agriculture.° "If the people had anything that needed to be repaired, they went to him for help," the postulator explained. "He visited newlyweds, bringing them a photo from their wedding, blessing their home, and staying to have dinner with them. The pastoral work of the Servant of God and his collaborators had impressive results: He celebrated between 500 and 1000 baptisms a year, as well as hundreds of marriages and First Communions. He distributed Communion to close to 2,000 people a week," Ambrosi said. Father Rother also worked so that the lectionary of the Mass and the New Testament would be translated to Tz'utujil, a project that was completed and published after his death. SIGNS OF DANGER Guatemala's civil war was spreading and reaching new regions. Many people began to disappear from the commu- nities surrounding the Lake of Atitlán. Many of these were catechists, since the government was prohibiting religious practice. Father Rother walked along the roads to find the bodies of the slain, in order to give them a proper burial. He also brought food to the orphans and widows left by the war. After receiving threats himself, he returned to Oklahoma at the beginning of 1981. But in spite of the many people who urged him to stay in his homeland, he decided to return to Tz'utujil and celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week with his faithful. Easter passed and summer came. On the morning of July 28, three armed men came into his house, dragged him to his room and shot him. His parish vicar, Father Francisco Bocel, found his body after the assassins had fled.° With his testimony of a life given entirely to his neighbor, to the simple and needy of Sololá, Stanley Francis Rother, the first of 13 priests who died during Guatemala's civil war, will be raised to the altars.° Days before being killed, he wrote in one of his letters: "The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger. Pray for us that we may be a sign of the love of Christ for our people, that our presence among them will fortify them to endure these su‹erings in preparation for the coming of the Kingdom." Father Rother baptizing a baby in Guatemala. PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE DIOCESE OF OKLAHOMA CITY

• Cover