Denver Catholic

8 DECEMBER 23, 2017-JANUARY 26, 2018 | DENVER CATHOLIC THE POLISH WAY The Grondalski family (Henryk, Margaret and their children: Peter, Anna and Julia) don't only celebrate Christmas the Polish way, they also do it speaking Polish. They are members of St. Joseph's Polish Parish in Denver and Margaret serves as the principal of the Polish Sunday School. The family waits for the first star to show on the sky of Christmas Eve to begin the family dinner, symbolizing the star that led the three wise men. Their tradition consists in having a 12-dish dinner with absolutely no meat, an ancient European tradition of abstaining from meat in anticipation of a feast. Instead, some of the dishes include the "kasza," a type of groats, elegantly served with salmon, braised cabbage and mushrooms – only after a beet soup containing "pierogi," filled dumplings. At the center of the table, a stack of hay is left under a few wafers on a cloth. This symbolizes the Eucharist and the child Jesus on the manger. It's not until the following day that the family eats a festive meat-based meal. A UKRAINIAN TRADITION The Wynar's celebrate a Ukrainian Christmas with the whole family, liter- ally, all of it: Living or not. They follow the traditional practice of leaving an extra plate with dessert for those family members who have passed away. It's a way of honoring their presence and participation in this great feast. Misio, Mariana and their children, Melania and Bohdan, are parishio- ners at Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church. Other than speaking Ukrainian at home and teaching it to their children as their first language, Misio and Mariana also follow their parents' tradition of having a 12-course meal on Christmas Eve. The meal, containing no meat or dairy products, begins with the first star of the night. And three rings of Christmas "kolach," a traditional braided bread, are placed at the center of the table with a candle to symbolize the Holy Trinity. Other Ukrainian traditions include giving gifts on the feast of St. Nicholas instead of Christmas and placing hay under the table, a Christianized ancient practice to represent the manger. Around the Archdiocese Charros mexicanos, mariachi, bailables folclóricos, caballos, exposición de ganado, la presentación estelar de Jerry Diaz, y mucho más. Para comprar sus entradas en línea, visite www.tinyurl.com/NWPROMO Promo code: (Catholic) El precio ofrecido en esta promoción no está disponible al público en general. Todos boletos están sujetos a disponibilidad. Cada boleto incluye entrada a la exposición (grounds admission) durante todo el día y estacionamiento gratis. Compre sus boletos a $19 y $3 serán donados a la Arquidiócesis de Denver. Además, ahorrara $4.50 adicionales por boleto en cargos de servicio. Acompáñenos en un día especial en el National Western Stock Show para disfrutar la noche de a las 6:30 pm Domingo, 7 de enero A Colorad tradition since 1906 Sunda, Januar 7 th at 6:30 pm Featuring El Charro de Corazón Jerry Diaz and Family - Special Appearance by Christo Escalante (10-year-old singing sensation from San Antonio, Texas) - Mariachi Sol de Mi Tierra - Folklorico Dancers - Dan James, Specialty Act - Escaramuza Charra Flor de Aguileña - Matadors from Mexico & Mutton Bustin' TO ORDER VISIT tinyurl.com/NWPromo or 303-295-2979 Promo code: (Catholic) Tickets include Grounds Admission for the day of the event. Parking is FREE in NWSS Lots. Prices offered are not available to the general public. All orders are subject to availability. Buy discount tickets for $19 $3 from each purchase will be donated to the Archdiocese of Denver! Join us for a special day at the National Western Stock Show and enjoy a night at Mexican Rode Extravaganza. C�t�o�i� F�m�l� N�g�t The dierent colors of Christmas traditions BY VLADIMIR MAURICIO-PEREZ T he Catholic Church is indeed "Catholic." Its universality becomes evident in the many ways believers from di‹erent countries celebrate the same feast. Such richness is alive in the Archdiocese of Denver, reminding us of the beauty of being truly "universal." Here are some of the ways Catholics celebrate Christmas in our midst. PHOTO BY ANDREW WRIGHT PHOTO BY ANDREW WRIGHT

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