Denver Catholic

7 DENVER CATHOLIC | MAY 12-25, 2018 the elderly facing the end of their lives. The order in Denver has been serving those in need for 101 years. " We care for the residents, we accompany them through their joys, through their sorrows, through their expectations," said Sister Joseph Marie. "At the moment of the dying process, they're never alone because a Little Sister is always with them. "It's such a beautiful atmosphere," she continued. "Other residents see this and say to themselves, 'At that moment, I don't have to be afraid because there will be a Little Sister holding my hand and helping me pass from this life to the next.' "We're there giving spiritual birth to the residents to go to heaven," she said. Although they don't have husbands to rely on, the Sisters feel they get all they need from God. Sister Joseph Marie has witnessed the help of St. Joseph, the order's patron, several times, including when the Sisters were serving at their home in Peru. "We were going to serve [our res- idents dinner], and then the gas line went out," she said. "We didn't have any hot food. "At that moment, there's a neighbor that knocked on our door and said she had cooked too much food, so she brought some food and it was enough for all six of us for dinner and supper," she said. "It just brings tears to your eyes and goosebumps because of God's love, and St. Joseph always provides for us." Both orders feel fortunate to convey that love to those they serve. "In our vocation, we're very privi- leged to be able to walk with people in the important, intimate details of life," said Sister Fiat Marie. Sister Joseph Marie agreed. "It's really beautiful to accompany the residents through their life," she said. "It's a powerful witness of the cul- ture of life, and our consecrated hospi- tality is a witness to the mercy and com- passionate love of the heart of Jes us." WELCOME TO A NEW BEGINNING AND NEW NAME The staff of St. Raphael Counseling joins Catholic Charities of Denver, formerly Sacred Heart Counseling ONE TEAM, ONE MISSION MORE CLINICAL CARE GROUNDED IN CHURCH TEACHING Call (720) 377-1359 to set an appointment www.straphaelcounseling.com The Sisters of Life exert their mother- hood by serving pregnant women, women who have had abor- tions and young women in college. PHOTO BY ANDREW WRIGHT

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