Faith Fridays
bringing our St. Elizabeth community to your inbox.
Poppy Field
Vincent van Gogh
c. 1890
When I was a little girl, my family and I used to travel to this small mountain town in Pennsylvania from where my mother hails to visit relatives for holidays, birthdays, and most importantly, St. Ubaldo Day!
Also known as La Festa dei Ceri, St. Ubaldo Day is celebrated with a procession/race of saints atop H-shaped platforms through town, a tradition brought over from Gubbio, Italy. Rooted in the historical account of Ubaldo, then Bishop, saving his town from a German invasion, it now symbolizes a unity of classes as St. Ubaldo, patron saint of stonemasons, is carried in honor through the streets on/near his feast day, and is accompanied by Saints George and Anthony patrons of merchants and farmers respectively. In old town tradition (although this may have since changed), the young men vie for the envied positions to carry the Saints and the older men, women and children line the streets to encourage, cheer and celebrate. The procession is followed by an abundance of Italian food and music. The festival is always held on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend.
Along the route, at least in my youth, you would see older men in uniform waving flags and giving out button hole poppies made out of crepe paper and wire. I never knew why, but always felt "chosen" to receive one.
As an adult, I now understand the history a little bit and have come to see the poppy as not only a symbol of remembrance but also hope for a peaceful future. You are encouraged, regardless of politics, to take a moment out to remember those that have fallen in the name of our freedoms we often take for granted.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
* the poem that inspired the wearing of the poppy *
by John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
The Holy City
Illumination
1325 - 1350
The Story and You
It’s unimaginable how brave those early evangelists were. Paul and Barnabas were so positive of what the Spirit was doing to advance the early Church that they took it upon themselves to free the Gentiles, clamoring for baptism, from the requirements of male circumcision, and most of the Mosaic Law.
It was their experience of encounter with those Gentiles in Syria in the mid-fifties that convinced them that this was, indeed, what the Spirit was saying to the Church. But what a huge and shocking departure it was from everything their Jewish backgrounds had taught them about God’s will.
Their convictions, and courageous actions, created such a conflict with the “Judaizers”----Orthodox Jews who had been baptized into Christ, and yet believed that Gentiles could only access salvation through adherence to strict Mosaic Law---that the first conference ever convened among Christians took place just to settle it.
The Council of Jerusalem ended up siding with Paul and Barnabas. There were a few dust-ups along the way (see Galatians 2, just for fun), but in a decade or two the matter was ancient history, and by the end of the first century it became obvious that the worldwide growth of Christianity would be among the Gentiles.
They listened to the Spirit, those earliest Jewish-Christians, and oh what grace followed. What impediments to the growth of a vibrant Church need to be set aside so that grace may follow? In our wildest dreams we couldn’t find an impediment more “central to the faith” than the Mosaic Law was to Judaism, yet they set it aside in order to save the souls of the billions of Gentiles who would come to Christ throughout history.
What, if anything, is standing in the way of the Spirit’s work?
Kathy McGovern©2022 www.thestoryandyou.com
Mass Schedule
Daily Mass is on break from May 15, 2022 - August 15, 2022
as many students and faculty are away from campus.
* * * * * * * * * *
June 29, 2022
Ascension Sunday
June 5, 2022
Pentecost Sunday
Show your spirit for the Holy Spirit: wear your best RED!!
June 19, 2022
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
also known as Feast of Corpus Christi
&
it's Father's Day!
(Burrito Breakfast for our Dads!)
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
Young Adult Coffee and Chat
Understanding Synodality
"Synodality denotes the particular style that qualifies the life and mission of the Church. When it concerns the Catholic Church, synodality designates "the specific modus vivendi et operandi of the Church, the People of God, which reveals and gives substance to her being as communion when all her members journey together, gather in assembly and take an active part in her evangelizing mission." Synodality also "refers to the involvement and participation of the whole People of God in the life and mission of the Church".[2] Synodality "[b]roadly [...] refers to the active participation of all the faithful in the life and mission of the Church."[3]" - from Wikipedia
1. Given your own lived experience, what are your joys and sorrows of your journeying with this Church?
2. What do you dream and hope that the Church can be?
This meeting is in the spirit of Pope Francis' call to synodality for our global church. It will go no longer than 90 minutes; come ready to listen and reflect. All are Welcome.
When I Was Hungry and Thirsty
Thank you Bishop Jorge for your kind and thought-provoking words.
"Christ's wounds in his hands represent the wounds of the cross, but more so the wounds of humanity. May all who pass here see the wounds and get the message." - Bishop Jorge Rodriguez
Please read this article about the statue and our Sandwich Line ministry published online by the Denver Catholic: When I Was Hungry and Thirsty
Special for Rockies Fans
You Julia Greeley fans who are also Colorado Rockies fans have the opportunity to cheer on your favorite baseball team while helping support Julia's Guild, which works to spread the good news about Denver's Angel of Charity.
Here are upcoming Rockies games where you can get $40 lower level tickets for only $33 and support the Guild at the same time:
Saturday, June 4 vs. Braves @ TBD
Friday, June 17 vs. Padres @ 6:40 pm
Saturday, July 16 vs Pirates @ TBD
Sunday, July 31 vs. Dodgers @ 1:10 pm
Tuesday, Aug. 9 vs. Cardinals @ 6:40 pm
Sunday, Aug. 14 vs D-Backs @ 1:10 pm (This is also Faith Day)
Friday, Aug. 19 vs. Giants @ 6:40 pm
Friday, Sept. 23 vs. Padres @ 6:10 pm**
**This is the fireworks game on the first base side
For more details, contact Mary Leisring at 720-352-4995.
Sandwich Line News
If you recall last month's story, the Safety Associate and one of the guests had an amusing standoff over knowing each other's name. The Safety Associate is happy to report that the guest and she have since exchanged names and have a jovial kinship. How do you like that!
* * * * * * * * * *
Have you heard something amusing or poignant on the line?
Share your experiences here!
Submit to lisa@stelizabethdenver.org
Gratitude Corner
About 14 years ago, a gentleman crossed paths with some parishioners at an external event. The parishioners invited him to check out our Sandwich Line as a worthy cause for his time and effort. And ever since, Mr. Kent Searl has been a faithful volunteer, prepping, serving and being a main buyer of weekly supplies for our line. Kent and his wife are relocating in Colorado, and will no longer be able to serve with us. We are so grateful for Kent's dedication, generosity, contributions, leadership, and grace. He will be missed by staff and volunteers alike - but we all wish him well on this next phase of his life's adventure!
FROM THE STAFF
Pastor's Corner
It's official!
Father John James joins the staff at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception as Parochial Vicar come July 1, 2022. Which means, he will be spending more time at St. Elizabeth of Hungary too!
* * * * * * * * * *
Join Bishop Jorge Rodriguez for the Sacred Heart Mass at the Cathedral, 5:30 p.m. on June 6, 2022, the eve of the 104th anniversary of Servant of God Julia Greeley's death.
Religious Education Corner
Inter-Generational Hike
We are discussing having an inter-generational hike this summer. We are planning it in July, but open to other suggestions from parishioners. Please let Liz know at liz@stelizabethdenver.org if you have interest in this!
Volunteer Opportunities
We have some great volunteer opportunities and would appreciate hearing from you! For all mentioned below contact, Liz Barreca, at liz@stelizabethdenver.org
- If you have an idea for an Adult Faith Group or would like to lead one after we finish Fratelli Tutti on April 24th, reach out!
- We also would appreciate volunteers to sub for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-method based way of teaching children 3 to 6 years old.
- If you are interested in working with tweens and teens, you are welcome to come help with our parish youth group that meets the first Sunday of each month.
Young Adults (20s and 30s)
- Are you around this Spring and Summer and interested in a Colorado Catholic Sports League? https://cocatholicsports.leagueapps.com/leagues
- Looking for time to hang out with other local Catholics? Come join the Young Adult Cathedral Catholics (YACC) at the Knights of Columbus Hall after the 6:30pm Mass to socialize, grab a bite, and enjoy a beer. YACC gathers every other week. ***Please note: The Knights Hall Parking Lot is paid parking ($5). You can support the Knights by using the lot (as they provide the hall space for free) or find free parking at 1511 Logan St.
- Interested in experiencing the beauty of God in nature and spending time in Catholic Fellowship? Check out the events Creatio has to offer here: https://creatio.org/experiences/
Financial Times
Your Business Manager is in the process of developing the Budget for Fiscal Year 2023, as it begins on July 1, 2022. It will be presented to the Finance Council on Saturday, May 28, 2022 for approval. The June issue of Faith Fridays will include a Year to Date update on Financials, through April, if not May. And there will be a link to view the approved Budget. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact the Business Office.
ONLINE: Start or increase contributions today through our electronic giving program. It takes just a few minutes to set up a recurring giving plan. To learn more, go to NEW! Online Giving.
THROUGH TEXT: Just text the amount of your donation (whole numbers only) to 844.975.3611. You will get a link back to which you connect to complete your donation. Fast!
STAFF SCHEDULE
On-Site Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 3pm
Business Manager - Lisa M. McMahon
On-Site T/Th: 9:30am - 2:30pm
NOTE: Staff (above) Meeting at Cathedral: Thursday from 1:15pm - 2:30pm
Maintenance - Trey Turner
On-Site Tuesday - Saturday: 12pm - 2pm
Safety Associates on duty 9am -12pm:
Sunday and Monday: Lisa McMahon
Tuesday through Saturday: Trey Turner
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
* * * * * * * * * *
Everyone who receives this newsletter is invited to send in your own stories, pictures, anecdotes, or messages - or propose a new section for content. We would love to hear from you!
COVID STATUS
As of March 2022
At this time, St Elizabeth will maintain distribution of the Body of Christ only.
As for attending mass and programs at St. Elizabeth, you are encouraged to wear a mask.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church
To make an online donation: click the blue Online Giving button at http://stelizabethdenver.org/
To add yourself to our newsletter distribution list, contact: lisa@stelizabethdenver.org
Email: lisa@stelizabethdenver.org
Website: www.stelizabethdenver.org
Location: 1060 St. Francis Way Denver, CO
Phone: 303 534 4014
Twitter: @stelizabethden
Image files, if not solely owned by the author of Faith Fridays or otherwise credited above are licensed under the Creative Commons Zero - CC0 or Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.