04 Jul 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear Parishioners, Friends of the Cathedral Basilica and Saint Elizabeth, and Visitors,

There’s somebody I want you to meet… 

I entered the Seminary in August 2009. That Fall at our annual Class Retreat, I asked myself how I envisioned or personified Jesus in my life. A day or two later, the image came to me of a Youthful Jesus running beside me telling me that there are places He wants me to go and people He wants me to meet.

 

Upon reflection, it certainly was true during my 35-year career from 1974 to 2009 as I worked throughout Colorado, several of the Western States and the High Plains States, and Washington DC. I met many people with whom I am still in contact with today. 

 

Even my schooling in Barnum at Newlon and Perry Schools, Presentation of Our Lady School, Regis High School, and the Colorado School of Mines, there were people that Jesus wanted me to meet with whom I am still in touch today. 

 

So that thought gave me great Peace as I began the greatest Spiritual Adventure of my life. 

 

Certainly, in my time in Seminary it was true. In Summer 2010, I was assigned to Saint Helena Parish in Fort Morgan and its Mission Church Saint Francis of Assisi in Weldona. My second year in Seminary I was assigned to Saint Bridget’s Parish in Abington Massachusetts. My second Summer, I was assigned to Saint Mary of the Crown Parish in Carbondale and Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Basalt. My third year in Seminary I was assigned to Saint Paul’s Parish in Hingham Massachusetts. The Summer of my Transitional Deaconate I was assigned to Saint Frances Cabrini Parish in Littleton. During my fourth year I was assigned to Saint Mary the Hills Parish in Milton Massachusetts. And whenever I was in Denver, I would assist at my parish of 40 years — Mother of God Parish just down the street. 

 

So, by the end of my Seminary training at Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary in Weston Massachusetts, I met people at eight parishes here in Colorado and in Massachusetts of whom many I am still in touch. 

 

My first assignment as a Priest was at Light of the World Parish in Littleton Colorado. I met many people whom I still see regularly. Many of my friends from there have assisted us here at the Cathedral for the last six years in various ministries.

 

In 2014, I was appointed to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher … and  I have met many Knights and Ladies of the Order here, around the country, and in Rome.

 

I have met many Knights of Columbus…first at St Frances Cabrini, then Light of the World where I still serve as Faithful Friar of the Fourth Degree, then Downtown 539 where I am serving through this weekend as the Faithful Fryer.

And then in July 2015, I met you…and in July 2016, I met St Elizabeth of Hungary Mission Church. 

 

Over the last six years, 

We’ve met at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

We’ve met at Adoration

We’ve met in the Sacrament of Reconciliation

We’ve met in the Sacrament of Baptism

We’ve met at the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation 

We’ve met at Funerals

We’ve met at Weddings

We’ve met at the Anointing of the Sick

We’ve met at Franklin Park Nursing Home

We’ve met at Presbyterian Saint Luke’s Hospital and Saint Joseph’s Hospital

We’ve met in the Sandwich Line

We’ve met at the Pantry 

We’ve met at Snacks in the Afternoon 

We’ve met at the Sunday Concerts

We’ve met at Friday Night at the Movies

We’ve met over Waffles and Champagne on New Year’s

We’ve met at the Mardi Gras Party 

We’ve met at the Young Adult Cathedral Catholic Club Socials 

We’ve met at the Trail of Early Colorado Catholicism mountain hikes and history dinners

We’ve met at the Julia Greeley Guild

We’ve met at the Auraria Catholic Club

We’ve met at the Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Retreats

We’ve met at Saint Elizabeth Second Sunday Programs

We’ve met at the Ancient Order of the Hibernians with whom I have been associated this past year

We’ve met on the baseball fields, the basketball courts, and the BBQ grills of Catholic Sports

We’ve met at the Labor Day camping weekends of Catholic Sports and Creatio

We’ve met at the Bible Studies of Catholic Sports

We’ve met at the events of the Young Catholic Professionals to whom I served as Chaplain

We’ve met in our Sunday Morning Religious Education and Sacramental Prep Programs

We’ve met at Quo Vadis — our Catholicism in Brief series

We’ve met at the Sunday After Mass Programs

We’ve met at the RCIA Program

We’ve met at the Metro State University Musicano Mariachi Masses

We’ve met at the Newly Married and Young Families Bible Studies

We’ve met in the Marriage Preps

We’ve met in Pastoral Counseling…

 

Jesus was right… they were MANY people here that he wanted me to meet…

 

 

And now there are people that He wants me to meet at Guardian Angels Parish in Mead Colorado…

 

Just once before I go, I want you to know, that each time we’ve met over the last six years, YOU have touched my heart…YOU have made a difference in my Priesthood…through YOU I became a Priest…

 

And I love you very much… 

 

My Sisters and Brothers, you will always be in my prayers of Thanksgiving…until we meet again…

 

+May God Bless You and Keep You+