SERVANTS OF CHRIST JESUS

Be Drunk with Love! ong of Songs is full of surpris- from the dead, does the Bridegroom than a fulfillment Ses: romance, sensuality, rendez- romance the Bride in an intoxicat- of the prophets; vous, intimacy. The Bride pines for ing and exuberant way? His myste- you are invited to her Bridegroom. The Bridegroom rious appearances and mischievous this exuberant and woos his Bride. In re-reading Song vanishing leave Mary, John, Peter, lively party as well! of Songs in the Augustine Bible the apostles, and the disciples on Perhaps this ex- (ESV), I stayed a long time with the road to Emmaus in wonder, as- plains, too, the another surprising line: Be drunk tonishment, and yearning for more: crazy love of the by Fr. John Ignatius with love (5:1). Questions arise: Have you seen him whom my soul English martyrs, Are we drunk with love for You, loves (3:3)? Is the Bridegroom so in some of whom smile and laugh on Lord? Have You been drunk with love, that He cannot help himself in their way to the scaffold, as if they love for us? wooing His Bride? hear their Bridegroom’s wedding invitation: Arise, my love, my beau- On Good Friday, the Bridegroom Perhaps His drunken love is con- tiful one, and come away (2:10). offers his body and blood for the tagious. After all, the bride seems They seem to hurry to the honey- Bride, and he promises, “It is con- to be following her Bridegroom’s moon. summated. It is finished.” He example when the disciples, after shows us from the Cross another 40 days of resurrection, and the As we feast through Easter toward verse from Song of Songs: Love is intoxication of Pentecost in praise Pentecost, may the Glorious Mys- strong as death (8:6). He spends all and tongues, are thought to be “full teries imbibe your soul with the his breath and his blood to rescue of new wine” (Acts 2:13). While Spirit. And may you receive and His Beloved. His committed love is St. Peter insists “these people are reciprocate such love, that you get relentless, sacrificial and strong. not drunk,” St. Peter also hastens to accused of being “full of new wine.” explain how their vibrant love and After all, the Word of God com- On Easter Sunday, when he rises joyful expressions are even more mands us: Be drunk with love! www.scjesus.org Spring 2021 Mission & Ministry Br. Peter Xavier preaching to a group of young Texas A&M men

Excercising Spiritual Fatherhood at Texas A&M often reflect on the gift pf God in calling me to religious life and specifically to this community. Not every seminarian has the gift of traveling on the weekends to minister to youthI and young adults. Through our formation and the witness of our priests, we brothers also receive a gift not always offered and not explicitly teachable - spiritual fatherhood. The Lord in His generosity offers me tastes of that Fatherhood that He will one day ordain me into permanently, and my trip back to Texas A&M was one of those tastes.

By Br. Peter Xavier Being a former student of Texas A&M, I was returning to the place where my journey into fatherhood began. When I was a student, I was consistently involved in a parish youth ministry program and was an associate youth minister the year before I left. Now, three and a half years out of college, those students with whom I walked every week for several years are now upperclassman at A&M. Suddenly returning with a new name, a black cassock, and a shaved head, many of my teens did not recognize me at first. It was beautiful to see their faces light up when they realized who I was.

I quickly saw that God was letting me father these students whom I love. Whether through sharing my experience of penance with a man in spiritual direction, or going for a walk and praying with a man about loneliness, or sharing stories of Jesus speaking to me, God allowed me to Father them - not from a place of exalted confidence due to years of experience, but from a place of compassion. The Holy Spirit prompted me to speak from my own experience of the pains and struggles that the students shared with me, allowing me "to suffer with" (compatio) them in a very real way. The Lord taught me that this gift of fatherhood is not only reserved for after my ordination, but is my fatherhoodhere and now if I am willing to open myself up to it.

If Our Father is willing to reveal Himself in this way to me as His son, knowing that I will reject Him at times, how could I not be willing to enter into the vulnerable role of fatherhood? There is no better place for masculinity to flourish than fatherhood. University of Denver Women's Ministry Team e have a lot to offer for the DU men, but being men, we can only offer so much to the women,” Brother Peter Xavier told me as we were hiking down a mountain in Evergreen, CO this past October. This conversation "Wgot my wheels turning, and it took the Holy Spirit only a few months to pull it together.

Maddy, Emily, Sarah, and I are young adult women who are passionate about Jesus and want to share Him with others. In late December 2020, Maddy and Emily, needing practicum hours for their studies at the Augustine Institute, reached out to Fr. John Ignatius to see if they could help with DU ministry. With an eager and joyful “yes,” Fr. John then connected Maddy and Emily to Sarah and me. Since then, our team has run full force with the excitement of By Betty Goodwin sharing Christ with the women of DU.

Our goal is coming to know Christ more intimately through prayer, scripture, and community. Maddy and Sarah lead a weekly formation night that includes anything from practicing Lectio Divina to watching talks from Catholic speakers. Emily and I lead a small group in the evening called "The Room" - a space for sharing our hearts, checking in with one another, and diving deeper into prayer. Sarah also leads a morning Bible study on Friday mornings for the early birds. The DU Women's Team: Sarah, Maddy, Emily, & Betty During my short time with DU, I have constantly found myself in awe of how much I have learned ministering alongside the Servants of Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit is very alive in them, and the students are so receptive to what they preach and share. They have taught me how to be bolder in prayer, how to love college students through their mess, and how to have a lot of fun doing it.

Simply put, I love ministry at DU and with the Servants of Christ Jesus. I am completely certain that the Lord wanted this ministry to happen, and I am filled with hope and freedom as we move The DU women leading a day retreat at Camp Malo in January. The retreat was focused on the Visitation. forward, opening our hearts and hands to what He has in store! Please pray for us!

Spring 2021 Sacrametns of Initiation

Fr. John Ignatius preaching to the young families gathered during the McDevitt Baptism Mass

Community Sacraments of Initiation lthough pandemic conditions temporarily suspended our “great feasts,” the growing families A of our extended community continue to give us opportunity to celebrate “great sacraments." In December 2020, Joe and Erica Ferdani welcomed child number four, Giuliana, and honored the Servants with a request to celebrate Holy Baptism at the Church where Joe and Erica were wed, Holy Ghost Catholic Church in downtown Denver. In the Advent Season, several Patriarch Families gathered for Mass and Baptism in the beautiful marble Church, thanks to the hospitality of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary.

Later in December, Carl and Amy Perez visited with their three sons from San Angelo, Texas, for a Colorado Christmas. Their sons had been already prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation, so during the Octave of Christmas, Fr. John was pleased to confirm Joseph and Philip Perez in the presence of their parents, their older brother, and the Servants in our Oratory.

In January, our residence saw two baptisms. Fr John presided at a weeknight baptism for Sean and Alyssa McDevitt’s sixth child, Matthew Stephen, on January 28, in the midst of a gathering including godparents Joe and Erica Ferdani, as well as Patriarch and Third Order families. Fr. James presided at a weekend baptism on January 31 of newborn Gianna Fisher, firstborn child of Noah and Savannah Fisher. Cameron Cashiola, a new novice and AMDG brother, became godfather for the first time. Fr. John Ignatius with McDevitt Family

Joe & Erica Ferdani with Servants, godparents Hannah & Andrew, Fr. John confirms Philip Ignatius ELIJAH Perez (left) and newborn Giuliana. and Joseph Benedict PAUL Perez (right).

Fr. John Ignatius pouring the waters of Baptism over Fr. James Claver celebrating Baptism for Gianna Fisher. Matthew Stephen McDevitt. Pictured here are Gianna's parents, Noah & Savannah Fisher.

www.scjesus.org Poverty

Br. Andrew and Greg encountering the homeless Living the Vow of Evangelical Poverty Servants Stats ait, Br. James, you don’t own your own stuff? You don’t have The Servants "W internet or TV at your house? You only get $30 a month?!” Budget 1$ per I remember students at Bishop Machebeuf High School asking me this as I Servant, per meal. taught on poverty in relation to the vows that religious men and women take. In the eyes of the world, it makes no sense. Why live with only two pairs of Each Servant clothes? Why tithe 20% of all our income? Why fast on bread and water on has only 2-3 By Fr. James Claver Fridays? Why give up sacrifice after sacrifice? habits & 2 Only for Jesus. That’s the only reason for doing anything, really. Somehow, someway, He makes pairs of shoes. it worth it, in the ways that only He can. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that 20% of Servants income though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Jesus does fill our lives with His presence, in a way beyond words. is tithed. 10% to the poor, 10% to the Church He was there with me in a way beyond words can describe when I was alone in Baja, California on (missions/parishes). my poverty pilgrimage, walking alongside the side of the highway in the middle of the desert, with my thumb out, begging for a ride with no money, and a small backpack with a breviary, Bible, a The Servants reserve con- pair of clothes, and a toothbrush. sumption of beef, alcohol, and desserts to Sundays He’s there with me when I’m spent from fasting all-day and a full week of work, and I’ve just flown & Feast Days. in to help on a retreat, right at the beginning of everyone gathering together on Friday evening looking at the priest who just showed up. Everything in me wants to just go to bed and get sleep, but there when I know I need to go out of myself and introduce myself to everyone, in the sacrifice, Jesus is there. Jesus makes it possible and fruitful.

It is a sacrifice to be living on needs rather than wants, but at the end of the day it’s incredibly freeing. I don’t have to worry about what I’m supposed to wear that day. I don’t have to worry On Wednesdays, Friday is a day of fasting. about keeping up with the latest iPhone or Airpods. I just get to be about the things of the Lord. the Servants The Servants meals consist abstain from meat. of grains and water only. It’s surprising when Jesus sends out His apostles; He doesn’t focus a lot on details. He sends them out, two by two, with not a lot of information. It doesn’t sound like there’s much of an itinerary The Servants do or gives information on how to preach, or how to get in conversation with people, or where you’re not have cable, going to stay. Instead on focusing on the what, He’s focused on the how: “Carry no moneybag, no DSL, or Wi-Fi at knapsack, no sandals” (Luke 10:4). His emphasis is on poverty. home. As much as we can focus on giving great talks, being engaging in our The Servants share all vehicles between presentations, preaching opportunities, members of the or giving advice in spiritual community. conversation or Confession, to be faithful to the Gospel means we must Each Servant is be poor. We must be living simply and alloted $30 per month depending on the Lord for all that we in spending money. need rather than self-reliance. It has to be the Lord that souls meet and not us. It means that we must be poor, being The Servants waste no totally empty, so that only he can fill us, leftovers. All unconsumed and only He can speak through us. Cameron (left) and Jack (hidden) giving consolation and food is saved and re- support to the homeless. served.

Spring 2021 Architectual Renderings

The Front Façade of a proposed Novitiate Design G r o w i n g T o wa r d A n o t h e r R e s i d e n c e “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let…your habitations be stretched out” – Isaiah 54:2

hen we purchased our first residence in 2016, our young community had 5 men in a house that could W accommodate 10 adults. In 2021, we now have 8 men in the community, with #9 to be admitted in June 2021, and #10 in the application process. By 2022, should our community continue to grow, we will need additional space. While we intend to retain our present residence, we must begin planning now how to accommodate the growing number of Servants to train and to deploy in the Kingdom of God. By Fr. John Ignatius The three options the Servants face for our next residence include leasing property, buying and remodeling a building, or building a new residence from the ground up. Since many religious provide initial training for their novices in rural settings, the Servants are also researching land adjacent to metro Denver for a possible new novitiate.

With this great opportunity before us, the Servants have a tremendously gifted Finance Council led by Mike Lipic, who has taken the initiative to communicate with an architect and with capital campaign resources. Patriarch families and Third Order families have expressed interest with input into location, layout, lifestyle, and community possibilities.

Adam Hermanson and IDG have provided initial drawings and designs, which are included here. Please pray for us, as we accept the graces and responsibilities of providing formation for so many young men who wish to follow Jesus in poverty, chastity and obedience, in order to make disciples of all nations.

Site Plan of the Rural Novitiate. Included here are the Novitiate (top) and Oratory (middle-right) Upper-Floor Plan of the Rural Novitiate Design

Southwest View of the Rural Novitiate Design Main-Level Plan of the Rural Novitiate Design

www.scjesus.org Community

The Servants on their first community weekend of the year in Estes Park, CO at St. Catherine's Chapel on the Rock

Servants Welcome a New Project Manager! Cody Feikles began work as the new Program Manger for the Servants of Christ Jesus in January, 2021. He has taken over for Ed Lugo, who was called by the Lord to pursue a career in Real-Estate. Cody received his Master of Theological Studies Degree from Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry and has since taught High School Theology in Florida and worked in Chapter Development for Legatus.

"As I learned from Ed during my onboarding process, it is my hope that during my time here, I may truly be a 'servant to the Servants.' Please pray for me and my family during this time of transition and joy!" - Cody

Cody can be reached at: [email protected] or [email protected]

Double Tithing & Reliance All Saints Roman Catholic Church FOCUS Sacred Heart Retreat House Aquinas Forum Fr. Mike Schmitz Podcast St. Augustine Parish on God’s Providence Archbishop's Catholic Appeal Denver Holy Family Catholic Church St. Clare Catholic Church Our commitment to poverty reminds us that Assumption Seminary Holy Ghost Catholic Church St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church every gift we receive belongs to God. As a Carmel of the Holy Spirit Life Teen Missions St. Michael Parish community we have long-practiced poverty Casa de los Pobres - USA Little Sisters of poor St. Stephen's Catholic Church and reliance on God through double- Catholic Charities Denver Magnificat Houses St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church tithing. 10% of our income goes directly to Catholic Relief Services Missionaries of Charity Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary relief of poverty, hunger, & homelessness. Catholic Sports Missionaries of the Poor USA Sisters of Life Another 10% of our income supports Catholic Youth Summer Camp Missioners of Christ The Bridge Ministries evangelization, parish, and missionary Christ in the City Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church The Messy Family Project activity within our Catholic Church. Creatio Our Lady's Youth Center United with Migrants Your generosity helped us support the Family Mission Company Patriarch Urban Encounter Ministries following organizations this past year, 2020. Farm of the Child Risen Christ Catholic Church All Saints to Farm of Child

FOCUS to Risen Christ

Sacred Heart to UEM

Thank you Servants! Working side-by-side with you was one of the great blessings of my life. It was clear the Lord brought us together 6 years ago, and clear that the Lord brought me to a new career in Real Estate now. As your employee, my hope was always to be a “servant to the Servants” and I now hope to do the same for anyone buying or selling a home. I love you guys!!

Spring 2021 Am I Holy Enough? Homily given by Fr. John Ignatius on the Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Denver, CO - January 4th, 2021

ne of the great glories of the Roman This married woman, after her husband ones who found they couldn’t follow Jesus OCatholic Church is her capacity to dies, answers an invitation and call from beyond their self-preservation. recognize holiness as a quality entirely apart the Lord to begin religious schools and to from worldly qualities like riches, honors, found a new community of women. But the sick came; those with diseases and military prowess, economic influence, or handicaps came; the lunatics came; the political power. Neither the presence nor She spends her inheritance and herself, possessed came; the handicapped came; the absence of worldly qualities guarantees through poverty and beyond obstacles: blind and the deaf came; the lepers came; holiness. • to keep His commandments the paralytics came. • to do what pleases Him The Church also recognizes that holiness • to believe in God’s Son Jesus Christ The healthy, wealthy and smart didn’t need is a quality apart from theological • to love one another just as He commanded God’s help, as much as the sick, the poor, sophistication, devotional expertise, and and the illiterate. The deplorables needed apostolic efficiency and efficacy. She does it in Maryland. Tomorrow, a God; and in Christ, God preferred them missionary bishop, St John Neumann, does and came particularly for them. The healthy Neither the presence of theological studies, God’s will in Philadelphia. On Thursday, are not in need of the physician, but the sick nor its absence, guarantees holiness. Neither a simple devout lay brother, St Andre are. I came not to call the righteous, but the presence of multiplied devotions, nor Bessette, does God’s will in Montreal. sinners to repentance. their absence, guarantees holiness. Neither the presence of apostolic efficacy, nor its It’s the week of North American Saints. Which is why the simplicity of John’s absence, guarantees holiness. St Elizabeth, St John, and St Andre, none preaching in Matthew 3, “Repent, the of whom had the same background, Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” attracts the Holiness is godliness – and the Church formation, education, or accomplishments. crowds, and attracts Jesus to the Jordan. And continues to recognize and affirm that All of whom obeyed God, believed in Jesus, why once John’s voice is muted by arrest, holiness occurs among those who may loved others, and did what pleased God. Jesus picks up the same refrain, “Repent, or may not have studied, may or may not the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” have multiplied devotions, may or may not Toward the end of his life, St Francis of accomplished an outstanding apostolate. Assisi tells his fellow friars: I have done Let’s not make it too complex or too what God has given ME to do; may God complicated. John’s message is Jesus’ God’s holiness is biblically much simpler grant you to do what he gives YOU to do. message. Jesus’ message is our message: than men make it to be sometimes. St John “Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at gets it right in the first reading. Being close The categories are the same; the specifics hand.”If it’s too simplistic for priests, to God is available to anyone and everyone: will be diverse: ministers, or the comfortable – so be it. • Keep his commandments • Keep his commandments But the sick, the poor, the lame, the • Do what pleases Him • Do what pleases Him handicapped, the uneducated, and the • Believe in the Name of His Son, Jesus • Believe in the Name of His Son, Jesus childlike are still waiting to hear someone Christ • Love one another just as He commanded pick up the message that will bring them • Love one another just as He commanded closer to God. When John is baptizing in the wilderness, “Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at You don’t need a degree; you don’t even his message of repentance, confession, hand” and the Kingdom of heaven is in your have to be literate to do these things, unless baptism, and forgiveness is available to midst: one’s literacy is commanded by God, or everyone and anyone. • when you Keep his commandments one’s literacy pleases God. You don’t need to • Do what pleases him travel the world to do these things, unless After John is arrested, Jesus picks up the • Trust and Believe in Jesus travel is commanded by God or pleases same message, as we hear in today’s Gospel: • And love one another as He did God. REPENT, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. May the intercession of the simple saints Illiterate peasants, third world orphans, tax and sophisticated saints make us trusting, collectors, prostitutes, politicians, Pharisees And crowds get it; sinners get it; commoners courageous, faithful, obedient, and loving. – everyone is invited to the same holiness get it; ordinary folk get it. Repent. God’s So that we might know what pleases Him, or godliness: kingdom is at hand. Prepare the way of the and enjoy fulfilling all that pleases Him, in Lord. Make up your mind to believe, to the same simple/sacrificial love of St John Today we celebrate a married woman, trust, to follow, to obey. the Baptist, St John Neumann, St Andre a colonial American, and a former Bessette, and St Elizabeth Ann Seton – that Episcopalian: St Elizabeth Ann Seton. It was the theologically rich that had the next generation of North Americans This colonial American transfers her difficulties. The scribes, pharisees, and would hear Christ’s message, believe, allegiance from the Episcopal Church to Sadducees were the most skeptical. It was repent, and follow us – who are following the Roman Church. This married woman the materially wealthy and comfortable that Him – all the way to heaven. transfers her liturgical prayer from British had objections. Those who were attached English to Ancient Latin. to home, family, or possessions were the

www.scjesus.org SERVANTS OF CHRIST JESUS 4022 South Olive Street Denver, CO 80237-2040

Welcome to the Servants of Christ Jesus! Spring Evangelization Our New Novices Arrived January 10, 2021 and Formation March 3: Patriarch Couples Talk - Denver, CO 5-7: Cabrini Youth Retreat - Littleton, CO 19-21: Servants Vocation Weekend - Denver, CO 19-21: UF Fire Weekend (University of Florida) 26-28 - Archdiocese of Military & U.S. Naval Academy 28-April 4: Holy Week Services - University of Denver

April Cameron Cashiola (left) grew up in Greg Scarpitti (right) was raised and St Laurence Parish, Sugar Land, Tex- educated in Columbus, Ohio, at Our 10: Patriarch Initiation Forum - Denver, CO as, and attended Strake Jesuit Prep in Lady of Peace Parish, where he was in- 6-8: National Catholic Education Conference - Washington D.C. Houston. Fr John and Fr Paul served spired the examples of Dominican Sis- at his youth parish retreats, before ter Barbara Kolesar and his pastors to 16-18: DU Women's Weekend - Denver, CO Cameron studied theology at Fran- consider religious life and priesthood. ciscan University and joined AMDG. After graduating from St Charles Prep, 30 - May 2: Patriarch Men's Weekend - Rockford, IL Ignatian Spirituality, household broth- Greg pursued an Economics degree at erhood, and missionary outreach Ohio State, where he also joined St Paul May with Adore and Vagabond missions Outreach and served Catholic Youth gave him opportunities to consid- Summer Camp at Damascus. After 12-June 15: CYSC Equip - Centerburg, OH er consecrated life with a missionary first meeting the Servants at Fan Into men’s community. After graduating Flame, then at Damascus, Greg visited in Summer 2020, Cameron was ad- Denver twice, before graduating in De- mitted to the Servants of Christ Jesus. cember 2020, and joining the Servants.