The Denver Catholic Register Vol. LXVll No. 39 October 2,1991 Colorado's Largest Weekly 24 Pages 25 Cents Man with AIDS returns to form er school convent to die By David Myers The colorful mosaic, standing nine and one-half feet Register Staff tall, took nine months to build. His mother, Cora The little elementary school in downtown Denver Westhoff, expressed pride in her son and the work he was like a home to Anthony Velarde, who, upon created. entering the school in the third grade, foimd it a haven “They kept telling him it couldn’t be done, that it was from the steel and concrete of die surrounding city. too big,” she said. “He said, 'Yes I can.’ He showed Nearly 40 years later, Velarde, sick with AIDS, them that he could do it.” again would find refuge in the convent building across With a strong Catholic upbringing as a guide, the the street from his old school. 6’2", 280-pound man bypassed his art career to earn a The convent now is named Seton House and is degree in social work. Years later, at the age of 49, the managed by the Missionary Sisters of Charity as a home results of a blood transfusion would end his career, but for men with AIDS. not his deep-seated faith. Seton House opened in October of 1990, after Mother “When we brought him in here (Seton House), he Teresa offered the mission to the archdiocese so that couldn’t even walk; he couldn’t eat; he couldn’t swal­ “no child, man or woman in this beautiful archdiocese low,” Reams said. in Colorado will be unwanted, unloved or uncared for.” “This was the last place we called, and they wel­ In a society plagued by fear of a disease too few comed us with opened arms.” people take the time to be educated about, Velarde According to Reams, before discovering Seton House, found in Seton House an unconditional love and accep­ she, Velarde and their mother searched in vain for an tance, his sister, Joan Reams, said. organization or hospital that could help her brother. “When we first came in, there was a sign on his bed When they eventually found themselves knocking that said,' Welcome home, Tony,’” Reams said. “It was on the door of Seton House, Reams said that they found so wonderful to see that.” “a home, rather than a nursing home.” After graduating from high school in 1962, Velarde According to Westhoff, the care and attention Velarde utilized his artistic talent, creating a mosaic out of received at the Seton House was due entirely to the broken glass of O m Lady of Guadalupe which still strong faith and Christian charity of the five nuns who hangs on a wall at Machebeuf Catholic High School. manage the home, as well as the many volunteers. “Every Saturday we had to go out and get glass for “I would like to thank the Sisters,” Westhoff shared. him,” Reams said. “We would get broken glass and “They are beautiful people. They were so good to my bottles, put them in garbage sacks and take them to son.” Boca/DCR Fliuto school. He would cut them and paste them on the “We never really had to worry about him,” Reams A STATUE OF MARY watches over Denver's mosaic.” Continued on page 5 Seton House and the men with AIDS who live there. In observance of October as AIDS Awareness Month, the Denver Catholic Register be­ gins in this issue a series about AIDS and the Church, detail­ ing how the Church is respond­ ing to persons with the disease and their families. For more information about several upcoming events re­ garding AIDS during the month of October, see page 4. Page 2 — October 2, 1991 — Denver Catholic Register The hard bread of the Gospel The Archdiocese of Denver is privileged to have in with countless institutions of higher education who in the friendship of the founder of the Congregation of the its service the Vincentian Fathers and St. Thomas their various communities assemble together to peti­ Missions, Vincent de Paul. Indeed, the measure of the Theological Seminary. The seminary fulfills the im­ tion the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Wisdom of success of the seminary’s mission is precisely the portant responsibility of form­ God, on this new year of spiritual formation and aca­ extent to which it contributes to the upbuilding of the ing priests and of educating demic endeavor. Second, in this Eucharistic covenant Church in unity, that is, to the extent that it strengthens permanent deacons, religious, we renew our communion with the saints, particularly the bonds of the communion of each of the members of and lay people. As the semi­ this institution with the Head of the Church, the Succes­ nary begins its new academic sor of Peter, and with those who together with him year, I ask the people of the ARCHBISHOP'S constitute the apostolic college which succeeds to the ^ archdiocese to join me in pray­ college of the apostles. ing for the success of its en­ COLUMN In a January 1, 1972, circular letter to his confreres deavors. To that end, I reprint in the Congregation, the superior general wrote, “What here my homily delivered on with Vincent de Paul, Lxiuise de Marrilac, and Thomas would Saint Vincent do today? Without doubt, he the occasion of the inaugura­ Aquinas, knowing ourselves to be dependent on their would again read the signs of the times. He would pay tion of its academic year. continued intercession on our behalf. In our Eucharistic respectful attention to the voice of the Pope and to that Each fall the celebra­ prayer, when we use the first preface for Holy Men and of the recent General Council of the Church. He would tion of this Eucharist honoring the saintly life of Women, we praise the Father, the all-powerful and find a way to put his Congregation at the disposal of the Vincent de Paul and inaugurating the academic year of ever-living God, because in the lives of the saints he Church to participate in meeting the urgent demands of St. Thomas Theological Seminary is a privileged occa­ gives us an example; in our communion with them he the world of today in whatever place his greatly ex­ sion. First, through the grace of this Eucharistic sacri­ gives us their friendship; in their prayer for the Church panded Congregation is found.” fice and the power of the Holy Spirit we are in commun­ he gives us strength and protection. The second preface Recalling for his brothers and sisters the charism of ion with the Holy Father, with bishops everywhere, and for Holy Men and Women echoes this same theme, their founder, the superior general spoke to them of the recalling, “They inspire us by their heroic lives, and ministry of the saint himself in our own contemporary ARCHBISHOP'S ACTIVITIES help us by their constant prayers to be the living sign of circumstances. To model Vincent and thus contribute [God’s] saving power.” to the upbuilding of the Church as Vincent himself still September 22 to September 28, 1991 The Second Vatican Council in the Dogmatic Con­ does through example, through intercession, indeed as stitution on the Church, "Lumen gentium," presupfios- the council teaches through his close unity in heaven to September 23 ing this Pauline theme of the communion of the saints, Christ, the modem Vincentian must first discern the 9:30 a.m.. Committee of Vicars and Secretaries. teaches, “For by reason of the fact that those in heaven signs of the times. September 24 are more closely united with Christ, they establish the Speaking of the reading of the signs of the times, the Retreat with the priests of the archdiocese, St. whole Church more firmly in holiness, lend nobility to Second Vatican Coimcil teaches, “The Church has Malo Center, Allenspark. the worship which the Church offers on earth to God, Continued on page 6 September 25 and in many ways contribute to its greater upbuilding” Retreat continued. (LG 49). This latter task, the greater upbuilding of the Letters to the archbishop September 26 Church in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Rocky 11:00 a.m., celebration of the Eucharist closing Mountain west is uniquely entrusted by the Church to Dear Archbishop Stafford: the archdiocesan priests’ retreat. the Congregation of the Missions and through them to Bishop Sheehan has asked me to acknowledge with 5:15 p.m., celebration of the Eucharist on the St. Thomas Theological Seminary. Under the auspices deepest gratitude your recent check for $4,849.09, Feast of St. Vincent de Paul and inaugurating the of its many component institutes and under the leader­ representing the contribution to die American Board of academic year of Saint Thomas Theological Semi­ ship of the Vincentian Fathers, this seminary assumes Catholic Missions from the Mission Sunday Collection nary, Denver. the crucial responsibility of forming men for priesthood of the Archdiocese of Denver. September 25 in the service of many local Churches and religious We recognize and appreciate the sacrifice tiiat has 2:00 p.m.. Advisory Board meeting of Saint Tho­ congregations throughout the region and even over­ made diis gift to the home missions possible. Please mas Theological Seminary, Denver. seas, and it provides theological and spiritual formation keep us in your prayers that we may wisely distribute September 28 to lay men and women and permanent deacons who are, the money your people have so generously given.