Vol. LXVll No. 43 October 30,1991 Colorado’s Largest Weekly 36 Pages 35 C e n ts 'Cathedral Angel' creates icons, relishes life By David Myers Connelly, 34, has been painting religious icons since with AIDS. Since that time he has had a showing of his Register Staff studying for the priesthood at St. Thomas Seminary art at St. Thomas Seminary, has spoken to teens and The shelves lining the wall of the tiny nook were more than 15 years ago. others about AIDS through the Colorado AIDS Foun­ filled with tubes of paint, all used by artist Patrick “1 had every intention of becoming a priest,” he said. dation and has gained a world of friends and supporters. Connelly to create the magic found in the religious It wasn’t until after five years of study leading to “If you try to do it yourself, you can’t. You have to icons he paints and to spread a simple message of hope. three degrees, that he decided against the idea. surrender to the Spirit. Once 1 surrendered, it was a “The spirit is with you all the time, but you have to “God knew what was to become of me.” transformation. 1 never guessed my life could be good decide to do the work,” he said. On May 15 of this year, Connelly was diagnosed again.” One blessing Connelly is most grateful for is that which earned him the name “Cathedral Angel.” One Christmas, white still attending St. Ttionias Seminary, there was a violent blizzard. “1 accidentally was locked out of the seminary, so 1 had to sleep in my car,” he explained. When Msgr. James Rasby, then rector of the Cathedral of the Im­ maculate Conception, heard about his plight, he offered Cormelly a room in the cathedral. But, “He said, 'If you are going to stay here, you are going to have to work.’” While serving as a lector, Connelly explained that he had long blond hair and wore a “beautiful prayer robe.” He earned his nickname during filming of a midnight Mass, when he was dubbed the Cathedral Angel' on T. V. PAINTINGS DESTROYED Eventually, wishing to utilize his artistic talent, he began attending classes at the Colorado Institute of Art. But before he could complete his studies, Connelly said his father, in a drunken rage, entered his apartment and began destroying his paintings with a knife. In dispair, Connelly traveled to California where he opened two businesses, a hair salon and an art gallery. “It all took off at the same time,” he said. Parishes began to request custom-built altars and tabernacles. His icon paintings sold for up to $2000, and he had a personal request from Mother Teresa for a painting. “I painted (the Missionary Sisters of Charity) a Madonna,” he explained, adding that the Madonna was wearing the habit of the sisters. “When Mother Teresa came to San Francisco, she asked if she could have it.” It was nearly 10 years later that Connelly was diag­ nosed with ARC (AIDS Related Complex). Symptoms of ARC may include chronic fatigue, recurrent diarrhea, weight loss, persistent fevers and night sweats, and may last for several years before developing into AIDS. Knowing what was going to happen, Connelly de­ cided to sell his businesses and travel. He was fighting constant illness without insurance and was forced to pay cash for medical treatment. Eventually, his money ran out. PATRICK CONNELLY, suffering from AIDS, continues his artistic work. James Baca/DCR Flioto Continued on page 2 Samaritan House Senior Housing El Pueblo Catolico Second of a series 300 facilities available Ayuda contra el SIDA/HIV PAGE 3 PAGES 11-26 PAGES 17-20 Page 2 — October 30, 1991 — Denver Catholic Register ARCHBISHOP’S ACTIVlllKS October 20 to October 26,1991 ’Cathedral Angel’ creates icons October 20 10:30 a.m., celebration of the Eucharist on the From page 1 survive two years in Los Angeles. After he was diag­ occasion of Respect Life Month, Cathedral of “My father said I could stay at their retirement home nosed with AIDS, he decided to return to Colorado. the Immaculate Conception, Denver. in Arizona,” he said, which lasted only until Connelly “I came back here and all of a sudden the Spirit was 7:30 p.m., institution of the rector and dean of told them about his sickness. shaking me,” Cormelly commented. “From the mo­ St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Cathedral, To his surprise, Connelly’s parents sent him back to ment I returned I’ve been surrounded by nothing but California with the request that he get help. love and support.” Denver. With no money, he was forced to live on the streets The joy he feels does not mean he is free of pain. October 21 Roman Catholic/Lutheran Bishops' Meeting, of Los Angeles, digging through trash cans for food, “Everyday is a struggle,” he said. “I was told two headquarters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church sick with diarrhea and vomiting from his disease. weeks ago that my brain is shrinking. “If you need help in life and are going to give your “The most important thing for me now, what keeps in America, Chicago. power away, just make sure that they are worthy of me so healthy, vibrant and alive, is the fact that I make October 22 9:00 a.m., meeting of the nominating com­ that,” he said. myself cook, or I don’t eat...” Connelly said, adding mittee, Catholic School Education Foimdation. Then his parents offered him advice. that this strength comes from the Spirit. “They told me three different times to kill myself,” Although he lacks the control in his arms he once October 25 1:30 p.m., Fall meeting of the Board of Trust­ he said. “They told me how to kill myself. had, Cormelly is able to continue to create unique icons ees, Saint Thomas Theological Seminary, Den­ “One day I woke up and got all the things my father that embody not only objective beauty, but the beauty told me to get,” he explained. “I was going to do it, and of the artist’s faith. ver. then I said. 'No. I’m not going to let them do that to “Sometimes you never think it’s going to get better, October 26 me.’” but it can, through the Spirit,” Connelly shared. “I am 9:00 ajn., Board of Trustees meeting, continued. With the help of a psychiatrist, Connelly managed to living proof that it works.” Vocation Awareness Day Approximately 90 people concerned with increasing New director of St. Malo Center awareness of vocation to the priesthood and Religious life attended a seminar and information meeting Oct. 26 Archbishop J. Francis Stafford has apjxjinted Dea­ at the Church of the Risen Christ, Denver. con Alan Slinkard as director of St. Malo Center, the The program was co-sponsored by eight parishes in archdiocesan conference and retreat center in Allenspark. the Southeast deanery of the Archdiocese of Denver and The appointment is effective Nov. 1. the Columbine Serra Club. Serra is an international Prior to joining the Archdiocese of Denver, Slinkard organization which promotes vocations to the priest­ served as parish administrator at Sacred Heart of Jesus hood and Religious life. Parish in Boulder and has additional experience in sales Speakers included 'Vincentian Father Dennis Martin and management. of St. Thomas Theological Seminary, Benedictine Fa­ Slinkard, ordained a permanant deacon in May, ther Ken Reichert of Conception Seminary College in 1991, has been involved in Church ministry as a mar­ Missouri, and Father Paul Kelly of Sacred Heart School riage preparation coordinator and also has worked with of Theology in Wisconsin. baptism preparation. Renew and the Rite of Christian Sisters of Mercy Camilla Verrettof New Mexico and Initiation for Adults (RCIA). Dominican Father Robert Staes of Denver also partici­ He and his wife, Debbie, are members of Sacred pated, together with representatives from 12 additional Heart of Jesus Parish in Boulder, where he is active in Religious congregations. the Knights of Columbus. Second career vocations were discussed, according Slinkard's civic involvement has included serving as to Ed Brown, Serra coordinator. A panel discussion president of the Optimist Pony League Baseball pro­ among priests and Religious was chaired by Father Deacon Alan and Debbie Slinkard. s.cm/i>cK gram and the North Boulder Little League junior divi­ Thomas Fryer, archdiocesan Director of Vocations. sion, and chief of lunpires. He also is a Boulder Luncheon Optimist involved in The Denver Catholic Register implementing the "Just Say No" program. (USPS 557-020) Th« Most R«v*rond J. Francis Stafford, D.D., publisher Msgr. C .t. Woodrich, associate publisher Memorial Mass Robert H. Feeney, general nnanager Chorterte Scott, editor A Memorial Mass for persons who have died of Meg Sandovci PhMHps, rep>orfer, edttor El Pueblo Catblico David Myers, reporter AIDS will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. at Holy Mary GoreckI GosctrrdnskI, desktop publishing operator Ghost Parish, 1900 California St. Colleen Smith Mason, special features James Baca, staff photographer The celebrant and homihst will be Father Marcian T. 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