St. Thomas More Catholic Parish Newsletter October 2018 more INFORMED A Grandfather’s Wisdom sharing the faith Faithful Stewards giving of our time, talent and treasure More Than You Realize calling us each to discipleship Growing Closer to Christ and Each Other adventures in youth ministry Safeguarding Families Ministry of the Sick Connecting Faith the importance of the bringing hope and Our Lord and Science 2018 midterm elections to those in need students explore God’s creation info content St. Thomas More Catholic Parish 8035 South Quebec Street Centennial, CO 80112 303.770.1155 stthomasmore.org editor: Carly McGillick contributing editors: Therese Beaudette Deacon Bob Cropp 20 24 Jerry Nix photographers: 3 The Path of the Church 17 The Gospel of Life By Msgr. Tom Fryar By Catholic Charities & STM Staff Ian Lee Dave Rich 5 A Grandfather’s 18 Our New Marian Statue director of communications: Wisdom By James Hilger Irene Lindemer By Deacon Steve Stemper pastor: 19 Exhibit of Love and Msgr. Thomas Fryar 8 Continuing Our Legacy Mercy parochial vicars: 9 God’s Plan For Our 20 A Tremendous Blessing Rev. John Ludanha Rev. Rohan Miranda, O.C.D. Lives Rev. Ivan Monteiro, O.C.D. 21 The Fun and Festive 10 Safeguarding Families Mane Event deacons: By Barb Monark By STM Parish & School Staff Deacon George Brown Deacon Bob Cropp Deacon Tim Kenny 11 Faithful Citizenship 22 Connecting Faith and Deacon George Morin By the U.S. Council of Bishops Science Deacon Alan Rastrelli, M.D. By STM School’s Faculty & Staff Deacon Steve Stemper Deacon Tim Walsh (retired) 12 Sharing Joy and A Smile 24 Growing Closer to Christ 13 Ministry of the Sick and Each Other MORE By Hannah Smith INFORMED By Nancy Mamber Published by the St. Thomas More Office 26 Faith, Service, Friendship of Communications six times a year. 14 More Than You Realize Its mission is three-fold: to proclaim By Denver Catholic Staff By Molly Grantz the Gospel, to build up community by keeping them informed, and to call the community to worship and service. 16 Prayer and Peaceful 27 Get to Know Our Copyright 2018, St. Thomas More Parish Involvement New Youth Minister By Margarita Nelson Q & A with Chloe Elder deadline October 15 for the December issue and December 15 for the February issue. Articles may be edited for clarity and space. 2 More Informed our pastor’s message The Path of the Church literature tracing our history Have you read any good books lately? I have. I would like Archbishop Aquila and Bishop Rodríguez gave this as to make some recommendations to you. a present to the priests last December, and I would recommend it to you, especially if you find yourself You know how when we find a good restaurant, see a living a life that is challenged by a world that doesn’t good movie or read a good book, we never hesitate to seem to let you rest in the moment or be at peace in share the good news with those we either know well and your walk with God. we care for them enough to let them in on it, or know casually as at a social gathering and we are just making Another is Bearing False Witness by Rodney Stark. It is conversation. The question you have probably heard subtitled Debunking Centuries of Anti-Catholic History. regarding this trait is: “Why are we so willing to share Stark is a professor of social sciences at Baylor University such day-to-day events, but hesitate to tell others about and makes a point of stating that he is not, nor has he such monumental things as our faith, our church or ever been, a Catholic. Nonetheless, in looking at the God’s love for us?” historical roots of what are some commonly understood perceptions and opinions regarding the Catholic Church Anyhow, several books that I have read in the last few and history, he felt the need to shed light on the truth of months are worth passing on to you. the matter. The first is A Mind At Peace by Christopher O. Blum He writes about such areas as the opinion that the and Joshua P. Hochschild. It is subtitled Reclaiming an Church was behind fostering the Dark Ages and only Ordered Soul in the Age of Distraction. It challenges one when the secular spirit of the Enlightenment came did to see what they are doing in the present-day cultural we break free of that on the world stage. He debunks setting to assure that their mind, senses and spirit are the commonly-held myth that the Crusades were strictly not compromised by the many things that can rob us of a bloody example of the Church’s oppressive attempts the peace that our good God has made us for and wants to impose itself on innocent members of other faiths us to live. in a desire for riches and power. And he debunks even the more recent portrayal of Pope Pius XII as a pawn in It is a fine opportunity to see the wisdom of the ages Hitler’s circle of influence. brought to bear on everything from how we perceive and sense the world around us to what we understand He takes on about ten popular misconceptions and of wisdom, how we make decisions and humble living. brings forth the truth behind the Church’s actions and teachings. I knew many of the things he writes about, but not all. And I found his study highly engrossing and quite readable. I recommend it to you if you ever have friends or family that put forth disparaging remarks History often about the Church throughout history, or even if you just shows the are a fan of knowing the roots of what brought us to where we are today. hand of God Finally, a third book that I highly recommend is Life and at work Love by Terry Polakovic. It is subtitled Opening Your Heart To God’s Design. It takes one on a historical tour in ways that are of the understanding of what the Church has taught about life, love, sex, marriage and the role God gives us amazing in hindsight. to carry out the command given in the Garden of Eden “ October 2018 3 to: “be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.” encourage you to come and take time to experience it. (Gen. 1:28) Polakovic gives us great evidence by building Bring family, friends and neighbors who you want to bless the understanding of these issues through the writings of with an opportunity to learn more about someone the the popes, from Pope Leo XIII to Pope Francis, regarding world recognized as a living saint during her life. She is marriage and its true purpose. The book discusses why also one of three named saints that have actually been in we are currently challenged in proclaiming a message the Colorado and the city of Denver – the other two of course world might say is out of touch with reality, and all the being St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and St. John Paul II. while basing the world’s philosophy on relatively recent attitudes and understandings. She shows how things like These reflections speak about the importance of knowing eugenics and the work of individuals like Margaret Sanger not only who and what we are, but where the journey of continue to have a profound effect in our world and our faith has been that leads to today in our lives and world. lives. And how the Church teaches in wonderful and inspiring ways the call of our God to live in ways that truly Take time this month and in this fall season to reflect on reflects His Love. your own journey of faith. Think about the people that your loving God has placed in your life story throughout After giving a brief historical understanding of the the years to show you His presence and care. Wonder at background and reason for their addressing the issues, the connections of time, people, and situations that have both in the context of the Church and wider society, led you to where you are now in your awareness of God she examines some of the writings of popes from the present to you, and calling forth from you a response in last three centuries. We are presented with a consistent your life that serves His will of building up His Kingdom, in expression of the beauty of what God calls us to in this world and the next. our own lives and in our relationships with others. It portrays an understanding of marriage that sees it as a And hear again the words of our Lord Jesus, found at the gift that unfortunately is seriously misunderstood or even end of the Gospel of Matthew, “And behold, I am with disbelieved by people today, even at times within the you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:20) u Church. – Msgr. Tom I recommend this book if you want a read that will remind you of the beauty of what God has done and what is still ours to claim. And if the name of the author sounds familiar, it should. Terry is a member of St. Thomas More Parish. But even if she weren’t, I would highly recommend you taking time with this book for your own spiritual renewal and enrichment. All three of these books show a historical factor in looking at where we are now and how we got here.