The Mother Cabrini Shrine Outreach Committee sponsored an information gathering session on the topic of Human Trafficking with the focus on Colorado and the local counties. Kelly Zebroski from Child Protection Services and Gregg Slater from the County District Attorney Office were the speakers. Thirty-three people attended and took with them twenty English/Spanish name cards with the trafficking hotline number to be distributed in their areas. Attendees also took with them a copy of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart Corporate Stance on Human Trafficking.
The Jubilee Year of Mercy Embraced by Religious Communities
Since Pope Francis declared the Jubilee Year of Mercy which opened on December 8, 2015, around the world religious communities have been making this year truly extraordinary. Here are just a few of the ways men and women in consecrated life have been expressing the merciful dimension of God during this year:
- Religious communities have been using their websites and social media to communicate and convey the Christian concept of mercy. Facebook pages of religious congregations have carried inspirational messages and have suggested concrete actions to express and offer mercy.
- Religious congregations are hosting retreats, special days of prayer and reflections, and book discussions on the theme of mercy.
- Educational institutions sponsored by religious communities are discussing mercy, praying about it in classrooms and in chapels, and spearheading special works of mercy service projects.
- Many religious order priests have become “missionaries of mercy,” priests specially appointed by Pope Francis to be responsible for preaching, teaching and practicing mercy.
- Religious communities have ritually opened “holy doors of mercy” in their own chapels, shrines and holy places.
Pope Francis has encouraged all Catholics – ordained, religious and lay – to make a pilgrimage to a designated church or shrine to visit a “holy door of mercy” to better experience God’s mercy through the symbolism of crossing a threshold. There is still time – the Jubilee Year of Mercy will conclude on November 20, 2016. Holy Doors of Mercy have been designated at St. Frances X. Cabrini Shrine in New York City, Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, CO, and the National Shrine of St. Frances X. Cabrini in Chicago. ~ excerpts from VISION Vocation Guide
Feast and Bazaar at Golden Shrine
The Mother Cabrini Shrine Summer Feast and Bazaar took place July 9 & 10 and was a celebration in honor of the birth of St. Frances Cabrini and her canonization. It was a faith and fun-filled weekend with Masses, rosary processions, Spanish Dancers, food booths, games, bingo and handmade craft items. Mexican food, including tamales, tacos, smothered burritos and nachos, prepared by our Spanish Mass community, was a delicious addition to our food court this year. In addition to the usual Spanish Procession, several groups of Spanish Dancers entertained us with their dancing and beautiful costumes. The hot summer weather provided the perfect backdrop for a weekend of celebration.
Mother Cabrini Shrine Gala a Fun and Festive Success
With spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains and the city of Denver, the 15th Annual Mother Cabrini Shrine Gala took place at the Pinnacle Club at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Denver. The near sold out crowd, dressed in their finest summer fun attire enjoyed a wonderful evening that included a silent and live auction, raffle and dinner all in support of Mother Cabrini Shrine. Jeff Lewis, Shrine administrator, introduced the Missionary Sisters in attendance and showed the new M.S.C. video that was recently created to showcase the mission and work of the Missionary Sisters and their collaborators. Jeff also gave a short presentation of the Shrine’s mission statement and ministry and explained that the purpose of the gala was to further support these efforts.
The Company for Cabrini Award was given to Valente’s Deli owned by father and son, Larry & Dino Valente. The Valente Family has been so generous to the Shrine providing food and catering for special events as well as memorials in memory of their wife and mother, Elaine.
Two Spirit of Cabrini Awards were given this year; one to mark the years of service Kathy Stortroen has given to the Shrine and the second to honor the thirty years of service of Fr. John Lager, O.F.M., Cap. Both Kathy and Fr. John have given their time and talents to help spread the mission of Mother Cabrini and make the Shrine a better place.
The Shrine also revealed a new video that gives a glimpse of the ministry and mission of the Shrine before a successful paddle raiser for road repairs and other maintenance projects concluded the live auction. To view the new Shrine video click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbdOWHmh5bQ
The money raised at the gala is used for the operations, maintenance and special projects of the Shrine and it helps us continue our ministry and the great legacy of St. Frances Cabrini. We are so grateful to everyone has supported this event over the years. Additional gala photos can be seen at:
https://www.facebook.com/CabriniGoldenColorado/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10154391872263243