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MINISTRY NEWS | October 1, 2024 |
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Saint Francis of Assisi – an Example of Metanoia | |
Pictured above is a watercolor painting by Fr. Pedro Subercaseaux, O.S.B. depicting St. Francis receiving the stigmata on September 17, 1224. | |  |
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September 17th, 2024 marked the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi receiving the stigmata, wounds similar to that that of Jesus Christ physically manifested on Francis’ body. On October 4th, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. So, this is a fitting time to reflect on St. Francis as an example of the Christian way life.
St. Francis is often associated with the love of animals and all of God’s creation. However, it was not Francis’ love of animals that put him on the path to sanctity. Rather, it was Francis’ love of Jesus Christ and his complete dedication to metanoia that allowed him to fully cooperate with God’s grace and conform himself so closely to Jesus, our Savior.
Metanoia is a Greek word meaning the ongoing conversion of heart or to realign one’s heart to God. In the Bible, it is translated as conversion or penance. In the Old Testament, to repent or convert is expressed as to return to the Lord (1 Sam 7:3), lift one’s eyes to heaven (Dan 4:34), and turn one’s face to God (Dan 9:3). In the New Testament, metanoia is expressed by John the Baptist when he proclaims, “Repent! (Convert! Do Penance!), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 3:2). Conversion requires one to become a disciple of Christ, believing in the Gospel (Mk 16:16).
Concerning the significance of St. Francis’ embracing of metanoia in the early thirteenth century, Fr. Raffaele Pazzelli, T.O.R. explains, “The biblical sense of metanoia (penance) was fully rediscovered, accepted, and lived by St. Francis.” So, St. Francis lived his life in a way that pointed others back to the original Gospel message. St. Bonaventure, the Seraphic Doctor of the Church, explains, “There are three reasons why St. Francis is to be accounted as chosen by God and of well-tried virtue: his perfect observance of the Law and Gospel, his indomitable zeal for the Christian faith, and his exceedingly fervent love of the Crucified Savior.”
So, when we think of St. Francis of Assisi, whether on his feast day or when we see his statue next to a bird bath, we are encouraged to reflect on our own journey of metanoia, which involves taking up the Cross of Christ, daily, (Lk 9:23) and continually realign our heart to God, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.
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May you have a blessed and spiritually fruitful month of October! | |
Fall and Winter Cemetery Visiting Hours | | | |
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For the safety of our visitors, our cemetery gates close prior to sundown. Accordingly, as we move closer to winter and the end of Daylight Savings Time, our cemetery gates will close earlier, as the sun sets earlier.
Mt. Olivet and St. Simeon Catholic Cemeteries
Fall and Winter Cemetery Visiting Hours:
Starting Sept. 15th: 7:00am – 6:30pm
Starting Oct. 6th: 7:00am – 6:00pm
Starting Oct. 27th: 7:00am – 5:00pm
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Please join us in remembering the children who have gone too soon.
Saturday, October 5th, 2024
Spanish Mass at 9:00 a.m.
(click to view livestream)
English Mass at 11:00 a.m.
(click to view livestream)
Mass will be held in the chapel at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery and will also be livestreamed. Flowers and prayer cards will be provided to those that attend.
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Use the link below to submit the name of a dearly departed child to be included in the Mass intention. Please submit names for the Mass intention no later than Friday, October 4th, at 12:00pm. The names will also be displayed in the chapel. | |
Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery
12801 W. 44th Ave │ Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
* Please note that there will not be a balloon release in order to be good stewards of the natural environment. “We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops).
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Annual Deacon Memorial Mass | | | |
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Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery
12801 W. 44th Ave │ Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Thursday, October 10th, at 4:00pm
Join us for our annual Deacon Memorial Mass for all the Deacons who lay in rest at our cemeteries on Thursday, October 10th at 4:00 p.m.
Following the mass, we will have a reception. If the weather is good, the Mass will be held at Gallagher’s chapel, where all our former Bishops lay in rest. We will move to our indoor chapel if there is inclement weather.
Please RSVP with the Archdiocese Diaconate Office with Amy Vigil, at amy.vigil@archden.org.
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OCTOBER PREPLANNING EVENTS | | |
Planning ahead is one of the most loving and responsible gifts you can provide for your family. It allows you to make your wishes known and provides a peace of mind knowing that your funeral and cemetery plans are taken care of in advance. | FUNERAL PREPLANNING PROMOTION | For a limited time, receive 5% off the purchase of a complete Preneed Funeral Plan. Offer is valid Ocober 1st through October 31st, 2024. Some restrictions apply. | | |
Archdiocese of Denver Funeral Homes | | |
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at Mt. Olivet
12801 W. 44th Ave.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
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at St. Simeon
22001 E. State Hwy 30
Aurora, CO 80018
Office at St. Thomas More
8035 S. Quebec St.
Centennial, CO 80112
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at Caldwell-Kirk
2101 N. Marion St
Denver, CO 80205
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| | END-OF-LIFE PREPLANNING WORKSHOPS | | |
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Please join us for one of our free end-of-life preplanning workshops. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot today.
A free meal will be provided.
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Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery
Archdiocese of Denver Funeral Home at Mt. Olivet
12801 W. 44th Ave │ Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Saturday, Oct. 5th, at 9:00am
Breakfast and Learn
End-of-Life Preplanning Workshop*
A free breakfast will be provided.
Saturday, Oct. 5th, at 12:00pm
Lunch and Learn
End-of-Life Preplanning Workshop*
A free lunch will be provided.
Topics will include:
- The Catholic Funeral Rites
- Catholic Teaching about Cremation
- Funeral and Cemetery Planning in the Catholic Tradition
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Most Precious Blood
Catholic Church
2200 S. Harrison St. │ Denver, CO 80210
Thursday, Oct. 17th, at 9:00am
Breakfast and Learn
End-of-Life Preplanning Workshop*
A free breakfast will be provided.
Thursday, Oct. 17th, at 6:00pm
Dinner and Learn
End-of-Life Preplanning Workshop*
A free dinner will be provided.
Tuesday, Oct. 22nd, at 12:00pm
Lunch and Learn
End-of-Life Preplanning Workshop*
A free lunch will be provided.
Topics will include:
- The Catholic Funeral Rites
- Catholic Teaching about Cremation
- Funeral and Cemetery Planning in the Catholic Tradition
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St. Louis Catholic Church
3310 S. Sherman St. │ Englewood, CO 80113
Saturday, Oct. 19th, at 12:00pm
Lunch and Learn
End-of-Life Preplanning Workshop*
A free lunch will be provided.
Topics will include:
- The Catholic Funeral Rites
- Catholic Teaching about Cremation
- Funeral and Cemetery Planning in the Catholic Tradition
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*Receive a $200 gift card if you attend a workshop and purchase a complete preneed Cemetery and/or Funeral Plan by November 15, 2024. | | |
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Bring Them Home
Mass and Committal
Nov. 2nd, 2024 at 11:00am
The annual Bring Them Home Mass
and Committal Service will be held at
Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery chapel on
November 2, 2023 (All Souls Day) at 11:00am.
Cremated remains must be registered by October 25, 2024 for the Mass and Committal Service.
Location:
Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery Chapel
12801 W. 44th Ave │ Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
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Cremated remains of a loved one do not belong in a closet. | |
Register for the Bring Them Home Mass … | |
… and lay them to rest in our Crypt of All Souls, at no cost. |
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What is the Bring Them Home Mass?
The Bring Them Home Mass and Committal Service is held on All Souls Day (November 2nd) and is an opportunity for those with the cremated remains of loved ones at their residence to bring them to Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery and lay them to rest in a sacred burial space, at no cost.
Every person, being made in the image and likeness of God, deserves to be buried in a dignified and sacred burial space. In fact, the burial of the dead is one of the Corporal Acts of Mercy (Tobit 1:16-18).
“Following the most ancient Christian tradition, the Church insistently recommends that the bodies of the deceased be buried in cemeteries or other sacred places. […] By burying the bodies of the faithful, the Church confirms her faith in the resurrection of the body, and intends to show the great dignity of the human body as an integral part of the human person whose body forms part of their identity. […] Furthermore, burial in a cemetery or another sacred place adequately corresponds to the piety and respect owed to the bodies of the faithful departed who through Baptism have become temples of the Holy Spirit and in which “as instruments and vessels the Spirit has carried out so many good works.” (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Instruction “Ad resurgendum cum Christo,” October 25, 2016.)
As a ministry of the Archdiocese of Denver, Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services (CFCS) of Colorado offers a unique program that allows, at no charge, the placement of cremated remains in our Crypt of All Souls. This service is available to anyone of any faith who has cremated remains that they want permanently interred within the consecrated grounds of the Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery.
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Day of the Dead
Celebration 2024
Sunday, Nov. 3rd, 2024
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Please join us for the “Day of the Dead” celebration at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery on Sunday, November 3rd, 12:00pm - 5:00pm.
This bilingual event will take place in St. Anthony Mausoleum at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery. Mass will start at 12:00pm followed by food, activities, and entertainment. Youth groups are invited to participate in a competition to make ofrendas and tapetes. All are welcome!
For more information, please contact Erin Scherer at 303-715-3101 or by email at: erin.scherer@archden.org.
Location:
Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery
Saint Anthony Mausoleum
12801 W. 44th Ave │ Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
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Celebración del día de los muertos 2024
El domingo de noviembre
12:00pm - 5:00pm
¡Acompáñenos para el Día de los Muertos en el Cementerio Católico Mt. Olivet!
El 3 de noviembre
12pm-5pm
Este evento bilingüe se llevará a cabo en el Mausoleo San Antonio. Habrá Misa a las 12pm seguida por comida, actividades y entretenimiento. Invitamos a los grupos juveniles a concursar en la preparación de ofrendas y tapetes. ¡Todos están invitados! Para más información, favor de comunicarse con Erin Scherer al 303-715-3101 o erin.scherer@archden.org.
Location:
Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery
Saint Anthony Mausoleum Chapel
12801 W. 44th Ave │ Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
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Funeral Facts with Deacon Marc
Video Blog Series
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New videos will be released on our website.
https://cfcscolorado.org/video/
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In the latest video, Deacon Marc discusses the importance of sacred music, especially during the Funeral Liturgy. | | | |
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First Friday Mass
October 4, 2024, 6:30pm
For more than 100 years, Mount Olivet has had the tradition of holding a Mass, on the first Friday of the month, to pray for all those individuals in our care at our various cemeteries.
We invite you to join us on the first Friday of the month at the Mount Olivet Chapel for this special Mass. Families are also able to view the Mass through a livestream.
Accompanying the Mass will be a scrolling video listing all the individuals who have come into the care of the Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary during the past month. All are invited to take part in this monthly Mass.
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Do you have questions about CATHOLIC TEACHING and norms for funerals, cremation, and burial? | |
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JOIN OUR MINISTRY
We are looking for mission-oriented individuals to join us in our ministry dedicated to the Corporal Work of Mercy of burying the dead. Our core purpose is to assist the families in our care with "Filling the Void of Loss with Faith."
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Assitant Director of Funeral Operations
The Assistant Director of Funeral Operations is responsible for overseeing the Funeral Director Team as well as the Decedent Care Team.
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Adminstrative Assistant
(Full-Time) The Administrative Assistant is responsible for administrative and clerical duties at the Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery (Wheat Ridge, CO) location.
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Assistant Funeral Director
(Part-Time) The Assistant Funeral Director is responsible for assisting with all funeral home duties as required and works directly with the Funeral Director. This ministry position is focused on serving families for the preparation and burial of the Church’s beloved dead. The Assistant Funeral Director serves as a symbol of the extended community of the Church, a community unbroken by death, and, by the sacrament of the Eucharist, celebrate the death and resurrection of the Lord which offers to us the promise of eternal life.
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Funeral Director
The Funeral Director is responsible for providing customer service in all areas of helping client families achieve peace following the loss of a loved one. He/she strives to help families through this difficult time by providing exemplary personalized service. The Funeral Director implements choices made by the families regarding the funeral, final disposition of the body and memorialization of the individual.
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CFCS Colorado is dedicated to providing caring support before, during, and after the end-of-life process, thereby fulfilling our core purpose of "Filling the Void of Loss with Faith". We have partnered with St. Raphael Counseling (a ministry of the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Charities) to provide a Grief Support Program to the families served. Through this partnership, we offer a tiered grief support program to meet the needs of our families and to help families navigate the journey of grief. | | | |
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The Grief Support Program offers the following services to families served by CFCS Colorado through the Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary and is also open to the public as part of our community outreach.
TIER 1: GENERAL GRIEF SUPPORT CLASS (Online) (Free)
Grief Support Classes will be offered virtually via Zoom to families on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:00 PM. This class will cover the following topics: Understand your experience of grief; Distinguish between grief, depression, and traumatic stress; Understand the elements of grief and apply them to one's personal journey; Develop strategies to help cope with grief.
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TIER 2: GENERAL GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP (3 Mos.) (Free)
Grief Support Classes are offered virtually via Zoom to families on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:00pm. To participate in this support group, individuals must receive a referral from attending the Tier 1 Grief Support Class. Individuals are allowed to participate for up to three months.
TIER 3: CERTIFIED COUNSELORS
An individual may receive a referral to Counseling Services at any time that he/she determines the need for more extended or intensive help. Funding for these services will be the responsibility of the individual.
| Focused Grief Support Program | | | |
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CFCS Colorado is pleased to announce that we have expanded our grief program to provide specialized support for specific groups with varying needs. We will host a class and support group for each of the following groups: | | | |
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• Individuals who experienced the death of a loved one by suicide
• Parents who experienced the loss of an adult child
• Parents who experienced the loss of a young child (born or unborn)
Each class and support group will virtually meet over Zoom. Attendees will also be invited to be part of a smaller support group following each session. These sessions will meet virtually as well. Both the classes and the small groups are offered free of charge. These sessions will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. according to the following schedule:
Loss by Suicide
- October 16, 2024 (deadline to register is Sept. 16th by 5:00pm)
Adult Child
Young Child (born or unborn)
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Advanced Planning
It is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family. Here are some of the benefits of advanced planning:
- Relieve stress from family during their time of grief
- Ensure your funeral, mortuary, and cemetery wishes are met
- Avoid financial challenges
- Reserve an inspiring location for you and your family
- Cemetery, Funeral, and Cremation services are guaranteed at today's prices with interest-free payment plans
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Please like and follow our social media pages to keep up to date on our ministry news, events, and videos. | | |
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A Ministry of the Archdiocese of Denver
Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services
of Colorado
Start planning today:
Funeral | Cremation | Cemetery | Family Estates
(303) 225-6325 | cfcscolorado.org
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ARCHDIOCESE OF DENVER CEMETERIES | |
ARCHDIOCESE OF DENVER FUNERAL HOMES | | | | |
