Week of
November
15 , 2000
Inside the Register
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St. Louis Parish welcomes jubilee pilgrims
By Jeff Richmond
Not a day goes by without pilgrims visiting St. Louis Church in Englewood, one of seven designated local sites for gaining the Jubilee indulgence.
"We've kept the front doors unlocked every day this Jubilee year from seven in the morning until six at night — and I'm going to continue it next year, too," says Father Robert Reycraft, pastor of St. Louis Parish.
One of the reasons St. Louis Church is a popular Jubilee pilgrimage site is because the parish community has worked hard to welcome groups and individuals, according to Father Reycraft.
"Whether it be the individual pilgrim, a church, a school — or even the families that have roots here or school alumni, they are all welcomed," he said.
The pilgrims have added an awareness of the importance of this Jubilee Year, says Father Reycraft. He believes the parishioners' own prayer lives have been affected, by seeing all the pilgrims devotion to prayer.
Father Simon Kalonga, parochial vicar and coordinator for Congo Relief Mission, Inc., says it's interesting to see people take the time for contemplation and adoration. "It's a sight to see the meeting between people and God. For them it's a sign of God's presence, and it makes me feel God is uplifting them to do his work through his people," he said.
Walking into the church past dark oak pews, one gets a deep sense of spirituality. "There's a sense of Christ's presence," says Pattie Hagen, principal at St. Louis School. "Just the size of it, the altar and the surroundings, it gives you a sense of inner peace," she said.
The cruciform church was built by Msgr. Joseph P. O'Heron, in 1911. They started with a small building and enlarged it in the 1950's, and again in the 1970's under the direction of Msgr. Bernard J. Cullen.
Visitors often comment that the church inspires reverence and they enjoy attending Mass there, according to Father Reycraft.
"It doesn't look like an office building — it looks like a church — that's another reason why I like it here," Father Reycraft said.
An arch frames the dramatically lit crucifix in the sanctuary, which is flanked by two alcoves, one with the statue of Joseph, and the other with a beautiful statue of Mary and Christ Child. The statues have been beautifully hand carved, as well as the simple and serene Stations of the Cross.
At the entrance of the church, pilgrims are invited to write their names and addresses in a guest book. Now on their third book, the parish has enjoyed visits from all over the metro area, as well as the communities in the mountains and on the eastern plains.
The pilgrims come mostly to pray, Father Reycraft said, but they also come to say the rosary, the Stations of the Cross, and to receive the sacrament of reconciliation for the Jubilee Indulgence. On Nov. 17, and again Dec 14, Capuchin priests will be present during the day, and into the night, for confession.
Hagen said the pilgrims have been such a gift for her students, especially when students from other schools joined those from St. Louis School at the celebration of Mass, the rosary or the Stations of the Cross. "It's been a great sense of bonding between all the schools that have come," said Hagen.
St. Louis is a traditional Catholic school where parents and students regularly attend Mass and pray the rosary together, says Father Reycraft.
The school is a tight-knit community and small enough, with 170 students, that the faculty know all the students` names adds Hagen. The students know everyone and are supportive and protective of each other, she added.
She believes the parish and the school — together — offer a wonderful depth of understanding not otherwise possible. Since it's an older parish with many senior citizens, Hagen believes the children's interaction with the parishioners offers a dimension often missing with families scattered across the country.
It might not be their grandchild or grandparent, she said, "but they know someone in that age bracket, and I think it helps everyone to be tolerant of the other person and their needs," she explained.
Sister of Mercy Margaret Quinn, who has been the school's music director since 1993, says it's fun and challenging work. "It's kinda hard to get the children to sing sometimes," she laughs. "They don't appreciate or enjoy the fullness of what music can do yet, but as long as there is some effort made, I'm happy."
St. Louis is the oldest parish in Englewood and has a mixture of new residents and longtime families, said Father Reycraft. "There are about 800 families and all have different backgrounds coming from Cherry Hills Village to the middle class neighborhoods just east of here," he explained.
"The parishioners love God above all else, and take care to minister to the needs of others," adds Sister Quinn.
Father Kalonga says the parish is like a family.
"I like the way they express their faith," he said. "It has been an education for me and being among them has improved my spiritual life."
The parish has a huge food bank and works with the interfaith alliance for food distribution. A large network of people in the parish bring Communion to shut-ins. And the parish supports a mission home which has provided hundreds of families with a place to stay, while their loved ones are treated at Craig Hospital.
The parish is also proactive in the pro-life movement supporting Birthright and Bridgeway crisis pregnancy centers, says Father Reycraft, who said the parish is planning a pro-life monument. Parishioners have displayed the 400 crosses on the school's field each September, representing the 4000 innocent lives lost daily through abortion.
A devoted group of people has organized a prayer network, and the rosary is said everyday, says Father Reycraft. On Thursdays, the group gathers to lift up all the prayer intentions they have received during the week.
Father Reycraft looking to the future for his parish, says he wants to focus on the improvement of their school, cosmetic changes to the church interior and parish grounds, as well as the continued or increased charitable efforts by the parish.
The old stained glass windows were destroyed in a 1990 hailstorm and the decision was made to replace them with opaque glass, said Father Reycraft. He hopes he can find an artist to depict both the history of the church and the lives of the saints.
"There are so many churches where art has been eliminated and not considered important, but I believe these powerful images are important," he said. "Especially for children who remember these things. I think we need them."
A parishioner has already donated a crucifixion scene, depicting Jerusalem with the Holy Spirit and angels, said Father Reycraft. "It will be done before or after Christmas, and is the reason pilgrims must come back to visit us again," he said.