December 23, 2009

Family-friendly events to start the New Year right

By Denver Catholic Register

As a new year begins, there are many events scheduled to not only ring in 2010 but to get the year started off right.  Below is a list of events scheduled in the coming weeks.

Blossoms of Light
Blossoms of Light, an electrified celebration of the holiday season, continues at the Denver Botanical Gardens, 1005 York St., through Jan. 3.  More than 1 million lights are draped throughout the gardens, illuminating plants and trees.  Cost is $9 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, and $6 for children.  For more information, call 720-865-3580.

St. Dominic’s dance
A New Year’s Eve dance sponsored by St. Dominic Parish will be held from 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 31 at Hotel VP, 1975 Mile High Stadium Circle in Denver.  The event will include Mass, cocktails, dinner, dancing and a view of the city’s fireworks. Cost is $40 per person with special room rates beginning at $89. For more information, call 303-455-3613.

Philippine American Society New Year’s party
The Philippine American Society of Colorado will be throwing a New Year’s Eve party, 6 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31 at the Red Lion Hotel, Interstate 225 and South Parker Road in Denver.  The event will feature Filipino traditional dances, musical performances, dinner and dancing.  Tickets are $55 for adults, $20 for children.  For ticket information, call 303-319-2633 or e-mail info.Colorado PASCO@gmail.com.

Shrine of St. Anne dance
Shrine of St. Anne Parish will host a New Year’s Eve Dance from 6:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Dec. 31 at the parish, 7555 Grant Place in Arvada.  Cost of $50 includes dinner, dancing, casino games, champagne toast and continental breakfast.  For ticket information, call 303-204-4665.

Serenity Retreat
Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House in Sedalia will host a New Year’s Eve Serenity Retreat, Dec. 30-Jan.1.The retreat is open to anyone interested in recovery from alcoholism and other addictions through the spirituality of the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Sugges-ted retreat donation is $170 per person but no one will be turned away because of cost.  For more information, call 303-688-4198 Ext. 122.

Family retreat
The seventh annual New Year’s Family Retreat will be held at the St. Malo Retreat Center in Allenspark from Dec. 31-Jan 2.  Cost of the weekend is $65 for adults, $35 for children, kids 3 years or younger are free.  Lodging for the event is $185 per room.  For more information, call 303-715-3223 or e-mail wendy.hohn@saintmalo.org.

Gathering of Men retreat
A Catholic men’s retreat, “The Gathering of Men,” led by Msgr. Kenneth Leone and Father John Lager, O.F.M. Cap., will be held Jun. 15-17 at the YMCA in Estes Park. For details, call 303-887-6017.

ENDOW training
The Catholic organization ENDOW (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) will offer training for new facilitators from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 16 at the John Paul II Center, 1300 S. Steele St. in Denver.  Cost of the event is $35.  For more information, call 303-715-3291.

Silence and Action retreat
A Silence and Action retreat will be held at the St. Malo Retreat Center in Allenspark Jan. 19-21.  The focus is to bring silence into one’s life so as to be able to hear God speak.  Cost for the weekend, which includes meals, is $152 per person for double person room, $182 for single.  For more information, call 303-715-3223.