April 7, 2010

Cardinal Arinze to speak at ENDOW gala

By Roxanne King

Julia Greeley Award to be given to laywoman Sharon Post

By Roxanne King      

The 2010 Evening of Enchantment gala set for the evening of May 1 will celebrate the theme “Sisters: Blessings in Our Lives” and will feature a keynote address by Cardinal Francis Arinze.

The gala benefits ENDOW (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women), a nonprofit Catholic educational program that promotes the new feminism of Pope John Paul II to females of all ages through study groups, conferences and retreats.

In his address, “The Urgency of Organized Women’s Apostolate,” Cardinal Arinze, prefect emeritus of the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, will speak about the power of Christian women to transform culture through the gift of their “feminine genius.”

The event will include the presentation of the Julia Greeley Award to committed Catholic volunteer Sharon Post. The award is named after a former slave and Catholic convert who became renowned in Denver for her piety and her care for the poor.

A wife and mother, Post is a parishioner at St. Thomas More Church in Centennial. With a zeal for evangelization, Post has donated her time to teach religious education to pre-schoolers, has served as a substitute teacher at her parish grade school and has mentored couples in marriage preparation and in marriage enrichment. She is a graduate of the Catholic Biblical School, served as a board member for the Seeds of Hope Charitable Trust and has chaired ENDOW’s annual women’s conference.

“John Paul’s understanding of the ‘feminine genius’ as the woman’s capacity for others is seen clearly in Sharon’s life,” said Terry Polakovic, co-founder and executive director of ENDOW. “Like Julia Greeley, she has an endless amount of generosity to share her love and faith with others.”

Post is regarded by those who know her “as a true sister in the Lord,” added Polakovic.

“To everyone she meets,” she said, “Sharon brings a spirit of patience and compassion as she listens, offers encouragement and unconditional love. We are proud to know her and pleased to bestow upon her the honor of the Julia Greeley Award.”

The event will begin with 5:15 p.m. Mass concelebrated by Cardinal Arinze and Denver Auxiliary Bishop James Conley at Holy Ghost Church in downtown Denver.  It will continue at the Grand Hyatt Hotel with cocktails and silent auction, followed by dinner, program and dancing from 6:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Tickets are $200 per person. To purchase individual tickets or a table, call 303-715-3224.

The Grand Hyatt Hotel is just one and half blocks away from Holy Ghost Church, which is located at 1900 California St.