April 28, 2010

Special Religious Education Mass carries shepherd theme

By John Gleason

With a backdrop of colorful balloons and song to fill the church, more than 600 people representing 19 different religious education programs in the Archdiocese of Denver attended the Bishop’s Mass for Special Religious Education on April 25 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

The afternoon Mass was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop James Conley. Religious Education Program Director Father Roland Freeman was the homilist.

 “On this beautiful day we come as a family to celebrate with the students of Special Religious Education, their families and friends,” Bishop Conley told the congregation. “Let us rejoice in Jesus’ love that leads us and makes us one family.”
Loretto Sister Mary Catherine Widger, associate director of the program, told the Denver Catholic Register that the liturgy is something special in the hearts of all who are involved with Special Religious Education.

“Everybody—students and teachers—talk all year about attending this Mass,” she said.  “We always have a wonderful turnout.  The students enjoy coming together; they learn so much in their respective classes of course, but this is the only time that they can all get together.”

In addition to decorating the cathedral and bringing artwork presented during the celebration, members of selected communities took part in the Mass.  The Scripture readings and responsorial responses were read by Joan Jurann of St. Jude Parish, Vickie Schmidt of All Saints Parish and Larry Lynch, also of All Saints.

Each year the Mass has a theme. Highlighting that this year’s liturgy took place on Good Shepherd Sunday, which the Gospel reading (Jn 10:27-30) spoke about, the students created artwork depicting sheep.
“It was a shepherd’s Gospel,” sister said. “It seemed only fitting.”

During his homily, Father Freeman called the Gospel a beautiful story that describes how Jesus cares for us. He also explained that the incense used at Mass shows how God hears us.

“When we see the incense float up we’re reminded that our prayers go up to the heart of God,” he explained, “just as the incense goes up into the clouds.”

Father Freeman also shared a story about Father Edward Joseph Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town. He said that one day in 1930 Father Flanagan saw a young man walking down the road in the distance.  As he came closer, Father Flanagan could see that the youth was carrying another youth on his shoulder.  Calling out to the young man, Father Flanagan asked if his human cargo was heavy, to which the youth responded, “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.”

“This is what Jesus is telling us,” Father Freeman told the students.  “He’s saying that we’re not heavy, we’re his brothers and sisters and like a shepherd, he’s here to lift you up and bring you into his heart.”

Following the homily, members of each represented community came forward with cardboard cut-outs of sheep their group had decorated.  Some were festooned with colorful crepe paper and ribbons, others with cotton balls and construction paper, while yet others displayed photos of their families, students and Jesus.  Each community came forward in turn to present their art to Bishop Conley.  The art was then displayed on the altar steps for the remainder of the Mass. 
After the Mass, Bishop Conley thanked all those who made the celebration possible and then called forward Sister Widger to stand on the altar next to him.

“On this joyous day, we also honor Sister Mary Catherine who is today celebrating her 50th jubilee—half a century in religious life,” he said, presenting her with a bouquet of flowers.  “On behalf of Archbishop (Charles) Chaput and myself, congratulations and thank you for your years of dedicated service to Jesus and to his Church.”

After the Mass, one of the students told the Register she has been attending the liturgy for years and wouldn’t miss it.  Lorraine Castro, a member of the Bridge Community and one of the members who had taken her group’s artwork up to Bishop Conley, said she couldn’t wait until next year.

“This is fun,” she told the Register, “and I’m sad when it’s over.  But I know we’ll come again real soon.”