 |
|
|
Hundreds attend farewell Mass for archbishop
By Julie Filby
|
Photo by James Baca/DCR |
An emotional congregation said goodbye to their beloved shepherd of 14 years when Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., celebrated his last public Mass in Denver Aug. 28.
On Sept. 8 he will be installed as Archbishop of Philadelphia.
Just as he had done nearly every week since arriving in Denver in 1997, Archbishop Chaput celebrated the 6:30 p.m. Mass at the archdiocese’s mother church. More than 1,200 people attended, exceeding the basilica’s seating capacity of 850, prompting the archbishop to invite those that were standing to move to the steps of the sanctuary to sit.
“It’s good to sit down because I’m going to preach for an hour,” he joked. “There are going to be so many tears, it’s going to take an hour to get through a 10-minute sermon.”
Anna Worachek, a parishioner of St. James Church in Denver, sat in a front pew with her and husband Joe’s three young children, while Joe played guitar in the choir. The couple, who was married by Archbishop Chaput, will miss their friend of 12 years.
“This is very personal for me … it’s overwhelming,” said Anna. “He’s been part of my spiritual journey; he’s been a true shepherd. He has made this diocese what it is today, for sure.”
To honor of his Native American heritage—Archbishop Chaput, a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe and the first Native American archbishop—processed into the cathedral to thundering drums and Native American spiritual song.
Moved with gratitude, the congregation offered spontaneous applause and cheers several times during the liturgy. Archbishop Chaput expressed his thanks and commented on the large number in attendance.
“It’s wonderful to see this crowd; it isn’t like this every Sunday,” he said. “So I know that you must be coming here tonight to say goodbye, which I hate to do—and I won’t spend much time doing because it’s too emotional for me.
“Instead of saying goodbye why don’t we just listen to the word of God again, and celebrate his presence,” he said to start his homily.
After reflecting on the day’s readings (visit www.archden.org/archbishop to listen to his complete homily), Archbishop Chaput recognized St. Augustine, whose feast day coincided with the farewell Mass. He associated the saint’s role as a bishop in the fifth century to his own role present-day.
“As I look back on my 14 years as a bishop here, the question I have to ask myself as I’m preparing to leave is: ‘By my example and my teaching have I, in any way, helped you become better disciples of Jesus?’”
Just as Augustine felt he would not only answer for himself on judgment day, but for his entire congregation, the archbishop feels responsible for his flock in Colorado.
“As bishop, not only am I responsible for myself—like you are—but I’m also responsible for each one of you. … Am I in trouble?” he asked, drawing laughter.
“The greatest gift you can give me is being Christians,” he said. “You can help me get to heaven or you can keep me out … you laugh, but it’s true.”
Archbishop Chaput asked the congregation for their prayers and promised his as well.
“Next month I’ll be offering the Mass in Philadelphia—every Sunday the bishop offers Mass for the people of his diocese and I will be offering Mass for new people,” he said, “but how could I forget you?”
He considers himself a partner with the people of the Denver Archdiocese in the journey toward salvation.
“I promise you I’m going to remember you in my prayers and I expect the same,” he said, “and then when we meet again … at the end of time, before the judgment seat of God, we’ll be able to claim one another as partners in God’s great merciful act of salvation.
“What God has begun in us, we ask him to bring to completion,” he concluded.
|
Photo by James Baca/DCR |
At the end of Mass, Archbishop Chaput presented the chalice used—one belonging to Denver’s first bishop, Joseph P. Machebeuf—to Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley. The symbol of “the episcopal ministry from the beginning of the diocese until this moment,” indicated the care of the archdiocese is in Bishop Conley’s hands until a new archbishop is named. A decision is not expected from the Vatican for six to nine months.
Archbishop Chaput was then presented with gifts from the Catholic school community and the cathedral’s Sunday evening Mass group.
When presenting a spiritual bouquet of more than 100,000 prayers from Catholic school students, Richard Thompson, superintendent of Catholic Schools, expressed his gratitude to his friend of 24 years.
“We are so very grateful … you hit the marks of a bishop that are so very important,” said Thompson. “You’re a herald of faith. You’re a courageous leader. You’re an authentic teacher. And you’re a good shepherd.”
After Mass, hundreds waited to send off the archbishop; some bearing gifts or items to be blessed.
Jane Breault, a parishioner of St. Thomas More in Centennial, had her photo taken with him then talked with the Denver Catholic Register.
“He has moved me,” said Breault, a native of Minnesota. “I’ve known a lot of archbishops, but have never been moved. He generates warmth, love and faith—and he’s such a strong believer.
“He’s been a real asset to Denver.”
Theresa Navarra, parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena and Holy Protection of the Mother of God Byzantine parishes in Denver, attended with her three children, ages 10, 12 and 14.
“We wanted to see him before he left,” she said. “Oh, we’re going to miss him; we’re going to miss his homilies.”
The family waited in the lengthy line following Mass to say their good-byes. When asked about her parting words, Navarra’s 10-year-old daughter Rikki spoke from the heart: “I just said ‘thank you.’”
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||