Denver Partners in Mission Renew their Commitment
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March 10, 2023I joined four others at the 11:00 am Mass at St. Michael’s Church recently to commit to another four years as a Redemptorist Associate for the Denver Province.
Actually being in Chicago for this ceremony was very important to me for several reasons, but primarily because this was where I met the Redemptorists and experienced their manner of preaching and living their faith. I wanted to be where Fr. Richard Thibodeau, former pastor, first challenged me to get to know my best friend by reading the Bible, specifically the four Gospels.
Fr. Greg May, leader of the Circle, presided at Mass. After the Gospel was proclaimed, Greg Palis, Joe Tully, Bobby Borges, Maria Santana and I stepped forward for the commitment ceremony as Redemptorist Associates.
We shared our individual plans to live our baptismal call by dedicating ourselves to follow in the footsteps of Jesus the Redeemer by bringing hope to our world. We read a prayer together, stating our desires to support the Redemptorists in their mission, and to be supported by them.
Fr. Greg received our requests and presented each of us with a cross, and we shared our specific written goals to honor the plan to follow in Jesus the Redeemer’s footsteps.
As I stood next to my fellow Redemptorist Associates, I felt emotions I did not expect: I felt humbled and thankful. These are just a few of my fellow journeymen I have traveled with spiritually during the past four years. As February 19 was the last Sunday in Ordinary Time, I was already considering what my focus would be during the Season of Lent. As I received my cross from Fr. Greg, everything fell into place perfectly: prayer and service.
I was full of joy to be back at St. Michael’s, thankful for reuniting with the Redemptorist community, and excited to share my commitment with the parishioners. I hope our example and presence inspires others to join us.
