Blessing of the Prayer Garden

Just in time for the month of May, the month dedicated the Blessed Virgin Mary, the prayer garden at Sacred Heart will be blessed after each Mass on Sunday, May 2nd. Masses in English are at 8 am and 11:30 am; in Spanish at 9:45 am.

Work Progresses on Prayer Garden

It was a beautiful, Friday afternoon in lower downtown Denver on April

9th for the Colorado Rockies home opener. Many people walked past

Sacred Heart Church on their way to a tailgate party or to meet friends

at an outdoor patio. Perhaps some of those fans noticed the flagstone path,

the heart-shaped planter and the restored statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary

in the prayer garden gradually being built south of the church. Soon

many people who enjoy the excitement of living and working downtown

can find a moment of solitude and peace from the busyness of life.

The work continues with the hope that the garden will be finished

in time for May crowning the first weekend in May.

Prayer Garden Progress

View of the Prayer Garden at Sacred Heart Church on March 29, 2010.

A Prayer Garden for Sacred Heart

Years ago, Sacred Heart had a grotto dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a place of solitude, peace and prayer. The parish wants to continue that tradition with the construction of a prayer garden in the area south of the church, with the restored statue of the Blessed Virgin from the original grotto. (You can see a portion of it in the fenced-in area to the back left of the rendering). The prayer garden will be open during the day for people to stop and pray and the parish hopes to have it in place for the May crowning, the first Sunday of May.

For information about contributions or helping with labor, call 303-294-9830.

Lent at Sacred Heart

Lent is a time to learn new ways to enrich ourselves with God and others with fasting, self-denial, penitence, and spiritual growth. There are many opportunities for spiritual growth at Sacred Heart, beginning with:

• Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 8:00 a.m. (English). and 7:00 p.m. (Bilingual) Both masses in the Church.
• Anointing of the Sick, Sunday, February 21, 2:00 p.m. (Bilingual) Christ heals by his touch and by his word. The Church continues that healing through anointing with oil.
• Recollection (Retreat) Day, Saturday, March 20, from 9:30 to 1:00 p.m. (English), March 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Spanish).
• Penance Service, Wednesday, March 24, 6:30 pm, four (4) confessors. Bilingual.
• Stations of the Cross, Fridays, February 19 and 26, March 5, 12, 19, and 26 at 7:00 pm. Bilingual.
• Holy Thursday, April 1, Mass 7:00 pm, Bilingual, no 8:00 am Mass.
• Good Friday, April 2, 7:00 pm, Bilingual, no 8:00 am Mass.
• Easter Vigil, April 3, 8:00 pm, Bilingual, no 8:00 am Mass.
• Other Confession times, Every Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Call 303-294-9830 for more information

Las Posadas

The holiday known as Las Posadas re-enacts Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem and their search for a place to stay before the birth of Christ. The celebration includes a procession led by children, followed by adults and musicians who travel to a different house in the neighborhood each night looking for lodging. The people are invited into the home to read scriptures and sing Christmas carols. Soon after, the celebration begins, with music, food, candy, and treats for all. This tradition was celebrated at Sacred Heart on Sunday December 20, and continued each night until Christmas Eve on Thursday. Las Posadas is one of the many rich traditions celebrated at Sacred Heart Parish.

This story and photos courtesy of Ana L. Galván de Tiscareño.

Tres Reyes Magos

The celebration of the Epiphany, January 6, at Sacred Heart began with singing for the Christ Child and the entrance of the godparents, Teresa and Francisco Garay. (It is a custom in Mexico to find "padrinos," godparents or sponsors, for Baby Jesus, "Niño Dios," who are responsible for making new clothing for the infant and for dressing Him in front of all the people attending. This custom varies a bit from state to state in Mexico.) Then the gospel according to Mathew chapter 2:1-12 was read and the Wise Men made their entrance bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and prostrating themselves to honor the new-born king.
Jorge Reyes acted as a translator for questions from the children to the wise men. One little girl asked, "How did you know that this was the child you were looking for?" The man from the far east explained that they believed what had been written in the Sacred Scriptures, that a king would be born to be the Messiah. The Wise Men then followed the star that lead them to Bethelem.
After the Wise Men answered questions, they gave presents to the children, sang to Baby Jesus and then everybody enjoyed a Mexican hot chocolate and traditional "Rosca de Reyes," Three Kings Cake or Kings Day Mexican Sweet Bread.
Top photo, godparents Teresa and Francisco Garay dress Baby Jesus in the hand-knitted garment.
Middle photo, the Three Kings, Francisco Fabian in purple, Ruperto Mariscal in red, and Agustin Paez in silver, pay homage to the Christ Child.
Bottom photo, the children receive presents from the Wise Men.
This story and photos courtesy of Ana L. Galván de Tiscareño.