Denver Archbishop, Catholic young adults take faith to downtown streets

Denver, Colo., Mar 29, 2007 / 06:37 am

Young Catholics of Denver are joining with their Archbishop, Charles Chaput, in an effort to reach-out and evangelize the very heart of their city.  “Takin’ it to the Streets” aims at engaging the community — both religious and secular — in extensive conversations about the Catholic Church and Her teachings.

The evangelization program aims at “igniting the faith of the Catholic community and sparking the faith of those encountered,” says event coordinator Maria Gartner.

The full-day event March 31 will begin at 8:30 a.m. with Eucharistic adoration and prayer at Denver’s downtown Holy Ghost Church. Missionaries will then move out in pairs or threes, seeking opportunities to interact with the downtown community. Meanwhile, others will remain at the church to pray for the missionary efforts.

Archbishop Chaput will conclude the daylong efforts with a Mass at 4 p.m. at Holy Ghost Parish. The Mass will be followed by prayer, personal testimonies of conversion and musical praise.

According to the archdiocese, the event is modeled after missions sponsored by the international Emmanuel Community, a movement begun in France in the 1970s. The Emmanuel Community’s mission focuses on compassion, community service, and public worship of the Eucharist.