The son wastes his inheritance and ends up in horrible trouble. His terrible hunger finally brings him to his senses. He returns months or years later after he has wasted all the money that he received from his father. He is a walking skeleton, literally starving to death. He’s dressed in rags and filthy dirty from living with pigs. He comes back to the father thoroughly beaten up by the world. He thought the world would give him freedom, and instead he is reduced to slavery. All the while the father with the greatest love waits for his son’s return. How wonderful is the father’s compassion; when his son returns he is given a warm greeting, he’s restored as a member of the family, and given a wonderful feast in thanksgiving.

Our Lord Jesus shows us the true heart of Our Heavenly Father. Our Father’s love for us is passionate, eager and watchful. It cannot be lessened because of our sins and failings. God loves us with such intensity that, even now, He gives us our inheritance: He gives us the sacraments, graces, blessings and the promise of Heaven. He guards us, gives us freedom and works His will in us even when we are unaware. How can we doubt His love for us. How can we doubt that even in the middle of the deepest and darkest sin our Father eagerly awaits us on the road to restore the robe of son-ship when at last we grow sick of our sin and turn again to our Father.

Because our Father loves us with such passion, there is no sin that is so deep that God’s grace is not deeper still. There is no sin out of which God cannot work great goodness if we will just run back to the Father. We know this to be true. We remember how, as a child, our fathers could fix anything when we ran to them with our tears. Our Father embraces us and washes away the bitterness, filth and sorrows that are the result of our sins when at least we run back to Him. The problem is not that God does not love us enough, but that we do not love Him or trust Him enough. If we did, oh, how we would run into his arms and say: “I have sinned against heaven and against you and no longer deserve to be called your son”.

Saints like Saint Paul and Saint Augustine sinned with great intensity, but with even greater intensity they returned to the Father. For the rest of their lives they loved God with an ardent love, absolutely convinced that He had restored to them the inheritance that they had so foolishly squandered. May it be so with us. When going to confession this Lent, we ask the loving God to restore our full sonship and daughter-hood through the forgiveness of sins. We have added an extra Confession time to our regular schedule on Monday, March 22nd, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. We will also have several additional times for Confessions during Holy Week.

Registrations for new families for the 2010-2011 school year is now underway. Some classes are full or nearly full so the time to register is now. Holy Trinity is close to capacity and serving Holy Trinity parish families is our priority. You can pick up registration forms from the school office or ask to have them mailed to you. If you would like a tour of the school contact the office to schedule an appointment.

Classes average about 24 students and the curriculum includes religion, language arts, reading, math, science, social studies, Spanish, art, music, physical education, and computer technology.

At Holy Trinity, students receive religious instruction daily, attend Mass twice a week, pray at least three times a day, and take part in several other religious activities throughout the year. Second graders are prepared in school for First Reconciliation and First Communion.

Holy Trinity Catholic School offers grades 1 to 8, full-day and half-day kindergarten, and preschool. Kindergarten is offered for students who turn 5 by October 1 and preschool is offered for students that will be 4 years old by October 1. Preschool meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and parents can choose classes two or three days a week.

Holy Trinity Catholic School can help you raise your child to be a faithful, educated citizen who lives in the path of Christ Jesus and works to serve others. Please consider our school for your child’s faith formation and education.
Class Status:
Preschool: Available
Kindergarten: Nearly Full
1st: Nearly Full
2nd: Nearly Full
3rd: Full/Waiting List
4th: Full/Waiting List
5th: Available
6th: Full/Waiting List
7th: Available
8th: Available

Butter Braid Sale

We are selling Butter Braid pastries to raise money for our school. Each Butter Braid costs $10, $4 of which goes directly to the school. You may choose from the following flavors: Bavarian Crème w/Chocolate Icing, Cherry, Apple, Blueberry Cream Cheese, Cinnamon, or Cream Cheese. If you are interested in ordering some delicious pastries and supporting our school, please stop by or contact the school office. Thank you in advance for your continued support!

The sameness: the Holy Spirit continues to call, thanks be to God, and there’s no point in trying to guess who will come forward to learn more about the Catholic Faith. The two most unusual were women, well, at least one of them was; the other was a seven-year old girl who announced to her parents that she wanted to know more about the Catholic Church. Thank God, the parents were open, and brought her to the R.C.I.C. classes (for children from 7 to 16). But… the parents did not want to leave her alone, so they took turns staying with her. You guessed it, the one who was not Catholic joined the R.C.I.A. the following year, and the entire family began seriously practicing their Faith (“and a child shall lead them”).

The other most unusual catechumen was a 90-year old woman who had never been baptized. She faithfully attended all the sessions and washed away 90-years worth of sin, including all the consequences, on one glorious Easter Vigil.

The changes that I noticed as the years go by is the increasing difficulty of commitment. Many folks sign up in the beginning, but then attendance begins to drop off, mostly among the young. True, the young tend to be involved in more activities, such as sports, evening working hours and at times school requirements that unfortunately take priority over R.C.I.A. Sadly, they end up opting not to receive the Sacraments, at least for the time being. We all pray that they will decide to come back in good time.

However, every year there is a core of converts who are determined to stick it to the end, no matter how tired they are after a day’s work or study, and who make attendance to R.C.I.A. a priority. These are the folks whom you will see at the Easter Vigil, eager to receive the Sacraments that God gave us to help us on our way to Heaven. And what a journey they’ve had! As they discover the beauty of our Faith, they realize that the Church is truly the beautiful Bride of Christ. As they learn what She proclaims, and why, they become aware that what they hear or read about Her from the media is mostly lies, or at best misunderstandings. The Church is never hateful, bigoted, mean-spirited. She always has a reason to say what She does, and it is always said with love and kindness. She holds the Truth up to us, and then it’s up to us to accept Him or to reject Him.

Then, on a Saturday morning in Lent, we have the “big event,” a/k/a, the R.C.I.A. mini-retreat. What do we do? Simply, Fr. Hilton speaks to us about Confession, the history of this Sacrament, the requirements, and answers all the questions that are burning in the participants’ mind. Those of us who are cradle Catholics, and who made our First Confession when we were children, cannot fathom the nervousness of adults who, for the first time in their lives, prepare to bare their conscience.

Then comes the moment that everyone is waiting for, and dreading at the same time. Father goes to a separate room, ready to meet privately with all those who wish to do so, whether to go to Confession or simply to ask questions that could not be asked in public. One by one, they step forward, while the rest remain behind. Those who do decide to take “the big step” come back to the common room in a cloud of joy and… relief. Joy that they heard the words “your sins are forgiven, go in peace,” and relief that the hurdle that they had dreaded was over, and much easier than they had anticipated. And no, in case you ask, those who have not been baptized do NOT go to Confession. They’ll be eligible only after Baptism… should they sin).

Every year, several Catholics also attend R.C.I.A., both to learn more about their Faith and to encourage the candidates. Often, these Catholics are asked to be sponsors: this is both an honor and a commitment. Until death does them part, they are required to pray for their godchildren, be of good example to them and of encouragement to persevere in the Faith.

The most encouraging part about being involved with R.C.I.A. is seeing the “graduates” come back to Mass year after year. I watch out for them, and rejoice every time that I see them. I remember all of them, and pray for them. In fact, I sit up front for Mass, partly because I’m short and I don’t want to miss anything. But also because, after I give thanks after Communion, I look to those who go up after me. I pray for every one of them, asking the Lord to keep them safe, to help them in their needs, and I especially give thanks to Him every time that one of “my pups” (as I call them) steps up to receive Him.

Dear R.C.I.A. graduates of years past, I remember everyone of you, and love you dearly.

Gerry Gerk, coordinator and Ken Lovato, coord. assistant, have agreed to organize the ringing of the bells which will happen every weekend before all of the Masses. I want to thank both of them for their generosity! Towards the end of this month, Gerry and Ken will begin to sign up bell ringers and then schedule an organizational meeting in April. Keep an eye on the bulletin for more information.

Coordinator of Sound Engineer

Our newly renovated church will have a sound engineer’s booth in the choir loft that will allow us to constantly adjust sound levels and music mixing during the Holy Mass. This will result in a dramatic increase in the sound quality of our music during Mass and help everyone present to hear clearly the priest and lectors. The sound booth will require a trained sound engineer to be present for each of the Masses of Saturday evening and Sunday. It will be the job of our new Coordinator of Sound Engineers to recruit and train sound engineers for each of the weekend Masses and to make up a monthly schedule. This volunteer position is perfect for someone who knows and loves sound equipment, likes working with people and is well organized. If you’re interested, please call Fr. Hilton.

We have almost 100 Candidates for Confirmation on retreat this weekend, so please keep them in your prayers that God grant them a deep love and fidelity for Him and their Holy Catholic Faith!

Registrations for new families for the 2010-2011 school year is now underway. Some classes are full or nearly full so the time to register is now. Holy Trinity is close to capacity and serving Holy Trinity parish families is our priority. You can pick up registration forms from the school office or ask to have them mailed to you. If you would like a tour of the school contact the office at 303-427-5632 to schedule an appointment.

Classes average about 24 students and the curriculum includes religion, language arts, reading, math, science, social studies, Spanish, art, music, physical education, and computer technology.

At Holy Trinity, students receive religious instruction daily, attend Mass twice a week, pray at least three times a day, and take part in several other religious activities throughout the year. Second graders are prepared in school for First Reconciliation and First Communion.

Holy Trinity Catholic School offers grades 1 to 8, full-day and half-day kindergarten, and preschool. Kindergarten is offered for students who turn 5 by October 1 and preschool is offered for students that will be 4 years old by October 1. Preschool meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and parents can choose classes two or three days a week.

Holy Trinity Catholic School can help you raise your child to be a faithful, educated citizen who lives in the path of Christ Jesus and works to serve others. Please consider our school for your child’s faith formation and education.

Class Status:
Preschool: Available
Kindergarten: Nearly Full
1st: Nearly Full
2nd: Nearly Full
3rd: Full/Waiting List
4th: Full/Waiting List
5th: Available
6th: Full/Waiting List
7th: Available
8th: Available

2010 School Lenten Stations of the Cross Schedules

Grades 5-8 Stations of the Cross:
10:15 a.m. Friday, March 12 (Grade 6 leads)
9:30 a.m. Friday, March 19 (Grade 5 leads)

Grades K-4 Living Stations of the Cross*
12:45 p.m. Thursday, March 11
2:00 p.m. Friday, March 19
10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 31
*Presented by Grade 8

But, although Catholic Media is everywhere, it’s not as loud or intrusive as the rest of the stuff that’s out there. We have to be selective, because there is a lot of misinformation about the Catholic Church. For instance, I was once looking for saints on the Internet, and I ran across dozens of sites that were misleading at best, and blasphemous at worst. Now I have a few organizations that I trust, and stick to them.

Vatican
This is the most reliable Catholic website, of course. It’s the site of the Pope and all the documents we find there under the tabs “The Holy Father” and “The Roman Curia” are official documents that can be relied on.

Zenit
If you want Catholic news from around the world, this website is quite good, and it can be read in seven languages. It also alerts us of documents coming out of the Vatican, papal trips, upcoming beatifications and canonizations, and how Catholics are faring the world over. It’s a truly Catholic site in that it gives us universal news, and reminds us that the US Church is but a tiny fraction of the whole.

Catholic News
Another newsy website, focusing primarily on the US and events that touch us as Catholics. Most of the news are told briefly and if you want to make the most of your time, Catholicnews is the site for you.

Archdiocese of Denver
Yes, the Archdiocese of Denver has its own website. There, we can find all the parishes in Northern Colorado, find out where is Father So-and-So whom you once knew, and be up to date on diocesan events.

Ignatius Press
This is the website of the best Catholic publisher in the U.S. Its products are of good quality (their paperbacks are sewn, so they don’t dissolve at the third reading) and affordable. They are also of high content quality: they publish books written by our Holy Father, by prominent and faithful theologians (yes, Virginia, there are also unfaithful theologians). They also publish good children books, CDs, DVDs, movies and more. It’s hard to go wrong buying Ignatius’ stuff.

TAN Books
Another good Catholic publisher. TAN specializes in spirituality. They publish books such as the classic biography of St. John Vianney written by the Abbe’ Trochu, The Life of St. Margaret Costello, The Blessed Virgin Mary by St. Alphonsus de Liguori, and the books of Joan Carrol Cruz, which so many enjoy because they speak of miracles.

EWTN
This is, of course, the 800 pounds gorilla of Catholic Media, because most of us like to watch TV, and it is the only TV station that’s guaranteed not to scandalize our kids, to tell us the truth and to bring it in our homes in an easy-to-understand manner. After having read two of Mother Angelica’s books, I can’t but admire this feisty nun who took on everyone (and won) to bring His Word to the people. Starting out with absolutely nothing, and convinced that the Lord was calling her to start a TV station, she plowed on despite illness, setbacks and even hostility on the part of those who should have helped her. Like Mother Teresa of Calcutta, she was successful beyond anyone’s imagination, simply because she believed that He who asked her could do what seemed impossible to a small human being.

EWTN Radio
And now we have EWTN radio in Colorado: 1570 am in Northern Colorado and 970 am in the Colorado Springs/Pueblo/Limon area. Generous, talented and hardworking folks worked for years to purchase two small stations and rely on the donations of people like us to keep going. You won’t hear endless commercials on their airwaves. I like to listen to it when I drive (I can’t get it at home). Father John Corapi is on at 2:00 pm and his talks are truly powerful. Programs like Women of Grace, The Doctor is In (With Dr. Ray Guarendi and Dr. Colleen Kelly Mast), and Catholic Answers Live offer us practical advice, solid Catholic doctrine and uplifting events. They even broadcast daily Mass, the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and the Rosary.

With Lent well on the way, this would be a perfect time to become familiar with at least some of these media.

• Friday, March 12, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Whether we live for two months or 50 years, we want the goal for this Lent to be the same, don’t we? We need a goal to motivate our prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Let’s make our goal nothing less than life with Christ: may He be our greatest friend and love! I know that we are two weeks into Lent, but it’s not too late to adopt one or more of the following Lenten penances:

1. Unplug the TV, cover it with a blanket, and ignore it until Easter. What do you do with the time you save?
2. Offer the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary each day of Lent for the conversion of sinners and an end to the terrible sin of abortion in our beloved country.
3. During the Masses of the year 2010, the entire Church reads the Gospel of St. Luke. Read this Gospel on your own during Lent, slowly and prayerfully, a bit each day, and talk about it with your family.
4. Give the good people at Samaritan House or Seton House a call and volunteer to help them one day a week. This would be a memorable experience that you will not soon forget.
5. Look at your family finances, and ask yourself this question: “Are we giving our first 10% to the Lord, from whom all our blessing come?”

“My Good Shepherd, who have shown Your very gentle mercy to us unworthy sinners in various physical pains and sufferings, give grace and strength to me, Your little lamb, that in no tribulation or anguish or pain may I turn away from You..” (St. Francis of Assisi)