https://vimeo.com/432913365
The COVID-19 pandemic forced organizations around the world to rapidly pivot directions and for the Archdiocese that meant adjusting to new circumstances, while maintaining its course to faithfully serve Northern Colorado.
This required churches find a new way to celebrate mass, priests to find creative ways to continue administering the sacraments, and 37 Catholic Schools found inspiring ways to teach.
The Archdiocese of Denver created a new website, covid.archden.org, to share the complete picture of all that has been accomplished under unique and uncertain circumstances.
“Necessity is the mother of invention” became an important axiom. The archdiocese stayed the course and ordained five new priests in May. Masses were livestreamed from at least 63 parishes — some providing it in two languages. The Mass from the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception has become one of the most widely watched Mass celebrations on YouTube with nearly a 100,000 views per week.
Groups like Centro San Juan Diego assisted more than 500 people in the Hispanic community and even started a support group for new moms. The Archdiocese’s more than 40 ministries needed to figure out how to continue to serve those in need, despite the pandemic.
To help make much of this happen, Colorado Catholics provided necessary and urgent support to the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal that immediately turned around and gave the first $1 million in emergency funds to local parishes. But the need in 2020 continues.
Many Catholics have been inspired by the need created during COVID-19 to make sacrifices to help their brothers and sisters in faith, including Pam D. from St. Mary’s of Littleton, who decided to donate her government stimulus check to the Appeal.
“I have been so impressed with how the Archdiocese has thoughtfully provided Mass and served our community during this time, that when my check arrived, my first thought was to share it,” she said. “There were so many people suffering during these past few months and I realized my check could make a difference.”
To learn more about how the Archdiocese of Denver is assisting our communities and how you can help, visit archden.org/givenow or call 303-867-0614.