ST. PAUL CATHOLIC
COMMUNITY OF FAITH
"a different way to be Catholic"
A member community of the Rocky Mountain Region
of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion
Traditionally sacramental and liturgical, radically inclusive,
and active channels of God's grace in the world,
we commit to being "in the city for good."
All are welcome to join us in worship, at table, in service and in advocacy.
See details HERE.
ECC Holy Synod 2024
Our Rocky Mountain Region hosted this year's Communion-wide Synod, where representative of the Laity, the Pastors and the Council of Bishops gather for holy conversation, relationship-building, and consensus decision-making... and a whole lot of fun! It was held at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado, on October 10-14.
Here's a newsletter from the Leadership Council that is a one-stop review of the Synod, with photos, stories and links to the recordings.
Visit our Facebook page to see other great photos of our gathering,
and our Regional site for the recordings of the keynotes and the All-Communion Mass.
Our Synod Prayer
God on High, the mountains are radiant with your glory.
Through your Christ the dawn from on high
has broken upon us and lights our way.
+ Bless the work of our Holy Synod,
that we may be better bearers of the fire
that gives light to the world.
This we ask and can do, empowered by your Spirit,
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bless Our Way
OUR PURPOSE & MISSION
There's more than one way to be Catholic.
As part of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion,
we are a progressive, all-inclusive community
living and worshiping in the ancient Catholic tradition.
We believe in the real and active presence of Christ
in Word, Sacrament and Community.
Aware of God’s inclusive love,
we believe that Christ invites all to receive from his table.
Every member of the church shares in
the discernments and decisions of our common life.
Individuals are called forward to assume
the various lay and ordained ministries of the church
out of the diversity of our membership—
male/female/transgendered,
married or in committed unions/single/divorced,
young/old, straight/gay/bi.
LGBTQIA+ Affirmations
May the light of affirmation
overcome the darkness.
In recognition of the 2024 Trans Day of Remembrance, Fr. Michael attended Denver's memorial service on November 20th, and widely posted the meme below.
Last Spring the Vatican promulgated a Declaration that denies the inherent dignity
of Intersex, Transgender and Non-binary persons.
Read Fr. Michael's reflection,
A Gay, Married Priest's Response
to "On Human Dignity”
Also catch Bishop Kae's response HERE.
See the latest call to action from Colorado Faith Communities United to end gun violence (CFCU) on Our Partners page.
The Colorado Council of Churches (CCC) hosted a series of webinars to raise community awareness of some dimensions of the intolerance that currently plagues our Nation.
The first in this 3-part educational series:
"What is #ChristianNationalism,
and why is everyone talking about it now?"
presented by Iliff School of Theology's Rev. Dr. Amanda Henderson. Video LINK.
PDF of a list of resources that she shared.
(See Fr. Michael's reflection HERE)
The second in the series:
"What Christians need to know about Antisemitism"
presented by the Anti Defamation League's regional director, Scott Levin.
Video LINK.
Last in this year's series
"Why Christians should know about Islamophobia"
VIEW the recorded presentation by Ahmed Salih, a volunteer khateeb (a person who delivers the Friday sermons) at the Islamic Society of Colorado Springs.
His wi-fi was spotty, so see his Powerpoint HERE.
PRAYERS FOR PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND
We hold our siblings in the Holy Land close during this time of escalated violence, and we raise our prayers to the heavens. We acknowledge that Jews, Muslims and Christians consider this land of promise to be sacred and call it home. We grieve not only the loss of life and and condemn all acts of terror; we also grieve the hard-heartedness that has kept people from negotiating peaceful resolutions to their conflicts and has brought us to this crisis. And so we pray...
God of All, You are to us the Father of Promise, the Mother of All Consolations. As the psalmist prayed, "in the day of distress we call to You, for surely You will answer" (Ps 86:7). Distress is again at hand, felt in searing tears and bones chilled to the core by the horrors on display. War and devastation have again disrupted our hope for peace in the Holy Land — holy because it is there that you have promised to draw all peoples to Yourself. You established it as a place of safety and bounty for the anawhim, the poor ones who sought refuge from oppression while remaining faithful to You in times of difficulty. Help us to remain faithful to humility, faithful to justice, faithful as peace-makers, faithful to love. Have mercy on us and grant us peace. Amen.
On Monday, October 9th, Fr. Michael attended a Community Vigil for Peace in Israel at Temple Emmanuel, representing us and the Colorado Council of Churches. (See article in the Denver Gazette.) Fr. Michael's main takeaways:
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The Jewish community greatly appreciates our solidarity in this time of crisis and grief; visiting clergy thanked numerous times throughout the evening.
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Almost everyone in the local community has family members or knows individuals are who are impacted in Israel.
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The distinction was made between supporting Zionism (Israel's right to exist and have a safe home of their own) and certain policies of the current government.
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Similarly, one can condemn Hamas/Hezbollah/Iranian regime (who vow to destroy the Israeli state) and support the Palestinian people.
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Terrorism and acts of war are never justifiable.
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Israel's defense is a rare issue that has bi-partisan support in Congress.
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Denver Mayor Mike Johnston was incredibly eloquent, speaking heart to heart and journeying with those in crisis. He shared about how parents' hearts are outside of themselves — in their children, cherished as part of themselves. He went on to recognize how Jewish Americans' hearts are in Israel, and assured those in attendance that he and Denver are holding them, part of our hearts, part of us.
THE ECC COUNCIL OF BISHOPS' STATEMENT ON THE WAR IN GAZA AND ISRAEL
WORSHIP SITE:
3250 East 6th Avenue, Denver, CO
corner of 6th and Adams
Contact Us
Fr. Donald F. Sutton, Co-Pastor
303-813-1005
Fr. Michael J. Nicosia, Co-Pastor
&
Regional Vicar of Ecumenical Engagement
720-218-1081