PHOTOS: Archbishop Aquila Honors Eastern Plains Stewardship Ahead of Potential Retirement

More than 240 Catholics from the Eastern Plains gathered at St. Helena Parish to celebrate stewardship, unity and faith with Archbishop Aquila.

Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila greeted and thanked donors to the Archbishop's Catholic Appeal at St. Helena Parish in Fort Morgan, during what could be his last parish visit before retirement. (Photo by Joe Donelson)

By Joe Donelson

Last week, the Catholic communities of the Eastern Plains joined together at St. Helena Parish in Fort Morgan for a momentous occasion — a donor appreciation event that felt more like a joyful reunion. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as parishioners from various parishes eagerly welcomed Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila. With over 240 attendees, many of them young people from the area, the event was the largest of its kind in recent years, and the archbishop’s presence brought a sense of blessing and inspiration to the gathering.

“He’s been such a great leader. He’s done such a great job. We’re here just showing respect,” said Rick Lorenzini, of St. Francis Parish in Weldona. “In the archbishop’s whole tenure, he’s been really gracious about coming out to our small communities out here in North-East Colorado. He was at our parish’s [St. Francis] hundred-year anniversary. He always seemed so grateful to come out here and do that; he would always talk to everybody.”

St. Helena’s Deacon Richard Wilson continued the sentiment of gratitude, remarking that they all recognize the effort it takes to visit the far reaches of Colorado.

“It’s hard for any of the archbishops to get out here,” he said. “I mean, those guys have so much to do, that for him to take time to come out here … it’s a great gift to the entire Eastern Plains and to St. Helena’s. We’re excited.”

“I feel cared for,” added his wife, Jennifer Wilson, “and not forgotten.”

When the archbishop entered St. Helena’s Msgr. Dinan Hall, the event attendees made sure to show how much they cared for him, in return. Everyone present rose to their feet and gave a standing ovation, proving the enthusiasm behind Deacon Wilson’s proclamation, “Well, we want to see the archbishop!”

And indeed, as he proceeded in, Archbishop Aquila made sure to “talk to everybody,” especially the young people present. He encouraged them to embrace the Church’s call to holiness, to become saints, using the example of St. Carlo Acutis, from whose canonization he had just returned a few days earlier.

The appearance already meant a great deal to the people of North-East Colorado, but it is particularly moving considering Archbishop Aquila’s approaching retirement. By Canon Law (Canon 401 §1), he is requested to submit his request to retire by his 75th birthday next week. While it’s possible the archbishop will hold his position for a while longer, the trip to Fort Morgan could represent his last official parish visit.

“I look forward to retirement. But it does not end my mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ,” said Archbishop Aquila to the attendees. “And so, there are two things I ask of you as I continue to give gratitude to the Father for the incredible blessings he has given to me. I ask for your prayers for me in terms of continuing the mission that has been entrusted to every disciple, and to also lift up your hearts in gratitude to the Lord for the mission that he has entrusted to you. Secondly, I ask you to pray for my successor, whoever that may be.”

Archbishop Aquila opens the evening in prayer, giving thanks for the community's generosity.

Archbishop Aquila poses with clergy and laity from the Eastern Plains.

Hundreds from the Eastern Plains gathered for the appreciation event, eager to meet the archbishop.

Clergy and laity from across the Eastern Plains were in attendance for the appreciation event.

Following remarks, Archbishop Aquila spent time with those

Hundreds from the Eastern Plains gathered for the appreciation event, eager to meet the archbishop.

Following remarks, Archbishop Aquila spent time with those

Following remarks, Archbishop Aquila spent time with those

Hundreds from the Eastern Plains gathered for the appreciation event, eager to meet the archbishop.

Hundreds from the Eastern Plains gathered for the appreciation event, eager to meet the archbishop.

Clergy and laity from across the Eastern Plains were in attendance for the appreciation event.

Archbishop Aquila greets the youngest parishioner in attendance during the appreciation event.

In what could be his last visit pre-retirement, Archbishop Aquila thanked Eastern Plains donors.

Clergy and laity from across the Eastern Plains were in attendance for the appreciation event.

(Photos by Joe Donelson)

As Archbishop Aquila — and the Archdiocese — continue that mission to proclaim Christ, there is much to celebrate, he told those gathered. Thanks to the donors of the Eastern Plains and throughout Northern Colorado, the local church is continuing to grow and flourish.

“This year, we had twenty-three young men enter into the seminary for the Archdiocese of Denver. That is the largest number we’ve ever had in seminary history,” the archbishop proudly announced. One of those new seminarians hails from St. Helena.

To make this possible, the church needs support.

“We were taught that being good stewards had to do with our time, our treasure and our talent. Well, we’ve given a lot of time, we’ve given a lot of talent, and we always feel very good when we’re able to contribute financially to the Archdiocese. Especially when you consider all of the things the church has done, not just in Denver, but all around,” said Carolyn Hochanadel, a long-time parishioner of St. Helena.

“I feel so blessed; this is a faith that my grandma passed to me and my husband,” said Angelica Revolorio, another St. Helena parishioner. “[Generosity] is an instrument of God helping me to grow more in my faith, so this is so special.”

The Fort Morgan Catholic community — together with the surrounding Eastern Plains communities — is no stranger to the type of faithful stewardship that sustains God’s mission in Northern Colorado. With Marisol Family operating a location at St. Helena in addition to the parish’s active food pantry and generous support of archdiocesan initiatives, the parish is living Jesus’ command to love neighbor as an extension of our love for God.

“It’s an image of God’s love, charity, in the community,” said Deacon Wilson. “People come to the door; we don’t ask them for their Catholic card. No, they’re people that need help, and we show them the face of Christ, and we see the face of Christ in them. That happens because of the archdiocese and all of the things that people do throughout the archdiocese.”

Simply put, St. Helena parishioner Marco Mejia joyfully added, “People come here and they need help, so we give help — for everyone.”

At the core of this love for neighbor, the archbishop reminded the people of the Eastern Plains, is always faith — faith in Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for our sake. It is that faith, especially in the lead-up to the Great Jubilee of Redemption in 2033, the 2,000^th anniversary of the Paschal Mystery.

“[The faith] means a lot for me. I am a believer in Guadalupe, that means a lot for me,” said Lupita Perea, in agreement with the archbishop.

“It’s our whole life,” Lupita’s husband, Gustavo, chimed in.

To close out the night, the archbishop greeted each attendee individually, taking pictures in front of life-size cut-outs of himself and Pope Leo XIV.

David Mehr, archdiocesan executive director of mission advancement, gave a final “thank you” to the people of North-East Colorado, naming the many parishes that were represented at the appreciation night.

“A heartfelt thank you for your generous support of your parish, your ministries, your archdiocese and our faith. It’s really heartening to see this room full of people,” he said. “It’s extraordinary; it is the largest group that we’ve had in quite a long time. Thank you for being present for your parishes, for your priests, for our archbishop.”