Juneteenth

On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were told they were free, almost two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is symbolic of the end of 400 years of slavery On Juneteenth, we recognize the painful legacy of slavery and honor the resilience of Black Americans whose forced labor helped build the United States. We reflect on the lives lost to slavery, segregation, and systemic racism, past and present. Juneteenth is both a day of remembrance and a call to action: to confront historical truths, uplift marginalized voices, and commit to justice, healing, and racial equity.

In Pope Leo’s recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, he refers to slavery today and our need to stay vigilant. “Human trafficking must be recognized as a contemporary form of slavery and a grave violation of human dignity. Failing to respond firmly, or tolerating these practices in any way, is in some way to become complicit in today’s sins, which are akin to those of the past when slavery was being concealed and justified.”

Let us pray to be a people who see human dignity in all and act to protect it.

Holy Family Sack Lunch Ministry Needs Your Help!

The Sack Lunch Ministry has been an important part of the Holy Family Community for the past 34 years. Every quarter, you make sack lunches and bring them to church to be delivered to Volunteers of America to help those who lack the daily necessities that we enjoy. Thank you for your outpouring of time, treasure and love.

We need your help to continue this tradition. Regina Bowman, our receptionist, has led this ministry for 34 years, and we are deeply grateful for her leadership. With her retirement, we are seeking volunteers to deliver lunches to Volunteers of America (2788 Lawrence St., Denver) after the 10:30 Mass. We need two drivers for each delivery. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to serve together and for children to experience helping others.

Our next delivery date is July 19 followed by Sept 27 and Jan. 10. You can deliver one time or as many as work for your schedule. Please consider this opportunity.

Contact Ann annz@holyfamilydenver.com with questions or to sign up.

Magnifica Humanitas | On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence

Thank you to all who attended the Georgetown University webinar on June 9. We had a full house and a lively conversation followed! This encyclical, written by Pope Leo, is a call to action to protect the human dignity of all during these rapidly changing times. If you’d like the link to the webinar, contact Ann annz@holyfamilydenver.com. There are a few articles about the encyclical in the back of church. And, if you’d like to dig into the actual encyclical, here’s how to access it: https://tinyurl.com/magnificahumanitascopy

Got Shoes? We’ve Got a Good Home for Them!  | Soles4Souls Shoe Drive | June 13-14 / 20-21

We are excited to host another shoe drive in support of Soles4Souls. When you donate to Soles4Souls, it’s more than just cleaning out your closet, it’s helping people restore their dignity. Soles4Souls will divert your donations from going to local landfills, reducing the environmental impact of these unwanted shoes by extending their lifespan. If you have gently loved shoes of any type: adult or children’s, we’d love to help you find them a new home. Donations may be brought to Mass on the weekends of June 13-14 and June 20-21. A bin to collect shoes will be in the back of church. All collected items will be delivered to the S4S on June 22. To assist with processing, please place shoes in plastic or paper bags, and secure each pair together using laces or rubber bands. Last year, we collected approximately 700 pairs of shoes! We look forward to another successful drive and appreciate your continued generosity. Thank you to Barb Frodin for heading up this outreach.

World Refugee Day Presentation |Sunday June 21 |10-11 AM |Parish Hall

Each year on June 20, the world honors the strength and courage of those who have been forced to flee their homes to escape conflict or persecution. Today, more than 103 million people around the globe have been displaced.

As global refugee crises continue to make headlines, it is more important than ever to offer support and stand in solidarity. Here in Colorado, many nonprofits walk alongside refugees on this journey—one of them is Project Worthmore.

Join us for a special presentation by Holy Family parishioner Maria Determan from Project Worthmore, an organization dedicated to helping refugees and immigrants build self-sufficient lives in the United States. Maria will share an overview of the organization’s impactful programs, ways to get involved, and her personal experiences in this work.

Come learn how Project Worthmore lives out radical inclusion and love of neighbor on Sunday, June 21, at 10:00-11 AM in the Parish Hall, as we observe World Refugee Day.

More information available in the flyers in the back of church. Coffee and snacks will be provided.

June is Gun Violence Prevention Month

In 2024, There were 967 firearm deaths in Colorado, suicides comprised 74% of these gun deaths. 1,314 nonfatal firearm injuries in Colorado were treated in a hospital setting, either emergency department treatment/release or hospital admissions. Combined with 967 firearm deaths, there were a total of 2,281 deaths and nonfatal injuries from firearms in Colorado, an average of more than six people a day. These are alarming statistics. Source: Colorado Department of Health and the Environment (CDPHE).

One action you can take…. Lock up firearms! Do you have a firearm in your home? Is it locked away safely? This is especially important if there are children in the home. 2 out of 3 children with guns in their homes, claim they know where they are hidden. 36% of them have handled these guns.  Colorado Faith Communities United Against Gun Violence (CFCU) along with CU’s Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative have provided a flyer providing a comprehensive detailing of storage best practices for individual and family protection. You can get a copy in the back of church or access the document here: https://tinyurl.com/SafeGunStorage23