The Catholic Defender: Holy Family Meeker Colorado

I had a great opportunity to go to Mass here in Meeker Colorado.  Visiting this Parish I felt a great sense of history. 

The Church itself is a Romanesque style red brick building.  According to Denver's record of the Church, it was dedicated in 1913.

I recall that it was 1917 when Buffalo Bill Cody (famed pioneer of the old West) was Baptized a Catholic in this very Diocese just two days before his death.

It would be a former enemy of Buffalo Bill that would ultimately inspire him to become Catholic.  This would be Sitting Bull who himself converted to the Catholic Faith Baptized by Father De Smet.  Sitting Bull would play a part in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show so there was great mutual respect between them.

It would be very possible that Buffalo Bill might have had the chance to have been in this Church! I have found no record of this, but the age and place makes it possible.

Having the chance to participate and attend Mass in this Church that is still in use, it is a very beautiful Church.

After the Mass, I had the opportunity to meet several of the Parishioners.  These are faithful people who love the Lord and the Catholic Faith.

I met a Doctor and his wife who moved there a couple of years ago from New Mexico.  They are really excited about their faith.  I spoke with another couple who had been married for 51 years.  Bob was raised in Kansas who (as a boy) personally knew Father Kapaun, a Catholic Military Chaplain of the United States Army. 

The rich history here seeing the faithful totally alive in Christ.  I met the youth Minister who was coming to the Spanish Mass.  We talked for a while before he went in for Mass.  Father Enrigue is the Vicar Priest serving with Father Geronimo who is the main Pastor.  They are great Priests of God who are taking care of their churches.

It is very important that we pray for our Priests, they are certainly under attack and the vast majority of them are honorable God fearing men.

Walking inside the church, you can feel the presence of Christ in this historic place.  It is holy ground.  Here, you can see the altar of the Lord.

St. Paul writes "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?  Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

I had been in a second century catacomb where the Early Church held Mass participating in the Eucharistic feast.  Now, I have been participating with those that reach back through American history participating in the same Eucharistic Feast.  This is all through the same Catholic Church.

The second century catacomb still marked the grave of the martyred Priest, here in Meeker Colorado, the Priests continue the work of Christ offering a pure sacrifice united with every Catholic Church all over the world. 

They are true sons of our Lady (Psalms 45:16), the Lord has made them "a kingdom (the Catholic Church) and priests to our God and they shall reign on earth." Revelation 5:10

The Lord's presence is made manifest in the breaking of bread.  Malachi 1:11 states, "For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts."

Jesus said, "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:28

This fulfills the promise God spoke to the Prophet Jeremiah 31:31-34.  This is very important, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." 1 Corinthians 11:26

Each Catholic Church tells a story, if you were to take a good look at the Church, you would be able to see many things that tells the true story of Christ.

All Catholic Churches have Baptismal fonts that cleanses the faithful through Baptism. 

Pope Alexander 1 (105 A.D.) is credited for establishing the Baptismal (holy water) font at the front of the meeting place.

In the Early Church, this would be in a home, a catacomb, a cave, some place in hiding.  But with the Edict of Milan in the early 4th century the Church came out into the open.  What you see here at Holy Family in Meeker Colorado, you will see the same opportunity in every Church!

This is the Catholic Church, the household of Faith.  This represents what is interior in the soul of the Christian, the exteriors should reflect the interior life.  Everything the Catholic Church does is to reflect the light of Christ and to foster devotion.  To lead souls to Heaven. 

No matter where you might be in the world, where there is Mass being offered, we will recognize a little bit of home where you go.

Today, I was the pilgrim coming to my home away from home.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to see this special gift from the Lord Jesus Christ, that we can share in this Kingdom of God as His Children.


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