Dear Denver Guild,

First we will send out a an official invitation, but our Christmas Party will be December 15th from 1-3:30pm at St. Thomas More. It will be a potluck with activities for the kids and music so please feel free to come with your whole family.

As we enter a new liturgical year with Advent, I have always have felt this was a time of preparation of hope.

“The People who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen…”(Matthew 14:16) “and the darkness has not overcome it!”(John 1:5)

Indeed the shadow of death has lingered in our own nation whether its the sorrows of legalized abortion, expansion of physician assisted suicide, opioid addiction issues, or gun violence which struck even my home town of Thousand Oaks, CA. At times we can feel powerless in the “throw away culture” that has lost itself the sense of the dignity and beauty of the person, which continues to subject man to a model of utility. And at this intersection lie the mysteries of evil and suffering that challenges our faith in the Supreme Good. Why would a gracious God permit such trials and miseries?
But as St. Paul reminds us:
“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

I am sure the recent gun violence at Mercy Hospital recently touched many of your hearts as we learned of the horror when an enraged gunmen senselessly took the life of a fellow physician for calling off an engagement and then turned to attack responding police killing one along with a bystander resident pharmacist. Darkness at the moment had seemed to settle in just before the Thanksgiving Holiday. But what really emerges is the story of light!

Dr. Tamara Oneal, Resident ER physician, not only tirelessly worked to save lives of her patients, but worked to raise money for disadvantaged children, as well as led her church choir, and working shifts to always ensure she had Sunday to go to Church.

Officer Samuel Jimenez, married father of three who had just finished his probation period was one of the first responders on the scene to defend others. His heroic actions to risk his own life undoubtedly saved many others.

Dayna Less, a first year pharmacy resident, who despite struggling through chronic migraine headaches and many surgeries as a teenager strove to work hard through school in order to work to serve others. She spent 8 weeks serving over in Kenya even during a local strike which was challenging, but she felt driven by “big wins” when she found she was able to make a difference in the lives of her patients.

Each three beautiful children of God did not hide their light under a bushel basket, but let it shine before others to glorify their heavenly father. One day for all eternity, by the grace of God, we pray that they will “shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” (Daniel 12:3).

Christ 2000 years ago left the throne of his heavenly father to make a humble manager in Bethlehem his throne. Even more, He now desires to make our hearts his throne, so that again we can say
“a light has arisen… and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Happy Advent,
Tom Jensen