FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR

Dear Friends,

I am so grateful to have the opportunity to write my first “Letter from the Pastor” for the Ram Catholic Newsletter. I was excited and maybe a bit nervous last summer about learning that I was being moved to Saint John XXIII, home of the Ram Catholic Campus Ministry. I, as well as most priests in the Archdiocese of Denver, understand the importance of this parish in its critical mission of forming the next generation of vibrant Catholics. Saint John XXIII also serves the Archdiocese of Denver as one of the primary sources of religious vocations, including those to the Priesthood. Several Ram Catholic alumni currently serve as priests throughout Northern Colorado, and others are in priestly formation at Saint John Vianney Seminary. The gravity of my responsibility as the pastor of this parish is not lost on me. However, I am strangely comforted that I am not equal to the task. I must surrender wholly to Christ and trust that He will work through me to fulfill the monumental undertaking I have been assigned. And that is precisely what I have done over the past six months. I have witnessed God making changes and working things out as only He could.

This January, I was blessed to attend the SEEK conference hosted by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). I cannot describe how incredible it was to witness and participate in Mass, Adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation alongside 17,000 Catholic students from various universities. Ram Catholic brought 60 students to this conference, and after hearing from many inspirational Catholic speakers at the conference, they returned spiritually on fire for the spring 2023 semester at Colorado State University. Our Campus Ministers and FOCUS Missionaries are enthusiastic about reaching out to even more students this semester through men’s and women’s nights, Bible studies, the Candlelight Mass, and Adore nights.

As for me, along with Father Michael Freihofer, whom the Archbishop assigned to Saint John XXIII Church in October as Parochial Vicar upon Father Mason Farley’s sabbatical, we are humbled, yet eager, by the grace of God, to serve In Persona Christi to create loving and merciful encounters between Jesus Christ and Students through the Mass and Reconciliation.

Thank you for your continued support of this vital ministry. I know that sometimes when there is a change in leadership, one can question if the ministry will continue or if support is still needed. However, I want to assure you that the Ram Catholic ministry is moving full steam ahead. Father Michael and I are committed to allowing God to work through us to reach as many students as possible as they represent the bright future of our faith. Current Ram Catholics are already evangelizing their peers and preparing, after graduation, to transition to vocations in the workplace, family life, and religious orders with a love and zeal for God and the Catholic faith!

Along with Father Michael, we look forward to opportunities to meet those of you whom we haven’t met in person. Please know of our prayers for you, and we beg for yours.

Sincerely,

Fr Joseph Lajoie