Support Our Lady of Visitation in its Protest Against the Archdiocese’s Decision To Close It – Tomorrow – Sunday, April 30 at 12:45 1300 S Steele St, Denver, CO 80210

Dear Friends…

Tomorrow, Sunday, April 30 at around 12:45, after what might be the last mass that the Archdiocese will permit at their church, the congregation of a small Catholic parish< Our Lady of Visitation, just north of Denver in an overwhelmingly working class Chicano neighborhood called Goat Hill is going to engage in what they call a “prayer-vigil-demonstration” at the residential complex of the Archbishop of Denver, Samuel J. Aquila at 1300 S. Steele Street.

The parish is the center of this community. The community itself is quite unique – as if northern New Mexico (Taos-Mora) and Southern Colorado was transplanted in this small but lively neighborhood (approximately from 64 to 72 avenues east and west of Federal Blvd in Adams County. It was built by the parishioners who are, to put it mildly, deeply upset that it is being closed down by the Archdiocese. It is unusual to see a Catholic congregation to oppose a local archbishop and even more so that deeply religious Catholics would protest at his residence. Deciding to do so was not easily arrived at.

Of course the religious element of what the OLV parishioners are doing is central, but beyond that I want to emphasize that this is more than a church – it is the heart of a community. I don’t need to emphasize that in the era of Trumpty-Dumpty how vital it is to maintain such institutions that by their very nature will be in the forefront of defending the economic, social and spiritual rights of this population.

The parishioners and Church Council of OLV have asked for public support. I hope that you will join me in a show of solidarity.

My support is guided by knowing how precious this church is to its membership and of course, by the famous quote by Bonhoffer, on display at the U.S. Holocaust Museum

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Hope to see you there.

For more information I include the following links:

https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/started-street-car-mission-church-near-denver-faces-rail-threat

https://robertjprince.net/2017/04/27/goat-hill-and-our-lady-of-visitation-parish-part-two-remarks-of-federico-pena-former-denver-mayor-at-a-press-conference-at-our-lady-of-visitation-parish-actually-outside-of-the-parish-protestin/

https://robertjprince.net/2017/03/29/goat-hill-and-our-lady-of-visitation-church/