Note: This is the second of three posts about my summer assignment in Denver.  Overall, I enjoyed my time in Denver.  I have met faith-filled people, received many Marian graces and caught my first fish.  These entries covered the Virgin Mary, Service and the Outdoors.  Enjoy reading my small adventures.

When I had arrived in Denver, I had no clue how I was going to help Holy Ghost Church.  But two themes became apparent in my assignment: clean and listen.

Clean: Sacristan

One of the first things I did was polishing liturgical objects for the church’s 75th anniversary on July 8.  Plus, I had to set up the Oblate table for the museum exhibit in the parish hall.  Brigitte, the sacristan, was training me to cover for her as she took the summer off.

I had been an assistant to the sacristan for two years at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine.  I was familiar how a sacristy works.  But Holy Ghost taught me how involved the work is.  I set up and cleaned up for the 11:30 a.m. daily Mass and any funerals.  I changed candles before the weekend Masses.  I laundered and ironed altar linens (e.g. purificators) and altar cloths.  I dusted and mopped the sacristan’s office, the main sanctuary and the side altars dedicated to Mary and Joseph.  I dusted and vacuumed the sacristy.  (Boy, typing this out makes me feel worn out.)

Being consecrated completely to the Virgin Mary, I shouldn’t surprised that I would be given the humble task of cleaning.  Mary took care of Jesus in Nazareth.  Why shouldn’t I take care of a small part of the Church, which is part of Jesus?  There is a small sense of accomplishment to see the sanctuary cleaned and ready for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Listen: Interviewer for spiritual direction

By mid-July, I started interviewing people who are interested in spiritual direction at the Lanteri Center for Ignatian Spirituality.  This gave the women who handled these interviews the summer off.  I helped people find a spiritual director listed at the center or trained by the center.  (So far, I connected seven people with directors.)

Instead of doing and advising, I was listening and receiving what the 19 potential spiritual directees were telling me.  I have been constantly amazed how God’s grace worked in people’s lives to lead them to the center.  I dedicated each interview and prayed to the Holy Spirit and Virgin Mary beforehand.  I never had a terrible meeting.

This fulfills a smart part of my dream of being a spiritual director.  I had joined the Oblates because their heritage of spiritual direction.  It feels good to accompany people for a small part of their spiritual journey.