The following are the official decrees establishing two new parishes: Saint John Paul II in Thornton and Saint Gianna Molla in Green Valley Ranch.
Prot. N. 2017-0495 AB-A
Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila, S.T.L, by the grace of God and the favor of the Apostolic See, Archbishop of Denver
DECREE OF ESTABLISHMENT Saint John Paul II Quasi-Parish Denver, Colorado
The Second Vatican Council, in its Decree Concerning the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church, (CD, 32) provides that the diocesan bishop is responsible for the pastoral care of those living in the diocese. He is to see to their spiritual well-being by establishing parishes or, when necessary pursuant to universal and particular law, quasi-parishes, when it is opportune to do so.
In virtue of this mandate, and to serve the growing population of the Northglenn/Thornton area and the increasing number of parishioners at Immaculate Heart of Mary, after having consulted the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Denver on the 13th day of September 2017 (Prot. N. 2017-0567 AB-A) and the priests of the Northeast Deanery, and in recognition of the community of Christian faithful already coming together to celebrate the Mass at Frassati Catholic Academy, by this decree, I canonically establish a new territorial quasi-parish (CIC, canon 516 § 1), in the Northeast Deanery, under the patronage of Saint John Paul II, whose feast is celebrated on the 22nd day of October. Its specific location to be determined by the future acquisition of land that will house the parish church and offices.
The parochial administrator for Saint John Paul II quasi-parish shall be Rev. James Spahn, in addition to his current assignment as Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Saint John Paul II quasi-parish, shall have the following boundaries:
Northern Boundary- East on East 168th Avenue from I-(Interstate) 25 to Quebec Street.
Eastern Boundary- South on Quebec Street from 168th Avenue to E-(Express) 470, then southeast to USH (United States Highway) 85, then southwest to East 104th Avenue.
Southern Boundary- West on East 104th Avenue from CSH 85 to Riverdale Road.
Western Boundary- North on Riverdale Road from East 104th Avenue to Holly Street, then north to East 128th Avenue, then west to I-25, then north to East 168th Avenue.
Saint John Paul II quasi-parish has Juridic personality ipso iure (CIC, canon 515 § 3), with all the rights, privileges, and obligations attached thereto. I also approve its statutes (CIC, canon 117), which are attached to this decree. The administration of its temporal goods is subject to the existing universal and diocesan norms, as well as any applicable civil laws.
The banking and financial administration of Saint John Paul II quasi-parish shall remain an aspect of Immaculate Heart of Mary, yet be accounted for separately, until such a time as a civil non-profit corporation is erected.
After consultation with the pastor and parish finance council of Immaculate Heart of Mary, it is hereby decreed that this parish shall, before the 1st of December 2017, pursuant to the provisions of CIC, canon 122, contribute/designate the sum of $20,000 to Saint John Paul II quasi-parish.
Until a parish church is erected, liturgical functions will continue at Frassati Catholic Academy, or another appropriate gathering space designated by the administrator. However, baptisms, weddings, and funerals may also be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary.
In accord with the norms of CIC, canons 516, 536 and 537, a pastoral council and finance council shall be constituted in the Saint John Paul II quasi-parish, pursuant to the norms of universal and particular law.
Saint John Paul II quasi-parish is to have its own parish registers (CIC, canon 535 §§ 1-2) with entries beginning on the Sunday, December 3, 2017; its own parish seal (CIC, canon 535 § 3); and its own parish archives (CIC, canon 535 § 4).
All the Christian faithful who have a domicile or quasi-domicile in the territory defined above belong by law to Saint John Paul II quasi-parish.
This present decree shall take effect on the 3rd day of December 2017, the 1st Sunday of Advent.
May Saint John Paul II, the heavenly patron of this new quasi-parish, intercede with the Father for rich blessings to come upon this new community of the Christian faithful through Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Given at the Curia Denveriensis on this 4th day of November 2017, on the Feast of St. Charles Borromeo, Denver, Colorado.
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Prot. N. 2017-0503 AB-A
Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila, S.T.L, by the grace of God and the favor of the Apostolic See, Archbishop of Denver
DECREE OF ESTABLISHMENT Saint Gianna Molla Quasi-Parish Denver, Colorado
The Second Vatican Council, in its Decree Concerning the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church, (CD, 32) provides that the diocesan bishop is responsible for the pastoral care of those living in the diocese. He is to see to their spiritual well-being by establishing parishes or, when necessary pursuant to universal and particular law, quasi-parishes, when it is opportune to do so.
In virtue of this mandate, and to serve the growing of the Denver/Aurora area and the increasing number of parishioners at Ascension Catholic Parish, after having consulted the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Denver on the 13th day of September 2017 (Prot. N. 2017-0567 AB-A) and the priests of the East Deanery, and in recognition of the community of Christian faithful already coming together to celebrate the Mass at Omar D. Blair Charter School, by this decree, I canonically establish a new territorial quasi-parish (CIC, canon 516 § 1), in the East Deanery, under the patronage of Saint Gianna Molla whose feast is celebrated on the 28th day of April. Its specific location to be determined by the future acquisition of land that will house the parish church and offices.
The parochial administrator for Saint Gianna Molla quasi-parish shall be Rev. Jason Wunsch, in addition to his current assignment as Parochial Vicar of Ascension Catholic Parish.
Saint Gianna Molla quasi-parish, shall have the following boundaries:
Northern Boundary- East on East 96th Avenue from Buckley Road to West Cargo Road, then continue north on Picadilly Road to East 120th Avenue, then east to Manila Road.
Eastern Boundary- South on Manila Road from East 120th Avenue to I- (Interstate) 70.
Southern Boundary- West on I-70 from Manila Road to Peña Boulevard.
Western Boundary- North on Peña Boulevard from I-70 to East 56th Avenue then west to Buckley Road, then north to East 96th Avenue.
Saint Gianna Molla quasi-parish has Juridic personality ipso iure (CIC, canon 515 § 3), with all the rights, privileges, and obligations attached thereto. I also approve its statutes (CIC, canon 117), which are attached to this decree. The administration of its temporal goods is subject to the existing universal and diocesan norms, as well as any applicable civil laws.
The banking and financial administration of Saint Gianna Molla quasi-parish shall remain an aspect of Ascension Catholic Parish, yet be accounted for separately, until such a time as a civil non-profit corporation is erected.
After consultation with the pastor and parish finance council of Ascension Catholic Parish, it is hereby decreed that this parish shall, before the 1st of December 2017, pursuant to the provisions of CIC, canon 122, contribute/designate the sum of $5,000 to Saint Gianna Molla quasi-parish.
Until a parish church is erected, liturgical functions will continue at Omar D. Blair Charter School, or another appropriate gathering space designated by the administrator. However, baptisms, weddings, and funerals may also be celebrated at Ascension Catholic Parish.
In accord with the norms of CIC, canons 516, 536 and 537, a pastoral council and finance council shall be constituted in the Saint Gianna Molla quasi-parish, pursuant to the norms of universal and particular law.
Saint Gianna Molla quasi-parish is to have its own parish registers (CIC, canon 535 §§ 1-2) with entries beginning on the Sunday, December 3, 2017; its own parish seal (CIC, canon 535 § 3); and its own parish archives (CIC, canon 535 § 4).
All the Christian faithful who have a domicile or quasi-domicile in the territory defined above belong by law to Saint Gianna Molla quasi-parish.
This present decree shall take effect on the 3rd day of December 2017, the 1st Sunday of Advent.
May Saint Gianna Molla, the heavenly patron of this new quasi-parish, intercede with the Father for rich blessings to come upon this new community of the Christian faithful through Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Given at the Curia Denveriensis on this 4th day of November 2017, on the Feast of St. Charles Borromeo, Denver, Colorado.
Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila, S.T.L. Archbishop of Denver
Mr. David Uebbing Chancellor