We are mostly done with training and have begun different ministries within the community.  The last few days of training were super busy, consisting of a team-building scavenger hunt throughout downtown (which my team won, by the way), Theology on Tap, intellectual formation, a visit and house blessing from Archbishop Aquila (which made front page news in the Denver Post today), lunch with the homeless in the park, and many other activities.  We've heard lectures on the history of Denver, become regulars at the Cathedral, and done some serious cleaning and gardening.  After almost 2 weeks of getting to know my 13 awesome teammates who hail from Wisconsin, Texas, Missouri, California, and many other places, we were given our placements.  Mine is ........... drumroll.............. working at the Little Sisters of the Poor's Mullen Home for the Aged  as well as the Archdiocese's Gabriel Project, working with pregnant women and their unborn children.  I will also be doing a couple other smaller things.  You'll hear more about all of this after I get into it a bit more.  I'm very excited about my work!  I get to work with people at both ends of the spectrum- those just beginning life, and those who have lived much.  It is going to be a great year!

Some of the placements of my teammates include the Homeless Task Force (basically doing street ministry as a full time job), coordinating all volunteer directors for the archdiocese, managing cases at the Samaritan House, and working in an inner city school.  Our placements were decided based upon our interests, skills, the needs of the community, and what will help us to grow the most.  We all committed to CIC without even knowing what our placements would be, but I think we all agree that our director did a great job with each of our placements!

In other news, we had an open house yesterday, and I got to meet many of the generous supporters of CIC.  It is amazing how much the community looks after us!  Christ in the City is so much more than just 14 missionaries.  Others donate time, money, supplies, and food to help us out.  When we did lunch in the park last week, the wonderful parishoners at Holy Name parish provided all the food for 150 people, as well as stayed around to serve the food and talk with the people.  My teammate Christine was right when she said "we're just the lucky ones who get to wear the Christ in the City shirts." To all those who support us, thank you!!