Nativity Sons

It takes a village to celebrate Christmas on Larimer Street.

A A A Comments By Robin Chotzinoff Thursday, Dec 19 2002

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"He finally went back to Guatemala," Medrano says. "He called me a few weeks ago, saying, 'Daddy, you got any money?' Such a talented man."

The front office again. "Father, have you forgotten about José?"

John Johnston

Father Marcus Medrano ministers to the neighborhood where he grew up.

John Johnston

Javier Ramos and David Morones construct Sacred Heart's annual Nativity scene.

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On days like these, he finds refuge in the huge, clean, empty sanctuary. Unlike the rest of Medrano's domain -- barely sustained by the contents of meager collection plates, nearly impossible to heat, smelling of disinfectant -- this space is full of lights, gleaming paint, gold embellishments and, of course, the Nativity scene.

Morones and Ramos are already here, wondering whether they should acquire more statues from Mexico or glue-on moss and grass from Hobby Lobby.

"They've done so much, and I'm their helper," Medrano says proudly. "Restored all the stained glass, stripped all the wood, built their own scaffolds. They do good work, maybe because they're not volunteers. I don't like volunteers, because you can't complain about their work. When they need help, I do it.

"But I'd rather do this than the usual priest stuff," he confesses. "I counsel someone, and they go out and I never see them again, and I never knew if I helped. At least here I can see what we accomplished. It's a Mexican village, but I suppose it could be Jerusalem."

In the coming months, Robin Chotzinoff will commemorate Westword's 25th anniversary with 25 profiles of Denver today. Click here to read these stories.