He has been dead 17 years, but the spirit of Father Woody hovered over his beloved homeless people Thursday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Men, women and children stood in a line stretching east on Colfax and bending north around the corner on Pennsylvania.

They were waiting for the annual giveaway, an envelope filled with $20.

But there was a twist this year. Instead of one bill, the envelope contained two $10 bills. And Msgr. Tom Fryar urged the people to keep one and pass on the other to someone else in need - in the spirit of Father Woody.

Most said they'd take the monsignor's words to heart, sharing their newfound wealth. If anything, it tells you how messed up the economy is - people referring to $20 as wealth.

Denver deputy sheriffs moved the line a few people at a time, filling the pews of the cathedral, where other deputies and Knights of Columbus volunteers ushered.

From the street, they moved into the prayer garden outside.

"This is the most people we've had in the last five years or so," said sheriff's Sgt. M.A. Martinez.

None walked away broke. At the end, 1,400 people received envelopes, mostly bankrolled by an anonymous donor and the Daniels Fund, which on Thursday announced that it will be cutting back funding for various programs next year because of the recession.

There were 150 more adults this year than last, said Mary Ellen Lederman, a Cathedral employee. Ghost Menley, 61, felt the spirit, even though the South Dakota native had never met Father Woody, the nickname for Monsignor C.B. Woodrich, who co-founded Samaritan House after first opening Holy Ghost Church on frigid winter nights to the homeless.

He also started the tradition of giving away $10 bills, so the poor could have a measure of dignity that comes with having a few bucks in your pocket.

"I'll go get something to eat," said Menley, who came here to work six months ago and is still unemployed.

"There's no work," he said.

He and a buddy are sleeping outside right now.

"My friend couldn't come. So I'll give him the other 10," Menley said. "He's watching camp."

Once again, the Angels of East Colfax showed up - Yanita Rowan, Dawn Kessler, Becky Bausch, Becky Beans, Cheryl Scott and Alix Corbon.

They continued a tradition they started four years ago, serving the poor cups of hot chocolate and cookies outside the doors of the cathedral.

They bought enough goodies - and gloves - to serve 800 people. That was double what they did last year.

"We gave it all away," Rowan said. "We think we were maybe 100 short on everything."

The women said they'll bump up their donations for next year and will look for wool socks that many had asked for.

"It's so sad to see where our country is that we have to do this," Kessler said. "This made us feel better than hanging out at a restaurant. This is the best I feel all season. We get to see the people one on one."

On the other side of the church, a man in a wheelchair in the prayer garden was worried how he'd get up the ramp and into the cathedral.

"I'll give you a push," said Thomas Claiborne, 47.

Claiborne had never met the man in the wheelchair but shrugged off the small act of kindness. "He looks like he needs help," Claiborne said.

For his part, Claiborne said he would heed Fryar's request.

"Share the wealth," he said. "It helps people who are in need."

Kaggie Tolliver, 41, agreed it was a good thing to do.

"It is the Christmas spirit, right?" Tolliver said.

Fryar didn't take any credit for the short sermon he offered before the giveaway began.

"That was Father Woody's idea," he said.

"The spirit lives on."

Saint for the hungry, homeless, hopeless

His official title and name: Monsignor Charles B. Woodrich. But he was known to everyone as Father Woody. If Denver had a patron saint for the hungry, homeless and the hopeless, it was the Roman Catholic priest who believed no person should be cold.

* He was ordained in Denver in 1953.

* He was pastor of Holy Ghost Church in 1981 during a frigid winter when he opened the doors of his church to let people in from the cold. He started a homeless ministry the following year, and it grew into Samaritan House.

* Woodrich remained at the parish until his death in 1991 at the age of 68.

* Woodrich's influence was considerable. He persuaded Continental Airlines to donate $1 million to the homeless, and he made friends with Bill Daniels, the late billionaire cable TV magnate, whom he persuaded to give $10,000 in crisp $10 bills during the Christmas season so Father Woody could give them away to hard-luck men and women.

* Father Woody tried to live what he preached. "We're here to help, not to judge," he said.

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