Parish Ash Wednesday and Lenten Schedules in the Diocese of Colorado Springs. 2025

Pope Francis calls each of us to be a tangible sign of hope for those in great need. Bishop Golka echoes this call, emphasizing that Jesus alone reveals the fullness of God’s mercy and the truth about humanity. He challenges us to step beyond our comfort zones, carrying Christ’s hope into modern society and making His presence known in the ordinary places of daily life. Throughout this year, the Herald will explore the many ways the faithful in our diocese are living out this mission.

COLORADO SPRINGS. During this Jubilee Year of Hope, (which runs until Jan. 6, 2026), the Church has designated particular churches in Rome and the Holy Land as sacred Jubilee sites. These Jubilee churches provide a place for pilgrims to gather in prayer — and provide an opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence. 

COLORADO SPRINGS. Joyce Stolberg, consecrated virgin in the Diocese of Colorado Springs since 2011, died Feb. 3. Arrangements are as follows:

Rosary will be recited on Monday, Feb. 17 at 9 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., with Bishop James Golka presiding. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Bill and Ruth Carew of St. Mary’s Cathedral were named the Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) Longest Married Couple in Colorado and were honored after the cathedral’s 4 p.m. Mass on Jan. 25. Tom and Molly Johnson, co-leaders of WWME in Colorado, presented a certificate and flowers to the couple. 

COLORADO SPRINGS. On Jan. 11, St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Colorado Springs was host to a gathering of catechists, religious education leaders, and clergy working on the implementing of changes and revisions to the way interested candidates come to the Catholic faith. After an introduction from Bishop Golka, presenters walked through the new Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for use at parishes in the United States.

COLORADO SPRINGS. It was 1956 when Divine Redeemer Catholic School opened its doors. Colorado Springs had just been chosen as the site for the United States Air Force Academy. The popular Christmas-themed amusement park, Santa’s Workshop, had just opened in the Manitou bluffs, and Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” topped the pop charts. This small town reflected the bustling optimism of post-war America and a surge in families and family size – the soon-to-be-transformative baby boom – was well underway.

COLORADO SPRINGS. A program designed to provide spiritual mentoring for U.S. servicemembers is receiving favorable reviews from the military community.

The Military Spiritual Mentoring program creates Catholic spiritual mentoring by inviting veteran military personnel to share secular and spiritual life experiences with junior members. Bishop James Golka has endorsed the program.

Wonder is the desire for knowledge,” said St. Thomas Aquinas. This foundational truth underpins the mission of Catholic schools as we guide students from wonder to wisdom during this Catholic Schools Week.

Ever since I participated in World Youth Day 1993 in Denver, there’s something about gathering with others for a common spiritual purpose that gives me goosebumps. St. John Paul II gave Colorado a beautiful, very fruitful gift that August, and he also gave the world an additional gift earlier that year — observing the first World Day of the Sick on Feb. 11, 1993, on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. St. John Paul II set aside this time for all people to offer prayers, share in the suffering of others, offer our suffering to God, and see the face of Christ in the suffering.