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.

Brrrrrr! Winter is here. The beautiful snow, the crisp cold air, the green of the pines and God’s vivid blue sky. We are blessed to have all four seasons in our diocese and yet all agree that at times our seasons can seem to be a bit mixed up with their topsy-turvy-temps!  The season of winter has a purpose in our gardens. It brings a time for rest, rejuvenation and the cold can bring death to diseases and some of those pesky garden pests.

The Jubilee Year of Hope is underway.  Pope Francis opened the St. Peter’s Basilica Holy Door on December 24, 2024, and Bishop Golka welcomed the Jubilee for our diocese on December 29, the Feast of the Holy Family.

SEDALIA. Sister of Mercy Peg Maloney died Jan. 2 at age 70. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 11 at Regis Chapel in Denver. Burial followed at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wheat Ridge.