COLORADO SPRINGS. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8 marked the first day that Catholics could receive a special plenary indulgence for praying before a Nativity scene at Franciscan churches. The indulgence was granted by Pope Francis in honor of the 800th anniversary of the approval of the Rule of St. Francis and the saint’s creation of a Nativity scene in Greccio, Italy. The indulgence can be obtained until Feb. 2, 2024, the Feast of the Presentation.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Bishop James Golka has named Deacon Mike McGrady Director of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Colorado Springs, effective Dec. 1.
Deacon McGrady was ordained May 19, 2012 and serves at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish. 

He is retired from the Air Force and has served in Youth Ministry, Family Support and Readiness, and as a Director of Faith Formation. 

He can be reached at 719-866-6293 or mmcgrady@diocs.org.

COLORADO SPRINGS. On Dec. 5, the diocesan Young Adult Ministry (YAM) and diocesan campus ministry partnered to kick off the Christ the King Global Annual Celebration of  Young Adults. We gathered for Mass at the Newman Center with Bishop James Golka, who beautifully explained the meaning of Advent. He encouraged us to approach the sacrament of reconciliation as a place of God’s merciful love.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The founders of Mater Filius Colorado Springs estimated it would take more than a year to raise the $2.5 million required to create a home for pregnant women in need.  Instead, the capital campaign concluded after a brief and exquisitely appropriate gestation of nine months, reaching its goal on Sept. 8, 2022, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Bishop Golka's Reflection on the Second Sunday of Advent