COLORADO SPRINGS. When Jarrod Waugh first offered his life to God in prayer, God said no. “It’s kind of hard to explain,” said Father Waugh, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Colorado Springs. “But nearing the end of high school, I perceived that negative signal very clearly.  God did not want me to enter the seminary at that time.”

COLORADO SPRINGS. Long before the news of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster’s apparently incorrupt body electrified the Catholic world last April, a local woman was discerning whether to enter the Benedictine monastery she founded in 2006 in Gower, Missouri.

Once upon a time in the Diocese of Colorado Springs, there were only two seminarians studying for the priesthood. Whenever a young Catholic male expressed interest in learning more about a vocation to the priesthood, there was great rejoicing in all the land, even if he never applied to the seminary. Ordinations were rare but joyful occasions. The likelihood of a priest shortage seemed more real as more and more priests neared the age of retirement.

This summer, I have an incredible opportunity to do a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James.  The Camino de Santiago in Spain is a pilgrimage that Christians have walked for hundreds of years.  With many starting points all around Spain, France and Portugal, pilgrims walk for several days across the countryside to reach the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of St. James the Greater, one of Jesus’ original twelve apostles, is buried. Pretty exciting right? 

COLORADO SPRINGS. In addition to their work in youth and young adult ministry, faith formation and other activities in the diocese, the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco have made themselves available to guide young women who are discerning vocations to religious life or consecrated virginity.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Bishop James Golka will celebrate the annual diocesan Blue Mass on May 16 at 12:10 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The Mass is celebrated each year to show appreciation of the work done by law enforcement personnel, firefighters and first responders.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Two weekend retreats designed to provide an opportunity to share in the love and joy of knowing God and Catholicism are being offered to local prisoners.

Titled “Questionable Characters,” the retreats are being offered to local inmates. The first retreat will be held June 23-25 at the Limon Correctional Facility (LCF), and the second retreat will be held from July 7-9 at the Buena Vista Correctional Facility (BVCF).

DENVER. Sister Blandina Segale was an Italian immigrant who came to the Wild West town of Trinidad, Colorado, at the age of only 22.

Amid her efforts to start schools and hospitals, she intervened against lynch mobs, conversed with outlaws, and lived such a life that she is now a candidate for sainthood.

Her life and the history of 1870s Trinidad have inspired a television series in development called “Trinidad,” in which Sister Blandina will be the main character.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The St. Serra Club of Colorado Springs announced the winners of its annual Priesthood Appreciation Contest.