“I will use your gift to advance the mission of the Church in
this Diocese today, tomorrow, forever."
- Most Reverend Michael J. Sheridan, Bishop of Colorado Springs
We know that God is here in a special way through the works of his people. Returning God's Gifts provides an opportunity for you to participate in this critical work:
- Forming new priests and deacons
- Providing for Catholic education and faith formation
- Feeding the hungry and serving the poor through Catholic Charities and Partners in Housing.
Yes, God is here - and His presence is manifest in many ways. Please consider participating in Returning God's Gifts.
Charity and Social Services
Catholic Charities
- The Marian House and Hanifen Center - The Hanifen Center brings all Catholic Charities’ Marian House emergency and poverty reduction services together to meet the immediate basic needs of individuals and families, and to begin to move
them forward in their journey toward greater selfsufficiency. The Center is home to three Marian House programs: Client Services, Community Outreach Services, and Life Support Services.
- Life Connections - Life Connections is a licensed, non-profit child placement agency with more than 40 years experience providing counseling, cradle foster care, and adoption services.
- Family Immigration Services - Family Immigration Services provides assistance to immigrants and refugees to find a place in aPartners in Housing welcoming community in three important areas: English as a Second Language, Naturalization and Family Immigration.
Partners in Housing
Partners in Housing is an organization whose mission is to provide homeless families with children the hope and opportunity to achieve self-sufficiency through supportive services and up to two years of transitional housing. These supportive services include case management, budget counseling, life skills training, and (when beneficial) professional therapy.
Catholic Education
Catholic Schools
Total Catholic Education (TCE) provides school administrative support, sets academic and religious standards, supports teacher development, and makes available other resources to diocesan schools in Colorado Springs and Douglas County. TCE’s mission is to develop the whole child in the Catholic faith. The appeal provides scholarships to students whose parents are unable to afford Catholic education otherwise.
Youth Ministry
The Appeal supports youth ministry by providing activities and organization to parish youth groups. Activities include junior high and high school youth rallies and an annual Chastity Rally. It also supports planning and logistics for youth pilgrimages to national conferences and World Youth Day.
Seminarian and Leadership Development
Priests are critical to accomplishing Christ’s mission on earth. He said as much when he gave the keys of the Kingdom to Peter, the first Pope. Heeding the Great Commission, the apostles spread across the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, and Asia to preach the Gospel. After 2,000 years, the Church is still growing. In our diocese there is a total population of over 900,000: “the harvest is great but the laborers are few.” (Mt. 9:37)
Diaconate
The Diocese of Colorado Springs, like many dioceses, has a need for more priests. Permanent Deacons assist priests by engaging in pastoral and liturgical tasks. The Returning God’s Gifts Appeal funds education and formation for deacons, before and continuing after ordination.
The Returning God’s Gifts Appeal funds critical services in the Diocese of Colorado Springs that serve Christ’s mission among us. In addition to the programs detailed in this manual, the appeal also funds the following activities and offices: