HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOLS / DEGREES

Master’s degree

PARISH

St. Peter in Monument CO

CURRENT OCCUPATION

Pastor, Dean and Vicar for Clergy in the diocese of Colorado Springs.

INVOLVEMENT WITH DIOCESE OF COLORADO SPRINGS

Pastor at St. Peter Catholic Church and School in Monument, Colorado. Serves as the Vicar for Clergy, a member of the Presbyteral and Personnel Board, and a College of Advisors member for Bishop Golka. Additionally, the pastor holds the position of Dean for the Metro North Deanery within the Diocese of Colorado Springs.

YOUR CURRENT ADVICE FOR OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

Attending a Catholic school can provide students with a unique blend of academic and spiritual education. Here are some key pieces of advice for Catholic school students to make the most of their experience. First, embrace the values taught in the classroom. Catholic education emphasizes virtues such as compassion, respect, and service. Try to incorporate these values into your daily life, be it in your interactions with peers or in how you approach your studies. Second, participate actively in school activities, including religious services, community service, and extracurriculars. These activities not only enrich your education but also strengthen your faith and help build a sense of community. Engaging with your peers in these settings can foster lasting friendships based on shared values. Third, don't hesitate to seek help when needed. Whether it's academic challenges or personal struggles, remember that teachers, counselors, priests and fellow students are there to support you. It’s important to communicate openly and seek guidance when needed. Finally, take time for personal reflection and prayer. Engaging in prayer or meditation can help you connect more deeply with your faith and better understand your path as a Catholic individual. Balancing faith with education will equip you to face future challenges with confidence and grace.

HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOLS / DEGREES

The Catholic University of America, BA

Mount St. Mary's University, MDiv, MA

PARISH

CURRENT OCCUPATION

Vicar General

Director of Vocations

INVOLVEMENT WITH DIOCESE OF COLORADO SPRINGS

As VG, I am highly involved in many things within the Diocese. I am the Chaplain for the St Serra Apostolate and Legatus. I also assist at St Paul Parish most weekends.

YOUR CURRENT ADVICE FOR OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

Your faith and staying close to Jesus in the Sacraments is the most important thing!

HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOLS / DEGREES

Master of Divinity, St. Thomas Seminary, Denver, CO

PARISH

St. Paul Catholic Church, Pastor (July 2008-Present)

CURRENT OCCUPATION

Pastor

INVOLVEMENT WITH DIOCESE OF COLORADO SPRINGS

• Ordained July 28, 1990

• Associate Pastor: St. Paul (1990-1992) -taught in the school

• Pastor: Leadville (1992-1994)

• Pastor: St. Peter (1994-2008) -helped build the school

• Pastor: St. Paul (2008-Present)

• Other assignments: Master of Ceremonies (1995-2024); Vicar for Priests (1997-2001); Vicar  General 2001-2024); Vicar for Clergy (on & off 6 years, 2021-2020); Dean Metro So. (2012- Present); School Board; Finance Council; Building and Properties; and other committees

YOUR CURRENT ADVICE FOR OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

Take advantage of your Catholic Education, learn as much as you can both in faith and academics. Live out what you learned, be a good disciple of Christ.

Be honest and virtuous.

Be a good steward of your gifts.

Love God and your neighbor – show it by what you say and do.

HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOLS / DEGREES

St. Gregory the Great Seminary: Bachelor of Philosophy

Mount St. Mary’s Seminary: Master of Theology, Master of Divinity

PARISH

Our Lady of the Pines

CURRENT OCCUPATION

Parochial Vicar

INVOLVEMENT WITH DIOCESE OF COLORADO SPRINGS

I was ordained three years ago by Bishop Golka and have served as a parochial vicar in the diocese for that time.  I was at Holy Apostles for two years, and am now Our Lady of the Pines.  I am also involved with the Committee for the Ongoing Formation of Priests in the diocese.

YOUR CURRENT ADVICE FOR OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

My current advice for Catholic school students would be to follow Jesus Christ.  He is the way, the truth, and the life.  He is the meaning of our lives and staying close to him will fulfill the deepest desires of our hearts.

HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOLS / DEGREES

MA, MDiv, BS, Business Certificate from SLU

PARISH

Corpus Christi

CURRENT OCCUPATION

Pastor

INVOLVEMENT WITH DIOCESE OF COLORADO SPRINGS

Current Pastor and teacher at Corpus Christi Parish / Corpus Christi Academy (2019 - Present)

Chaplain for OLW Academy (2021 - Present)

Previously taught at Divine Redeemer (2011 - 2019)

Previously Chaplain of SMHA (2011 - 2021)

YOUR CURRENT ADVICE FOR OUR CATHOLIC SCHOO

Continue to grow in your relationship with our Lord.  He will never abandon you nor let you down.  He will always be there to support you and help bring you to heaven!

HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOLS / DEGREES

Biblical Theology – University of Navarra in Spain

B.A. Business Administration – Human Resources

PARISH

Catholic Pastoral Center

CURRENT OCCUPATION

Diocesan Director for Hispanic Ministry

INVOLVEMENT WITH DIOCESE OF COLORADO SPRINGS

As the diocesan Hispanic Ministry Director for the last 13 years, I am responsible for promoting and coordinating various initiatives to support, encourage, and enable the Hispanic community to encounter the living and risen Jesus Christ, integrating their faith practices into the framework of the Catholic Church in the United States.

The Hispanic Ministry fulfills the mission of the Church in Colorado Springs concerning the Hispanic parishioners in the diocese, to integrate, educate, and strengthen their Catholic faith. It offers an understanding of Church doctrine and practical ways to apply it in the spiritual, social, and personal lives of the Hispanic parishioners.

Team member for different projects, diocesan-wide. 

YOUR CURRENT ADVICE FOR OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

Strive to take advantage of the opportunity to obtain an excellent education within an environment that promotes the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Live daily, practicing the moral values ​​learned in family, school, and church that will lead them to be good citizens and true practicing Catholics.

I am a graduate of The Ohio State University Class of 1995 with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology.

I have been a member of St. Paul Catholic Church for the last 13 years.

I am a Homemaker and Community Supporter.

My involvement with the Diocese of Colorado Springs has been primarily focusing on fundraising events for St. Mary's High School and St. Paul Catholic School and St. Paul Catholic Church. In addition, I have served for 8 years on the St. Paul Catholic School Advisory Council. I also have the pleasure of serving on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of Central Colorado.

My advice for current Catholic school students is to stay the course! Focus on your faith and feed your faith daily! Appreciate the incredible opportunities that have been placed before you and use every single one of those opportunities to reach your highest potential spiritually and academically! Our students are uniquely blessed to have such a team of supporters in their corner at every level! Whether it be peers, parents, faculty, staff, clergy, or community supporters, there are an enormous number of souls lifting them up in prayer and in action on a daily basis. To have a Diocese led by Bishop Golka is a true gift to our students in that his focus on evangelization through educating our youth is seen as of the utmost importance.

HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOLS / DEGREES 

University of Kansas, MA Higher Education Administration

University of Colorado, Special Services Provider, School Counseling

PARISH 

Sacred Heart Parish

CURRENT OCCUPATION

Retired

INVOLVEMENT WITH DIOCESE OF COLORADO SPRINGS

Active Member Saint Peters Catholic Church, Saint Gabriel the Archangel and now Sacred Heart Catholic Church since December 1995.

YOUR CURRENT ADVICE FOR OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

Have Purpose. It makes a difference in how you feel about yourself and how you engage with the world.

Married 35 years, mother to 3 grown children and a daughter-in-law. Retired K-12 School Counselor of 22 years. Served 4 years as Director of Placement for Watterson College. Expertise in grief and grief therapy. Active member of the Colorado State Crisis Team, providing mental health response in Local and state emergencies. Secretary of the Colarelli Family Foundation. Volunteer as a Facilitator for the Supervised Exchange and Parenting Time program for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of the Pikes Peak Region. I’ve spent my life’s work preparing students through academic, career and social/emotional development programming to succeed in our ever changing world.

HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOLS / DEGREES

University of Nebraska-Bachelor of Science in Business Administration –

PARISH

Ave Maria Catholic Church

CURRENT OCCUPATION

Retired, formerly financial executive with publicly traded or private equity-owned organizations in logistics and communications/cable industries. Ten years of practicing CPA

INVOLVEMENT WITH DIOCESE OF COLORADO SPRINGS 

Catholic Charities of Central Colorado – BOD; Chair of Housing Committee- 2022-present

Diocese of Colorado Springs – Finance Council– 2011-2022; chair 2019-2022

Diocese of Colorado Springs – School Advisory Committee – Intermittent from 2012

Ave Maria Catholic School – Finance Council; chair 2003-present

CURRENT ADVICE FOR OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS As a student in our Catholic school, you have a precious opportunity to grow in your knowledge of world and in your understanding and belief in our Christ, Jesus. My advice is to take the time each day to listen to His voice and allow Him to guide you in your future. He has a fantastic plan for you. Appreciate that he knows you,  loves you and will be with you always.

Shawn is a business leader and advisor with deep experience leveraging technology to start, run, fix, and rapidly evolve and enable established businesses as well startups.  With a focus on AI over the past decade, Shawn excels in developing, deploying, and commercializing technology solutions as well as helping companies develop business strategies to use the most appropriate technology to solve their specific needs. His leadership experience spans private enterprise, government service, and higher education.

Shawn is the Co-Founder and Founding CEO of boodleAI, an artificial intelligence platform that launched both a traditional AI platform as well as a Generative AI tool. As a venture-capital-backed company, boodleAI has successfully raised over $9 million, evolving from pre-product stage to the commercialization of both its AI platforms.

Shawn's international expertise includes leadership roles deploying technology in 14 countries, with significant time living in the Middle East and Africa. He has held executive, board (Independent Director), advisor, and angel investor positions in multiple organizations.

In addition to his business endeavors, Shawn has served on 8 nonprofit boards over three decades focused on education and veterans service organizations. In 2025 he elected to the Zero Prostate Cancer Board of Directors, serving as the Board’s principal advisor for leveraging technology and AI for mission success. 

Shawn began his leadership career as a military officer in the United States Army. Shawn holds a Computer Science degree from West Point, an MBA from The Kellogg School of Management, and a JD from The Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOLS / DEGREES

BS/MS Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Colorado

PARISH

St. Mary’s Cathedral

CURRENT OCCUPATION

Engineer

INVOLVEMENT WITH DIOCESE OF COLORADO SPRINGS

I was born in Colorado Springs and grew up in our Catholic School system, starting with 1st grade at Sacred Heart elementary (whose total enrollment when I started was about 350 students!).  I graduated from St. Mary’s High School (Class of ’78).  I have served on several boards and committees including the SMHS Board of Directors, and I am currently the Chair of the St. Mary’s Cathedral Finance Council.  I serve as a catechist for the Cathedral’s 4th grade religious education class, and I also substitute teach at SMHS. 

YOUR CURRENT ADVICE FOR OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

As our student, you already experience the value of Catholic education - academic excellence, faith-based learning, spiritual growth and strong values, and a nurturing, supportive community.  Your education is permeated by an orientation to truth as proclaimed by Jesus Christ through the church.  Remember that your life is best lived not in pursuing your own, limited dreams, but in the dream that God has for you.  Search for the dream that God has for you and, keeping with the grace you find in your school, in the loving home from which you come, and in our diocesan community, you will find the greatest fulfillment and happiness.

HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOLS / DEGREES  

University of Santa Clara BSCS Accounting and JD

PARISH

St. Paul’s

CURRENT OCCUPATION

Attorney

INVOLVEMENT WITH DIOCESE OF COLORADO SPRINGS

I am chairman of Board for St. Mary’s High School and sat on the Capital Campaign Steering Committee.

YOUR CURRENT ADVICE FOR OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

My advice is to tell your friends and acquaintances about your Catholic school.

I was born October 6, 1956, in Los Angeles, California but grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. I attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas and then went on to receive my undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Santa Clara in Santa Clara, California. I also attended the University on the Carroll Academic Scholarship and graduated cum laude. While attending the University, I was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the Business Honor Society, and the Alpha Sigma Nu National Jesuit Honor Society. After graduation, I worked in the tax department of Price Waterhouse in San Jose, California, while attending law school at the University of Santa Clara. I was admitted to the California Bar in 1981, to practice before the United States Tax Court in 1983 and admitted to the Colorado Bar in 1985. Concurrently, in 1983, I also became licensed as a Certified Public Accountant. I went on to join the Colorado Springs law firm of Braden & Frindt as an associate in March 1986 and became partner on January 1, 1989, and the firm name was changed to Braden, Frindt & Stinar, LLC. On January 1, 2001, I formed my own practice which has become one of the prominent firms in Colorado Springs and El Paso County.