NEW YORK. In 2007, Franz Jagerstatter (1907-1943), a devoutly Catholic Austrian farmer martyred by the Nazis for his stance as a conscientious objector, was declared blessed. In the luminous, though deliberately paced, drama “A Hidden Life” (PG-13, Fox Searchlight), writer-director Terrence Malick paints a striking and memorable portrait of Jagerstatter, one that will be especially prized by believing viewers.

I’m beginning the new year with a clean office. It seems a good place to start, a practical way to set me up for any other resolutions I make.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Four years ago, the 57 seniors who made up the St. Mary’s High School class of 2016 left a big mark on the school and the surrounding community.

Of all the books to select for review at the beginning of the new year, one would think the category we should most avoid is books on politics and culture. With a presidential election looming, international tensions mounting, and conflict in the Church, perhaps we are safer in probing mythic symbolism of the lilies of the field in the Sermon on the Mount. Is it really possible to identify some of the causal influences for the divisions in our society without tearing each other apart?

The year 2020 is here! Think green, recycle, reuse, eat clean, conserve water, grow organic, to bee or not to bee — all are worth pondering as we enter our new decade. Another way to be good stewards of the earth is composting. Consider these benefits:

COLORADO SPRINGS. John Tosto was a World War II veteran, father of eight children, a business owner, and an accomplished artist. He had also designed and crafted numerous works of art for his parish, Our Lady of the Pines, and other local churches. But when he realized that he would not live to see his final project through to completion, it was devastating.

LIMON. The Union Pacific Railroad still thunders past the small town of Limon, 72 miles east of Colorado Springs. Years ago, frequent stops of passenger trains encouraged growth and the founding of the place, but now it’s the highway that brings visitors. Making their way along Interstate 70, travelers come in for a landing to be served by a bright new cluster of gas stations, gift shops, and several chain hotels. Locals enjoy good work here, and many will attend Mass today at Our Lady of Victory, a handsome red brick church founded in 1925. Today — Dec. 15, 2019 — is a special day, and people and luminaries stream in from all over.

Catholic Schools Week will be observed Jan. 26-Feb. 1 this year. The annual All Schools Mass, which will be celebrated by Bishop Michael Sheridan, is Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. at St. Dominic Parish in Security. Following is a listing of the various activities planned by schools in the diocese for Catholic Schools Week. 

La semana pasada hice el retiro espiritual anual con los obispos de la región eclesiástica XIII (Wyoming, Colorado, Nuevo México, Arizona y Utah).  

Last week, I made the annual spiritual retreat with the bishops of ecclesiastical Region XIII (Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah).

Clifford Chance Billmeyer, a seminarian for the Diocese of Colorado Springs, is the older middle of four sons born to Robert Edward and Carole Anne Billmeyer. He is midway through his fourth year of theology studies at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and was ordained a transitional deacon Dec. 21 by Bishop Michael Sheridan.

CCH: Who are some of the priests who were instrumental in fostering your priestly vocation?

CB: There have been many excellent priests in my life, all of whom I owe a great deal of gratitude for their devotion, piety and kindness. Two priests however stand out.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Benet Hill Community is holding a lecture series on the prevention of human trafficking on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at Library 21C, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Several events will take place in the Diocese of Colorado Springs in commemoration of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the United States.