DENVER. Capuchin Father Regis Paul Scanlon 78, internationally-known defender of the Catholic faith and locally-loved defender of the poor and marginalized, died at Porter Adventist Hospice in Centennial on Nov. 6. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 15 at St. Jude Church in Lakewood. Burial followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Wheat Ridge.

The liturgical year has not always ended with the Solemnity of Christ the King. This observance is a relatively new innovation. The American bishops, through their Committee for Religious Liberty, urge Catholics to consider the history of this celebration so they might better understand that Christ’s kingdom consists of the faithful exercising their freedom to welcome Christ’s reign in their lives.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Starting with the 2022-23 school year, families in the Diocese of Colorado Springs considering Catholic education for their children in grades K-8 will have a more streamlined application and tuition assistance program. As part of the changes, Unified Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Colorado Springs has also rebranded its tuition assistance program with the name “Bishop’s Scholarship Fund.”

November is a month that might be viewed as a break from mowing, clipping and digging. Don’t be fooled — there is lots to be done and following these tips just might make the difference between your trees and plants surviving or succumbing to our potentially cold Colorado winters. 

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Colorado Springs Council for Black Catholics held its annual St. Martin De Porres dinner on Nov. 6 at St. Joseph Parish in Colorado Springs. The dinner takes place each year on the Saturday after Nov. 3, St. Martin’s feast day, and has been held at various parishes around the diocese.

With global supply chains stressed, and holiday travel appearing a possibility, we may yet find our holidays with loved ones, or the opportunity to give a gift to a loved one near or far away. We’re running our annual Christmas reading recommendations earlier this year, so you can brighten the heart of someone special — and perhaps get a book or two yourself for winter reading.

Deacon Rudy Gonzales was born in San Luis, Colorado, and grew up in Pueblo. He graduated from Pueblo Central High School in 1969 and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he received his bachelor’s degree in education in 1973. He then attended Adams State College in Alamosa, where he earned a Master of Arts in guidance and counseling in 1974.

LITTLETON. “Holy Holidays,” an event to give women a fun, relaxed night of fellowship before the Holiday season begins, will take place Nov. 16 from 7-9 p.m. at Pax Christi Parish in Littleton. Kelli Smith, Director of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships at MOPS International, will be the featured speaker. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/holy-holidays-tickets-198633737857.

Last month, I had the great good fortune to sit down for a Zoom interview with Jordan Peterson, Jonathan Pageau, and John Vervaeke.

WASHINGTON. Pope Francis has named Auxiliary Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of St. Paul and Minneapolis to head the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota.

He has been an auxiliary bishop for the Minnesota archdiocese since 2013. A native of Denver, he was ordained a priest for St. Paul and Minneapolis in in 1997.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Diocese of Colorado Springs announced Oct. 4 that Gary Niemerg was named Director of Catechesis, Evangelization and Youth Ministry. He previously served as Director of Religious Education at Corpus Christi Parish for 15 years.