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.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Under the tightly attached black shroud that served as a roof, Deacon Dick Bowles was preparing for the 5:30 p.m. Mass on June 16 inside St. Paul Church. A new roof was scheduled to be put on the next day, but this evening, it consisted only of paper-thin tarps and long felt strips. 

COLORADO SPRINGS. Sacred Heart Parish in Colorado Springs is undertaking a major restoration of the church’s interior — 95 years after its last renovation in 1922.

“I am thrilled to put a process in place to make the church last for another 100 years,” said Holy Cross Father Ron Raab, pastor of Sacred Heart. “This is my real goal.”

As the sweet strains of “Silent Night” began, priests, volunteers, the homeless and infirm all sang together in a reminder of what Christmas is all about. 

It occurred at an event called The Lord’s Dinner, held each Sunday at Sacred Heart. Volunteers from area churches take turns preparing and the serving the meal.