(Editor’s note: The following is part of a year-long series highlighting the 15th anniversary of the Office of Marriage and Family Life.

COLORADO SPRINGS. A decree establishing diocesan-wide norms for marriage preparation and the sacrament of matrimony was promulgated by Bishop Michael Sheridan on Oct. 3, 2019, and those who work with engaged couples say that it is already having a positive impact on their ministry.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Roughly five months after the coronavirus pandemic caused them to switch to online instruction virtually overnight, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Colorado Springs welcomed students back for full-time, in-person instruction during the third week of August.

COLORADO SPRINGS. When Christian and Christine Meert were named co-directors of the Diocese of Colorado Springs’ newly- created Office of Marriage and Family Life in 2005, they essentially started with a blank slate. Now, 15 years later, the two can look back and see how their efforts have born fruit.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Diocese of Colorado Springs Finance Officer Bob Doerfler, who has a combined 43 years of service to Divine Redeemer Parish and the diocese, retired June 5. Doerfler worked side by side with Bishop Emeritus Richard Hanifen to establish the diocese’s finance and accounting operations when it was created in 1984.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Call it a silver lining or unintended consequence, but one good thing to come out of the coronavirus pandemic is that engaged couples now have more time to focus on the sacrament of matrimony and the Catholic Church’s teaching about marriage.

DENVER. The Colorado Catholic Conference issued an “Action Alert” on June 9 asking people to contact their state legislators to request that the Colorado Department of Education release COVID-19 relief funds for nonpublic schools based on federal guidelines.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Even though parishioners at St. Gabriel the Archangel weren’t able to attend any Masses during the month of April, the parish not only held its regular monthly food drive but held an extra drive that resulted in a 3,500-pound food donation to Marian House soup kitchen.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The impacts of the coronavirus pandemic will ripple through society for years to come, but one of the groups most immediately and directly affected by the pandemic are engaged couples who were planning weddings this year. These couples have been faced with a difficult choice — move forward with a wedding where only their parents and possibly siblings can attend, or postpone it for an indeterminate period of time.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Like Catholics everywhere, members of Our Lady of the Pines Parish have not had much opportunity to visit the church or each other.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Two months after the Diocese of Colorado Springs suspended public Masses in response to the coronavirus pandemic, parishioners are being invited back to the limited celebration of Mass starting the weekend of May 16-17. But because of the need for comprehensive safety measures to limit further spread of the virus, the manner in which people gather at church will look very different than it did in the past.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The coronavirus pandemic has not only led to a suspension of public Masses, it has also cast uncertainty on the celebration of other sacraments, including weddings, confirmations, and funerals. Following is a list of frequently-asked questions based on the liturgical guidelines issued by Bishop Michael Sheridan on March 20:

COLORADO SPRINGS. With churches in the Diocese of Colorado Springs prohibited from holding public Masses until at least the end of April, Bishop Michael Sheridan and parish pastors are making plans to celebrate Holy Week and Easter liturgies in front of video cameras so that parishioners can participate via YouTube, Facebook, or other social media platforms.

COLORADO SPRINGS. In response to health officials’ recommendations that large group events be cancelled to limit the spread of coronavirus, the bishops of Colorado on March 13 ordered that all public Masses and other group meetings at parishes cease until the end of March.

COLORADO SPRINGS. On March 1, Holy Apostles Parish celebrated the grand re-opening of its parish library, which is located on the lower level of the church building.

The library was closed during the month of February, during which time it underwent a complete remodeling and reorganization.

COLORADO SPRINGS. When Keith and Veronica Deardorff and their seven children moved to Colorado Springs two years ago due to Keith’s military service, it didn’t take long for members of Holy Apostles Parish to reach out to them.