COLORADO SPRINGS. Father of Mercy Ken Geraci will be the keynote speaker at the annual diocesan Rosary Rally, which will take place Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. at Holy Apostles Church. His topic will be “The Passion of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

(Editor’s note: Following is the next installment of the Herald’s monthly series profiling a priest or deacon serving in the Diocese of Colorado Springs. This month we feature Deacon Robert Seydel, who currently serves at St. Mark Parish in Highlands Ranch.)

COLORADO SPRINGS. Those who have known Bishop Emeritus Michael Sheridan for decades all say the same thing – that he is a model of stability and faithfulness.

“What you see today is the way he was then,” said Msgr. Joe Simon, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and a fellow member of Kenrick Seminary’s Class of 1971.

El periódico “The Colorado Catholic Herald” tuvo la oportunidad de entrevistar al Obispo James Golka el 24 de junio, unos días antes de su ordenación episcopal.  A continuación se muestra la transcripción completa de la entrevista.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Colorado Catholic Herald had the opportunity to sit down with Bishop James Golka for an interview on June 24, just a few days before his episcopal ordination. Following is the complete transcript of the interview.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The ordination of Bishop James R. Golka took place on June 29 — the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul — and the lives and witness of both saints were woven throughout his installation as the third Bishop of Colorado Springs.

COLORADO SPRINGS. (Editor’s note: Following is the next installment of the Herald’s monthly series profiling a priest or deacon serving in the Diocese of Colorado Springs. This month we feature Father Ken Przybyla, who has served as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Colorado Springs since 2011.)

Father Ken Przybyla grew up in the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois. He was raised by his aunt and grandmother because both of his parents died when he was a young child. He lived next door to his parish church and school and spent a lot of time as an altar server.

COLORADO SPRINGS. At a standing-room-only funeral Mass on June 7 at Holy Apostles Parish, Father Paul Wicker was honored for his ability to bring people together and his love for those on the margins of society.

“We grew up together, so to speak, in the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Denver during challenging years after the Second Vatican Council,” said Bishop Emeritus Richard Hanifen, who delivered the homily. “Some of our people were chafing at the bit for more change while others were resisting with all their might the changes that were taking place. Perhaps that’s where he first embraced the tension of standing in the middle — being a pastor among those who did not agree with each other. To be a pontifex — a bridge builder, you have to get walked on.”

COLORADO SPRINGS. Father Paul Wicker, who served as pastor of Holy Apostles Parish for more than 35 years, died May 31 at age 83.

Public visitation will be held on June 5 from 1-5 p.m. at Shrine of Remembrance, America the Beautiful Chapel, and on June 6 from 5-7 p.m. at Holy Apostles, with a rosary and vigil service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place June 7 at 11 a.m. at Holy Apostles, with a reception afterwards in the parish hall. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Shrine of Remembrance. A livestream of the funeral Mass will be available at www.holyapostlescc.org. 

COLORADO SPRINGS. Sheila Whalen, previously the principal of St. Peter School in Monument, was named Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Colorado Springs effective July 1. She replaces Holly Goodwin, who is retiring.

COLORADO SPRINGS. William Dwayer, a seminarian for the Diocese of Colorado Springs who has been studying theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, will be ordained a transitional deacon by Bishop Michael Sheridan on May 22 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The Herald recently interviewed Dwayer about his background, vocational discernment, and next steps.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Kathy Thayer, who spearheaded adoption and family services for Catholic Charities of Central Colorado for over two decades, retired May 7. A farewell reception was held that afternoon at Marian House.

“Catholic Charities will always have a special place in my heart,’ Thayer said. “There isn’t another nonprofit in town like us — there really isn’t.”

COLORADO SPRINGS. Pope Francis has appointed Father James Golka, 54, a priest of the Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska, as the bishop-elect of Colorado Springs and accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael Sheridan. The appointment was publicized in Washington, D.C. on April 30 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Bishop-elect Golka was introduced at a press conference at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Colorado Springs on the same day.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Bishop Michael Sheridan announced that, beginning May 23, Catholics in the Diocese of Colorado Springs will no longer be dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. The dispensation, which was granted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will also end May 23 in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Diocese of Pueblo.

COLORADO SPRINGS. For people who experienced their parents’ divorce as children, the impact on their adult relationships cannot be underestimated, said Dan Meola, who along with his wife, Bethany, founded the Life-Giving Wounds ministry.

The Meolas will give a presentation at Holy Apostles Parish on May 10 from 6-8 p.m. Advance registration is required by contacting Christian Meert at Christian@CatholicMarriagePrep.com.