COLORADO SPRINGS. As the Catholic Church in the United States gets ready to celebrate Vocations Awareness Week Nov. 1-7, a parishioner in the diocese is preparing to enter religious life.

Holy Apostles parishioner Catherine Logan has been accepted as a postulant for the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She plans to enter as soon as she has raised enough money to pay off her student debt.

This article is part of a monthly series featuring a priest or deacon serving in the Diocese of Colorado Springs. This month, the Herald profiles Deacon Cliff Donnelly, who since being ordained in 2016 has served at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Following his ordination to the permanent diaconate by Bishop Michael Sheridan on May 27, 2006, Deacon Robert (Bob) Waller was released for service with the Archdiocese for the Military Services and assigned to the Air Force Academy’s Catholic Cadet Chapel. In several ways, the assignment was a perfect fit for the new deacon.

Bishop Michael Sheridan will ordain 19 men to the permanent diaconate on June 20. The Herald features a profile of the new deacon class.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Serra Club will hold its monthly 3rd Thursday program, June 18, online. It will begin with Mass at noon, followed by guest speaker, Katie Logan,

COLORADO SPRINGS. Bishop Michael Sheridan will ordain 19 men to the permanent diaconate on June 20 at 10 a.m. at St. Dominic Church in Security. 

COLORADO SPRINGS. Bishop Michael Sheridan will ordain Deacons Timothy O’Connell and Chance Billmeyer to the priesthood on May 30 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

MONUMENT. A new film detailing a local woman’s journey to being consecrated as a virgin living in the world is now available on Apple TV. “Song of Songs: The Journey of a Consecrated Virgin” chronicles the life of St. Peter parishioner Tara Stone, highlighting the defining moments of her childhood, teenage years and young adulthood as she discerns her vocation.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Serra Club of Colorado Springs will hold its annual Anniversary Dinner and Silent Auction on Feb. 24 in Julie Penrose Hall at St. Paul Church. Bishop Michael Sheridan will celebrate Mass at 5 p.m., followed by a wine social, silent auction and catered dinner. Cost is $45 per person; attendees can bring a priest or religious sister for an additional $25. Checks should be payable to: Serra Club of Colorado Springs, 228 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, 80903. RSVPs are requested by Feb. 14. For more information, contact SerraCOSprings@DioCS.net or 719-576-0641. The Serra Club supports vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of Colorado Springs.

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.

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 Serra Club of Colorado Springs announced the winners of its Priest Appreciation Contest, which was held in conjunction with National Vocations Awareness Week, Nov. 3-9.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Sister Magdalena Krol, the General Superior of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration from Olpe, Germany, spent Oct. 1-24 conducting a canonical visitation of St. Joseph Province with the Sisters at Mount Saint Francis.

COLORADO SPRINGS.  In honor of Priesthood Sunday on Sept. 29, the Serra Club of Colorado Springs is holding a Priesthood Appreciation Contest for youth ages Pre-K to high school. Students are invited to create an essay, poem, artwork, video, thank-you note or card describing how a priest has inspired them. Contestants will be divided into four age groups: Pre-K to first, grades 2-4, grades 5-8 and grades 9-12. Entries should be submitted by Oct. 15 to one’s parish office or via email at SerraCOSprings@diocs.net. Winners will be announced during Vocations Awareness Week, which begins Nov. 3.