COLORADO SPRINGS. The Serra Club of Colorado Springs announced the winners of its 2020 Priesthood Appreciation Contest. The theme of this year’s contest was “How Has a Priest Inspired You?”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we approach Thanksgiving Day, I take this opportunity to express my thanks to those who have contributed so generously, and in so many ways, to the mission of the Church in our diocese. I am especially grateful to those who have contributed to the construction of the Newman Catholic Student Center at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs (UCCS).

COLORADO SPRINGS. When Catholic couples discover years or decades after being married civilly that their marriage is not considered to be valid by the Church, it can come as a surprise and leave them wondering what steps to take. Fortunately, the Diocese of Colorado Springs is equipped to help such couples enter into a valid Catholic marriage so that they can live a complete sacramental life.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Community of the Teresian Carmel and The Little Way Discalced Carmelites Secular Order in Colorado Springs are accepting aspirants during the order’s Feb. 27, 2021 monthly meeting. Monthly Carmelite meetings are held at Holy Apostles Church on the fourth Saturday, with a few exceptions due to holidays.

SECURITY. St. Dominic Parish in Security is selling memorial ribbons for loved ones who have died. Ribbons will be placed on the church’s Christmas tree in December, and a special Memorial Mass will take place on Jan. 9, 2021 at 10 a.m. Funds raised will go toward the parish’s capital campaign to build Carmody Parish Hall. For more information, contact the parish office at 719-392-7653.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Dreaming big requires sacrifice. Maryn Pierce, a senior at St. Mary’s High School, knew this before the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world, but it is a lesson that has reared its head again and again over the last several months. Despite the constant adjustments, Pierce continues to pursue her dream of standing on the podium at the US Figure Skating Championships.

COLORADO SPRINGS. With new cases of coronavirus on the rise in Colorado, it could be another six months before long-term care facilities — including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, senior residences and rehabilitation centers — will be open to outside visitors. When that does finally happen, however, the Diocese of Colorado Springs will have a plan in place to better reach Catholics who are unable to regularly attend Mass.

Editor’s Note: Following is the next installment of the Herald’s monthly series profiling priests and deacons serving in the Diocese of Colorado Springs. Featured this month is Father Francisco Quezada, pastor of St. Patrick Parish.

Father Francisco Quezada is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, and was the third oldest in a family of six children.

“My vocation was born from us attending Mass together early on Sunday mornings, all six of us,” Father Quezada said.

SECURITY. Nearly 20 years ago, Nick Venetucci and his wife, Bambi, donated 15 acres of land on the Venetucci Farm property in Security for the construction of a new Catholic church to serve the Fountain Valley. Bishop Michael Sheridan and Father Bill Carmody celebrated a Blessing of the Land on May 9, 2004, and along with the Building and Grounds Committee, they led the official groundbreaking ceremony on July 7, 2007.