COLORADO SPRINGS. Although weddings during the coronavirus pandemic look much different than in the past, couples are continuing to attend marriage preparation classes and enter into the sacrament of matrimony. Because so much of the diocesan marriage preparation program is available online, couples are able to finish the classes, including education in natural family planning (NFP), at their own pace while still observing social distancing requirements and travel restrictions.

MONUMENT. The Colorado Springs Order of Malta will be sponsoring the First Saturday Devotions to Mary starting Nov. 7 at St. Peter Parish in Monument (www.petertherock.org.)

We will begin with praying the rosary at 8:40 a.m. followed by Mass at 9 a.m. A chaplain of the Order of Malta will be the main celebrant, and Masses will be held every first Saturday of the month. All parishioners in the diocese are invited to attend.

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.

COLORADO SPRINGS. When St. Mary’s High School staff started planning the 44th Annual Golf Classic a few months ago, no one really knew what to expect. So much is different since March, as this year has brought changes to daily life that no one could have anticipated. Those changes have made it hard to use the metrics from past years to anticipate anything. So as the number of golfers continued to grow, the St. Mary’s staffers were surprised and excited.

FALCON. Father Michael Goodyear, pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Falcon and Director of Divine Mercy of the Rockies, will be one of the speakers for the virtual Divine Mercy Summit Oct. 3-5. 

COLORADO SPRINGS.  The Catholic Center at The Citadel reopened effective Sept. 29 following a temporary closure due to a coronavirus outbreak. Masses are still suspended for the time being, but confessions are available Monday through Saturday from 2-7 p.m. Visitors are asked to maintain six-foot distancing and wear face coverings.  

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.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Like many other Catholic organizations, the Inferno Men’s ministry in the Diocese of Colorado Springs has had to switch to virtual meetings due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But when it came time to plan the group’s annual conference — which has drawn upwards of 400 men in recent years — leaders struggled to find a way to hold an in-person event.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The phrase “chaos is a ladder” has been tossed around a lot during the coronavirus pandemic, but for Catholic Charities of Central Colorado’s Marian House, that really has proven to be the case.

The Blessing of Pets - in honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

The following parishes will be holding pet blessing ceremonies, listed in chronological order. All pets welcome. Please leash or cage your pets.

COLORADO SPRINGS.  Due to several cases of coronavirus, The Catholic Center at The Citadel is temporarily closed. A reopening date had not been announced as of Sept. 15. More information will be available in upcoming issues of the Herald. 

COLORADO SPRINGS. A pro-life video commercial project contest is being held for teens ages 13-18 (eighth grade through high-school seniors). This year’s theme is “Walk With Moms in Need.”