COLORADO SPRINGS. When Colleen (Walker) Berenguer ‘11 graduated from St. Mary’s High School, a career in nursing wasn’t on her radar. Yet, nine years later, her days have been filled with caring for patients in Meridian, Idado, with a virus that just a few months ago no one could have imagined. Berenguer is one of several St. Mary’s graduates who are on the frontlines caring for COVID-19 patients across the nation.

COLORADO SPRINGS. A famous quote claims that “attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure,” a theory that has been tested during the last seven weeks of rapid change. When schools shut down their campuses in mid-March due to the COVID-19 outbreak, everyone was hopeful that the shutdown would be short lived. That included the events staff at St. Mary’s High School, who at that time were just weeks away from their annual gala.

COLORADO SPRINGS. In the last month, life has changed for Americans. Our current situation of social distancing and stay-at-home orders has, at the very least, disrupted plans and, at the worst, has completely changed lives. Life for those who attend St. Mary’s High School has, of course, also been affected. As plans are shifting, one thing remains consistent for those associated with St. Mary’s — the community.

COLORADO SPRINGS. If life were going according to schedule, this week St. Mary’s High School students would have been working to stay focused as they approached spring break. On Wednesday, most would have participated in the sacrament of reconciliation, and Friday they would have celebrated Mass together before parting ways for the last break before the end of the school year. Instead, students have been at home this week, continuing their studies through online learning as the COVID-19 virus has, at least temporarily, changed the face of life in the US.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Two events that happen only once every four years — the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and Leap Day — occurred on the same day this year, Feb. 29. Yet, the United States’ most exclusive marathon was especially memorable for Colorado Springs runner Stephen VanGampleare, a 2008 graduate of St. Mary’s High School, who qualified for the trials for the first time. Van Gampleare finished 58th out of 175 men with a time of 2:20:15 at the trials, which were held in Atlanta.

COLORADO SPRINGS. On Jan. 24, St. Mary’s Athletic Hall of Fame inducted Paul Weatherly, class of 1974; Lanny Whiteside DeRoeck, class of 1990; Andy Nigro, class of 2004; Rachael Broerman Friedrich, class of 2007; and Andrew Cornella, class of 2011. The St. Mary’s Athletic Hall of Fame honors those who have made outstanding contributions to St. Mary’s athletics.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Four years ago, the 57 seniors who made up the St. Mary’s High School class of 2016 left a big mark on the school and the surrounding community.

Catholic Schools Week will be observed Jan. 26-Feb. 1 this year. The annual All Schools Mass, which will be celebrated by Bishop Michael Sheridan, is Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. at St. Dominic Parish in Security. Following is a listing of the various activities planned by schools in the diocese for Catholic Schools Week. 

Photos from events that have taken place within the last month. 

COLORADO SPRINGS.  In his quest to invent the light bulb, Thomas Edison was quoted as saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” St. Mary’s sophomores and Corpus Christi alums Cameron Baker and Justin Fauson can relate. They experienced many failures as they worked to use 3D printing technology to support two local multiple sclerosis practices. However, just as Edison did, Baker and Fauson persevered, and now their design will help area multiple sclerosis (MS) patients better understand their disease.

COLORADO SPRINGS. As area eighth graders are contemplating their high school choices, St. Mary’s High School invites them to join the Pirate student body for a day during one of the school’s upcoming Eighth Grade Shadow Days.

The first shadow day of the 2019-2020 school year is Wednesday, Oct. 23. Parents can join in that day, too, with a parent open house from 9-11 a.m., when they will hear from current students about the St. Mary’s difference.

COLORADO SPRINGS. When Americans think of poverty, lack of material needs is usually what first comes to mind. Yet, humans can experience poverty in a number of different ways. That is the premise of a project undertaken by Father Joe Dygert’s Catholic Social Teaching class at St. Mary’s High School. When three current seniors reflected on their experiences with the project last year, they found their perspectives changed as they encountered the homeless of Colorado Springs through the project.

The Diocese of Colorado Springs has no less than seven diocesan preschools. All are state-licensed preschools and either stand-alone or are part of a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school. They provide a variety of options for parents in terms of programs, but all agree that ages three to five is a great time for young children to learn how much God loves them.

COLORADO SPRINGS. In September of 1885, the Sisters of Loretto opened the doors of their first Colorado Springs school, which would eventually become St. Mary’s High School, with the desire to provide a Catholic education in an intimate environment. The goal to bring affordable Catholic education to the Colorado Springs community has not changed in 134 years. This September St. Mary’s will host its 43rd Golf Classic, an event that started in the 1970s to raise funds for tuition assistance, continuing to support the original mission of the school.

COLORADO SPRINGS. To fall in love with Jesus and to know, beyond any doubt, that Jesus loves you, is an amazing and awesome gift. That is one aim of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, not so much a program as a methodology that recognizes and respects the deep religious capacity of children. Another major aim of it is to prepare children to participate within the life of the Church.

Introduced into a few diocesan Catholic schools in 2012, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) has earned accolades and much enthusiasm.