PHILADELPHIA. About 10 years ago, Peter Piotti was anything but a fan of Valentine’s Day.

“I hated it,” he admitted.

So did his wife, Gae, who dodged the observance by hosting what she called “non-romantic family dinners.”

COLORADO SPRINGS. The House of Hope Single Mothers’ Home has provided love and support for pregnant and unwed mothers in Ukraine for decades, but now more than ever it fills a critical need.

Editor’s note: Recently, the Respect Life Apostolate of the Diocese of Colorado Springs has been asked to explain the difference between Mater Filius, Gabriel Project, and Walking with Moms in Need. In the following Q&A, Julie Bailey, the Director of the Respect Life Apostolate, explains how these initiatives relate to one another.

Lenten, Holy Week and Easter schedules for the parishes in the Diocese of Colorado Springs.

(All parishes in Colorado Springs unless otherwise noted)

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Bishop Golka's Reflection on the Third Week of Lent

The Gospel of Matthew records the last earthly words of Jesus before his Ascension as He gives the disciples (and us) the Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

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Bishop Golka's Reflection on the Second Week of Lent

COLORADO SPRINGS. Bishop James Golka issued the following statement regarding the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17:

As we begin this New Year with optimism and thanksgiving for all the blessings God has given us, we also are still savoring our recent memories of this past holiday season surrounded by friends, family and loved ones. We may have been so wrapped up in the spirit of the season that we were not able to take time to recognize or help those less fortunate among us as much as we would have liked. 

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Sisters of Benet Hill Monastery and the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration of Colorado Springs will celebrate Catholic Sisters Week by holding a “Stuff the Truck” event March 11-12. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness  of the 475,000 Coloradans who experience hunger daily, of whom 150,000 are children. Food donations for Westside Cares, an ecumenical organization that provides four-day food packages to those in need, will be collected at several locations in the Pikes Peak Region.