A medida que avanzamos en el mes de febrero, nos preparamos para entrar una vez más en la temporada de Cuaresma.  Este tiempo penitencial en el calendario litúrgico es una gran bendición para nosotros porque la Iglesia sabe que necesitamos que nos recuerden la importancia de la metanoia o conversión que siempre está en el centro de la vida cristiana.  En las Escrituras del Nuevo Testamento, la palabra griega metanoia que se traduce como “conversión” significa literalmente dar la vuelta, y para el cristiano, esto implica apartarse del pecado y volver a Dios.  Nuestro camino de conversión comienza en el Bautismo cuando nuestra antigua naturaleza pecaminosa es crucificada y enterrada con Cristo y resucitamos con él a una nueva vida de gracia.  Como enseña San Pablo:

      ¿No saben ustedes que todos los que fuimos bautizados en Cristo Jesús, nos hemos sumergido en su muerte?  Por el bautismo fuimos sepultados con él en la muerte, para que así como Cristo resucitó por la gloria del Padre, también nosotros llevemos una Vida nueva (Romanos 6, 3-4). 

COLORADO SPRINGS. On Oct. 25, 2025, generosity took center stage in Colorado Springs as the Knights of Columbus Guadalupe Chapter 2985 partnered with Catholic Charities of Central Colorado to host one of the most far reaching Coats for Kids distributions the region has seen. What unfolded was a powerful display of collaboration, compassion, and community spirit.

On Jan. 7, Pope Leo XIV announced that his topic for upcoming general audience catechesis is the re-reading of the Vatican II documents.

“It is a valuable opportunity to rediscover the beauty and the importance of this ecclesial event,” he said. “The generation of bishops, theologians and believers of Vatican II is no longer with us. Therefore, while we hear the call not to let its prophecy fade, and to continue to seek ways and means to implement its insights, it will be important to get to know it again closely, and to do so not through ‘hearsay’ or interpretations that have been given, but by rereading its documents and reflecting on their content. Indeed, it is the Magisterium that still constitutes the guiding star of the Church’s journey today.”

The 2025 Jubilee Year was a year of conversion, growth and deepening of faith for the young adults at St. John Henry Newman Chapel and Catholic Student Center.  It was a reminder of our mortality and that we are pilgrims on earth who have great hope and anticipation for the coming of the kingdom. 

COLORADO SPRINGS. Milton and Lucille Franklin met on a blind date almost 74 years ago in Louisiana. Lucille was 19 and Milton was 22 and in the Air Force when they married on August 16, 1952, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in New Orleans. 

On Dec. 12, 2025, the Franklins were honored by the Colorado Marriage Encounter Community as the state’s Longest Married Couple for 2025.
Tom and Molly Johnson, Colorado leaders of Marriage Encounter, presented the Franklins with a certificate of recognition and flowers at Holy Apostles’ Mary’s House.

As we prepare to enter the season of Lent, we are all starting to think about what we are going to give up such as sweets or coffee, and one of the key themes of Lent is fasting.  But this brings up the important question of why do we “offer it up” and what is the meaning of redemptive suffering? Many of the answers come from St. John Paul II in his magnificent apostolic letter “Salvifici doloris” (On The Redemptive Meaning of Christian Suffering).  St. John Paul II gives us great insights on how Jesus, through his own suffering and death, has transformed our suffering to become redemptive.    

COLORADO SPRINGS. Catholic education in the Diocese of Colorado Springs is more than a school choice, it is an invitation into a way of life rooted in faith, excellence, and purpose. Centered in the person of Jesus Christ, our Catholic schools exist to form not only strong students, but strong disciples, compassionate leaders, and faithful citizens prepared to serve both Church and society. From the earliest years, students are invited into a journey that begins in wonder and leads to wisdom.

IMPORTANT LENTEN AND EASTER DATES FOR 2026

• Ash Wednesday: Feb. 18
• The Annunciation: March 25
• Palm Sunday: March 29
• Holy Thursday: April 2
• Good Friday: April 3
• Holy Saturday: April 4
• Easter Sunday: April 5
• Divine Mercy Sunday: April 12
• Ascension: May 17
• Pentecost: May 24

COLORADO SPRINGS. Evelyn Koprowski, a longtime volunteer at Marian House and parishes in the diocese, died Jan. 4 at age 79. A Vigil will be held on Feb. 24 from 5-7 p.m. at Swan-Law Funeral Chapel, 501 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, 80903. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 3122 Poinsetta Dr., Colorado Springs, 80907. 

COLORADO SPRINGS. Patricia “Pat” Stearns, mother of Father John Stearns, died Nov. 12, 2025, at age 87. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 10 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, followed by burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Kiowa.