COLORADO SPRINGS. The St. Serra Club of Colorado Springs announced the winners of its annual Priesthood Appreciation Contest.

By this time of Advent, many Catholic homes have set up their nativity scenes with Mary, Joseph, the three Wise Men, some sheep with their shepherds, and maybe a donkey with an ox. Most do not put out the Christ child until Christmas Eve.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Holy Apostles Parish recently welcomed the addition of a new statue of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, the final piece to the renovated front plaza as part of the parish’s capital campaign.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Benedictine Sister Olive Therese Geiger died Nov. 28.

A vigil will take place Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. at Benet Hill Monastery. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Dec. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Benet Hill, followed by interment in the monastery cemetery.

Watch Bishop Golka's Reflection on the Second Sunday of Advent

Bishop Golka's Reflection on the Second Sunday of Advent

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Colorado Springs Council for Black Catholics celebrated their annual St. Martin de Porres Mass and dinner on Nov. 5 at St. Joseph Parish in Colorado Springs. The event is held each year in November to correspond with National Black Catholic History Month and St. Martin’s feast day on Nov. 2.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Christmas is the time of year when people exchange presents as a reminder of the gifts brought to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus.

Since Jesus’ arrival more than 2,000 years ago, people have given gifts to re-confirm or establish their connection with others. Offering a gift to someone we care about allows us to communicate our feelings and appreciation for them.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Who says school lunches are boring and bland? Not the kids at the new St. Gabriel Classical Academy (SGCA), which opened its doors to preschool through fifth grade this year at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish.

Hot chicken barbecue sandwiches, carnitas tacos, and homestyle macaroni and cheese are among their favorites, along with vegetarian options and delicious fresh vegetables and fruits. Partnering with Skills Academy, students receive freshly prepared, farm-to-table meals four days a week.

Last month, we looked at how reclaiming Sunday for God and his purposes protects our human freedom. Why? Because it sets a limit to the other things that demand our time, our attention, our resources, our loyalty. Things that are not God. Things that do not love us like he does. Keeping Sunday as a day of worship and a day of rest is for our own personal good as well as the good of society.