Wonder is the desire for knowledge,” said St. Thomas Aquinas. This foundational truth underpins the mission of Catholic schools as we guide students from wonder to wisdom during this Catholic Schools Week.

Ever since I participated in World Youth Day 1993 in Denver, there’s something about gathering with others for a common spiritual purpose that gives me goosebumps. St. John Paul II gave Colorado a beautiful, very fruitful gift that August, and he also gave the world an additional gift earlier that year — observing the first World Day of the Sick on Feb. 11, 1993, on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. St. John Paul II set aside this time for all people to offer prayers, share in the suffering of others, offer our suffering to God, and see the face of Christ in the suffering.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Beginning in 2025, St. Dominic Parish in Security and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Colorado Springs will host Divine Mercy (DM) Masses on the first Friday of each month, with Masses alternating between the two locations.

COLORADO SPRINGS.  Mary Ann Lamecker, a longtime employee of St. Patrick Parish, died Oct. 19.

Holy Days of Obligation in the coming weeks: 
• The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Monday, Dec. 9.
• Christmas Day on Wednesday, Dec. 25.
•The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on Jan. 1, 2025.

A listing of parishes in the diocese that will hold Masses and other events to commemorate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12.

The ACT for Freedom Now Rosary Appeal ran from Oct. 1-31.

COLORADO SPRINGS. A parish in the diocese has joined forces with another local church in an effort to expand bathing opportunities for Colorado Springs’ unsheltered neighbors.

Here are the parish Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas schedules for parishes within the Diocese of Colorado Springs.