COLORADO SPRINGS. The Office of Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Colorado Springs announced that 19 men have been accepted into the formation program for the permanent diaconate. The new cohort began their formation in August, with a target ordination date of May 2028. 

COLORADO SPRINGS. Nearly 30 years ago, a Catholic priest from Ukraine visited Colorado Springs and forged a lifelong friendship with a local pastor — a relationship that led to the creation of a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the Ukrainian Catholic Church rebuild after decades of Soviet oppression.

Last August, the same priest returned to Colorado Springs — this time as a bishop — to give local Catholics a first-hand account of conditions in his war-torn country and ask for their ongoing support.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The annual Inferno Men’s Conference will take place Nov. 4 from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Antler’s Hotel. Bishop James Golka will celebrate Mass at 8:15 a.m. and will give one of the conference talks. Registration and a complete schedule for the conference can be found at https://www.infernomen.com/event-details/inferno-mens-conference-3.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Colorado Springs has named Marc Wood as Advancement Officer.

“I spent 36 years in the military and law enforcement; I’m married and have four grown children,” Wood said. “I’m also a candidate for the permanent diaconate in my last year of formation, so it just seemed like a good fit. I have a good team who really supports me, and teamwork is important to me because of the field I came from.”

COLORADO SPRINGS. Samantha Ross, the lead teacher for three-year-olds at Holy Apostles Preschool, was awarded a $1,000 grant from Colorado Springs Utilities for a “classroom makeover.” The grant was awarded through the utility company’s Community Focus Fund and was used to purchase new materials for the classroom. Robyn Tyboroski, assistant teacher at Holy Apostles Preschool, nominated Ross for the grant.