COLORADO SPRINGS. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8 marked the first day that Catholics could receive a special plenary indulgence for praying before a Nativity scene at Franciscan churches. The indulgence was granted by Pope Francis in honor of the 800th anniversary of the approval of the Rule of St. Francis and the saint’s creation of a Nativity scene in Greccio, Italy. The indulgence can be obtained until Feb. 2, 2024, the Feast of the Presentation.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Bishop James Golka has named Deacon Mike McGrady Director of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Colorado Springs, effective Dec. 1.
Deacon McGrady was ordained May 19, 2012 and serves at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish. 

He is retired from the Air Force and has served in Youth Ministry, Family Support and Readiness, and as a Director of Faith Formation. 

He can be reached at 719-866-6293 or mmcgrady@diocs.org.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Father David Price, who has served as rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral for over a decade, has been appointed Associate Director of the Secretariat for Divine Worship of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C. In his new role — a three-year term beginning in January — he will be working with Father Dustin Dought, Executive Director of the Secretariat for Divine Worship. Father Jaimes Ponce, J.C.D., will serve as temporary administrator of St. Mary’s Cathedral effective Jan. 1.

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.