On Feb. 5, 1918, Spencer Penrose, who was in the midst of building the Broadmoor Hotel, wrote a letter to Bishop J. H. Tihen of Denver, indicating that his wife, Julie Penrose, was “anxious” to build a small Catholic chapel near the hotel. He enclosed proposed drawings for the chapel and indicated it would be built on land donated by the Broadmoor. He estimated the cost would be between $10,000 and $15,000. Bishop Tihen approved, as long as the property was controlled by the church, and by September the project was underway. On Sept. 5, 1918, noted local architect Thomas MacLaren sent the bishop blueprints for the new chapel.

As we conclude our celebration of Independence Day, I would like to reflect on the enduring and, indeed, increasingly crucial role that Catholic education plays in our society. While often viewed through a narrow lens, a deeper examination reveals its profound impact — an impact rooted in both faith and civic responsibility, and not dissimilar in spirit to the transformative vision that underpinned Abraham Lincoln’s land-grant colleges such as Colorado State University.

Jesus promised the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to continue to lead and guide the Church.  The early Church invoked the Holy Spirit to help them make important decisions.  The College of Cardinals, successors to the apostles, continues to work under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the Church with the recent election of Pope Leo XIV.

In today’s secular world, we believe that Catholic education, which integrates faith and learning in a meaningful way, is more important than ever.

COLORADO SPRINGS. Bishop James Golka will celebrate a homeschool graduation Mass on June 3 at 12:10 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Eighth and 12th grade graduates are invited to participate by contacting Lori Trechter at sgrch@googlegroups.com. Those who are unable to attend are invited to submit their graduate’s name by May 30 for recognition in The Colorado Catholic Herald’s special graduation issue, which will be published June 6.