Welcome to the Diocese of Pueblo Website

Much of the content of this article was re-printed from an article written by Mary Pampa for the 25th Anniversary edition of Dateline Colorado, February 16, 1968 Volume 1, Number 17 along with historical data from The Willging Years written by Patrick Stauter, Adams Press Chicago, 1986.

Before the Diocese of Pueblo

Our story begins in 1850 when a Frenchman, Jean Baptiste Lamy, who had been named the vicar apostolic of New Mexico (which became the Diocese of Santa Fe) came to this area of the country as a missionary.

The Catholic Diocese of Pueblo Foundation is pleased to announce that Ms. Diana C. Maal has joined our staff. Diana will serve as our development coordinator, and her work will focus on building the Catholic Foundation’s capacity for giving and outreach.

Diana, her husband Luis and their two sons, Andrew and Adam, live in Pueblo West. Diana and Luis have been married for 20 years and are parishioners of the Shrine of St. Therese.

Study Days to feature Sherry Weddell

As a part of the festivities for the 75th Anniversary, the diocese will once again hold its annual Spring Study Days, which is an opportunity for those in the diocese to gather for learning, fellowship and prayer. This year’s Study Days will be held Monday, May 8 through Wednesday, May 10 at St. Joseph Parish in Pueblo. This year’s speaker will be Sherry Weddell, author of Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus.

By Jonathan Jesik
“We are the pro-life generation!” I heard this along with thousands of Hail Marys at the March for Life in Washington D.C. on January 27. According to some media outlets there were over 500,000 participants during this year’s March for Life.

Office of the Bishop

Upon consultation with the Presbyteral Council and the Council of Deans, Bishop Berg has decreed that the two former existing Deaneries, Pueblo South and Pueblo North, are now merged into one united body, designated the Pueblo Deanery.

Reverend Joseph Vigil is appointed to serve as Dean of the Pueblo Deanery following all the norms of the Canon Laws and the statutes of the Diocesan statues of Deans and Deaneries.

St. Mary Parish in Walsenburg will host a Shroud of Turin presentation on Friday, March 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. The presenters will be Dr. John and Mrs. Rebecca Jackson, directors of the Turin Shroud Center of Colorado. 

By Ginny Revel
2016 marked the centenary of Catholic education in the Grand Valley on the Western Slope. The “odyssey of bricks and mortar,” as Father James Plough characterized the journey, began with St. Joseph’s parish school. This three-story stone building, erected in Grand Junction in 1914, opened in 1916 with two furnished classrooms. Sisters Mary Agatha and Mary John of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Kan. (the same religious order that staffed the local St. Mary’s Hospital) were the first teachers.

Intentional Disciples & Vocations

By Father Matthew Wertin
Whenever a woman is pregnant, we know that too much stress, alcohol or other substances can be harmful to the child.

“Let’s Rock!” Bishop Berg said after the opening prayer for the Catholic Youth Fests held on February 11 and 12 at St. Joseph Parish in Pueblo.

By Linda Davis
Over 475 middle and high school students gathered to hear the message of 1 Peter 2:9, presented by Steve Angrisano: “You are Chosen.”

Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Council #90 hosted the Clergy Night Dinner on February 18.  Originally started as a way of showing appreciation of the priests and recognizing  them for all they do, religious sisters along with deacons and their wives now also attend.  

Reverend Richard Francis Joseph Becker, Jr. 69, passed away Monday, February 27, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Father Becker was born on September 8, 1947 in Saint Louis, Missouri to Richard F. Becker, Sr. and Minerva B. (Oberle) Becker.

Similar to the famous “Flat Stanley” story, the Diocese of Pueblo is offering an exciting opportunity for our faith formation classes as well as our middle school and high school students for the 75th Anniversary.

Monsignor Leonard E. Racki, 88, passed away January 30, 2017. He was born to Chester and Anna Racki on November 6, 1928, in Buffalo, N.Y. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

During the recent Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis commissioned and sent out approximately 1,000 priests to serve as Missionaries of Mercy throughout the world, providing a tangible sign of the Father’s closeness and tenderness.