Padre's Message
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Dear Parishioners,
First, Father Michael and I would like to thank you so very much for your prayers, Christmas cards and generous gifts. Hopefully, you also had a very good Christmas. As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany I am reminded this is one of the oldest feasts in the Church. The Church celebrated the Epiphany even before it celebrated the Nativity, Christmas. There are three epiphanies recognized by the Church: the manifestation of the Lord to the magi, the baptism of the Lord by John the Baptist, the first public miracle in the Gospel of John, and the changing of water into wine. The Eastern Catholic Churches and the Orthodox Churches celebrate all three Epiphanies together. The Western Catholic Church, the Roman Catholic Church, divide up these celebrations. Our focus today is on the magi. Who were these men? We don't know a whole lot about them. We do know they were not Jewish. And this is significant. A few days after the birth of the Lord, gentiles, and pagans, were summoned to follow a star to Israel where the One the ages waited for was born. They followed the star because they were good men honestly seeking God's will. It must have been quite a sight when they arrived in Israel. They were foreigners, but not just any foreigners. They held positions powerful enough for them to merit an audience with Herod. Even more amazing, these rich pagans prostrated themselves before the child and gave him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Why would rich pagans be interested in the Jewish Messiah? That the gentiles could be part of God's plan for His people was beyond the consideration of the Jews. But the mystery, hidden for generations was now revealed: the gentiles were to be co-heirs with the Jews, members of the same body, co-partners in the promise of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came for all people. We, Catholics, people whose very name means universal, must be careful that we recognize that all people are called to the Grace of God given by Jesus Christ. Sometimes it is so easy for us to exclude people. We cannot bring people the Good News of Jesus Christ if we exclude them from the charity of the Lord with which we have been entrusted. Jesus did not come for a select group of people. He came for all people. This is a truth of the Church and a great mystery to those who see themselves as the sole benefactors of God's Grace. We come to Church on Sunday to celebrate Mass. That word Mass means Sending. We come to Church to receive the gifts of God and are sent to bring these gifts to all of the people of the world. We are sent to bring the good news of the joy of the Gospel to those who have been marginalized by society. We are sent to heal those who are hurting, whether they believe in Christ or not. We are sent to aid those who are caring for the needy, whether they follow the totality of Catholic morality or not. People who are excluded will never find Christ. People who experience his presence in the charity of other Christians, will be attracted to worship the One who is the source of charity. Pope Francis reaffirmed that no one has ever been converted by an argument. People are converted by the presence of Christ they experience in sincere Christians. We often begin our Masses by singing, "All are welcome.” Do we mean this? Or are there some who are not as welcome as others, be that here at Mass or outside our doors looking to care for others? This Sunday, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, we ask the Lord to free us from our prejudices. We ask Jesus to allow us to be what we call ourselves, Catholics, people of a universal Church. In Prayer, Father G UPON THIS ROCK
Building our future, honoring our legacy. Our plans to renovate the chapel, construct a new ministry center and expand the school are moving forward. Your pledge is vital to making this project a success. We are growing and we are all grateful for that! With growth often comes opportunities, equating to the need for space to accommodate the number of persons wishing to maintain and expand our stewardship and faith potential. Currently, our ministries use St. Peter School for many of their activities. In order to keep our school students as safe as possible, the school facilities must be dedicated for school use only. Please prayerfully consider financially supporting this project. Your support is greatly appreciated. The “Upon This Rock” pledge card is located on our website petertherock.org. If you have any questions about the project or want to meet with Father Gregory or Debby Dover, our Campaign Coordinator, please stop by or call the office at (719) 481-3511, we are happy to meet with you!
Dear parishioners,
“In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways…In these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.” - Hebrews 1:1-2 With deep joy and gratitude, I extend to you my prayerful best wishes for a holy and blessed Christmas. During this Advent season, it has been my prayer that each of you would find opportunities to reflect on your own faith and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. Whatever it is that our hearts and souls desire, whether we realize it or not, our ultimate desire is Jesus Himself, for this reason, we are filled with joy and consolation at Christmas to know that all we hoped for has been fulfilled in the person of the Christ Child. Several years ago, I received a Christmas card with this message: “This Christmas, I wish you Jesus.” On the inside it read: “Isn’t it nice to have everything?!” In the midst of all our current challenges and concerns, the love of God the Father is made manifest to us in the wonderful gift of His Son, Jesus. With the angels in Bethlehem, our faith moves us to sing: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth!” We recognize that true peace on earth flows from our recognition and praise of God in our lives. Christmas has a way of bringing to Church individuals and families who, for various reasons, have not been to Mass or the Sacraments for months or years. What a wonderful and grace-filled opportunity to put aside past differences and old habits and begin anew that prayerful relationship with the Lord and His Church community. I extend to all of you an open, grateful heart of welcome. Together, may we grow in strength and grace to know and celebrate together God’s presence in our lives and His dominion over all things of this world. May our Lord Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, bless you, your families and loved ones at this blessed time of hope and grace. May Mary, the Mother of the Child Jesus and our Mother, watch over you and our beloved St. Peter Parish always. I hope to meet each of you in the church. May Christ abide in your hearts always! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! With prayer, Father Gregory |
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About Fr. Gregory
Fr. Gregory Golyzniak was born and raised in Muszyna, Poland, the youngest of four children. He attended the world's largest Catholic Seminary in
Tarnow, Poland, and was ordained in 1998. Father Gregory came to the United States and was assigned to the Diocese of Syracuse, New York, from
2002-2008. He then transferred to the Diocese of Colorado Springs, first serving as pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Southgate. In 2013, Fr. Gregory was assigned to St. Peter Catholic Church in Monument. Fr. Gregory is currently working long distance on a PhD in Sacred Architecture with an emphasis on the Gothic architecture of the 11th-17th centuries.
Fr. Gregory Golyzniak was born and raised in Muszyna, Poland, the youngest of four children. He attended the world's largest Catholic Seminary in
Tarnow, Poland, and was ordained in 1998. Father Gregory came to the United States and was assigned to the Diocese of Syracuse, New York, from
2002-2008. He then transferred to the Diocese of Colorado Springs, first serving as pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Southgate. In 2013, Fr. Gregory was assigned to St. Peter Catholic Church in Monument. Fr. Gregory is currently working long distance on a PhD in Sacred Architecture with an emphasis on the Gothic architecture of the 11th-17th centuries.