About St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish

St. Gabriel Catholic Church was established on January 8th, 1998 with an organizational meeting of interested Catholic Lay people. From January until July 1st, the community was temporarily named Metro North Mission. It was founded through the guiding vision of the Metro North Regional Pastoral Council, the pastors and parish director as well as Fr. Paul Wicker, the Regional Episcopal Vicar. The first Mass was held on May 3rd, 1998 with Fr. Paul as the presiding celebrant with 233 people in attendance. Father Gus Stewart was assigned by Bishop Hanifen as the first Pastor of the new parish on July 1, 1998. With his appointment, the church's status was elevated from "mission" status to that of "quasi-parish".

Presently there are over 1050 registered families that attend Mass at St. Gabriel. An average of over 1100 people attend our weekend Mass celebrations. Stewardship and service to others is a growing theme at St. Gabriel. We have over 1050 parishioners who are answering God's call to parish life and are volunteering their time and talents to serve the St. Gabriel Catholic community. Our parish community was blessed when Fr. Gus announced that Bishop Hanifen, and the Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs, purchased over 17 acres of land as the site of our new church space located on the Northeast corner of Austin Bluffs and Research Parkway. As a result of this announcement, a Builders Team had been formed to start the planning process for our new church home. On June 11th 2000, St. Gabriel was granted full parish status and Father Gus Stewart was installed by Bishop Hanifen as Pastor.   By late 2003, construction started on our new church at Research and Austin Bluffs in Briargate.   On December 19th, 2004, we celebrated our Rite of Blessing in the new church.

Saint Gabriel the Archangel is the most noted angel of all ages. He appears first in Luke 1:11 as he announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah. In Luke 1:19, he identifies himself to Zechariah as the "one who stands in the presence of God and who was sent to speak to you to bring you glad tidings". In Luke 1:26, he is sent to speak to Mary, announcing to her that she has found favor with God and will be blessed among all women. In Luke 2:9, his message to the shepherds was "do not be afraid. I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be for all people. Gabriel is a name which means "God's Strength". The word gospel means the "Message of the Angel". The message of this angel was announcing the birth of John, the greatest and last of the prophets, closing the era of the Old Testament and ushering in the New Testament by being the precursor of Jesus. Saint Gabriel spoke to Mary and told her that she will bear God's son. Gabriel's parting words to Mary are one of the finest homilies of all ages, not spoken by Jesus - he says "For with God, nothing is impossible".

 

Parish Timeline

January 8, 1998
125 people attended the first organizational meeting at Liberty High School in Briargate.

February 12, 1998
Second organizational meeting, which was held in the library at Liberty High School in Briargate.

May 3, 1998
First regular Sunday Mass with Fr. Paul Wicker, Regional Episcopal Vicar, at 9:30 a.m. at Mountain Ridge Middle School in Briargate. Attendance was 133.

July 1, 1998
Father Gus Stewart was assigned by Bishop Hanifen as the administrator of the new parish. Status was changed from "mission" to "quasi-parish". A quasi-parish is a free-standing, independent church which has not yet achieved full-parish status.

July, 1998
Bishop Hanifen assigned the quasi-parish name of "Saint Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church".

August 16, 1998
First Baptism

September 6, 1998
First Sunday when two Masses were celebrated.

September 27, 1998 - 11:00 Mass
Saint Patrick's dowry of $56,000 to Saint Gabriel was publicly acknowledged with Fr. Don Brownstein (current Pastor of St. Patrick’s) and Fr. John Slattery (founding Pastor of St. Patrick’s) present. This gift has been earmarked for our "Land and Building Fund".

April 3, 1999
Easter Vigil – Four elect were initiated into the Church through the RCIA process.

April 18, 1999
32 youth were confirmed in our parish, with Fr. Paul Wicker concelebrating with Fr. Gus Stewart.

May 16, 1999
30 children received the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time.

May 22, 1999
Vigil of Pentecost - First Saturday evening anticipatory Mass celebrated.

August 28, 1999
First marriage of parishioners, Paul Jones and Christina Horaz.

September 6, 1999
Funeral Mass held for Heather Jean O’Neill and her son, Matthew Patrick O’Neill.

November 21, 1999
Christ the King – Celebration of the Eucharist moves from the cafetorium to the gymnasium, due to growth of the parish.

December, 1999
Diocese purchases 17-acre parcel of land for the parish, northeast corner of Research and Austin Bluff Parkways.

June 11, 2000
In his first episcopal visit, Bishop Richard Hanifen grants St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church full parish status. Fr. Gus Stewart is installed as the parish’s first pastor.

July 6, 2003
Parish offers 5 Masses to accommodate continued growth.

October 12, 2003
Groundbreaking ceremony, Bishop Michael Sheridan presides.

December 19th, 2004
Rite of Blessing for the new worship space. We are in our new home!

December 24th, 2010
Parish purchases 7 additional acres of land to the east for future building.

Future - Facilities Master Plan