St. Frances Cabrini

Archbishop Casey, who lived in the Columbine Country Club neighborhood, asked George L. Weibel to establish a parish in that fast growing Southwest metro Denver suburb. Initially, the new congregation was named for the area it served, Columbine Valley, which in turn was named for the Colorado state flower, the columbine. In Latin, the word means "of the dove," so that for Catholics the beautiful blossom also symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Not until November 13, 1988, was the parish name changed to honor the first American saint, Mother Frances Cabrini.

Father Weibel, former pastor of Denver's Holy Family parish, moved to Columbine to form a new parish in what had been the western part of St. Mary's in Littleton. Knocking on doors, he found families of the faithful and places to say home Masses. The first parishwide Mass was celebrated in Columbine Hills Elementary School on September 9, 1972. By Christmas, the parish had been formally established with boundaries of West Bowles Avenue on the north, South Sheridan Boulevard and South Platte Canyon Road on the east, Chatfield Reservoir State Park on the south, and the mountains on the west.

The "People of the Dove" built a house of the Lord that Archbishop Casey blessed and dedicated on September 21, 1974. Pioneer parishioners handmade the Good Samaritan mosaic on the altar, affirming the commitment of this relatively affluent flock to help poorer parishes and peoples.

A large addition to the original structure was completed in September 1977, for use as Sunday Mass overflow seating, recreational activities, and other purposes. The addition included a nursery, a Renew room, religious education offices, classrooms and space for the Sunday children's liturgy.

With the 1977 addition, Columbine parish could accommodate 1,200 parishioners. Within two years, the number of registered families passed this limit, leading Archbishop Casey to establish a spiritual child of the Columbine congregation, Light of the World parish.

Even with the creation of the new parish for the folks living north of Ken Caryl Road, Columbine parish bounced back to 1,300 parishioners by 1981. Jesuit fathers and archdiocesan priests helped Father Weibel with his burgeoning Mass and sacramental work load. In April 1981, a rectory was completed with much-needed office space, as well as living quarters for Father Weibel.

Roger W. Mollison became the second pastor of Columbine parish on September 8, 1984. "Father Weibel graciously and humbly chose to serve as associate pastor," according to the parish historian. By 1986, the parish had programs ranging from adult athletics to a blood bank, from Neighbors in Need to Bible study, as well as religious and special education for preschool through high school.

"Spirit of the Dove" continued to inspire parishioners in many ways. For example, after Father Mollison's sermon on child abuse, a couple offered to convert their house into the St. Joseph Home for Abused Children. It opened in October 1986, with the official sanction of Jefferson County Social Services. Another couple, who have five children of their own, volunteered to run the home with the help of dozens of other parishioners who have been trained by the county social services department. Columbine parishioners provisioned the house, and a physician in the parish agreed to be the pro bono publico doctor for the home.

This effort to deal with abused children is just one of the ways that members exemplify the work of the Good Samaritan, whose mural graces their altar. In 1988, Columbine worked with St. Gregory Episcopal Church next door to build an ecumenical prayer garden, which straddles their common boundary line. Father Mollison reported in 1988 that the congregation hopes to build new office and classroom space, which is desperately needed in this thriving community of 1,500 families. For its thirty community outreach programs, St. Frances Cabrini's was honored in 1988 as the "Archdiocesan Respect Life Parish of the Year."