Father Owen McHugh, R.I.P.

We received word late this morning that Father Owen McHugh passed away earlier today. That is all the information we have at this point. The Herald will be running a lengthy obituary for him in the March 6 issue. He served the Lord as a priest for 58 years. Please pray for the repose of his soul.

[UPDATE 2/25] These are the funeral arrangements for Fr. Owen J. McHugh:

Sunday, March 1
Vigil and Rosary 5-8 p.m.
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
2650 Parish View
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
719-599-5031

Monday, March 2
Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m.
St. Mary Catholic Cathedral
22 West Kiowa St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719-473-4633

Ahlquist book signing Feb. 28 at Aquinas and More

(Photo courtesy of EWTN)

From our friends at Aquinas and More Catholic Goods:

This is a reminder that this Saturday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m., the great Chesterton scholar Dale Ahlquist will be signing books at Aquinas and More Catholic Goods. We'll have extra copies of several of his books available for purchase. In addition, we will be giving away two free subscriptions to Gilbert Magazine, the popular Chesterton-based magazine, as door prizes.

Some of the resources we'll have in bulk include G.K. Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense, Common Sense 101: Lessons from G.K. Chesterton, and Lepanto, the great poem written by Chesterton, with extensive commentary and explanation from Ahlquist.

Dale is in town for the Armor of Christ Conference Friday and Saturday at St. Paul Church. Dale and Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J., will each be presenting four talks. Topics will range from the Pauline Year, Catholicism and Islam and Chesterton's views on topics like beauty and mysticism. Should be quite the weekend. Tickets are $25 at the door. We'll posting more details on this tomorrow.

Prayers for Father McHugh

Received a note earlier today asking for prayers for Father Owen McHugh, who was admitted to the hospital yesterday and will be in for a few more days of monitoring. He is doing well today and prayers for his recovery are requested.

I've met Father McHugh twice, I believe, and both times I think he had a Rockies hat on. Awesome. He has been a priest for 58 years, with his ordination anniversary on June 3.

A concert you won't want to miss

At 7:30 p.m. this Saturday at St. Mary Cathedral, a special collection of singers and musicians will present a concert in honor of the diocese's 25th anniversary. There is no cost to attend the concert.

Highlights of the program include the Gauedeamus, Introit for the Feast of the Blessed Mother, the Vivaldi "Gloria," Mozart’s "Ave Verum," the Sanctus from the Requiem by Faure, the Bach/Gounod "Ave Maria" and an arrangement of "On Eagles Wings" that choir director Edmond Ladouceur deemed "beautiful."

"It will be thrilling. There won’t be a dry eye for some pieces, and for others the spine will tingle," Ladouceur told the Herald.

I'm sold. Hope to see you there.

R.I.P. Catholic author Michael Dubruiel

Yesterday, Catholic author Michael Dubruiel (husband of author Amy Welborn), collapsed and died while working out at the gym. He was 50. Please keep their family in your prayers. Here's the link to Amy's popular blog.