For 58 years Catholic Charities of Central Colorado has answered the call for help from people in need in a 10-county diocese area. The 25-year St. Patrick’s Gala is its traditional night of Irish green, shamrocks, Celtic music and dancing, corned beef and purple cabbage to raise funds – and toasts – for that work and to update supporters about the nonprofit’s programs.

The anniversary gala for 2026, at Cheyenne Mountain Resort, was a night of fun for 325 supporters, who met the fundraising goal of $375,000.

CEO Andy Barton reported that during average winters they receive 820 calls for assistance each month. Top requests are for money for food, rent and basic needs as well as “utility assistance, car seats, employment help and access to government benefits. The immediate need is almost always a symptom of a bigger root cause.”

Barton shared that “except for the daily meal served at the Marian House Kitchen, where nobody is turned away, every other program sees demand that eclipses our resources. It is simply a result of the size of the need.” Their Family Connections team has three staff members and a team of volunteers.

He said “constraints of both manpower and money, combined with the complexity of needs, mean that our team is able to help resolve 20% of those (hundreds of) calls,” with recommendations or suggestions for the other 80%. “More resources would allow us to scale our impact to the level that our community needs.”

For the programs there are four campus locations: Marian House, administrative offices, Hunt Family Campus and Catholic Charities Castle Rock.

One of the newest programs is Hunt Family Housing in the former Helen Hunt School that had been closed by the school district. Today it is 24 apartments for homeless families. Barton said it brings tears to everyone when staff opens the front door for a family’s new furnished home, often the first ever. Self-sufficiency services leading to permanent homes for families are on site and at Marian House.

A growing need is being met with a highly regarded counseling program for mental and physical health.

Programs and the number of people served over the past year included 6,578 receiving food and nutrition services at Marian House Kitchen and grocery shopping at the Marketplace, 2,702 receiving family support services, 797 receiving adult services, 157 households receiving counseling services, 248 people learning employment and life skills services, 514 receiving rent and utility services, 704 people from 56 countries receiving immigration legal help. Douglas County households had 549 visits, receiving case management and care plans.

The special man of the evening was Bishop James Golka, who was saying an emotional farewell to his local diocese. He had just been announced as archbishop-designate for Denver by Pope Leo XIV.

Catholic Charities St. Patrick’s Gala: Ellen Filler and Mike Filler, left, Kathy and John O’Keeffe. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette

Catholic Charities St. Patrick’s Gala: Guests had watched Denver performance painter Devin Montagne as he created his abstract of Jesus, which brought a bid of $5500. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette

Catholic Charities St. Patrick’s Gala: Janet and John Suthers, left, and Bobbie and Chris Collins. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette

Catholic Charities St. Patrick’s Gala: Becky Marzolf and granddaughter Ellie Dunlap. Photo Linda Navarro, The Gazette