Fr. Andrzej was born in Poland where he was raised and attended seminary. He was ordained a priest at the age of 24 on May 31, 2003. Due to an agreement be-tween his home diocese and the Diocese of Syracuse, New York, he came to the United States immediately after his ordination. In 2008, he was offered a transfer to Colorado Springs, which he happily accepted.

More information coming soon!

Doug and Jennifer Brummel serve Our Lady of the Pines as the Directors of Marriage and Family Life Ministry.

Together, they are building an innovative and “out of the box” approach encompassing many aspects of marriage and family life. Following the United States Council of Catholic Bishops’ call for being a “Marriage Building Parish” as well as a parish dedicated to family-centered evangelization and catechesis, the Brummel’s are bringing their years of professional national ministry experience to a parish level in very creative ways!

At Our Lady of the Pines, many ministries are offered through Marriage and Family Life including: comprehensive in-house Marriage Preparation, Life-Long Marriage Opportunities, First Reconciliation and First Eucharist family-centered preparation “Every Second Counts”, “FUSION” family-centered faith formation, “Generations” family-based music ministry, as well as various social, service, and spiritual opportunities such as Vacation Bible School, “Trunk or Treat”, “Family Christmas Pageant”, “Game Nights”, “Date Nights”, and “Family Living Stations of the Cross”.

Doug and Jennifer moved to Black Forest from Littleton, CO after they fell in love with the forest and the parish when Doug presented a parish mission here in 2003. They are the proud parents of six children and strive to keep their own marriage and family life as the primary vocation in their life. Together they have authored, illustrated and published faith and family-centered books through their own publishing company, Rise and Shine Publications. These books which have received an imprimatur from Bishop Sheridan introduce some of the treasures of the Catholic Faith in the context of family life.

Doug was born and raised on a farm in Plano, IL about 50 miles southwest of Chicago. He is the youngest of seven children. He has served the Catholic Church on a professional basis for over 23 years. In his early years in ministry work, he served as a parish youth minister in Illinois. Four years later, he accepted a position as Director of Retreats at La Salle Christian Brother’s Retreat House. Doug is a nationally-known Catholic inter-generational speaker and humorist. He travels the United States entertaining and evangelizing to people of all ages through his “Lighten Up!” Parish Family Missions, Whole Community Theatre Events, and Keynote Presentations at regional and national conferences. Doug earned a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Benedictine University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Illinois State University.

Jen was born in Houston, Texas and is the oldest of two children. She began serving in professional ministry work in 1994 as a parish youth minister in Denver. Currently, she serves as Director of Administration and Marketing for © Lighten Up! Ministries. She and Doug truly are a team in this ministry effort. Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University.

Feel free to email Doug and Jennifer with your ideas and insights for Marriage and Family Life Ministry.

I grew up on a dairy farm just outside a very small town in northern North Dakota. (population 300 – my husband still doesn’t believe there are that many people who actually live there) – smack dab in the middle of a family of 9 kids. I feel like I had a great childhood because I was the “favorite one” - but don’t ask my brothers (5) or sisters (3). My mom and dad never told them.

When I went to college I knew I would have to be in a career that would allow me to be with children. After getting my degree in Early Childhood Education and while working as a teacher, I met Clay, who has complemented, encouraged, supported and loved me for the past 20 years. Our sons, John and David and our daughter Jacqui have helped us see what incredible miracles the Lord gives to each of us, every day if we just take a minute to look, listen and open ourselves to Him. We try to do things together, as a family - camping, hunting, motorcycling, boy scouting and girl scouting, missions with the church and visiting family and friends from Seattle to Wisconsin.

I think that’s why “we” decided that I should apply for this job in January of ‘06. We have laughed a lot as a family, but we have cried and had to work through some tough stuff, too. But through it we knew that together, and with our belief that God is real in our family, we would be stronger and therefore be able to help others. Our hope is that His life in us is visible in what we do. Since actions speak louder than words, I pray that you will see the face of Jesus in our everyday meetings with you.

For me specifically, that means when you see me doing confirmation paperwork, talking to your son or daughter, or participating in mass together with my family or riding our motorcycle or fighting back tears of emotion, or working on mission with your child, or working with the many wonderful adult volunteers who teach our kids during youth group – I pray you see Jesus at work in me. That’s why I’m here at OLP.

In August of 1994, I started working at Our Lady of the Pines part-time as Parish Secretary only 10 hours a week under the administration of Rev. Frederick Lang, who was Pastor at the time. In July of 1998, Fr. Jerry Borer was appointed Pastor of Our Lady of the Pines, and I became a full-time employee working 37 ½ hours a week as Parish Secretary/Office Manager/Receptionist. Being the receptionist and secretary has been a ministry as I must be able to listen and serve the people who call or visit the parish.

My husband, Lee, and I moved to Colorado from New Jersey in 1973. I joined the Catholic church through the RCIA program at Holy Trinity Parish in 1982. We have two grown children, Jimmy and Eric.

My hobbies are sewing, knitting, and crocheting and attending field trials with our Labrador Retrievers during the summer.

I'm originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. My role at OLP is Director of Music and Liturgy. My experience in ministry is varied. I taught junior high for eight years, teaching English, Earth Science, Biology, and Religion. I directed a youth choir for 5 years and an adult choir for 15 years. I am a certified High School Catechist in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

I have been in music ministry for 30 plus years – studied voice under the direction of Ellen Frohmeyer, a nationally known opera soprano; and also sang as a First Soprano for the New Orleans Symphony Chorus for 10 years before coming to OLP.

Eleven years before coming to OLP, I worked at Loyola University, New Orleans where I honed my liturgical skills and was Master of Ceremonies for University Liturgies. At the same time I worked with LUCAP (Loyola University Community Action Program) teaching children and adults to read, serving meals to the homeless, participating in civil disobedience, building and repairing housing, working in the "Projects" in after school programs. My husband entered the Deaconate program in the Archdiocesan of New Orleans and it was required that the wives go through the same program with their husbands -- so for 4 years I attended classes, did papers, community service, and am certified in Clinical Pastoral Counseling.

My hubby and I raise Alpacas. No, not Llamas but the cute ones—Alpacas. We use their fleece to make scarves, hats, sweaters—you know the warm stuff! We go to alpaca shows to "show" our animals and their products, and educate the public. I make baskets, do wood turning, and make stained glass windows.

I was born and raised in Colorado Springs. I have been married to my wonderful Husband, Michael, since 1975. We have two grown children. Jill is an RN at Craig Hospital in Denver and is married to her husband Brian. Jared is living at home and still figuring out what he wants to do with his life. I have a degree in Expanded Duty Dental Assisting. I worked in the Dental field for over 12 years before being called to work in ministry for the Church. When my children were very young I took a part time paid position at a parish as their Coordinator of Religious Education. This was only the beginning of a wonderful life in ministry. In the years to come I became a master catechist through the Diocese, a certified youth minister and attended a LIMEX program for a masters in religious education. I have been at Our Lady of the Pines full time since 1998 as the Director of Faith Formation, responsible for all of the Elementary and Adult formation and sacramental preparation.

Living in Colorado my whole life I am drawn to the out doors. I love to hike and we fish and camp. We take off for the mountains as often as we can. I also love to garden both flowers and vegetables. Cooking and baking are passions I have and enjoy doing them both. I also love to read, books of all kinds and listen to music.

Our house would not be complete with out animals. I love animals. Right now we only have one dog, Trinity.

Michael and I both love to travel. We have visited most of the western United States, Niagara Falls, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. Experiencing other cultures encouraged us to take on exchange students that we enjoyed many times. We have had students from both Slovakia and Japan. We housed Tyco drummers from Fuji one year. These were wonderful experiences for our whole family.