Citadel (shopping mall)

About the Catholic Center at the Citadel

The Catholic Center at the Citadel is a Catholic chapel and ministry on the upper level of the Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is run by the Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Conrad and exists to bring the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and spiritual counsel to people in the everyday marketplace — the same instinct that moved St. Francis of Assisi to send his friars into the town squares. The Center is staffed by four friars and is supported by around fifty dedicated volunteers.

History and Founding

In 2001 the Capuchin friars of St. Conrad Province were looking for innovative ways to take the Gospel to the modern marketplace; at the same time, Bishop Richard Hanifen of the Diocese of Colorado Springs was seeking the same thing. Together they gave birth to the Catholic Center at the Citadel Mall. The Center opened its doors for public service on November 23, 2001, initially in a tiny mall space that seated just 15 people. After about a year it moved temporarily into a nearby 90-seat space, and in 2004 it took up residence at its present 100-seat site further down the corridor.

• Opened: November 23, 2001
• Founded through partnership between Bishop Richard Hanifen and the Capuchin Franciscans of St. Conrad Province
• Original chapel: 15 seats
• Moved twice before settling in present 100-seat chapel in 2004
• Endorsed publicly by Bishop Michael Sheridan as a continuation of a Capuchin downtown-chapel tradition he knew in St. Louis

The Capuchin Franciscans and Their Mission

The Center is staffed by Capuchin friars of the Province of St. Conrad. The Capuchins describe their mission here in the words of their founder: "St. Francis of Assisi did not wait for people to come to him in order to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. Instead, Francis sent his friars into towns and villages, proclaiming the Gospel not so much by speaking many words, but through their works of mercy and charity." Director Fr. Curtis Carlson put it the same way: "We liked the idea of the mall because it's the modern marketplace … St. Francis of Assisi himself and the early friars would … preach in the marketplace and the town square, as that was where the people were. This is a modern version of that."

Clergy and Leadership

Four Capuchin friars staff the Center, with one typically on duty during the day and another during the evening. The current diocesan directory lists the Center's priests as Fr. Frank Grinko, OFM Cap (director), Fr. Amelsom Gawd, OFM Cap, Fr. Shijan Antony, OFM Cap, and Fr. Brandon Berg, OFM Cap. Fr. Grinko first served as Center director and guardian of Our Lady of Angels Friary in Black Forest from 2008 to 2010, and is identified in a 2024 Diocese of Colorado Springs jubilarian feature as returning to the director role after a stint at Blessed Solanus Casey Friary in Colorado Springs.

• Rev. Frank Grinko, O.F.M. Cap — Director
• Rev. Amelsom Gawd, O.F.M. Cap
• Rev. Shijan Antony, O.F.M. Cap
• Rev. Brandon Berg, O.F.M. Cap
• Karen Zecha — volunteer coordinator and administrative assistant

Liturgical Year and Holy Day Services

In addition to its regular daily Mass schedule, the Catholic Center celebrates Masses and services for the major seasons of the Church year, including Advent, Christmas, New Year's, and Holy Days of Obligation (typically at 12:10 PM and 6:00 PM). Christmas Day the Center is closed; Christmas Eve hours are shortened.

• Advent Services — scheduled seasonally
• Christmas Eve (Dec 24): open 11 AM – 5 PM
• Christmas Day (Dec 25): closed
• New Year's Services — scheduled seasonally
• Holy Days of Obligation: 12:10 PM and 6:00 PM

Outreach and Referrals

The friars and their volunteers actively reach out to anyone who walks in, Catholic or not. Visitor resources in the lobby include religious medals, holy water, and informational pamphlets available in both English and Spanish. Volunteers help welcome visitors, staff the front desk, and provide referrals to local parishes and to Catholic Charities programs and services. The Center explicitly does not require visitors to be Catholic to benefit from its services.

• Referrals to local parishes
• Referrals to Catholic Charities programs and services
• English and Spanish pamphlets, religious medals, holy water in lobby
• Approximately 50–60 volunteer greeters and front-desk staff

Volunteering at the Catholic Center

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Center, doing everything from welcoming visitors and staffing the front desk to assisting visitors with parish or community referrals. Volunteer coordinator Karen Zecha describes the Center as "a sanctuary … peaceful, holy ground … You're welcome to come in anytime and be with Christ."

• Welcoming visitors
• Front-desk duty
• Helping visitors with parish and community-service referrals