About Our Lady of Fatima · Lakewood, Colorado
Our Lady of Fatima Parish is a Catholic parish in Lakewood, Colorado, belonging to the Archdiocese of Denver. The parish's vision statement — 'Shepherd souls to heaven under the mantle of Mary's protection' — reflects its Marian identity rooted in the 1917 apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. Established in 1958 to serve the growing west-Denver suburbs, the parish worships at 1985 Miller Street and runs an active parish school (OLFCS), faith formation programs for children and youth, and a long list of ministries that include the historic Altar & Rosary Society (the parish's oldest ministry). Mass is offered multiple times each weekday and weekend, with First Saturday Devotionals, perpetual-style adoration, and a healing prayer ministry among its devotions.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- Our Lady of Fatima
- Rector
- Father John Mrozek II
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
Our Lady of Fatima offers the full sacramental life of a parish rooted in Marian devotion: daily and weekend Masses, regular Confession, perpetual-style Adoration in the Adoration Chapel, First Saturday Devotionals, and a Healing Ministry. Families benefit from an on-site Catholic school (OLFCS, preschool through 8th grade) and a robust faith formation program featuring Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Montessori-based atria for ages 3-9), Sunday Catechesis, Ignite (grades 4-5), and the Frassati Project youth ministry in partnership with Mission House Denver. Adults find dozens of ways to belong — from the nine-circle Altar & Rosary Society and women's groups to the Knights of Columbus, Habitat for Humanity build days, Respect Life's Prayer in the Square, and the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Circle feeding the homeless — all grounded in a community whose long-time members describe it as 'special' because of its Blessed Mother.
Mass times at Our Lady of Fatima
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 4:30 - 5:30 PM
- Saturday 3:30 - 4:30 PM
- or by appointment
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the Adoration Chapel (scheduled adorers needed; currently seeking an adorer Mondays at 7 AM)
Parish History
Our Lady of Fatima Parish was established in 1958 as one of the daughter parishes carved out of St. Joseph Parish in Golden to serve the rapidly suburbanizing west-Denver area after World War II. In its earliest years the community worshipped in the school gymnasium while the church was under construction, a common pattern for new suburban parishes of the era. Benedictine sisters staffed the school and convent, giving the young parish a strong Catholic culture. The parish has been served by long-tenured and beloved priests — most memorably Monsignor Schmitt, remembered by parishioners for his warmth, humor and devotion — and was once home to Monsignor Nickless, who went on to become Bishop of Sioux City. The parish added an Adoration Chapel that has been central to its spiritual life for 20 years, and in 2017 the parish celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions.
- Founded in 1958 as a daughter parish of St. Joseph, Golden
- Early Masses held in the parish school gymnasium
- Benedictine sisters originally staffed the school
- Monsignor Schmitt: beloved long-time pastor
- Monsignor Nickless: former priest, later Bishop of Sioux City
- Adoration Chapel celebrating its 20th anniversary
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Father John Mrozek II as pastor and Deacon Mike Daly. Father Mrozek was ordained to the priesthood on May 20, 2017 — the 100th anniversary of the Our Lady of Fatima apparitions — for the Archdiocese of Denver after discerning his vocation at the University of Northern Colorado, the Augustine Institute, St. John Vianney Seminary, and a period with the Capuchins. His spirituality is Marian, Eucharistic, and Biblical. Deacon Thinh Lé served at Our Lady of Fatima for seven years and was reassigned to Queen of Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Wheat Ridge in June 2026.
- Father John Mrozek II — Pastor (ordained May 20, 2017, the 100th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions)
- Deacon Mike Daly
- Deacon Thinh Lé — reassigned to Queen of Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, June 2026
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School (OLFCS)
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School has been a parish institution since the parish's earliest years and serves students from preschool through 8th grade. The school's mission is to help children become authentic disciples of Christ — academically excellent, rooted in Catholic faith, and faithful stewards of their faith reinforced by weekly school Mass. The school partners with the parish by hosting Sunday youth ministry gatherings in its gymnasium and serves as the home for the parish's Children's Sunday Catechesis program.
- Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten
- Elementary School (K-5)
- Middle School (6-8)
- Weekly school Mass
- Hosts Frassati Project youth gatherings and Sunday Catechesis
Children's Faith Formation
The parish offers a wide range of faith formation programs for children. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based catechesis offered in a Level I atrium for children ages 3-6 (potty-trained) and a Level II atrium for children ages 6-9, where children encounter Jesus in a quiet, meditative environment with age-appropriate Montessori activities, scripture stories, liturgical practice, and contemplative prayer. Children's Sunday Catechesis is for elementary children in grades 2-5 preparing for Reconciliation, Confirmation, and/or First Eucharist. Ignite is a group for 4th and 5th graders who have received the Sacraments of Initiation and are growing as Apostles of Jesus. Vacation Bible School is a week-long summer program for children in grades K-6.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Level I ages 3-6, Level II ages 6-9)
- Children's Sunday Catechesis — Sundays 10:15-11:45 AM in OLF School
- Ignite (Grades 4-5) — select Sundays 3:00-4:30 PM in the RE Building Upper Room
- Vacation Bible School (Grades K-6) — summer week-long program
- Coordinator: Elisabeth Krick, [email protected], 303-233-1283 x340
Youth Ministry (Frassati Project)
The parish runs its youth ministry in partnership with Mission House Denver's Frassati Project, an incarnational youth ministry initiative. Summit gatherings are facilitated by Mission House Denver's resident formation program alongside young adult volunteer leaders. Both Middle School Summit (3:00-4:30 PM) and High School Summit (6:30-8:00 PM) meet on scheduled Sundays throughout the school year in the Our Lady of Fatima School gymnasium. After High School Summit, students with parental permission are invited to join leaders for food at a nearby restaurant.
- Middle School Summit — Sundays 3:00-4:30 PM
- High School Summit — Sundays 6:30-8:00 PM
- Run in partnership with Mission House Denver's Frassati Project
- Youth Group updates via Flocknote: fatima/YouthGroup
- Contacts: Axel Rodriguez (departing) and Joseph Trujillo, 720-357-0851
Altar & Rosary Society
The Altar & Rosary Society is the oldest ministry at Our Lady of Fatima. Open to all women ages 18+, the Society is organized into nine Circles that offer many opportunities to reach out to the parish, neighborhood, state, and world. Membership is flexible: women can help once a year or stay connected through the year's many activities.
- Funeral Ministry Circle — luncheons after funeral services
- Our Lady of Guadalupe / Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Circle — bilingual Holy Rosary in Spanish
- Queen of Peace Circle — makes and donates rosaries
- St. Cecilia Circle — sing-alongs at nursing homes
- St. Clare Circle — parish social activities (bake sales, Generations, Christmas Luncheon)
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary Circle — help the needy outside the parish (sack lunches, fresh fruit)
- St. Gertrude the Great Circle — moms' community, prayer, and rest (every other Wednesday 7:00-8:30 PM, Fireside Room)
- St. Jacinta Circle — altar vessels, altar server vestments, and candle holders
- St. Margaret Circle — altar linens and baptismal bibs
Healing Ministry & First Saturday Devotion
Our Lady of Fatima's Healing Ministry holds prayer sessions for people seeking healing for physical and associated emotional ailments. The ministry joins with them in intercessory prayer to the Holy Trinity and asks the Blessed Virgin Mary for her intercession. The parish also observes the First Saturday Devotion of Our Lady of Fatima: after the 8:15 AM Mass on the first Saturday of each month, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, the Rosary is prayed, and the community spends 15 minutes silently meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary.
- Healing Ministry prayer sessions for physical and emotional ailments
- Intercessory prayer to the Holy Trinity and the Blessed Virgin Mary
- First Saturday Devotion after the 8:15 AM Mass on the first Saturday of the month
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, and 15 minutes of silent meditation
Outreach & Respect Life
The parish has a strong tradition of outreach. The Habitat for Humanity Ministry works with the Loaves and Fishes Faith Coalition on build days for new construction and home repair. The St. Elizabeth of Hungary Circle, in partnership with Volunteers of America, collects sack lunches and fresh fruit for the homeless; produce is delivered to Christ in the City. The Respect Life Ministry gathers every first Saturday, 10-11 AM, at the northeast corner of 26th & Kipling (next to Crown Hill Park) for Prayer in the Square — praying the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy to give witness to the sanctity of life. The parish also partners with the Knights of Columbus and has hosted special evenings such as Bonnie Engstrom's '61 Minutes to a Miracle' testimony on the intercession of Fulton Sheen.
- Habitat for Humanity Ministry — Loaves and Fishes Faith Coalition build days
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary Circle — sack lunches and fresh fruit for the homeless
- Respect Life Ministry — Prayer in the Square, first Saturdays, 26th & Kipling
- Knights of Columbus
- Intercessory Prayer Group meets in the Adoration Chapel Fridays at 7 AM
- Rosary Team — prays the Rosary in pairs at nearby care facilities
Parish Life & Anniversaries
The parish community gathers for fellowship through Coffee & Donuts in the Parish Hall following the 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM Sunday Masses, and through an annual OLF Women's Retreat (recently held September 25-27). The parish has marked major milestones including the 20th anniversary of its Adoration Chapel and the 2017 centennial of the Fatima apparitions. The parish's stated vision is: 'Shepherd souls to heaven under the mantle of Mary's protection.'
- Coffee & Donuts after 7 AM and 9 AM Sunday Masses in the Parish Hall
- Annual OLF Women's Retreat
- 20th Anniversary of the Adoration Chapel
- Parish Vision: 'Shepherd souls to heaven under the mantle of Mary's protection.'
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Schmitt
Long-tenured beloved pastor remembered for his devotion and sense of humor; celebrated funerals for parishioners and visited the sick. Retired to Mullen Home; died and his funeral was held at Our Lady of Fatima.
- Monsignor Nickless
Later assigned as Bishop of Sioux City.
- Father Mel Thompson
Established the first group of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at the parish in January 1990.