About St. Benedict Catholic Church · Falcon, Colorado
St. Benedict Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Colorado Springs located on the high plains east of Colorado Springs in Falcon, Colorado. Founded in 2005 as a faith community serving the growing Falcon area — including military families from Peterson and Schriever Air Force Bases — the parish began by celebrating Mass in the gymnasium of Falcon Middle School. In July 2012 the parish purchased a 35-acre ranch on Falcon Highway, where a barn/loafing shed was remodeled into the current church, dedicated by Bishop Michael Sheridan on October 8, 2017. Today the parish is led by Father Rajeev Palliathra, OSB (a Benedictine priest), with two deacons, a faith-formation program, weekly adoration, and an active Catholic homeschool co-op that draws families from across the region.
- Established
- 2005
- Patron
- St. Benedict of Nursia
- Rector
- Rev. Rajeev Palliathra, OSB
- Diocese
- Diocese of Colorado Springs
Why belong here
St. Benedict offers the closeness of a small, mission-minded faith community on Colorado's high plains, with daily Mass, a robust Thursday day-long Eucharistic Adoration, and confession before every weekend Mass. Active formation runs the full sacramental lifecycle — OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults, OCIC for older children, First Reconciliation and First Communion, and Confirmation — alongside a thriving Catholic homeschool co-op that draws roughly 35 families from Falcon, Peyton, and Colorado Springs. With a Benedictine priest as pastor, two permanent deacons, military parishioners from Peterson and Schriever Air Force Bases, and a parish app plus FORMED digital resources, newcomers and visiting Catholics find it easy to plug in.
Mass times at St. Benedict Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
- Sunday: 7:15 AM – 7:45 AM
- Sunday: 9:45 AM – 10:15 AM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM (after 7:00 AM Mass, with Benediction 6:50 PM – 7:00 PM)
Parish History
St. Benedict traces its origin to 2004–2005, when local Catholic families and Bishop Michael Sheridan responded to rapid population growth in eastern Colorado Springs with a new faith community. From its first Sunday Mass in the Falcon Middle School gymnasium on May 22, 2005, through designation as a quasi-parish on July 11, 2005 (the Feast of St. Benedict and the year of Pope Benedict XVI), to the 2017 dedication of the converted-barn church, the parish has grown from 20 dreamers in a school gym to a thriving congregation with its own campus, school of formation, and active co-op.
Church Building History
In July 2012 the parish bought a 35-acre ranch at 12130 Falcon Highway with two houses and a barn. After eleven years in a gymnasium, parishioners converted the barn into the new church under architect Art C Klein Construction Inc., with construction running March to late September 2017. Bishop Michael Sheridan dedicated the building and consecrated the altar on October 8, 2017, drawing coverage in The Gazette, the Colorado Catholic Herald, and the New Falcon Herald. Today one house serves as the Ministry Center and the other as the pastor's rectory.
- Property purchased: July 2012 (35 acres, two houses, barn/loafing shed)
- Remodel of Parish Hall into church: March 2017 – late September 2017
- Architect: Art C Klein Construction Inc.
- Dedication: October 8, 2017 by Bishop Michael Sheridan
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at St. Benedict covers the full sacramental life of the parish — from inquiry to Confirmation — for children and adults.
Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA / RCIA)
OCIA classes (formerly known as RCIA) are held Sundays 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM at the Pastoral Center. The process begins with an Inquiry period, moves through the Rite of Acceptance, culminates at the Easter Vigil with Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist, and concludes with Mystagogy from Easter to Pentecost. Contact David Dalton for more information.
Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC)
OCIC is open to all children ages 8–18 who are unbaptized or already baptized. Classes prepare them to receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
Confirmation
Confirmation is celebrated annually. Open to baptized students age 14 or older who will turn 15 by May 1 of the Confirmation year and who have actively participated in Faith Formation for at least one year prior. The preparation program explores how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of the candidates and in the life of the Church (CCC 1285).
Catholic Homeschool Group of Falcon
St. Benedict Catholic Homeschool Group is a Christ-centered traditional co-op of about 35 families and 120 students from Falcon, Peyton, and Colorado Springs. Membership is free and not limited to registered parishioners. The group meets for monthly student Masses, apologetics, field trips, and seasonal activities.
- Monthly homeschool Mass & Meetup (First Friday, 7:00 AM at St. Benedict)
- Sacred Heart Children's Choir — provides music for student Masses
- High-school apologetics small group (Second Wednesday)
- Monthly group outings (Third Friday)
- Little Flowers Girls Club and Troops of St. George scouting
- Moms' book studies, moms' nights out, and clothing/book swaps
- Contact: [email protected]; leader Sherry Falgout
Inferno Men
Inferno Men is a men's evangelization ministry of the Diocese of Colorado Springs. The name refers to the unquenchable fire of the Holy Spirit that grows and spreads as love, passion, and fearless dedication to God. The St. Benedict Core is led by Father Rajeev. Visit www.infernomen.org for more.
Clergy & Staff
St. Benedict is led by a Benedictine (OSB) pastor and served by two permanent deacons. The Pastoral Center is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
- Pastor: Rev. Rajeev Palliathra, OSB (also part-time chaplain at St. Mary's High School, Colorado Springs)
- Deacon: Kevin Barkocy
- Deacon: Jerry-Ray McMinn
- Parish Office: 719-495-1426
Diocesan Ministry Appeal
The annual appeal from the Diocese of Colorado Springs (formerly Returning God's Gifts) is the parish's primary contribution to diocesan ministries. St. Benedict has historically received a subsidy from the diocese and encourages every parishioner to participate, however small the gift.
- Most recent published parish DMA goal: $29,713
- Diocese: Diocese of Colorado Springs (Bishop James Golka)
Campus Master Plan & Building Committee
With the work of the Planning & Development Committee complete, the parish has a Master Plan for the St. Benedict campus and a Building Committee working toward a new church. Interested parishioners are invited to serve; contact [email protected].
Parish App & FORMED
St. Benedict maintains a presence through the myParish App (text APP to 88202, select St. Benedict Falcon after opening) and a FORMED subscription for parishioners (sign up at formed.org/signup using zip 80831 and select St. Benedict). FORMED provides family-friendly videos, study programs, and other Catholic resources.
Becoming a Member
Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish invites Catholics moving to the Falcon area to register so they can be supported by the community and contribute their time, talent, and treasure. New members can sign up through the parish office or website.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Paul Wicker2005–2017 (canonical pastor; pastor of Holy Apostles, Colorado Springs, supplying the community)
Instrumental from the beginning in promoting and supplying the new faith community while it worshipped in the Falcon Middle School gymnasium.
- Deacon Lynn ShermanDecember 2006–
Appointed by Bishop Sheridan as parish director during a diocese-wide shortage of priests.
- Rev. Jaimes PonceJuly 1, 2017 – June 30, 2019
First Pastor of St. Benedict Catholic Church in its first dedicated church building.
- Rev. Francisco QuezadaJuly 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020
Served as Parochial Administrator.
- Rev. Michael GoodyearJuly 1, 2020 – June 30, 2024
Later granted permission to serve as chaplain for the Benedictines of Mary Convent in Ava, Missouri (Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau).
- Rev. Rajeev Palliathra, OSBJuly 1, 2024 – present
Current pastor; also appointed part-time chaplain at St. Mary's High School in Colorado Springs. He is a Benedictine priest (OSB) — a fitting match for a parish named for St. Benedict.