ST.JOHN XXIII HISTORY

ST.JOHN XXIII HISTORY

On August 12, 1967, the Archdiocese of Denver approved a new parish in Fort Collins, Colorado to serve Colorado State University staff, faculty, and students. Prior to this St. Joseph Catholic parish was running campus ministry in addition to a school and active family parish. The need for a dedicated parish to serve the campus was apparent. Fr. Leonard Urban became the first pastor of the then ‘Blessed’ John XXIII University Parish.

Planning and construction of a multi-use John XXIII center began and was completed in the fall of 1969. During this two-year period leading up to completion of the building, daily mass was celebrated at the rectory Fr Leonard rented and Sunday mass was held on campus.

Fr. Leonard remained the pastor of John XXIII until Fr. Tom McCormick took over from 1975-1979. Fr Tom remembers fondly the uniqueness of being the pastor of a University center. Fr. Ron Weissbeck was then assigned to John XXIII from 1979-1984. Fr Ron was remembered fondly for his dedication to prayer groups and with the lay group Jesus Caritas.

Pray

Fr. Leonard remained the pastor of John XXIII until Fr. Tom McCormick took over from 1975-1979. Fr Tom remembers fondly the uniqueness of being the pastor of a University center. Fr. Ron Weissbeck was then assigned to John XXIII from 1979-1984. Fr Ron was remembered fondly for his dedication to prayer groups and with the lay group Jesus Caritas.
Fr. Dick Ling followed Fr Ron for a short time from 1984-1988. While his time at St. John XXIII was short, he brought the office up to date with word processing and printing equipment. Fr. Leonard Urban returned to John XXIII from 1988-1990 until Fr. Bob Amundsen became pastor in 1990. Fr Bob remained the pastor until 2002. Fr Bob built up the community and campus ministry at John XXIII during his twelve years as Pastor.
Fr. Dick Ling followed Fr Ron for a short time from 1984-1988. While his time at St. John XXIII was short, he brought the office up to date with word processing and printing equipment. Fr. Leonard Urban returned to John XXIII from 1988-1990 until Fr. Bob Amundsen became pastor in 1990. Fr Bob remained the pastor until 2002. Fr Bob built up the community and campus ministry at John XXIII during his twelve years as Pastor.

Fr. Don Willette became the pastor in 2002 and stayed at John XXIII until he retired in 2011. During this time Fr. Don continued to build up the parish and campus ministry. Fr. Don retired locally and continued to actively help at St. John XXIII and the other Northern Colorado parishes. In his retirement Fr. Don worked tirelessly to achieve a longtime goal of a chair of Catholic studies at CSU. This position was approved and official in 2018! Fr. Don passed away May 25, 2023. 

Pray

Fr. Leonard remained the pastor of John XXIII until Fr. Tom McCormick took over from 1975-1979. Fr Tom remembers fondly the uniqueness of being the pastor of a University center. Fr. Ron Weissbeck was then assigned to John XXIII from 1979-1984. Fr Ron was remembered fondly for his dedication to prayer groups and with the lay group Jesus Caritas.
Fr Rocco Porter became the pastor of Blessed John XXIII in 2011 and coined the name Ram Catholic to the campus ministry program. Fr Rocco has dedicated his time at St. John XXIII to building up campus ministry and serving the students of Colorado State University. In 2014 the Parish was re-named Saint John XXIII when our Blessed Pope John XXIII was canonized.
Campus Ministry at St. John XXIII grew over the years since 1969 to include soup suppers, ski trips, service projects focused on social justice, retreats, and much more. Today Ram Catholic is flourishing with programs designed to help students grow, serve, pray, and connect with one another.
The parish family at St. John XXIII grew with the campus ministry and today consists of dedicated individuals who work to spread the gospel to everyone they meet. They especially have a place in their hearts for service to college students.

As St. John XXIII prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Mass in the University Center at 1220 University Avenue we also enter a new era for this beautiful parish. As a result of an ever-growing student presence and call to the new evangelization, St. John XXIII has entered into a new building project and capital campaign.

The parish family at St. John XXIII grew with the campus ministry and today consists of dedicated individuals who work to spread the gospel to everyone they meet. They especially have a place in their hearts for service to college students.

As St. John XXIII prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Mass in the University Center at 1220 University Avenue we also enter a new era for this beautiful parish. As a result of an ever-growing student presence and call to the new evangelization, St. John XXIII has entered into a new building project and capital campaign.