Inside Vail Valley Catholics' Historic Campaign to Build TWO New Churches
- Barbara O'Neil
- 59 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Prayer, philanthropy and community are fueling a long-awaited, region-wide effort to meet worship needs in a booming community.
The Catholic faith is visible in the Vail Valley everywhere you look, from young families with squirming children to seasonal visitors slipping into the pews to longtime parishioners greeting each other in English and Spanish. But for years, the valley’s Catholic community has been making do with worship spaces that haven’t kept up with their growing needs.
At St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Edwards, Mass has been celebrated in the elementary school gym. At St. Mary Parish in Eagle, the community has grown so much that parishioners often have to spill out into the basement to watch Mass on television.
Now, the Catholic Parishes of the Valley are stepping into a new historic chapter: a region-wide capital campaign to build two new churches, one at St. Clare in Edwards and a new St. Mary campus in Gypsum.
The effort began quietly with prayer and conversations in parishioners’ homes and has since grown into a valley-wide movement of generosity and philanthropy. With more than 800 donors and over $21 million raised towards a $23 million goal, organizers say the effort isn’t just about building new churches, but about strengthening the entire Catholic community.
For many involved, the campaign’s story is best told through the people who have carried it, prayed for it and invited others into it.
Father José María Quera, Pastor: “God himself has been laboring with us”
For Father José María Quera, pastor of the Catholic Parishes of the Valley, the campaign has been an exercise in discernment and trust. He describes his role as learning to recognize how God reveals his will through signs, and then walking with the community in the work that follows. “If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labor,” he said, quoting Psalm 127. But he added that when God does want a house to be built, he doesn’t replace the work of the builder; he accompanies them.
“God has been powerfully at work throughout this process, showering us with many blessings,” he said. “The support of our archbishop, the guidance of the Archdiocese, the generosity of so many parishioners and visitors to the valley, and a growing enthusiasm for making this dream a reality.”
Father Quera noted that new buildings are not the end goal. The purpose is faith, making room for God to be present and helping parishioners grow as “living stones,” more deeply united with Christ and the Church.
Additionally, Father Quera has a deep devotion to Mary and St. Joseph, and turned to them often throughout the course of the campaign, including through a parish-wide month-long prayer to St. Joseph.
“The chapel in our rectory is dedicated to the Holy Family, and there I keep a beautiful statue of the Holy Family fleeing into Egypt, a journey that was surely a far greater challenge than building two churches,” he said. “In that chapel, I prayed to them often and even placed a handwritten note entrusting our Capital Campaign to their care.”
Through it all, Father Quera has felt the community come together in support.
“I have never felt alone in this endeavor. Through their reactions, encouragement and participation, our parishioners have reminded me of what it really means to be Church,” he said. “Their trust in God and love for his Church remind me daily that the greatest gift we can offer is not a building, but a community alive in Christ, grateful, generous and united in love. For all of this, I can only say: Deo gratias!"
Alba Padilla, Hispanic Community Co-chair: A Community Coming Together
When Alba Padilla talks about what’s moved her most from the campaign, she returns again and again to one theme: unity. In a valley where communities can sometimes feel separated by distance, language or schedules, she’s watched relationships deepen across those lines throughout the course of the campaign.
“The English-speaking and Hispanic community has really come together, which has really inspired me,” Padilla said. “The Latino community here has been so excited to get funds for the new churches, and everyone has come together with so much faith, love and generosity.”
For her, the campaign has become more than just a project; it has also become an invitation into people’s lives. She’s met families, listened to their stories and heard their hopes for what the two new churches could look like, especially for the valley’s Latino Catholics, who make up a significant portion of the faithful.
“These new churches are about creating a stronger spiritual home for the community,” she said. “They are built to welcome more families and provide a place where people can grow in faith, support one another and feel truly connected.”
Steve and Janet Burmeister, Co-chairs: Eucharist, Food and Fellowship
Before the presentations, contracts and news headlines, the campaign first just had living rooms. Steve and Janet Burmeister, longtime parishioners of St. Clare of Assisi, recall those early days fondly: small gatherings in their home where friends shared their hopes for a potential new worship space.
Early in the campaign, the Burmeisters hosted several receptions in their home, inviting several parishioners to imagine what a true church could mean for the Vail Valley. They celebrated Mass there, too.
“It was exciting to have Father José María celebrate Mass in our home,” Steve said. “We got to talk with friends afterwards about the dream, which doesn’t really happen in the gymnasium, everyone just goes their own way.”
For the Burmeisters, one of the campaign’s most striking moments was how the community came together long before all of the details fell into place. The in-home gatherings multiplied beyond their home, hosted by other parishioners across Edwards, Eagle, Gypsum and Vail, building momentum throughout the valley.
Steve and Janet credit the leadership that made the campaign fruitful, especially Father Quera, who trained as an architect in Barcelona before becoming a priest.
“If you’re thinking of building a church, much less two, it never hurts to have an in-house architect,” he said. “He’s been a great leader in this campaign.”
With the campaign nearing its goal, the Burmeisters encourage everyone to pray for the new churches and to discern how they can help. For them, the project is about building spaces where parishioners can worship with reverence and where the valley’s Catholics can finally feel at home.
Bob Boselli, Vice-chair: A Long Vision Coming to Life
Bob Boselli views the campaign as part of a much longer story that began more than 25 years ago, when then-Archbishop Stafford envisioned strengthening faith in the valley by acquiring land, constructing a K-8 school, donating space for childcare and even developing affordable apartments.
“That foundational vision now propels our current effort to add these sacred spaces, enabling us to seat over 130 in St. Mary’s main church and celebrate Mass in a true sanctuary rather than a gymnasium at St. Clare of Assisi,” he said.
He credits the work of the campaign leadership, the Archdiocese, Archbishop Aquila, Eidos Architecture and Horizon West Builders with the project's success. Boselli also noted that the new St. Mary campus will feature a parish hall, kitchen, offices and an adoration chapel.
“I’ve said we’re building both of these churches for our grandchildren to get married in,” he said.
Ultimately, he describes this work not as a burden, but as a calling.
“These projects were placed in my path by God,” he said. “We look forward to having [everyone] come celebrate Mass; everyone is welcome!”
Jenn Bruno, Campaign Fundraising Director: Every Gift Matters. Every Person Belongs.
Despite the valley’s reputation as a place where people come and go, Jenn Bruno believes this campaign has helped a geographically dispersed community become more connected.
“Some people feel like this is a part-time community, somewhat transient,” she said. “But we have this thriving Catholic community here.”
Even with a parish community stretching 37 miles and multiple chapels, Bruno feels that the campaign has become one of the clearest connection points the community has had in years. She’s also seen how the campaign has touched hearts in ways that go beyond construction timelines, like the joy from young families who hoped their children would receive First Communion in a new church.
Bruno has witnessed small community rhythms take form, like a book club that grew from eight participants into more than 40 who often linger and chat for hours.
“We’re building two new churches, but we’re also building a stronger faith community,” she said.
When Bruno discusses the campaign’s biggest challenge, she doesn’t mention logistics or cost, but rather ensuring that every parishioner feels valued.
“Every gift matters, big or small,” she said. “That $10 gift is just as treasured. Some people don’t think they’re contributing enough, but we recognize every effort.”
How to Support the Campaign
The Catholic Parishes of the Valley are continuing to fundraise towards the campaign goal. Those interested in learning more, volunteering or donating can find information at vailvalleychurchfund.org.
