Religion – The Durango Herald

Biblical city of Bethlehem boasts largest Christmas in years

BETHLEHEM, West Bank – Pilgrims from around the world flocked to Bethlehem on Monday for what was believed to be the biblical West Bank city’s largest Christmas celebrations in years. ...

DATE: Dec 24, 2018 | CATEGORY: Religion

Pope: Forgo greed and gluttony of Christmas for simple love

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis urged Christians on Monday to forgo the greed, gluttony and materialism of Christmas and to focus instead on its message of simplicity, charity and love. ...

DATE: Dec 24, 2018 | CATEGORY: Religion

Christmas services in Durango, Bayfield and Ignacio

Many local churches will hold special services during the Christmas holiday. All services will take place Christmas Eve, Monday, unless otherwise noted. Services marked with an a...

DATE: Dec 23, 2018 | CATEGORY: Religion

Victims, accountability on agenda at pope’s sex abuse summit

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican on Tuesday released the first details of Pope Francis’ upcoming high-stakes sex abuse prevention summit, making clear that bishops attending the gathering must rea...

DATE: Dec 19, 2018 | CATEGORY: Religion

Pope accepts resignation of LA bishop accused of misconduct

LOS ANGELES – Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of a Los Angeles auxiliary bishop, Monsignor Alexander Salazar, after an allegation of misconduct with a minor in the 1990s, officials...

DATE: Dec 19, 2018 | CATEGORY: Religion

New figures show fewer Mormons in Utah’s biggest county

SALT LAKE CITY – Fewer than half the residents of Salt Lake County belong to the Mormon church, according to new figures that illustrate how Utah’s largest county is becoming more religiousl...

DATE: Dec 17, 2018 | CATEGORY: Religion

Can astronomy explain the biblical Star of Bethlehem?

Bright stars top Christmas trees in Christian homes around much of the world. The faithful sing about the “Star of Wonder” that guided the wise men to a manger in the little town of Bethlehe...

DATE: Dec 15, 2018 | CATEGORY: Religion

Church renovation lifts Christmas spirit in Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM, West Bank – A historic renovation of the Church of the Nativity is lifting spirits in the biblical town of Bethlehem ahead of Christmas, offering visitors a look at ancient mosaic...

DATE: Dec 11, 2018 | CATEGORY: Religion

Polygamous group lets go of sprawling Arizona worship center

SALT LAKE CITY – A polygamous group based on the Utah-Arizona border is letting go of the sprawling building where its members worshipped, in the latest sign that the sect run by imprisoned ...

DATE: Dec 10, 2018 | CATEGORY: Religion

The celebration of Hanukkah has evolved in America

Hanukkah may be the best known Jewish holiday in the United States. But despite its popularity in the U.S., Hanukkah ranks as one of Judaism’s minor festivals, and nowhere else does it garne...

DATE: Dec 8, 2018 | CATEGORY: Religion

St. Columba Middle School to perform ‘The Promised One’

St. Columba Middle School will perform “The Promised One” at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 and at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at the school, 1801 East Third Ave. The play incorporates modern-day ch...

DATE: Dec 2, 2018 | CATEGORY: Religion

Feeling guilty about drinking? Well, ask the saints

Each year the holidays bring with them an increase in the consumption of alcohol and concern about drinking’s harmful effects. Alcohol abuse is no laughing matter, but is it sinfu...

DATE: Nov 30, 2018 | CATEGORY: Religion

Photos: Funeral procession for Cortez Police Sgt. Michael MoranHundreds of law enforcement vehicles escort the body of Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran

Hundreds of law enforcement vehicles escort the body of Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran

PHOTOS: Fort Lewis basketball teams entertain Adams StateFLC men win 100-80 on Tuesday, women lose 76-56

FLC men win 100-80 on Tuesday, women lose 76-56

Hundreds attend Candlelight vigil for Cortez police Sgt. Michael Moran

Skyhawks score 41 points off turnovers Monday at Whalen Gymnasium

Snowstorm moves through the areaThe season’s first big snowstorm causes problems for drivers and makes for a winter wonderland

The season’s first big snowstorm causes problems for drivers and makes for a winter wonderland

Photos: Singing with SantaSanta Claus makes his first appearance in Durango

Santa Claus makes his first appearance in Durango

Snow descends on DurangoForecasters say storm could dump 6 inches in Durango area

A fall storm that moved into Southwest Colorado Friday morning was expected to dump 6 inches of snow in the Durango area – more than weather forecasters had initially predicted.Snow started falling about 9:15 a.m. Friday and intensified shortly before 11:30 a.m., blanketing parks, vehicles and the hilltops overlooking the city. Roads became slick about 2:30 p.m. As of 4 p.m., the Durango Police Department had responded to six crashes, in addition to a few stranded motorists.U.S. Highway 160 at County Road 44 near Mancos Hill was closed from around 4 p.m. to just after 6 p.m. because a vehicle carrying an “oversized load” had spun out and blocked both the eastbound and westbound lanes, according to Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Lisa Schwantes.“Right now our officers are able to keep up with the crashes that are coming in,” said Cmdr. Nick Stasi, with the Durango Police Department. “As always with winter weather, we remind drivers to slow down and give extra space for the cars in front.”Snow started accumulating very fast as the day went on, making it “challenging for plow operators to keep up,” according to CDOT.

Southwest Colorado’s five major mountain passes were icy and snowpacked Friday afternoon. But all five remained open as of 4:15 p.m.The Pacific storm favored the southern and central Colorado mountains, said Dave Byers, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.“Durango looks like a 70% chance of getting 6 inches or more of snow by the end of tonight (Friday),” Byers said.He expected a half inch to three-quarters of an inch of moisture from the storm, which is up from the one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch that was predicted earlier this week. Meanwhile, the mountains could receive 1 to 2 feet of snow from the storm, he said.“In the last few days, it has really picked up,” Byers said. “The southern mountains are catching the brunt of it.”The snowy weather didn’t stop Liz Ferrill and her family from stopping by Cream Bean Berry for a Unicorn Sundae. “We thought it might be a festive way to celebrate,” said Ferrill, who was visiting from Snowmass, where the first snow occurred in September.For others, the snow provided the impetus they needed to swap out tires or purchase new snow tires. Andre Payne, a sales person at J/P Tire in Durango, said the phone began ringing shortly after 9 a.m. with people wanting to switch to snow tires.“We’ve been pretty busy,” he said.

It is not unusual for drivers to wait until they see the first snow and then want to swap out tires. The tire shop began advising customers to switch to snow tires about three weeks ago. Some people take the advice, other choose to wait.“We can always tell people what to do, but if you're not ready for it then you have to suffer the consequences of waiting two hours or maybe getting in an accident,” Payne said.Byers said Friday’s storm was the result of a southwest flow pulling moisture from Southern California, Arizona and the Gulf of California.As the moisture-laden atmosphere hits the San Juan Mountains, it wrings out the moisture, he said.Temperatures are expected to cool off as the storm makes its way out of the region this weekend. The highs this weekend will be in the upper 30s, and the lows could dip into the single digits, he said.“There’s still a northerly flow that is pulling cold air down out of Canada,” he said.Byers characterized Friday’s storm as a “shoulder storm” between summer and winter, but he said it is a sure sign that a regular track is settling in for Southwest Colorado.“We’re expecting regular storms … from now on, more into that winter pattern,” Byers said.Residents can expect mostly clear conditions through Wednesday, with clouds moving in the following day ahead of another storm that looks “very similar” to Friday’s storm, Byers said.shane@durangoherald.com; mhollinshead@durangoherald.com

Forecasters say storm could dump 6 inches in Durango area

PHOTOS: Turkey Trot returns to DurangoNearly 600 competitors ran before they gobbled down their Thanksgiving feasts on Thursday

Nearly 600 competitors ran before they gobbled down their Thanksgiving feasts on Thursday

PHOTOS: Durango faces Lutheran in 3A state football quarterfinalsDemons fall to Lions, 39-30, on Saturday

Demons fall to Lions, 39-30, on Saturday

PHOTOS: Fort Lewis basketball teams host doubleheaderThe men’s team beat Western New Mexico 87-68, while the women’s team fell in the final minutes to Northern New Mexico, 67-62

The men’s team beat Western New Mexico 87-68, while the women’s team fell in the final minutes to Northern New Mexico, 67-62

Biblical city of Bethlehem boasts largest Christmas in years

Pope: Forgo greed and gluttony of Christmas for simple love

Christmas services in Durango, Bayfield and Ignacio

Victims, accountability on agenda at pope’s sex abuse summit

Pope accepts resignation of LA bishop accused of misconduct

New figures show fewer Mormons in Utah’s biggest county

Can astronomy explain the biblical Star of Bethlehem?

Church renovation lifts Christmas spirit in Bethlehem

Polygamous group lets go of sprawling Arizona worship center

The celebration of Hanukkah has evolved in America

St. Columba Middle School to perform ‘The Promised One’

Feeling guilty about drinking? Well, ask the saints

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