Fiat Family Fest 2026

September 4–6, 2026
St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church · Colorado Springs
--:--

Find Your Volunteer Assignment

πŸ™ Many hands make light work β€” roles still needing volunteers:

    To sign up, contact the Vostateks (see Info tab).

    πŸ“ Venue β€” New Location This Year! New

    St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church
    8755 Scarborough Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
    Open in Google Maps

    We are deeply grateful to Fr. Francisco Quezada, Pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel, for generously opening his parish and facilities to Fiat Family Fest this year.

    This year's Fest is a daily (commuter) format β€” there is no on-site lodging or camping. Families are staying with friends or in nearby hotels and returning home each evening. Sunday Mass is held in the St. Gabriel Classical Academy School Commons.

    πŸ• Arrival & Check-In

    Friday check-in begins at 5:00 PM in the Foyer, followed by Mass at 5:30 PM and dinner at 6:30 PM. Volunteers helping with setup: please arrive at 4:00 PM at the Parish Hall.

    Saturday & Sunday childcare (ages 3 – 5th grade): check in and out at the Narthex. Give yourself extra time before the morning sessions begin. Middle and high schoolers check themselves in and out of Teen Tract sessions β€” if you prefer to check your teen in personally, just let a team member know.

    πŸŽ’ What to Bring

    • Water bottles for each family member
    • Bible, journal, and a pen
    • Play clothes for Saturday afternoon family kickball and games
    • A sweater or jacket for evening patio time (s'mores!)
    • Modest, comfortable clothing that gives reverence to Our Lord
    • An openness to the Holy Spirit!

    Meals are provided Friday dinner through Sunday β€” Sunday lunch is optional (pre-order pizza or bring your own).

    ✨ New This Year

    • New venue β€” St. Gabriel's parish campus, all indoors-capable, no fire bans to worry about
    • Date Night with Fr. Nate β€” Friday evening marriage talk for parents while kids enjoy movie night
    • Wine & Cheese Social β€” Saturday evening for parents
    • Q&A Panel β€” "Keeping the Family Intact in the Modern Era"
    • Family & Teen S'mores on the Parish Hall Patio

    🎀 Featured Speakers & Religious

    Fr. Nathan Cromly
    Fr. Nathan Cromly β€” Retreat Master

    Fr. Nathan Cromly, a priest serving in the Archdiocese of Denver, has spent the last 25 years making the truths of the Catholic faith practical and impactful to audiences of all ages. He draws on his personal and entrepreneurial background to minister to young adults, married couples, families, and business professionals, empowering them to Dare Great Things for Christ. He has served as retreat master of Fiat Family Fest since its founding in 2017.

    The Vostatek family
    Sean & Jenny Vostatek β€” Founders & Co-Coordinators

    Sean and Jenny Vostatek, parents of eight children, are the founders of Fiat Family Fest. From leading vocation retreats to organizing parish date nights to founding a family retreat β€” families, marriages, and vocations are their focus. They seek to draw the souls of families closer to Our Lord and His Holy Mother by bringing enriching and joyfully Catholic events to Colorado Springs.

    Sr. Margaret Therese and Sr. Martha Immaculate, Apostolic Sisters of St. John
    Apostolic Sisters of St. John β€” Teen Tract

    Sr. Margaret Therese and Sr. Martha Immaculate lead this year's Teen Tract. The Apostolic Sisters of St. John are a contemplative and apostolic community spreading God's light and love in the spirit of St. John.

    Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia
    Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia β€” Children's Tract

    Known as the "Nashville Dominicans," this community serves through education, evangelization, and contemplative-active life. They lead the children's programming throughout the weekend.

    Also Serving This Weekend

    Fr. Francisco Quezada β€” Pastor & Host · Fr. Richard Castro Huergo β€” Confessions & Spiritual Direction · Fr. George Fagan β€” Confessions · Fr. Jacob D'sa · Dcn. Mike McGrady

    πŸ› Courtesy Reminders

    • Please drive slowly on parish grounds; no teen drivers on the property.
    • Side conversations during talks: please step away from the room so others can hear the speaker.
    • Please be prompt for children's drop-off and pick-up times.
    • No pets, firearms, fireworks, or outside alcoholic beverages.
    • Please lend a hand cleaning up the halls after meals and sessions.
    • Name tags are recycled each year β€” drop them in the boxes as you leave Sunday.

    πŸ’Œ What Is Fiat Family Fest?

    As Pope St. John Paul II beautifully affirmed, "The family has the mission to guard, reveal, and communicate love." At the heart of Fiat Family Fest is this very mission: to raise the next generation of joyful Catholics by strengthening and renewing the family.

    Fiat Family Fest is a unique Catholic family retreat designed to help families escape the distractions of the world and reconnect β€” both with God and with one another β€” through meaningful fun and faith formation. Every family member is invited to encounter Our Lord in a personal and transformative way through age-specific programming, engaging talks, the sacraments, and joyful community.

    🌟 Why Come to Fiat Family Fest?

    You Can't Save Your Family Alone

    Today, you're competing against cell phones, video games and social media. Your kids need to see other families participating in prayer and sacraments. Gated communities do not save families. Jesus does.

    In our increasingly disconnected world, children need to witness the living faith embodied in a community of believers. At Fiat Family Fest, your family will be strengthened by the witness of other Catholic families striving for holiness together. This shared experience creates lasting memories and reinforces that your family's values are not isolated, but part of a greater Catholic community.

    Your Kids Need to See Vocations

    Is your children's future all about D1 sports, Ivy League colleges and a six-figure salary? We invite you to encounter what truly matters.

    At Fiat Family Fest, your children will interact with joyful priests, sisters, and brothers who have dedicated their lives to Christ. These encounters plant seeds that allow young people to consider God's unique call for their lives. Whether called to marriage, religious life, or single life devoted to service, children need to see adults living out different vocations with purpose and joy. This personal interaction with religious communities offers something no textbook or video can provide.

    True Heroes Require Heroic Sacrifices

    Yes, time away from the world costs money, time, and travel. But isn't your family worth it?

    In a culture that often prioritizes convenience over commitment, Fiat Family Fest invites you to make a counter-cultural choice. By setting aside a weekend dedicated to spiritual renewal, you demonstrate to your children that faith deserves our best efforts and sacrifices. These moments of family dedication create the foundation for lifelong faith that withstands challenges. The investment you make today will bear fruit for generations to come.

    Experience the Sacraments as a Family

    Daily Mass, opportunities for Confession, and Eucharistic Adoration form the spiritual heart of Fiat Family Fest. Experiencing these sacraments together as a family reinforces that our Catholic faith isn't just something practiced on Sundays β€” it's the foundation of family life.

    Children who regularly witness their parents prioritizing the sacraments are more likely to maintain their faith into adulthood. The grace received through these sacramental encounters provides the spiritual nourishment families need to face the challenges of everyday life with renewed strength and purpose.

    Formation for Every Family Member

    Fiat Family Fest offers age-appropriate catechesis and activities for everyone from toddlers to teens, while parents receive inspiration and practical tools for Catholic family living. No one is left behind or simply "along for the ride."

    Parents will gain practical strategies for incorporating faith into daily family routines, addressing difficult cultural issues, and fostering virtue. Children and teens engage with the faith at their level through dynamic presenters who understand how to make Catholicism relevant and exciting for young minds. This comprehensive approach ensures that every family member returns home spiritually enriched.

    Create Memories That Last a Lifetime

    Beyond the spiritual formation, Fiat Family Fest offers fun activities, games, and entertainment that bring families together. These shared experiences strengthen family bonds and create joyful memories associated with faith.

    In years to come, your children won't remember every sermon or lesson, but they will remember laughing together, praying together, and the feeling of belonging to something greater than themselves. These positive associations with the faith community help young people develop a Catholic identity that becomes part of who they are, not just something they do.

    πŸ“ž Contact

    Email: Fiatfamilyfest@gmail.com
    Jenny Vostatek: 719-258-7845
    Web: JoyfullyCatholic.org