In the shadow of Mount Meeker, nestled among Colorado’s majestic peaks, Camp St. Malo welcomes visitors from across the globe. At the heart of its mission are Jim and Sandy Richards, volunteer caretakers who embody a humble and powerful commitment to faith and service. Their years of service are shaped by years of guiding others toward moments of peace, healing and grace.
The Richards arrived at Camp St. Malo “by the actions of the Holy Spirit.” They describe their role not as volunteers but as Spirit-led stewards of a sacred place and faith-filled facilitators of divine encounter.
“We didn’t come there. We were invited to show up there. And by one blessing after another, we ended up being the full-time volunteer caretakers there,” Jim explained.
For Sandy, the camp offers a “beautiful, peaceful place to be,” drawing people in search of solace and reflection. Camp St. Malo’s Chapel on the Rock, renowned for its beauty against the backdrop of Mount Meeker, has become a place where visitors, as Sandy puts it, “spend a few moments of peace.”
The couple’s daily routine may involve opening the front gate rain, snow or shine, property maintenance and management like shoveling snow, cleaning the facilities, trail upkeep and working in the forest. They welcome over 60,000 guests to Camp St. Malo every year, sharing the property and chapel’s rich history and running the gift shop.
However small or large, each task becomes an opportunity to connect with others.
In their role, Jim and Sandy often witness transformative experiences that unfold quietly but profoundly. Jim recalled one story of a young couple clearly in a rush.
“One day, it was almost closing time, and this young couple came flying up the stairs with this magnificent bouquet of flowers. And they were in a huge hurry, and they blew right past us and into the chapel,” Jim explained. “So when they came back out, there was a serenity and a joy, and I was curious what happened.”
The woman told Jim they had once stopped at the chapel after immigrating to the United States, while they were on their way to Chicago. She was suffering from a severe, undiagnosed illness, and felt led to pray with her husband at the Chapel on the Rock.
“She looked up at the Christ statue and said, ‘You have got to do something about this,’” Jim recalled her sharing.
Miraculously, her health was restored, and years later, she returned with her husband to offer the flowers as a gesture of thanks and to honor the healing that had taken place.
The Richards’ dedication extends beyond individuals seeking peace. Jim and Sandy are also deeply involved with Annunciation Heights, a neighboring archdiocesan ministry that brings groups to Camp St. Malo for hiking, archery and other outdoor adventures. Sandy spoke fondly of the energy the participants bring.
“It’s just really fun to have all the youth and kids around. People every day see their reactions and their comments and how their soul is just rejuvenated,” she said.
Their service goes beyond words and actions; it is a ministry of presence, of being available to others in a place that inspires awe and reflection.
“Our job really is to open the gate, and we show up and let the Holy Spirit do the rest,” Jim said.
In recognition of their humble service over many years, Jim and Sandy have been recognized as this month’s Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal Disciples of the Month. Not just about caretaking, the Richards’ mission is to welcome others into moments of quiet grace and let God do his work. In a world that often rushes past, Camp St. Malo stands still, a place of renewal for every soul who visits, thanks to two devoted disciples who are simply “opening the gate.”
Congratulations, Jim and Sandy, for being named the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal Disciples of the Month!
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