'My Catholic education saved me': Father Daniel Ciucci's journey from Catholic school to abundant life in his vocation

By Neil McDonough and Kelly Clark The impact of a Catholic education is evident in Father Daniel Ciucci's life. When he was young, his mother was told he would likely end up in jail unless his behavioral issues were solved. He was a regular in anger management classes. In short, he was a "trouble maker." But when his family decided to invest in a Catholic education, everything changed. He went from Anger Management to Talented and Gifted. He came to know and appreciate God's love for him, especially through prayer, Mass and Eucharistic adoration. He grew in faith, learning to take his relationship with God seriously. He even came to find his vocation. "Going to Catholic school was life-changing," Father Ciucci said, recalling the incredible teachers who were personally invested in the mission of forming him and other students to be the young men and women, and ultimately the saints, they were being called to become. "It was such a value add to our family, because I was placed in a community where I could be attended to," Father Ciucci continued. Thanks to the devoted faculty and staff of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Boulder, Father Daniel Ciucci's life was saved and transformed, so that he could experience the abundant life Jesus came to bring his people.