A Day to Thank Our Priests: Catholic Radio Network Hosts 16th Annual Priest and Seminarian Appreciation Day

The statewide event brought together hundreds of priests, seminarians, deacons, bishops and faithful supporters for a day of fraternity and gratitude.

Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila's golf foursome, with Will Ives, an archdiocesan seminarian, Father Chris Considine, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Boulder, and Father Brady Wagner, the coordinator of the spirituality year at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver, led the 16th Annual Priest and Seminarian Appreciation Day's tournament. (Photo provided)

Golf, God and good company abounded in Catholic Radio Network’s 16^th Annual Priest and Seminarian Appreciation Day on June 1, as hundreds came together to support their priests.

A joyful opportunity for priests to enjoy fraternity with their brothers from across the state, the event also offered the faithful an opportunity to thank their priests for their dedicated service. Thanks to Catholic Radio Network and the generous sponsors’ support, many Colorado priests will receive new clerical attire like suits, coats and chasubles, a physical representation of the Church’s gratitude for their devotion and ministry.

With 100 priests, nine seminarians, a dozen deacons and three bishops in attendance, the 16^th Annual Priest and Seminarian Appreciation Day was a resounding success. Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila’s golf foursome even took top honors in the day’s tournament! Denver Archbishop James Golka joined his brother bishop on the golf course, while Bishop Stephen Berg of the Diocese of Pueblo joined several Pueblo priests on the tennis courts.

In the days following the event, several Colorado priests wrote thank-you notes to organizers expressing their gratitude for the appreciation, affirmation and support from the faithful across Colorado.

Next year’s event will take place on June 12, 2027.

Archbishop Golka was among the golfers at the 16th Annual Priest and Seminarian Appreciation Day.

Priests, deacons, seminarians and faithful from across Colorado gathered in gratitude and support.

Father Chris Considine, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Boulder, won Longest Drive.

Following lunch, attendees gathered for lawn games, fun and fraternity.

Michael Sparks, a Pueblo seminarian, and Father José Noriega, a faculty member at St. John Vianney.

Some attendees received a tour of the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Several attendees toured the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

In addition to golf, attendees competed on the pickleball and tennis courts.

(Photos provided)