A Sacred Collaboration: Six Denver Ministries Unite to Launch End-of-Life Network

Through prayer, partnership and pastoral care, Denver Catholics are working together to honor the dignity of every person at life’s end this End-of-Life Respect Month and every day.

(Photo: Unsplash)

By Erin Scherer

“Where was this two years ago when my mom died?” asked one participant at last year’s End-of-Life Conference at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora. The gathering brought together several ministries serving families in their final journeys of life, offering resources, guidance and a reminder that in Christ, death is not the end.

As Catholics, we affirm the dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death. Yet many of us hesitate to think about the end of life — or are unaware of the resources and ministries the Church provides to help us prepare spiritually and practically for this sacred passage.

A Call to Work Together

For several years, the Catholic Foundation and Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of Colorado (CFCS) have been offering independent outreach in parishes across the Archdiocese of Denver. More recently, Emmaus Catholic Hospice joined those efforts. Still, many pastors noticed the overlap.

“After a pastor asked, ‘Why aren’t you working together? I keep getting calls from different ministries,’ it finally clicked,” recalled Deacon Marc Nestorick, assistant director of mission advancement for CFCS. “Let’s bring everyone together and work as a united group, while maintaining our own missions and identities.”

In response, representatives from the Catholic Foundation, CFCS, Emmaus Catholic Hospice, the Knights of Columbus, St. Raphael Counseling and Respect Life Denver began meeting. Their vision was simple but powerful: a unified network to better serve the faithful in end-of-life care and preparation.

“We’re really looking forward to teaming up, rather than working separately, so we can help our archdiocese understand the many ways we can support end-of-life planning,” said Deacon Steve Stemper, director of the Catholic Foundation.

Building the Network

Over the past several months, the six apostolates have prayed, planned and collaborated to form what is now known as the End-of-Life Network. By working together, they have created shared materials, coordinated events and strengthened the bonds between ministries.

“Already, we’re seeing greater dialogue,” Deacon Nestorick said. “We’re seeing an ability to reach more people, so we’re able to bring the end-of-life message and the sanctity of life message to more people as a result.”

Each ministry brings its own mission and charism to the network.

“We consider this to be an essential part of our mission to defend all human life, from conception to natural death,” said Jennifer Torres, community engagement coordinator at Respect Life Denver, a ministry of Catholic Charities. “We hope our participation helps to spread the understanding of what it really means to respect life in all its stages.”

“Through the network, the Knights have a unique opportunity to enrich Catholic homes by offering valuable resources and support in areas that deserve greater awareness,” explained Anna Coffey of the Wheaton Agency.

“We are excited to be a partner that educates our faithful on the importance of having a will and establishing end-of-life directives,” added Deacon Stemper. “Having plans in place prevents legal and family discourse, while seeing your desires fulfilled at the time of death.”

The collaboration has already been a grace, and is expected to bear great fruit.

“We have six vibrant ministries that are coming together. Most dioceses don’t even have one or two that could carry the weight that all six of us are carrying, so it’s just a beautiful opportunity that we have here in Denver,” said Deacon Nestorick.

“We hope that our faithful understand how blessed we are here within the Archdiocese of Denver to have so many apostolates to help educate, guide and determine decisions across their lifespan, and that they are not alone,” added Deacon Stemper.

A Gift for the Faithful

The End-of-Life Network does more than pool resources — it fosters community among those who serve.

“We deeply value the life-giving nature of this community,” Torres said, “which has been a source of rest, renewal and shared purpose as we journey together in this sacred work.”

Launching This November

The End-of-Life Network officially launches this November, in conjunction with End-of-Life Respect Month. Beginning in January 2026, parishes throughout the archdiocese will host educational events to help Catholics prepare for this stage of life.

For more information and resources, visit archden.org/eoln.