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Bishop Jorge Rodríguez celebrates Mass at Cure d'Ars Parish in Denver. (Photo by Ryan Brady) Good news! This holiday season, the Church is giving us a great gift: the chance to go to Mass TWICE in one weekend! That might not seem like a “gift” to some, with all the demands of the holiday season pressing down. But this weekend, we celebrate a few fantastic feasts that you won’t want to miss. First, on Sunday, December 7, we gather to celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. We’l

Between shopping lists and Nativity plays, Seinfeld, Elf and St. Paul offer us a reminder: God became man to dwell in our mess. That changes everything. (Photo: Lightstock) On a famous episode of the TV comedy Seinfeld , George Costanza follows this advice: “Do the opposite.” His life decisions have turned out disastrously in work, romance, finance and more. He has always trusted his instincts, but he has been wrong every time. Now, he will “Do the opposite.” If every instinc

(Photo: Lightstock) "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone.” Isaiah 9:2 Every December, as our homes and neighborhoods begin to sparkle with lights, our hearts are drawn again to this ancient prophecy from Isaiah. The glow that fills our streets and sanctuaries is more than seasonal cheer; it reflects a far greater truth. That great, true light has indeed shone among us: the light of Jesus Christ,

As we break open our piggy banks to give gifts this season, here are 15 ways to give a gift with lasting impact right here in Northern Colorado. (Photo: Unsplash) As Advent begins and we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, Giving Tuesday offers a chance to pause, look around our own communities and ask: How can I share the love I’ve received? Every year, this global day of generosity invites people to support causes that matter. But here in Northern Colorado, Catholi

(Photo: Lightstock) By Michael T. Meurer, Meurer & Potter, P.C. “The good leave an inheritance to their children's children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the just.” (Proverbs 13:22) As Catholics, we are called to be faithful stewards of the blessings God has given us — not only in life, but in how we prepare for death. Estate planning is not merely a legal exercise; it is a spiritual act of love, a way to leave behind peace, clarity and harmony for those we c

(Photo: Lightstock) As Advent draws near, many Catholic homes and parishes are preparing more than wreaths and lights. They’re setting up a Jesse Tree — a beautiful, hands-on tradition that invites families to journey through salvation history, reflect on Christ’s coming and serve those in need. A Tradition Rooted in Scripture and History The Jesse Tree takes its name from the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah: “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall

(Photo: Adobe Stock) The twinkling lights are going up. The Advent wreath is getting dusted off. And somewhere in Colorado, a familiar question is echoing in kitchens, car rides and parish hallways alike: What on earth am I going to get everyone this year? Good news — Denver Catholic ’s award-winning Gift Guide  is back, and it might just become your new Advent tradition. Each year, our editorial team gathers the best ideas we can find from across the Catholic world: handmade

Why prayer isn’t supposed to look like panic — and how to rediscover its peace. La Religieuse (The Nun) by Henriette Browne. 1859 Oil on canvas. Height: 92.4 cm (36.3 in), width: 73.6 cm (28.9 in). National Inventory of Continental European Paintings. Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain) It was several years ago, so I couldn’t tell you now what I was working on when I went searching for reference photos of someone in prayer. I only remembe

A missionary tradition can become a powerful way to cultivate gratitude and recognize God’s presence in your daily life. (Photo courtesy of Christ in the City) “Lord, thank you for 36 pounds of honey …” “Jesus, thank you for getting to see Michael on street ministry today…” “Father, thank you for your calm in the storm…”   When I was a missionary with Christ in the City in Denver, the “Thanksgiving Rosary” was a staple of community life. At the end of each day, we’d gather as

(Photo: Lightstock) “What do you have that you did not receive?” 1 Corinthians 4:6   Western society has lived in open revolt against authority and tradition since the 1960s. Among the many causes and dispositions that underlie this societal rebellion, ingratitude stands at the very top. Just as a teenager might retort to their parents, so our society has said to our cultural heritage and faith: “I don’t need you. I know better than you. It’s time to get rid of the outdated

Christ sent us to make disciples of all nations — including our own communities. Voting is one of the simplest ways to help the Gospel take root. (Photo: Lightstock) 5:43 p.m. Mr. Benedict (my dog) and I were in the middle of our evening walk when it hit me: it was election day. I had just over an hour to fill out my ballot and drop it off. 5:44 p.m. I kicked my pace up to a jog. Mr. Benny gnawed at the leash and growled the entire way home (he doesn’t like it when we run). 5

St. Michael's Square in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Photo: Unsplash) Prior to the “Revolution of Dignity” that began on the Maidan, Kyiv’s Independence Square, in late 2013 and eventually gave birth to the country that has amazed the world with its courage, resilience, and ingenuity since the Russian invasion of February 2022, ecumenical dialogue and interreligious cooperation were not prominent features of the Ukrainian cultural landscape. The Maidan experience changed all that. An ecum

Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver leads hundreds in the Stations of the Cross outside an ICE detention center in Aurora, Colorado, on Nov. 22, 2025. (Photo: André Escaleira Jr./Denver Catholic) By Francesca Pollio-Fenton/CNA Hundreds of Catholics gathered in front of the Denver Contract Detention Facility — an ICE detention facility in Aurora, Colorado — on Nov. 22 for Stations of the Cross led by Archbishop Samuel Aquila and Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodriguez of the Archdioce

(Photo: Lightstock) As Thanksgiving draws near, families across the archdiocese are preparing their tables for Thanksgiving: turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and all the trimmings. For some of those families, the preparations take on a holy hue through the rich and beautiful practice of bringing food to church to be blessed before it is shared. Roots in the Eucharist and Harvest Feasts The Church’s call to give thanks is ancient. In fact, the very word Eucharist comes from t

By Lisa Smith, MA St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities When we face the loss of someone we love, our hearts often struggle to make sense of what feels impossible to bear. At St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities, we witness this sacred space every day: where pain, love and faith meet in the human heart. It’s in this space that healing begins, and where God quietly reminds us that even in our sorrow, we are never alone. Recently, during o

What began as a simple request turned into a schoolwide celebration, and a possible modern miracle. For Jessica Carillo and her husband Mario, the arrival of Blessed Miguel Pro to the Westminster Catholic church and school was a providential moment of grace — one that may have led to a miraculous healing. (Photo provided) By Tracy Seul Viviana Chavez never imagined that a single visit to adoration would open the door to a whirlwind of grace, unexpected miracles and a renewed

(Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) When grief arrives, it never comes gently. The house feels hollow, words catch in the throat and the silence seems louder than prayer. In those fragile hours, Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services of Colorado (CFCS) steps forward — not merely to provide funeral logistics, but to fill the void of loss with faith, hope and the comforting presence of the Church. A Ministry Rooted in History and Compassion CFCS is a nonprofit ministry of the Archdio

In a world of shrinking circles, real love expands the table. That’s what Christ’s family, the Church, has always done. (Photo: Lightstock) “Mom, is Tía Gina your sister or Dad’s?” a bright-eyed young André asked his mom. “Well, neither. She’s not actually related to us at all,” came the reply. After all those years, I was confused to say the least — who was “Aunt” Gina, after all? Since when do high school best friends automatically become aunts and uncles?? The first domino

(Photo provided) For longtime Colorado native Jerry Fitzgerald, faith and pro-life convictions have always gone hand in hand. “I’ve always had a strong passion against abortion and for the protection of life,” he said, when asked what drew him to Marisol Health, a ministry of Catholic Charities that provides life-affirming care for women. Jerry’s journey with Marisol began a year ago through prayer. He regularly joined others outside of Planned Parenthood for Mass, Rosaries a

At a Stations of the Cross prayer gathering in Aurora, Archbishop Aquila condemns political gamesmanship and calls Catholics to defend the God-given dignity of migrants. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, together with Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez, led a Stations of the Cross prayer service around the ICE Detention Facility in Aurora. Several hundred attended the peaceful procession and joined in saintly solidarity with the innumerable im