While searching for control and connection, those who practice New Age spirituality — from tarot to Reiki, from manifestation to astrology — are led astray, into anxiety, depression and conflict. (Photo: Adobe Stock) By Cecilia Dietzler Across the Western world, New Age spirituality has seen a dramatic rise. From meditation apps to hair salons offering Reiki treatments, it seems to be a constant in our society. Yet, beneath the aesthetic appeal and trendy buzzwords, these pra

Every parent wants their children to be happy. But authentic happiness requires more than good grades, a successful career or financial security. Here's how Catholic education helps prepare children for a truly flourishing life. (Photo: Denver Catholic file photo) By Michael Edghill Associate Superintendent for Mission Think about each of your children as they are right now. Think of all of the struggles and joys of parenthood. Now, imagine them at 38 years old. What

From access to medical care to the protection of human life and religious convictions, Catholic social teaching calls for health care centered on the dignity of every person. Here's what that means for Catholics in Colorado. Part 5 of a 10-part series on the Colorado bishops' public policy priorities Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez anoints a sick woman during the annual Mass for the World Day of the Sick. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) Health care should be pati

From caring for the poor to protecting workers and promoting economic opportunity, Catholic social teaching offers a framework for building a just society. Here's what that means for Catholics in Colorado. Part 4 of a 10-part series on the Colorado bishops' public policy priorities During the February 2026 press conference announcing his appointment as Archbishop of Denver, Archbishop James Golka emphasized the need for Christians to care for those in need. (Photo by Grant Wh

Religious freedom extends beyond the walls of a church. Here's how Catholic teaching on conscience, human dignity and religious liberty informs the Colorado bishops' public policy priorities. Part 3 of a 10-part series on the Colorado bishops' public policy priorities Denver Archbishop James Golka carries a monstrance with the Eucharist in the 2026 Corpus Christi procession through downtown Denver. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) Religious liberty is rooted in

(Photo: Lightstock, created with AI) During a Gaudium et Spes 22 podcast on the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas this past June, I said to my friend Larry Chapp, perhaps more flippantly than the subject warranted, that the folks leading the AI revolution “don’t know the difference between metaphysics and Metamucil.” That is, they seem oblivious to the truth that there are deep truths inscribed into the human condition: truths that we can know by reason (and, Christians would i

The Catholic Church teaches that marriage and family are foundational to the faith and the common good. Here's how that vision shapes the Colorado bishops' public policy priorities. Part 2 of a 10-part series on the Colorado bishops' public policy priorities Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez prays during the archdiocesan Anniversary Mass for married couples in 2023. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) Marriage and family are foundational to both society and the Catholi

(Photo: Composite photo, assembled with AI, from Adobe Stock) By Dr. Michelle Connor Harris Executive Director St. Raphael Counseling Last night I was talking with my 23-year-old son about this article on “hope and peace amid political burnout.” His response was, “If you want to talk about hope and peace, look at Zohran Mamdani.” I sighed internally and tried, probably unsuccessfully, to control my tendency to roll my eyes at the mention of the mayor of New York. Not becaus

From abortion and assisted suicide to the death penalty, the Catholic Church calls the faithful to defend the dignity of every human life. Here's what that means for Catholics in Colorado. Part 1 of a 10-part series on the Colorado bishops' public policy priorities Denver Archbishop James Golka opens the 2026 Colorado March for Life in prayer. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) Human life must be protected at all stages, from conception until natural death. The C

A volunteer at Christ in the City's Denver Lunch in the Park speaks with a guest. The local ministry hosts weekly lunches for their "friends on the street" as a means to continue building relationships and serving the poor. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) Far from mere words on a page or ideas in the ether, Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a living, breathing reality that brings Scripture and Tradition to bear on our world in tangible, practical ways. In this

Pope Leo XIV greets people as he rides in the popemobile before celebrating Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 1, 2025, as part of the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly. (Photo: CNS/Lola Gomez) The Church has always taught that the Gospel bears social implications, shaping how Christians live in the world. Catholic Social Teaching (CST), however, developed only when the fabric of Christendom — the legacy of Christian culture — had worn th

From school boards and city councils to advocacy and public service, Catholics have opportunities to bring their faith into civic life and work for the common good. (Photo: Adobe Stock) By Nathan Fisher Associate Director Colorado Catholic Conference Faith and politics share a relationship that is deeply interconnected yet distinctly separate. As Catholics, every facet of our lives must be informed by our faith, including our political outlook and engagement. I learned this

For the Solemnity of the Assumption, a masterpiece of sacred art reveals the relationship between beauty, longing and love. Assumption of the Virgin by ​Titian, c. 1516-1518. Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice, Italy. (Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) “What makes good art?” It was the way my friend asked the question. Knowing him, he wasn’t looking for an answer that included anything along the lines of “sound composition, good lighting, technical

(Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) In his June 2 Wall Street Journal column, Jason L. Riley noted a disturbing trend in our American moment: “According to the Department of Labor, 1 in 3 men were neither working nor looking for a job in April.” That sad state of affairs is multi-causal, to be sure. The hard fact, though, as Jason Riley argued and Nicholas Eberstadt demonstrated in his book Men Without Work, “is that the long-term rise in male joblessness doesn’t ste

(Photo: Unsplash) A 2025 YouGov poll revealed some interesting factoids about Americans’ reading habits — or lack thereof. 40% of us didn’t read a book last year. About a quarter of the country read one to four books in 2025, and 13% clocked in at between five and nine books in all formats (print, electronic, audio). 19% of us did 82% of America’s book reading. So let’s up our game. Herewith, some suggestions for your own reading pleasure this summer, which I hope you’ll pass

During a service day during a trip to the Archdiocese of Denver for Steubenville of the Rockies, Father Mike and his group learned what it means to “fill the void of loss with faith” at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery. (Video by Ascension) When a loved one passes, there’s a lot that goes on: funeral arrangements, property and inheritance management, family dynamics, strong emotions and powerful grief. Saying it’s a difficult time is an understatement. Yet the Church walks int

Mary Magdalene's story reminds us that even after we stumble, Christ never stops calling us back to himself. Penitent St. Mary Magdalene and Eight Stories from her Life by Maestro della Maddalena. Tempera and gold on wood panel, 180x91 cm, Date: 1280 – 1285. Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence, Italy. (Photo by Elizabeth Zelasko) I was hesitant to watch The Chosen. I grew up with an image of Jesus burned into my mind from watching Jesus of Nazareth, starring Robert Powell. It w

Founded by Italian immigrants in 1894, the historic North Denver Italian parish remains a living symbol of faith, heritage and the American dream. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in North Denver stands as a testament to the Italian Catholic community in Denver. (Photo by Anne Barhyte, courtesy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Denver) By Jenna Peccia and Dominique Lillo Long before North Denver became known for trendy restaurants and modern rowhomes, before the city skyline

A call to renewal rooted in history and mission (Photo: Lightstock, created with AI) By Forest Barnette In the span of the memory of the Church, 250 years is just a drop. While the United States is right to swell with pride at the accomplishments of the Founding Fathers, Catholics claim a heritage at least as old as Abraham. Despite the youth of America and Colorado, God has nevertheless moved in big ways through the Centennial State to encourage and renew his people. The Jun

Jeanne d'Arc by Jules Bastien-Lepage, 1879. (Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) If it is possible to fall in love with someone you have never met, I fell in love with Jules Bastien-Lepage as a young art student in New York City. There have been few painters, in my opinion, that have been able to bring the natural world into sharper focus without being a photo realist painter. I have never been drawn to photo-realistic paintings. We have cameras to capture such thin