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(Photo: Josh Applegate/Unsplash) You find your way into a Catholic church, and it’s quiet. Really quiet. The lights are low, except for a small red dot of light shining above a side door. Over time, people go in and out. Maybe you do, too. Either way, it’s hard to miss, between the light and the line. Many of us might be familiar with what happens in that closet-sized space — the confessional — as sinner after sinner comes before the Divine Mercy of Jesus, bursting forth from

Celebrating Lent is straightforward: penance, fasting, prayer, almsgiving. But how should a Catholic celebrate Easter? (Photo: Lightstock) Easter is the feast of all feasts, and its fifty-day season stands atop the liturgical year as its climax. While we might recognize this reality, the Easter season can seem like a letdown. While the goal of Lent appears to be clear-cut — fight against sin, do penance, increase prayer and give alms — what about Easter? What are we suppose

Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez and Father Luke Barder, pastor of St. Dominic Parish in Denver, were among the featured guests at a Regis University half-day gathering focusing on faith, immigration policy and civic engagement. (Photo courtesy of Regis University) Regis University brought together students, faculty, clergy and community members on March 27 for a half-day gathering examining the intersection of Catholic faith, immigration policy and civic engagement an

Pope Leo XIV greets visitors and pilgrims from the popemobile while riding around St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican before his weekly general audience March 18, 2026. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez) On March 21, the Wall Street Journal published a lengthy profile of the Pope as its “Saturday Essay.” The subtitle — “Pope Leo XIV pushes back against President Trump. Can the pontiff from Chicago make a difference in an era of power politics?” — gave the game away from the git-go: the Pop

(Denver Catholic file photo) DENVER, Colo. — The Archdiocese of Denver today announced that Archbishop James R. Golka has appointed Deacon Doug Flinn as General Counsel for the Archdiocese. In this role, Deacon Flinn will oversee key operational areas including real estate, human resources, and legal affairs. He will serve on the Archbishop’s Mission Leadership Team and work closely with the Vicar General and archdiocesan leadership to support the mission of the Church in Nor

With sorrow, yet with firm confidence in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Archdiocese of Denver commends to the mercy of God Deacon Michael “Mike” Bunch, who passed away on March 19, 2026, at the age of 76, after a courageous battle with cancer. He died peacefully at his home in Lakewood, in the presence of his beloved wife. Deacon Bunch was ordained to the diaconate on June 12, 2004, by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. From that day forward, he lived his vocation as a ser

The Sermon of the Beatitudes (1886-96) by James Tissot from the series The Life of Christ, Brooklyn Museum. (Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) By Father José Noriega, D.C.J.M. St. John Vianney Seminary, Denver The Christian novelty was like a spark that kindled a new fire, with a radiance and a warmth never before seen. To the great question of the human heart — what is the happy life, and how is it attained? — Christianity offered an answer that astonished both th

Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic STEM School Students smile for a photo with the ponytails they had cut to support others with hair loss. (Photo provided) By Megan Nix Some children give up eating sweets, watching TV or fighting with siblings for Lent. But this year, 20 girls at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic STEM School in Wheat Ridge gave up something less common: their hair. At noon on Holy Monday, a group made their way to Hendrix Salon for a “cut-a-thon:” each child would dona

As Catholics from around the archdiocese gathered to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection, the new archbishop emphasized how transformative that event was, is and continues to be in the life of every Christian. Archbishop James Golka blesses Massgoers during the recessional following Easter Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) “Alleluia! Alleluia! He is risen! He is risen indeed!” echoed through the Cathed

Referencing Scripture, tradition and an ancient homily from the second century, Denver’s new archbishop shared about Jesus’ Resurrection in a new light, one that changes the way the faithful see the world. Archbishop James Golka ignites incense from the Easter fire, which symbolizes the light of Christ's Resurrection, following a prayer and blessing over the fire at the start of the Easter Vigil at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. (Photo by Dan P

(Photo: Adobe Stock) "You are the light of the world. … You are the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13-14 When Jesus speaks these words, he is not addressing an elite few. He is speaking to ordinary disciples, to people with families, jobs, limitations, fears and questions. People like you and me. Every baptized Catholic shares in the mission of Christ. We are invited, indeed privileged, to go in search of the lost sheep, to bring light into darkness and to offer hope to those

Organized by Communion and Liberation, a Catholic movement started in Italy by Servant of God Luigi Giussani, the annual Stations of the Cross witnessed to Gospel hope in the heart of Denver. Archbishop James Golka joined Communion and Liberation, a Catholic lay movement, for a Good Friday Way of the Cross through Downtown Denver. (Photo by Matt Walker/Denver Catholic) By Matt Walker The Denver City and County building bells tolled each quarter hour. Sirens came and went. Dri

Deacon Marc Nestorick leads Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at Mullen Residences in Denver. (Photo provided) For the first time in four years, the historic Mullen Home, now transitioning into Mullen Residences at the Highlands, opened to the public on Good Friday to host Scriptural Stations of the Cross on the grounds. For over one hundred years on this very property, the Little Sisters of the Poor served the Catholic faithful and their families at the Mullen Home, an as

Reflecting on Pontius Pilate in the Gospel of John, the newly installed Archbishop of Denver challenged the faithful to let Jesus become everything in our lives. Archbishop James Golka kneels and kisses a crucifix during the Celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) Is Jesus truly my Savior — or not? On the day called good, faithful from across the archdiocese came to

Kiss of Judas by Giotto, c. 1304–1306, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy. (Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 The comfort of a familiar embrace. The closeness of being gathered into another’s cloak. The quiet affection of being near enough to share a kiss. In Giotto’s fresco, Judas not only betrays

Just as Jesus stooped low to wash the apostles’ feet, Denver’s new archbishop said in his homily during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, each Christian is called, commanded, to love neighbor. Archbishop James Golka washes the feet of a parishioner during his first Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) Imagine, for a moment, Jesus’ Last Supper. An evening meal pre-electricity

Deacon Jim Heatwole raises the cross (L) during a procession as Hung Pham (C) and Deacon Kevin McCutcheon (R) look on Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) It’s the holiest time of the year, as we prepare to enter into Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection anew. As we prepare for the Holy Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday — we no

Denver’s new archbishop encouraged priests to unite themselves to Jesus and called on the faithful to pray for their spiritual fathers during the special archdiocesan liturgy. Denver Archbishop James Golka pours Chrism essence into olive oil before praying a consecration prayer over what will become Sacred Chrism during the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. (Photo by Anya Semenoff/Denver Catholic) At the start of Holy Week, Archbishop

"Christ Falling on the Way to Calvary" by Raphael, c. 1516. (Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) The Way of the Cross — and the third, seventh, and ninth stations in particular — has been an especially appropriate Lenten devotion this year. Every day, it seems, some new craziness erupts in the world, the country, or the Church. Every time we think we see rays of hope and possibility, we take another fall. So it’s good to remember this Holy Week, with Hans Urs von Balt

United States Supreme Court Building Courtesy: WIX Editor’s Note: On March 31, 2026, the United States Supreme Court issued its ruling striking down Colorado’s ban on "so-called" conversion therapy for minors. The following statement is from the Colorado Catholic Conference, which represents the collective public policy voice of the Catholic bishops of Colorado. Colorado Catholic Conference Statement on the United States Supreme Court victory in Chiles v. Salazar The Col