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A single inmate’s calling becomes a ministry of dignity for men and women entering Colorado’s correctional system. (Photo: Lightstock) By Ryan Brady   When a man enters Colorado’s Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center (DRDC), he carries whatever he arrived to jail with. Often, that amounts to almost nothing.   The state’s central intake facility processes approximately 30-40 new inmates daily, assessing their needs and assigning classifications. Many come in without basic hy

Denver parishioners leave the annual conference renewed in faith and mission, on fire for love of Jesus and ready to preach the Gospel. (Photo courtesy of FOCUS) By Caitlin Burm A Revival of Faith Thousands of Catholics from across the United States traveled to FOCUS’ annual SEEK conference in Denver this New Year. The five-day experience reignited many participants with a fire for Christ, throughout daily Mass, keynote talks and breakout sessions, and extended opportunities

(Photo: Lightstock) Each January, the mountains of Estes Park fill with brotherhood as Catholic men from Colorado and beyond make their way to the YMCA of the Rockies. They come carrying ordinary burdens: pressures at work, strains in fatherhood or struggles in marriage. Some arrive unsure why they signed up at all. The Gathering of Men Retreat , held this year from January 30 to February 1, invites men into something deeper than a weekend away. Under the direction of Father

(Photo provided) For Jeff Runyan, discipleship has always meant helping others meet Jesus — not just in theory, but in person.    After more than a decade of service with FOCUS, Runyan discerned that God was calling him in a new direction. In late 2023, he and his wife began praying about how best to use their gifts and passions for the Church. Through that prayer, he realized that one of his greatest passions was taking people around the world to encounter Christ through sac

Personal witness highlights the beauty and urgency of the diaconate in today’s Church. (Photo provided) Three deacons from the Archdiocese of Denver addressed a packed breakout session at the SEEK26 conference, sharing their journeys from their call to the diaconate to their ordination to their daily living the heart of the servant. The gathering was part of the Archdiocesan Diaconate Office’s efforts to raise awareness of the diaconal vocation and the beginning of a new part

'Schools are the most hopeful mission field in the Catholic church today.’ Liam Gallagher, executive director of Cabrini Teaching Fellows, speaks to prospective new teachers. (Photo provided) By Jay Sorgi Catholic schools have always had an intrinsic mission of educating young people in our faith, but Denver Catholic Schools are taking that mission to the next level. Together with the Cabrini Teaching Fellows , members of the Catholic school community took the annual SEEK con

Father William Clemence reflects on the urgency of evangelization and RM’s role in preparing priests who can meet the moment, both locally and around the world. Seminarians at Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary are formed with a missionary charism, ready to preach the Gospel anywhere in the world. (Photo by Grant Whitty) Catholics frequently discuss evangelization in conversation, during Mass readings, homilies and theological discussions. But what does it loo

With nearly 6,000 attendees, the conference becomes fertile ground for listening to God. (Photo courtesy of FOCUS) With a unique opportunity to raise awareness of vocations among thousands of young men and women, the Archdiocesan Vocations Office manned a booth at SEEK 26, sparking conversations with those considering God’s will for their lives. The multi-day, annual Catholic evangelization conference, hosted by FOCUS, was held from January 1 to 5 at the Gaylord Rockies Resor

A talk given at the Denver conference asks us all to seek out our calling within the Catholic Church (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) By Jay Sorgi He started by taking an ever-growing fire for Christ in people’s hearts, and voicing the questions, “What's my role in this? What part is God asking me to play?” Archdiocesan Chief Mission Officer and Superintendent Dr. Scott Elmer took a talk at Denver’s SEEK conference on Saturday and made it a personal challenge to discern and di

As the annual FOCUS conference began on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the Denver archbishop encouraged the thousands gathered to ponder with Mary and grow in faith, identity and mission. (Photo courtesy of FOCUS) As one year closes, another begins. And this year has begun with a bang, as thousands of faithful descended upon the Mile High City on Thursday from across the United States for FOCUS’ annual SEEK conference. This year’s conference, hosted simultaneously in C

This year’s January 3–4 collection helps provide essential care for the sisters, brothers and priests who shaped our faith. (Photo by Jim Judkis. © 2025 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Used by permission) Every year, Catholics across the Archdiocese of Denver unite to support women and men whose quiet sacrifices shaped the Church in the United States: our aging religious sisters, brothers and religious order priests. This year’s Retirement Fund for Religious col

Bishop Rodríguez pointed to Jesus, Mary and Joseph as the model for Christian life as he closed the Jubilee Year of Hope. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) By Grant Whitty As the faithful settled into pews before Mass on the last Sunday of 2025, a seminarian stood waiting at the back of the Cathedral, under the red and yellow canopy of the Cathedral Basilica's umbrellino.  “I am sure you all know the symbolism behind the umbrellino  and bell [formally, the tintinnabulum

(Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities) Before the first guest steps into the dining room, before the clatter of utensils, the hum of conversation and the warmth of a shared meal, quiet, holy preparation takes place in the kitchen at Samaritan House Fort Collins, a shelter for women and families experiencing homelessness. The lights flick on early as Terry, the kitchen supervisor, ties her apron and checks the day’s plan. The ovens warm, a pot simmers on the stove and her team

(Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities) At just 23 years old, Juliana has lived through more challenges than many face in a lifetime. Her journey has been shaped by hardship and resilience and by a growing belief that God is not finished with her story. “I’ve never been in a shelter before, and I came to Marisol Homes after running away from work release. I’m currently on probation, but I’m committed to turning my life around,” Juliana shared. Her path has not been easy. At 15

An invitation to encounter Jesus through the sacraments, prayer and community, finding Christ's personal love amid the crowds. (Photo by Josh Applegate, courtesy of FOCUS) Piercing through the crowd, his eyes meet mine. Even though the spotlight illuminates the monstrance and I kneel hidden in the shadows behind hundreds of adorers, I find myself held by the Lord’s gaze in a moment just between us.   Like he noticed the hemorrhaging woman despite the crowd pressing in on him

The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, decorated for Christmas. (Photo provided) On Christmas Day, Catholics around the world gather in churches to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ — the Word made flesh, born for our salvation. For many, this joyful gathering around the altar is the heart of Christmas. Yet for some members of our community — the elderly, the sick, and those truly unable to leave their homes — attending Mass in person is not possible

Prayer, philanthropy and community are fueling a long-awaited, region-wide effort to meet worship needs in a booming community. Behind the scenes of a massive effort to build two new churches in the Rocky Mountains stands a dedicated group of faithful Catholics. From left to right: Steve and Janet Burmeister, Father José María Quera, Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila and Alba and Reynaldo Padilla. Not pictured: Bob Boselli and Jenn Bruno. (Photo provided) The Catholic faith

Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila blessed and rededicated the renovated church at All Souls Parish in Englewood on Saturday, the culmination of a decades-long desire to renew the parish community. (Photo by Joe Donelson) By Joe Donelson This past Sunday, on the Feast of St. Lucy, All Souls Parish in Englewood reopened its doors to the neighborhood, unveiling a newly renovated place of worship. With Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila in attendance for the dedication of the altar and

FOCUS Founder Curtis Martin announced his retirement from the role of FOCUS CEO, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (Photo: FOCUS) Curtis Martin, founder of FOCUS, has announced he is stepping down as CEO after nearly three decades of leadership, marking a significant transition for one of the most influential Catholic evangelization ministries in the Church today.  Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila offered the following statement upon the announcement:  “I am deeply grateful for the many year

(Photo by Rachel Moore, courtesy of FOCUS) When the calendar turns to a new year, thousands of Catholics, from college students to grandparents, parish leaders to young families, will begin 2026 not with resolutions, but with a pilgrimage of the heart. From January 1 to 5, the Archdiocese of Denver will welcome one of the largest Catholic gatherings in the country: SEEK 2026, the annual evangelization conference hosted by FOCUS. For decades, SEEK has been a catalyst for conv