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In this fourth installment of our series on sacred and religious artists, a local iconographer and Denver Catholic columnist reflects on the interplay between truth and beauty and how both can lead us to Heaven. (Photo provided) By Joe Donelson “I want more people to stop and look at art again,” said artist, iconographer and Denver Catholic columnist   Elizabeth Zelasko. As a frequent collaborator with churches and religious institutions in the development of sacred art for s

St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Denver will welcome Christian leaders for prayer and dialogue for a second consecutive year. (Photo courtesy of St. Catherine of Siena Parish) Each January, Christians around the world pause to pray for a unity that reflects Christ’s own desire for his disciples: “that they may all be one” (John 17:21). From January 18 to 25, the universal Church observes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a time dedicated to prayer, reflection and mutual

In this third installment of our series, Casey Batt reflects on her journey, through job loss, prayer and parish life, to painting God's healing grace at All Souls Parish in Englewood. Casey Batt paints the Wedding at Cana in her home studio. The painting was installed at All Souls Parish in Englewood, as part of the parish's recent renovation and rededication. (Photo by Matt Walker) By Matt Walker After 18 years, Casey Batt lost her job when her company laid off thousands of

Entrusting lawmakers, families and the common good to God’s providence, asking him to guide decisions that affect life, dignity and society. (Photo: Pixabay) As Colorado’s elected officials return to the State Capitol, a new legislative session begins — a season that will shape laws, policies and priorities affecting families and communities across the state. Each year, the opening of the Colorado State Legislature marks more than the start of debate and decision-making. It i

(Photo: Denver Catholic file photo) The Archdiocese of Denver has launched a new Office of Capital Campaigns, a significant investment in the future of parish life across Northern Colorado. Led by David Mehr, executive director, the new office is designed to help parishes confidently move forward with major projects that support worship, formation and community.  The Office of Capital Campaigns will operate as a centralized Curia-based resource, with services retained directl

In the second installment of our series on sacred and religious artists, the Denver couple reflects on vocation, marriage and creating beauty for God. Nicole and Mark Thomason, pictured here with their five sons at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, are local artists that blend faith and contemporary art. (Photo provided) As a graduate student in theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Mark Thomason bought himself some

(Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities) On any given Tuesday or Thursday, a quiet but powerful work of mercy unfolds inside Samaritan House in downtown Denver. In a space unlike most pediatric clinics, children who are experiencing housing insecurity receive medical and behavioral health care free of charge in an environment designed to honor their dignity and support their families. Through a life-affirming partnership with Every Child Pediatrics, Samaritan House is home to o

The film's Catholic Technical Consultant reacts to "Wake Up Dead Man" and some of the online reception. When faith shows up in popular culture, it often sparks curiosity — and sometimes controversy. But for Catholics in Northern Colorado, the conversation around Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery  feels a little closer to home. That’s because Father Scott Bailey, pastor of Risen Christ Parish in Denver, recently shared his reflections on the film in a new YouTube video. T

A family on mission, the Engbloms show how faith-filled communities live the Gospel together. Dr. Bethany Engblom with the addiction team. (Photo provided) By Jay Sorgi Dr. Bethany and Josiah Engblom’s journey of seeing the face of Christ has led them to be the hands and feet of Christ, and in turn, has brought them closer to a deeper love of Christ. This journey of service has led the Loveland residents to a life of deep commitment to a community in Tanzania, as well as inst

In this first installment of our series on Catholic religious and sacred artists, meet Catholic artist Brie Schulze and the vocation behind her sacred work. Brie Schulze, a local Catholic artist, seeks to bring others into an encounter with God and his saints through her art. (Photo by Juan Andrés Coriat, courtesy of Brie Schulze) By Gennie O'Gara For local Catholic artist Brie Schulze, good art centers on a personal relationship with God. Meditating on sacred art serves as a

A Jubilee inscription takes on new meaning as a baptismal promise is fulfilled at a funeral Mass marked by hope and mercy. (Photo by Karin Gamba) By Karin Gamba The flame of the Paschal candle flickered as the daily Mass crowd slipped into their pews on a cold Monday morning in December. Carved into the tall pillar of wax are the words of St. Paul to the Romans: Hope does not disappoint.  First lit at the Easter Vigil, the candle proclaims the joy of resurrection, Christ, the

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) 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 for Adoration an

(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