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After 11 years with the Servants of Christ Jesus, Denver's newest transitional deacon embraces a life of surrender, service and joyful evangelization — and Archbishop Golka reminds Catholics that true freedom comes from giving everything to God. Denver Archbishop James Golka embraces newly ordained Deacon Thomas Gonzaga, SCJ, during the ordination Mass. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) Did downtown Denver get brighter on Saturday morning? Or was that the joy radiating

Archdiocesan deacons pray during the annual Deacon Memorial Mass, which remembers deceased deacons and deacon wives and invites the community to pray for them. (Photo by Jen Majewski, courtesy of the Archdiocesan Office of the Diaconate) When their grandmother’s name was spoken during the Deacon Memorial Mass, three grandsons turned toward their deacon-grandfather and smiled. For Deacon Robert Hoffman of Christ the King Parish in Evergreen, that simple exchange with Greyson,

In this reflection, Deacon Abram León shares his vocational journey and invites us to listen for God’s call and respond generously. Deacon Abram Leon bows during the election of candidates to the diaconate during a permanent deacon ordination at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on June 14, 2025. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) By Deacon Abram León This past Deacon Sunday offered us a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the diaconal ministry and to g

Deacon Carl Berner was ordained in Rome alongside 17 other seminarians, taking the final major step toward priesthood and a life of proclaiming the Gospel and celebrating the sacraments. Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, and founder of Word on Fire Ministries, presents newly ordained Deacon Carl Berner with the Book of the Gospels during the ordination rite. (Photo courtesy of the Pontifical North American College) He may have been ordained m

Carl Berner and 17 seminarians from around the United States will be ordained deacons on Thursday, October 1. Carl Berner will be ordained a transitional deacon in St. Peter's Basilica on Thursday, October 1, at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time. (Photo provided) Denver's saxophone-playing seminarian is preparing for a new role in the great song of salvation as he readies for his ordination to the transitional diaconate on Thursday, October 1. Carl Berner, a Cleveland-born seminarian

Deacon Joshua Dalcher first encountered the legendary Catholic preacher when he was struggling with the Church. More than a decade later, he stood among the clergy as Sheen was declared blessed. Deacon Joshua Dalcher was among the thousands of clergy in attendance for Blessed Fulton Sheen's beatification in St. Louis, a full-circle, blessed moment for him and his family. (Photo provided) By Deacon Joshua Dalcher As the procession line for the Beatification Mass of Archbishop

On Oct. 10-11, Catholics across the Archdiocese of Denver are invited to pray for their deacons, thank their families, encourage new vocations and support the men who quietly bring Christ to those in need. Deacon Michael Baird, archdiocesan director of pastoral outreach, enjoys time in fraternity with brother deacons before a diaconate training day. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) This October, faithful across the Archdiocese of Denver have a special opportuni

(Photo: Archdiocese of Denver file photo) With sorrow, yet with confidence in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Archdiocese of Denver mourns the passing of Deacon Thomas “Tom” Michael Fox, who entered eternal life on July 25, 2026, at the age of 85. Following a lengthy battle with lung cancer, he died surrounded by his loving family. Deacon Fox was born on April 2, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, to Thomas Lawrence Fox and Mary Curtin Fox. He was baptized on April 27, 1941, a

(Photo: Archdiocese of Denver file photo) With sorrow, yet with confidence in the mercy of Jesus Christ, the Archdiocese of Denver remembers Deacon John MacCarthy Franklin, who entered eternal life on July 16, 2026, at the age of 93, following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He died peacefully at his home in Frisco, Texas, in the presence of his beloved wife, Diane. Deacon Franklin was ordained to the diaconate on June 10, 2000, by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput.

Colorado’s new COR Peer Support Program is building a culture of fraternity, accompaniment and care among priests and deacons. Deacon John Doubrava (left) and Deacon Ed Green (right) chat before the second COR training. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) Jesus had Simon of Cyrene to help carry the Cross (Matthew 27). Colorado clergy now have each other, thanks to a bourgeoning clergy peer support program launched by the Archdiocese of Denver and the Diocese of C

Annual gathering brought together Denver’s deacons, wives, widowed deacons, widows and priests for Mass, renewal of promises and fraternity Archdiocesan deacons gathered August 12 for the annual Deacon Day, celebrating their vocations and service to the Church. (Photo by Majewski Digital Photography) Bishop Jorge Rodríguez joined the deacons for the annual celebration. (Photo by Majewski Digital Photography) Deacons from across the Archdiocese of Denver, including active, ret

He thought he would be ‘hugging trees,’ but this Denver deacon’s Catholic Engineering Corps brings clean — and living — water to villages in Cameroon. Deacon Joshua Knight stands beside the latest completed water project in Bandam, Cameroon. (Photo provided) After graduating with a degree in environmental engineering from the University of Colorado-Boulder, Deacon Joshua Knight of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Denver thought he would be “hugging trees” for the rest of hi

Archdiocesan deacons gather for Deacon Day at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Northglenn in 2023. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) Here’s a list of the latest deacon appointments for the Archdiocese of Denver, effective July 1, 2026, unless otherwise noted. Deacons Assigned to New Parishes Deacon Thomas Garcia, relieved of duties at Shrine of St. Anne Parish, Arvada, and appointed to St. John Paul II Parish, Thornton, ad nutum archiepiscopi. Deacon Thinh Le, reli

(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

In his remarks to archdiocesan deacons, Denver’s new shepherd expressed profound gratitude for the ministry and service of those configured to Christ the Servant. Deacon Tim Unger, director of the St. Francis School of Theology for Deacons; Deacon Mark Leonard, assistant director of deacons; Cardinal Christophe Pierre, papal nuncio to the United States; Archbishop-designate James Golka; and Deacon Ernie Martinez, archdiocesan director of deacons, pictured here with the deacon

The annual convocation became a moment of unity and gratitude as the archbishop and his deacons reflected on years of ministry and personal connection. This year's annual deacons' convocation was punctuated by a deep spirit of joy, laughter and gratitude, as brother deacons from across the archdiocese gathered with one another and with Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila one final time before his retirement. (Photo by Kaylee Stoll/Denver Catholic) The annual deacons’ convocati

The wide-ranging interview, the prelate’s last as Archbishop of Denver, covered a variety of topics, including immigration, vocations, Catholic education and pro-life issues. Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila introduces Archbishop-designate James Golka during a February 7 press conference announcing the appointment. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) A historic change is coming to Denver, as Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila approaches the formal end of his ministry in Denver ne

(Denver Catholic file photo) It is with deep sorrow, yet firm hope in the Resurrection, that the Archdiocese of Denver announces the passing of Deacon Pablo Simon Salas, who entered eternal life on February 27, 2026, at the age of 79, surrounded by his loving family. Deacon Salas was born on May 10, 1946, in Matamoros, Mexico, to Pablo Salas and Hermelinda Miranda. He was baptized on March 27, 1947, at Our Lady of Refuge Parish in Matamoros. When he was seven years old, his f

From diaconate formation to the wedding Mass, God was at work every step of the way. (Photo by Mo, emmkayyphotos.com Katie and Victor Villa prove that God can turn small things, like a delivery of raffle tickets and a night at a taco bar, into something beautiful, even a sacramental union. Of course, it helps to have dads who are Denver-area deacons and who became close friends during their formation, which they began together in 2019. “Steve Boselli and the Boselli Family ha