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Catholic teaching reminds us that human dignity endures until our final breath, and that preparing for death — either ours or that of a parent or loved one — is an act of both gratitude and love. Extremae Unctionis Sacramentum by Pietro Longhi, c. 1757. (Photo: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons) By Father Scott Bailey   I recently anointed a man who was dying by himself in a nursing home. He was unresponsive, but I think he knew that I was there. His wife of 50+ years is homebo

Through endowments, wills, trusts and Donor-Advised Funds, Catholics across Northern Colorado are building a legacy that strengthens the Church’s mission — from parishes and schools to seminaries and ministries. (Photo: Andrew Wright/Denver Catholic) By Beth Chatterton In 1998, Archbishop Charles Chaput established The Catholic Foundation with a clear mission: to professionally manage and safeguard the financial gifts of the faithful for the long-term benefit of the Church. N

Together with the new Catholic End-of-Life Network, Respect Life Denver is working to defend the dignity of every human life — from the first heartbeat to the final breath. (Photo: Lightstock) Respect Life Denver, a ministry of Catholic Charities, is on a mission to help transform Colorado into a sanctuary where every human being is valued and protected at every stage of life. While that mission begins with the unborn, the most vulnerable among us, it does not end there. Resp

Through prayer, partnership and pastoral care, Denver Catholics are working together to honor the dignity of every person at life’s end this End-of-Life Respect Month and every day. (Photo: Unsplash) By Erin Scherer “Where was this two years ago when my mom died?” asked one participant at last year’s End-of-Life Conference at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora. The gathering brought together several ministries serving families in their final journeys of life, offering resources,

The newly reopened Mount Olivet Funeral Home Central Denver aims to serve the community through compassionate care at the end of life and amid grief. (Photo by Neil McDonough) The newly reopened Mount Olivet Funeral Home Central Denver, formerly known as Caldwell-Kirk Mortuary, is once again opening its doors to serve the local community — this time with a renewed Catholic identity and a mission of hope in the Resurrection. The reopening day began with Mass for the staff, fol

Through the Crypt of All Souls and the annual ‘Bring Them Home’ Mass, Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services of Colorado ensures every person — regardless of means — is laid to rest with dignity and prayer. (Photo provided) For more than three years, she kept a small wooden urn on the corner of her bedroom dresser. Inside were the cremated remains of her son. She loved her son deeply, but she also carried a quiet guilt. She didn’t know what to do with his remains. The idea of s

Ascension by Francisco Camilo, c. 1651. Background added. (Photos: Public Domain/Unsplash) There are many reasons to regret the transfer...

(Photo Provided) Dr. Natalie King never imagined she’d find her calling in palliative care. “I like to think the field kind of found me,...

The second-annual Bring Them Home event afforded 40 families the opportunity to lay their loved ones to rest at no cost, thanks to a...

(Photo: Denver Catholic file photo) In a unique blend of faith, history and community, the Night at the Cemetery events presented by...

Do we really have to have a funeral Mass (or funeral liturgy outside of Mass)? What if no one is going to come? The answer to these two...

(Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) My grandfather passed away when I was a young child. He was a firefighter and passed away in the line of...

The casket is incensed during the Final Commendation of the funeral rite, offering the soul of the deceased to God before processing to...

(Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) When I was 14, one of my closest friends passed away. I was confused and angry. I didn’t know what to...