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(Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) No, those strange folks with dirt on their head aren’t actually all that strange! Ash Wednesday is just around the corner, and with it, the beginning of Lent, a time of spiritual preparation, reflection and introspection. During this holy time, Christians around the world will consider ways to live more simply, to act more generously and to get to know God better. The ashes rubbed on the foreheads of millions each year remind us of our weakness

(Photo: Adobe Stock) We are living in what many have described as an “apostolic age,” like the first centuries of the Church, when Christians proclaimed the Gospel in a world that did not share their assumptions about God, truth or the purpose of human life. In that time, Christians lived, loved and worshipped differently than the world. And in doing so, they drew others to the beauty of Christ. In our own time, the cultural foundations that once supported Christian life have

Part Two: Why evangelization begins with personal conversion and encounter with Jesus Christ. (Photo: Lightstock) Editor's Note: This column is part of a yearlong series on evangelization, breaking down what often feels like a tall order into real, practical, actionable steps towards intentional accompaniment. Part One: A Practical Guide for Everyday Catholics Part Three: Discern Who to Accompany Part Four: Build Authentic Friendships Part Five: Build Zones of Freedom My dad

(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

Part One: Rediscovering Jesus’ original vision for discipleship. (Photo: Lightstock) Editor's Note: This column is part of a yearlong series on evangelization, breaking down what often feels like a tall order into real, practical, actionable steps towards intentional accompaniment. Part Two: Be A Disciple First Part Three: Discern Who to Accompany Part Four: Build Authentic Friendships Part Five: Build Zones of Freedom The evangelist, Matthew, concludes his Gospel with the fa

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

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

Christ sent us to make disciples of all nations — including our own communities. Voting is one of the simplest ways to help the Gospel take root. (Photo: Lightstock) 5:43 p.m. Mr. Benedict (my dog) and I were in the middle of our evening walk when it hit me: it was election day. I had just over an hour to fill out my ballot and drop it off. 5:44 p.m. I kicked my pace up to a jog. Mr. Benny gnawed at the leash and growled the entire way home (he doesn’t like it when we run). 5

In a world of shrinking circles, real love expands the table. That’s what Christ’s family, the Church, has always done. (Photo: Lightstock) “Mom, is Tía Gina your sister or Dad’s?” a bright-eyed young André asked his mom. “Well, neither. She’s not actually related to us at all,” came the reply. After all those years, I was confused to say the least — who was “Aunt” Gina, after all? Since when do high school best friends automatically become aunts and uncles?? The first domino

The beloved mountain retreat and Chapel on the Rock enter a new chapter as a shrine, uniting with Annunciation Heights to lead souls “to the heights” to encounter Christ in faith and through reconciliation.   Camp St. Malo and its iconic St. Catherine Chapel on the Rock, pictured during the November Aurora Borealis event in Colorado, form Colorado's newest shrine alongside Annunciation Heights. The holy partnership is dedicated to evangelization through encounter and reconcil

Becky Heier, an art teacher at Frassati Catholic Academy in Thornton, has been named the Colorado Private, Independent and Charter School Art Educator of the Year by the Colorado Art Education Association. (Photo courtesy of Frassati Catholic Academy's Facebook) When students step into Becky Heier’s art classroom at Frassati Catholic Academy in Thornton, they find more than brushes and paints. They find a place where creativity becomes prayer and where beauty points to someth

(Photo: Lightstock) The American holiday calendar is surprisingly rich with Catholic traditions — St. Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, All Hallows Eve, Christmas and Easter. All of them, however, have taken on a life of their own, shaped by American consumerism, and often bear little resemblance to their Catholic origins. Halloween, in particular, has drawn elements from the celebration of All Souls Day and various pagan traditions, especially the Celtic festival of Samhai

Faith is not just an idea but a relationship — a lived encounter with the Person of Jesus Christ. (Photo: Lightstock) “Do you know Jesus?” I let the question hang in the air, my go-to whenever I walk with someone in discipleship. A blank stare. “…I mean, I guess?” “You guess ?”  A smile. “Let me ask you a different question. Do you know me ?” “Yes.” “Do you ‘guess’ that you know me?” “No.” “Ok, then why do you guess that you know Jesus?” “Hm. Well, I guess I know about  Jesus

Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila leads the annual Eucharistic procession around Planned Parenthood in Denver mere days before the 2024 elections. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) On the morning of Saturday, October 25, Catholics from across Northern Colorado will gather at an unlikely place: outside the largest abortion provider in the state. There, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila will lead the faithful in a Eucharistic procession around Planned Parenthood in Denver’s Park Hill neighbo

The Nov. 8 symposium will offer teens a chance to deepen their faith, connect with peers and discover how to live pro-life values in daily life. Last year's symposium brought together high schoolers from around the archdiocese in support of the pro-life cause. Attendees learned more about what the Church teaches and why, were encouraged in their outreach and sent out to continue witnessing for life. (Photo provided) By Andrew Hagan Volunteer, Sidewalk Advocates for Life 2024

(Photo provided) By Teresa Rodriguez After finishing the Rosary with her fellow residents and volunteers from The Rosary Team , Martha...

(Photo courtesy of Mother Cabrini Shrine) By Molly Johnson Each year on the first Monday of October, Coloradans celebrate Cabrini Day — a...

(Photo: Lightstock) The teenage years have always been a time of growth, discovery and challenge. But being a high school student in 2025...

Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila ordained Father Daniel Viana Pereira and Father Paolo Mori to the priesthood Saturday — potentially the final...

(Photo: Lightstock) In Mark 4, Jesus goes super agro.  He rattles off three consecutive parables about sowing seeds. If we consider these...