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(Photo: Lightstock) During my morning prayer, I was reading 1 Corinthians 13 when I was struck by the verse that says, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood” (1 Corinthians 13:12). The Ignatius Study Bible notes that ancient Corinth manufactured polished bronze “mirrors.” Although known for their excellent quality, the reflected image was nonetheless hazy and indistinct

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

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

When plans fell apart, peace entered in, and the season of joy became real for the first time. (Photo: Adobe Stock) By Forest Barnette I expected last Christmas to be really hard. It was the first time my husband, kids and I didn’t travel to see extended family. The estrangement that caused these circumstances was painful enough on its own, not to mention the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), the traditions lost and the grieving for what I’d imagined holidays with kids, cousins and

What repeated Scripture, a preschool coloring page and the wisdom of the saints reveal about desire, especially this Advent. (Photo: Lightstock) By Meg Stout Have you ever had a moment where God was communicating something really clearly to you? He can do so in many different ways: through images, thoughts that arise in prayer, words from other people, homilies or even through nature. For me, he often gets his message across through Scripture, usually at Mass. Because I can m

Dr. Bob Cutillo's new book, "Holding on in the Storm," aims to help Christians face death and suffering without fear, drawing from biblical, medical and personal wisdom gleaned over decades of medical practice, and in his accompaniment of his wife, Heather, as she prepared for death. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Bob Cutillo) By Caitlin Burm Many of us have faced the loss of a loved one and know how disorienting death can feel. Even with the hope of eternal life, grief can still ove

(Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities) As Advent draws near and families prepare their homes for Christmas, many parents in our own community are quietly struggling with a basic yet overwhelming need: diapers. For families facing financial hardship, diapers are more than an expense. They can be the dividing line between stability and crisis. Marisol Family, a ministry of Catholic Charities, is once again running its annual Diaper Drive to meet this urgent need. The organizati

(Photo: Lightstock) Many Catholics experience some degree of guilt, often, though not universally, more intensely during the holiday season. Guilt can arise from spiritual, cultural and emotional factors, and is an uncomfortable feeling that no one likes experiencing. Yet this discomfort points to our original state of innocence, the innocence Adam and Eve knew in the Garden of Eden. In this sense, guilt becomes a wake-up call. It alerts us when we have sinned and invites us

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Michelle Connor Harris, Psy.D. Executive Director St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities Bring to mind your best Christmas memory. Was it receiving a particular gift that you longed for? Decorating the Christmas tree? Maybe it was baking Christmas cookies with your mom and getting to lick the last bit of frosting from the spatula. If you’re a parent, perhaps you recall the giddy anticipation of your children on Christmas Eve and their

Bishop Jorge Rodríguez celebrates Mass at Cure d'Ars Parish in Denver. (Photo by Ryan Brady) Good news! This holiday season, the Church is giving us a great gift: the chance to go to Mass TWICE in one weekend! That might not seem like a “gift” to some, with all the demands of the holiday season pressing down. But this weekend, we celebrate a few fantastic feasts that you won’t want to miss. First, on Sunday, December 7, we gather to celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. We’l

(Photo: Lightstock) As Thanksgiving draws near, families across the archdiocese are preparing their tables for Thanksgiving: turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and all the trimmings. For some of those families, the preparations take on a holy hue through the rich and beautiful practice of bringing food to church to be blessed before it is shared. Roots in the Eucharist and Harvest Feasts The Church’s call to give thanks is ancient. In fact, the very word Eucharist comes from t

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

(Photo: Lightstock) When people find out that I homeschool my five children, they usually say something like, “Wow! You must be really busy.” And while it’s true that yes, we are busy, I think we are less busy than if all of them were in traditional schools. In fact, the primary reason we chose to homeschool in the first place was to set the pace of our lives. When I was fresh out of college, I worked in a Denver parish with a school attached. I figured that someday I’d get m

How to talk with our parents — and ourselves — about death with love, sensitivity and faith (Photo: Lightstock) By Lisa Smith, MA, LPCC Outpatient Therapist St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities   Death is one of life’s few certainties, yet one of the hardest realities to face. Even as people of faith who believe in eternal life, many of us struggle to confront our own mortality — or the thought of losing our parents. Pope Francis once said, “Death is not t

The saint-in-the-making was known for his faithful love for his family — a love that sacrificed himself to save his son with Down Syndrome — and now gives a powerful example for fathers and families worldwide. Thomas Vander Woude (Photo: Courtesy of Christendom College) At times, the stories of the saints can seem so ancient that there is a danger we will consider them too different from us, cut from a different cloth, as it were. It can be easy to think of the saints as anci

(Photo provided) For nearly 30 years, Catholic Charities’ Adopt-A-Family program has matched compassionate donors like you with families, seniors and individuals who need a little extra help during the holidays. In partnership with you, we provide Christmas gifts and hope to those served through our ministries — families nominated by our Catholic Charities team who are working hard to build brighter futures. Yesenia, a mother of two and participant in Marisol Family, knows ju

(Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic School, Fort Collins) Halloween snuck up on you? Don’t panic — you can still show up with a costume that’s clever, holy and just the right amount of funny. Whether you’re going for divine inspiration or a blessed dad joke, here are five easy ideas you can throw together in minutes.  1. The Holy Ghost  What you need:  White sheet (ghost-style), cross necklace or taped-on paper cross, maybe a Bible as a prop. Congratulations — you’re offic

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Dr. Angela Wall Licensed Clinical & School Psychologist St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities As parents and grandparents of children in 2025, we face many unique challenges strikingly different from past generations. The one thing we do have in common is our love for our children and our faith in God. We treasure our families and cherish the time we have together. We value the beauty and innocence of childhood. God's light shines on

(Photo: Unsplash) Years ago, my wife and I read the book Parenting with Love and Logic  and applied its principles with our now-grown adult kids. The book quickly became a parenting classic, helping parents raise responsible, independent kids with love and empathy by setting boundaries and allowing natural consequences for their actions. We had to keep the proverbial forest in view and not the trees — it was hard work. We had to remember that, amid all the parental trials, tr

(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