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(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

(Photo provided) As the mother of nine children, Marilyn Gore knows all about the joys — and challenges — of parenting. In addition to her own family, she has spent decades supporting and encouraging countless mothers and babies across the Denver Metro area. Her home is often filled with little ones, including three-month-old twins she recently brought into Marisol Family St. Pius to pick up more diapers. For many women, Marilyn has been a lifeline, offering hope outside abor

(Photo: Lightstock) By Alli Kalina In the depths of grieving yet another miscarriage, my husband gently posed a question that shook things up in my spiritual life. After expressing to him that I felt hopeless and like God had abandoned me, he delicately asked me, “What’s your hope in?”  I slumped into our old, sunken couch and thought to myself: “ What was my hope in? What even is hope?”   I’m a convert, and the Lord brought me home to the Church my freshman year of college.

These reflections from Scripture reveal how Jesus meets us in our worries and brings lasting peace. (Photo: Lightstock) I have been an anxious person for most of my life, but it definitely ramped up when I became a mom. Over the last fourteen years of motherhood, I’ve learned a lot about where my anxiety comes from, and I’ve learned tools to help deal with it. In particular, God has spoken to me through his Word to show me a path forward through my mental struggles. I will sh

(Photo provided) In a culture where young girls are increasingly burdened by anxiety, loneliness, and confusion about identity, one local ministry is offering a hopeful path forward — one rooted in truth, belonging and friendship. This October, the Denver-based apostolate Endow (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) launched the True Genius series, a two-book formation program designed to help middle school girls embrace their God-given dignity and discover the joy o

Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash Nineteen years ago, Deacon David Simonton and his wife Gail experienced what David called a “seismic, life-altering event.” At an ultrasound appointment, their 18-week-old baby in utero had no heartbeat.  “No heartbeat. No movement. Our baby had died,” Deacon Simonton told the Denver Catholic in an email interview. “…in an instant, an expectant mom and dad’s worst fear became a reality.” It was not the first, nor the last time, the Simontons

From lost remotes to deeper faith, my son is teaching me to let go of control and find God’s peace in even the most unexpected places — like the ice dispenser. (Photo provided) By Meg Stout Like all parents, my husband and I have learned a great deal from our children about life. But Paul, having Down Syndrome and Autism, has been my best teacher. Paul cycles through different quirky habits. Imagine pouring yourself a nice drink. You take a sip, place it on the counter and wa

Healthy boundaries and loving accompaniment can help teens replace digital stress with lasting peace. By Aby Garcia St. Raphael...

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Dr. Angela Wall St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities   Acts of violence, especially in...

Losing prestige, health and vision wasn’t the end, but the beginning for Carlos, who shows us that true success lies in letting God lead....

A full-circle moment, the Smith family found their way back to the Church after decades away. (Photo provided) Wendy Smith can remember...

Without prayer, the world shrivels up before us; with prayer, the Spirit expands our souls to contain God’s love. (Photo: Adobe Stock)...

From a tap on the shoulder to a life together, complete with twists and turns, Mary Anne and Jim found each other in the Heart of Christ....