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Six years after the new church was dedicated, Archbishop Golka reminded parishioners that God’s work continues. Denver Archbishop James Golka celebrated Mass in honor of the sixth anniversary of the dedication of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Fort Collins, reminding the parishioners that their parish is made of living stones. (Photo by Karsen Flies/Denver Catholic) By Karsen Flies “This is a beautiful church,” Denver Archbishop James Golka told parishioners gathered at St

Family ministries at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Broomfield are leading couples and children closer together and nearer to Christ. (Photo by Neil McDonough/Denver Catholic) On weekday mornings, whether it is 20 degrees or 80, Mike and Erika Oakes carry their coffee to the front porch of their home and spend 15 minutes in prayer before the day begins. When their two children were younger, the couple would catch small fingers parting the window blinds, two little faces watch

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

Inspired by the Good Samaritan and founded by Denver Archbishop James V. Casey, the nation’s first purpose-built homeless shelter continues answering Christ's call to love neighbors through faithful acts of compassion. Father Barnabas Eichor, O.F.M. Cap., celebrated a special 40th anniversary Mass for Samaritan House in Denver. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) The country’s first homeless shelter designed as such is turning 40, with a humble yet impactful cele

Catholic Charities volunteers help Father Kevin Kasel (right) move to his new parish in Arvada. (Photo provided) Every summer, priests throughout the Archdiocese of Denver receive new parish assignments, beginning a new chapter in their ministry. While these transitions bring exciting opportunities to serve new communities, they also entail a practical challenge that often goes unnoticed: the move from one rectory to another. This year, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese o

Archbishop James Golka welcomed thousands of Knights from around the world as the Catholic fraternal order highlighted unity, evangelization and record charitable service. Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly delivers his annual report at the 144th Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus. In the report, he pays homage to Pope St. John Paul II who visited Denver in 1993 and transformed the local church. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) In a moving display of th

(Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities) Every day, people across the Archdiocese of Denver come to St. Raphael Counseling seeking hope. They arrive carrying anxiety, grief, trauma, relationship struggles and other challenges, and they find compassionate professionals who accompany them on the path to healing. Now, St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities, is inviting experienced licensed mental health professionals to become part of that mission. As a ministry

Denver Archbishop James V. Casey broke ground on what would become Samaritan House Denver in 1985, his final major act as archbishop. (Photo by James Baca, Archdiocese of Denver Archives) A new banner now hangs over the entrance to Samaritan House in downtown Denver. 40 Years of Hope. 1986–2026. For many, it marks the anniversary of one of Colorado's best-known ministries. But for the Catholic Church in Northern Colorado, it represents something much deeper: forty years of an

The faithful and holy local pastor is remembered for his compassion, presence and friendship. (Photo provided) Monsignor Ken Leone, a beloved pastor, a faithful friend and a holy priest, entered eternal life on Saturday, July 25, after a long illness. The Denver native began his faith journey at just one day old, baptized at St. Catherine Parish in Denver on February 25, 1941. A graduate of Regis High School in Denver, he entered St. Thomas Seminary in Denver right out of h

As pilgrims return from Rome after accompanying Archbishop James Golka as he received his pallium from Pope Leo XIV, they are filled with a spirit of faith, gratitude and mission. Pilgrims take one last group photo following a farewell dinner after a week of pilgrimage around Rome. (Photo provided) There’s plenty to do when returning from a trip. Where did I put my house keys? How do I even start doing all this laundry? Do I really have to unpack my suitcases? Post-pilgrimage

The Holy Father conferred the pallium on 35 archbishops from around the world, including Northern Colorado’s shepherd, at St. Peter’s Basilica on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. (First photo by Lola Gomez/CNS; All other photos by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) Kneeling in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Denver Archbishop James Golka took up a new mantle as he received the pallium from Pope Leo XIV. Traditionally conferred on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, th

Archbishop James Golka was installed as archbishop of Denver on March 25. Archbishop James Golka of the Archdiocese of Denver. (Photo: EWTN News screenshot / Francesca Fenton) By Francesca Pollio Fenton/EWTN News DENVER — On March 25, Archbishop James Golka was installed as the new archbishop for the Archdiocese of Denver after serving as bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs since 2021. Archbishop Golka follows in the footsteps of Archbishop Samuel Aquila, who led the ar

As the United States marks 250 years, the story of Franciscan missionary Francisco Garcés reveals a Catholic legacy that helped shape the American Southwest. (Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons) After writing about Escalante and Dominguez’s exploration of Colorado, I unexpectedly found myself driving Route 66 across Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona (as the road celebrates its own centennial). Providentially, I was already reading an account of a great missionary and m

The pierced heart of Christ reveals a path of mercy, communion and mission for the Church in America today, ahead of its 250th anniversary. (Photo: Unsplash) By Father Jim Thermos This June 11, the bishops of the United States are inviting each of us to draw nearer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as they consecrate the United States to that heart, burning for love of us. As that day approaches, we can glean new insight into that Heart and the call to intimacy that Jesus make

Inspired by St. Teresa of Calcutta, a reflection on why faithfulness — not results — is the true mark of Christian mission. (Photo: Lightstock) By Meg Stout In the world, success is the standard of all things worth doing. It exerts such quiet authority over our thinking that even our noblest efforts are instinctively weighed by their results. Even if we are, by some extraordinary grace, completely purified of vainglory, we still want that to which we are devoted to achieve th

Team Samaritan Calls Colorado Catholics to Ride, Run and Serve Team Samaritan gathers for a group photo before Ride the Rockies. (Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities) As the days grow longer and Colorado begins to show off its best summer weather, many people are looking for new ways to get outside, stay active and connect with others. Team Samaritan offers the perfect opportunity to do all three, while making a real difference for those experiencing homelessness in our comm

Archbishop James Golka makes his profession of faith and oath of fidelity during Vespers, a prayer service from the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church's official prayer, before formally taking office as Denver's sixth archbishop and ninth bishop on March 24, 2026. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) There is something quietly beautiful about beginnings that come in the light of Easter. As I begin my ministry as Archbishop of Denver, entrusted to me by the Holy Father, Pope

Denver’s new archbishop encouraged priests to unite themselves to Jesus and called on the faithful to pray for their spiritual fathers during the special archdiocesan liturgy. Denver Archbishop James Golka pours Chrism essence into olive oil before praying a consecration prayer over what will become Sacred Chrism during the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. (Photo by Anya Semenoff/Denver Catholic) At the start of Holy Week, Archbishop

In his first homily as the shepherd of Northern Colorado, the newly installed archbishop called the Church to know Jesus more deeply, listen to his Word and go on mission to preach the Gospel. Newly-installed Archbishop James R. Golka processes out of the CoBank Arena at the National Western Complex following his Installation Mass, in which thousands from across the archdiocese and beyond came together to witness apostolic succession in action, and to pray for their new sheph

Thanks to the faithful witness and presence of volunteers from The Rosary Team, one man decided to become Catholic, the culmination of a seven-decade-long journey. From left to right in the back row, Rosary Team volunteers Judy Demarest, Sean Wynne, Diane Dallin, Dorothy Bustamente. In the front row, Warren and Miguel, two Boulder Canyon residents. (Photo provided) By Teresa Rodriguez Founder & President The Rosary Team "After all of the excitement yesterday, I couldn't fall