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Catholic Radio Network will again host the annual Priest and Seminarian Appreciation Day on June 1. (Photo provided) The 16th Annual Priest and Seminarian Appreciation Day will take place on June 1 at The Ridge at Castle Pines North, offering a meaningful opportunity to honor the priests who faithfully serve our communities and the seminarians preparing for that vocation. Hosted by Catholic Radio Network in partnership with generous sponsors, this special day is designed to p

Hundreds of priests processed into the March 25 Installation Mass of Archbishop James Golka. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) I could not attend Archbishop Golka’s Installation Mass in person, but I did tune in to the livestream for as long as I could. As I watched the lengthy procession of priests from across our archdiocese, I unexpectedly felt warm tears of gratitude roll down my cheeks. Many of the faces I recognized, and I was deeply moved by the sight of our cler

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich in November 2018. (Photo by Olivier LPB via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0). Your Eminence:   In an article recently published by a major German Catholic website, you suggested that the question of whether the Church can ordain women has not been definitively settled: “I cannot imagine how a Church can continue to exist in the long run if half of God’s people suffer because they have no access to ordained ministry.” Putting aside for a moment t

(Photo: Josh Applegate/Unsplash) You find your way into a Catholic church, and it’s quiet. Really quiet. The lights are low, except for a small red dot of light shining above a side door. Over time, people go in and out. Maybe you do, too. Either way, it’s hard to miss, between the light and the line. Many of us might be familiar with what happens in that closet-sized space — the confessional — as sinner after sinner comes before the Divine Mercy of Jesus, bursting forth from

Just as Jesus stooped low to wash the apostles’ feet, Denver’s new archbishop said in his homily during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, each Christian is called, commanded, to love neighbor. Archbishop James Golka washes the feet of a parishioner during his first Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) Imagine, for a moment, Jesus’ Last Supper. An evening meal pre-electricity

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

Archbishop-designate James Golka chats with Father Joseph Toledo, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Fort Collins, following the presbyterate meeting on March 18. (Photo by Neil McDonough/Denver Catholic) As he prepared to assume leadership of the Archdiocese of Denver this week, Archbishop-designate James Golka made an important visit March 18 to those at the forefront of the Church's ministry in Northern Colorado: the Archdiocese of Denver's priests. The visit came

The wide-ranging interview, the prelate’s last as Archbishop of Denver, covered a variety of topics, including immigration, vocations, Catholic education and pro-life issues. Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila introduces Archbishop-designate James Golka during a February 7 press conference announcing the appointment. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) A historic change is coming to Denver, as Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila approaches the formal end of his ministry in Denver ne

Dozens of altar servers joined in the celebration of Deacon Riley Blanchard's ordination to the transitional diaconate. (Photo by Jason Smith/The Things That I See Photography) The 9:30 Mass at St. Mary Parish in Littleton reliably draws a young crowd, but last Sunday’s was a record breaker. More than 60 altar servers lined the front pews as 8 priests and one beloved archbishop concelebrated the ordination Mass of Deacon Riley Blanchard, the first U.S. vocation for the Spanis

From a challenging homily to pilgrimage in France, one local priest reflects on the mission of spiritual fatherhood in an apostolic age.   Father Trevor Lontine says Mass at the tomb of St. John Vianney in Ars, France, during a recent pilgrimage. (Photo provided) By Father Trevor Lontine  A Priestly Challenge at the Start of My Priesthood  On May 15, 2022, Father Dan Barron, OMV, stood at the pulpit in St. Joseph Parish in Denver and asked a simple question. There are so many

From parish drives to 'Super Bowl' liturgies, a priest shares the witness of Archbishop Aquila's priesthood and humanity. From Archbishop Aquila's side, Father Scott Bailey learned profound lessons about the spiritual life. (Denver Catholic archive photo) By Father Scott Bailey Pastor, Risen Christ Parish, Denver Priest Secretary, 2014—2018 Editor's Note: Over the last almost 14 years, many have gotten to know Archbishop Aquila all across Northern Colorado as he ministered an

For Jeremiah Obiano, Deacon Enrique Cruz and Joseph Trinh, following God's call meant leaving their families and homelands to serve the Church in Denver. (Photo provided) On a brisk morning in Denver, as sunlight shines through stained glass, a young seminarian kneels in prayer before Mass. Though his voice still carries an accent and rhythm of a country thousands of miles away, among these pews and parishioners, he is home. A Calling That Began Thousands of Miles Away Deacon

A timeline of episcopal service in Northern Colorado (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) 2015-2016: Restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation and Sealed & Sent "The world needs saints. Even as our society becomes more distant from faith and more forgetful of God, it still hungers for joyful witnesses who have been transformed by Christ. At the same time, new generations of Catholics need grace to sustain them in a non-Christian environment. To answer these needs, I have

Seminarians, priests and faithful reflect on the life of a beloved St. John Vianney Seminary rector. Faithful from around the archdiocese gathered to pray for and honor Monsignor Michael Glenn in what will become an annual Mass. (Photo by Kaylee Stoll/Denver Catholic) By Kaylee Stoll The Gospel message rang throughout the church: "Well done, good and faithful servant."   It felt only appropriate that this be the theme of the memorial Mass for Monsignor Michael Glenn on Saturd

(Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) A man of prayer. A father to his flock. A faithful apostle. A rock-solid shepherd. That's how those who know Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila well describe him. On February 7, 2026, Archbishop Aquila’s request to retire was accepted by Pope Leo XIV. At the same time, it was announced that Bishop James R. Golka of the Diocese of Colorado Springs would take the helm of the Denver Archdiocese, serving as its ninth bishop and sixth archbi

Each journey to the priesthood began with a different question and a different apostolate, but the same Lord. Dominic Borchers, Tommy Myers and Will Ives, seminarians at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, came to discern their vocations through their work at various Catholic apostolates. (Denver Catholic photo) Each person who commits themselves to a life of Catholic mission comes to that point through a unique journey, whether it’s a calling to marriage, single

As the archdiocese’s newest deacon was ordained, the Denver archbishop called him and each of the faithful to deeper faith, surrender, and hope in God. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila greets newly ordained Deacon Enrique Cruz Bautista during the ordination Mass on January 31, 2026. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) Denver’s newest transitional deacon — and indeed all of us — have a renewed challenge from our spiritual father: put God first. During his homily at Deacon Enriq

The new facility at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver inspires seminarians to holiness through discipline and brotherhood. The sun rises over the newly completed and blessed Monsignor Glenn Center, a recreation center for seminarians at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver. (Photo courtesy of Horizon West Builders) Despite frigid temperatures, dozens of donors, seminarians and archdiocesan staff gathered together Friday to warm, inaugurate and bless the newly completed Monsi

(Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) Here’s a list of all the new priest assignments for the Archdiocese of Denver, including pastor and parochial vicar assignments. Father José Saénz,  medical leave, effective January 5, remaining in residence at St. Therese, Aurora. Father David Allen, stepping down as pastor at Christ on the Mountain Parish, Lakewood, for medical leave effective February 7. Father Witold Kaczmarzyk, pastor,  Christ on the Mountain Parish, Lakewood,  e

Father William Clemence reflects on the urgency of evangelization and RM’s role in preparing priests who can meet the moment, both locally and around the world. Seminarians at Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary are formed with a missionary charism, ready to preach the Gospel anywhere in the world. (Photo by Grant Whitty) Catholics frequently discuss evangelization in conversation, during Mass readings, homilies and theological discussions. But what does it loo