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Deacon Thomas Gonzaga, SCJ, makes promises of prayer, celibacy and obedience before Denver Archbishop James Golka during his ordination to the transitional diaconate. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) The Archdiocese of Denver is overjoyed to welcome two new deacons to our local Church! While they may have been ordained thousands of miles and a week apart, both men have dedicated their lives to serving the Church in Northern Colorado. On Thursday, October 1, Deacon Carl

A viral scooter ride put this Denver priest in the spotlight, but his mission goes far beyond social media. The image that went viral of Father Witold Kaczmarzyk, a priest from the Archdiocese of Denver. (Photo courtesy of Patricia Taylor) By Francesca Pollio Fenton/EWTN News When Father Witold Kaczmarzyk arrived at Christ on the Mountain Parish in Lakewood, Colorado, earlier this year, he inherited a parish unknown by many in the Denver Archdiocese and arrived with a mission

After 11 years with the Servants of Christ Jesus, Denver's newest transitional deacon embraces a life of surrender, service and joyful evangelization — and Archbishop Golka reminds Catholics that true freedom comes from giving everything to God. Denver Archbishop James Golka embraces newly ordained Deacon Thomas Gonzaga, SCJ, during the ordination Mass. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) Did downtown Denver get brighter on Saturday morning? Or was that the joy radiating

Deacon Carl Berner was ordained in Rome alongside 17 other seminarians, taking the final major step toward priesthood and a life of proclaiming the Gospel and celebrating the sacraments. Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, and founder of Word on Fire Ministries, presents newly ordained Deacon Carl Berner with the Book of the Gospels during the ordination rite. (Photo courtesy of the Pontifical North American College) He may have been ordained m

Carl Berner and 17 seminarians from around the United States will be ordained deacons on Thursday, October 1. Carl Berner will be ordained a transitional deacon in St. Peter's Basilica on Thursday, October 1, at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time. (Photo provided) Denver's saxophone-playing seminarian is preparing for a new role in the great song of salvation as he readies for his ordination to the transitional diaconate on Thursday, October 1. Carl Berner, a Cleveland-born seminarian

The first American-born priestly vocation for the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Father Riley Blanchard was ordained by Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila on Saturday. Father Riley Blanchard, DCJM, celebrates his first Mass as a priest at St. Mary Parish in Littleton, after being ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila. (Photo by Jason Smith, courtesy of St. Mary Parish, Littleton) Seventeen priests processed in for the 9:30 a.m. Mass

Instituted as lectors and acolytes, the six men are growing closer to Christ in his Word and Eucharist as they continue the deeper work of preparing their hearts for priestly service. Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez instituted six Denver seminarians, along with seminarians from other dioceses, to the ministries of lector and acolyte on Saturday, a step further in their journeys to priesthood. (Photo provided) Six Denver seminarians, joined by seminarians from other di

Archdiocesan priests process into the Installation Mass for Denver Archbishop James Golka on March 25, 2026. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) Here’s a list of all the new priest assignments for the Archdiocese of Denver, including new pastor and parochial vicar assignments and priest departures. Pastors Father Jerzy Frydrych, granted Presbyteral Faculties of the Archdiocese of Denver, appointed pastor, St. Joseph Polish Parish, Denver, effective August 20, 2026, until

Colorado’s first Hispanic Serra Club begins with more than 120 members and a mission to strengthen priestly and religious vocations in the Church through prayer and service. Bishop Jorge Rodríguez (third from left) and Father Sean Galvin, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Lafayette (third from right), hold plaques from Serra International during the chartering ceremony for the new Hispanic Serra Club in the Archdiocese of Denver. (Photo by Christina Antus/Denver Catho

Serra Clubs quietly support seminarians, priests and religious vocations through prayer, friendship and encouragement — a mission Archbishop James Golka says the whole Church can share. Denver Archbishop James Golka greets Serrans after Mass, thanking them for their prayerful support of vocations in Colorado. (Photo by Madisen Martinez/Denver Catholic) On Saturday, August 29, Archbishop James Golka celebrated his first Mass for the local Serra Clubs and their members at the C

Heavy packs, mountain storms, Eucharistic Adoration and 74 miles in the Wyoming wilderness taught 11 Denver seminarians powerful lessons in fraternity, leadership and trust in God. 11 Denver seminarians spent three weeks backpacking in Wyoming at the end of their Spirituality Year. The experience was a unique one that brought them closer in community, trust and faith. (Photo provided) By Father Matteo Invernizzi, F.S.C.B. Parochial Vicar Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Broomfiel

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

The beloved pastor, faithful friend and holy priest was honored and celebrated by thousands at his vigil and funeral, most especially for leading souls to "Jesus, who loves you." Denver Archbishop James Golka celebrated the August 6 funeral Mass for Monsignor Ken Leone at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) It was a beautiful, cool summer day in Downtown Denver as a classic Catholic hymn rang out: “O God beyond a

Monsignor Ed Buelt and Monsignor Tom Fryar, two archdiocesan retired priests, smile outside the Prophet Elijah House, the archdiocesan priest retirement home. (Photo by Neil McDonough/Archdiocese of Denver) Many of us can name a priest that has shaped our lives in a meaningful way. They baptize our children. They celebrate our marriages. They sit with us in hospital rooms and at the bedsides of loved ones. They hear our confessions, offer counsel in difficult seasons and cele

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

This Denver seminarian thought he was preparing for a career in music, on stage and in the spotlight. Instead, God led him to the seminary, to Rome and, soon, to the priesthood. (Photo provided) By Karin Gamba If you’ve been to an archdiocesan Mass, odds are you’ve seen or met a seminarian or two. You see them serving at those Masses. You may have even noticed them helping organize crowds and point folks in the right direction. You might have even heard them sing, either at M

(Denver Catholic file photo) Father Edward Poehlmann, a longtime and beloved priest of the Archdiocese of Denver, entered into eternal life at his home in Arvada on June 2 at the age of 84. Born on July 4, 1941, in Omaha, Nebraska, Father Poehlmann moved to Denver following World War II. He grew up attending Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Denver, where he said the seeds of his priestly vocation were planted. Known fondly as “Eddie,” he would faithfully walk his younger sister,

In his first visit to the church named after Our Lady of Guadalupe, the new shepherd of northern Colorado emphasized the importance of the priesthood and of surrender. Father Juan Diego de María Gómez Jiménez kneels before Denver Archbishop James Golka to make his promise of obedience during the ordination rite. (Photo by Juan Andrés Coriat/Denver Catholic) On the feast of Corpus Christi, the day dedicated to the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the archdiocesan community

The Archdiocese of Denver’s vocations initiative continues to bear fruit as more men explore a possible call to the priesthood. St. John Vianney seminarians pray at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception during Archbishop James Golka's Mass of Taking Possession of the Cathedral on March 26. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) Lean in close, dear reader. We’ve got a secret for you. God has a plan for your life. While this might not be a tremendous surprise to

Hundreds gathered in Denver to honor Archbishop Aquila’s golden jubilee and the countless lives touched through five decades of priestly ministry, reflecting on God’s faithfulness, the joy of the Gospel and a lifetime of grace. "All was gift. Each and every one of you is gift in my life,” Archbishop Emeritus Samuel Aquila said in his homily during a special Jubilee Mass and celebration, marking his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Cathol