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At his first Mass as a priest, Archbishop James Golka froze as he prepared to break the consecrated host. In that moment, he came to understand what Christ was asking of him: to let his own life be broken open for others. In this short video, the archbishop reflects on the heart of the priesthood — a life surrendered to Christ and poured out in love for his people. Your prayers and generosity help prepare Denver’s seminarians for that same calling, forming the men who may one

Through your generous prayer and financial support, young men are being formed in faith, discipleship and service of the people of God across the Archdiocese of Denver. Even in a world of rapidly evolving technology, a priest's presence can never be replaced. He shows up, in the person of Christ, to break bread, pour water, anoint with oil, and lay hands on those entrusted to his care. That presence is formed over years, in prayer and study, long before he is ever ordained. T

At St. John Vianney Seminary, three priest-formators share how prayer, accompaniment and daily life help shape Denver's future spiritual fathers after the heart of Christ. Father James Thermos lays hands on the head of Father José Delgado as Deacon Mark Wolbach looks on during a priest ordination at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on May 10, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) Well, God does, of course! That’s not the end

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

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

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

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

The statewide event brought together hundreds of priests, seminarians, deacons, bishops and faithful supporters for a day of fraternity and gratitude. Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila's golf foursome, with Will Ives, an archdiocesan seminarian, Father Chris Considine, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Boulder, and Father Brady Wagner, the coordinator of the spirituality year at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver, led the 16th Annual Priest and Seminarian Appreciatio

(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

Father Ryan Mack, ordained in 2023, serves the Catholic campus ministry of Colorado School of Mines, his alma mater. (Photo courtesy of Father Ryan Mack) By Ashley Splurgeon/Mines Magazine When Father Ryan Mack '15 walks across the Colorado School of Mines campus today, the experience is both familiar and entirely new. As an undergraduate student, he spent four years immersed in engineering classes, late-night study sessions and weekend adventures in the nearby mountains. Now

Fathers Manuel Alarcon, Jason DiRito, Jonathan Francois and Daniel Rivas look forward to bringing God's mercy and presence to Catholics across Northern Colorado. Fathers Jason DiRito, Manuel Alarcon, Daniel Rivas and Jonathan Francois were ordained priests by Archbishop James Golka on May 9 — his first ordinations as Archbishop of Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) On Saturday, May 9, Archbishop James Golka ordained four men to the priesthood at the Cathedral Basi

At the Cathedral Basilica in Denver, Archbishop James Golka calls the Church’s newest priests to total surrender and sacrificial love in Christ. Denver Archbishop James Golka anoints the hands of newly ordained Father Jason DiRito, struck with emotion, during the priestly ordination ritual. (Photo by Daniel Petty/Denver Catholic) As Fathers Manuel Alarcon, Jason DiRito, Jonathan Francois and Daniel Rivas were ordained priests May 9, one message resounded through the Cathedral

The ordination, Archbishop James Golka's first as Archbishop of Denver, will take place at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. Three men lay prostrate during the 2025 Ordination Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) The Church of Denver rejoices as four men prepare for their ordination to the priesthood on Saturday, May 9, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in

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