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(Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities) As Advent draws near and families prepare their homes for Christmas, many parents in our own community are quietly struggling with a basic yet overwhelming need: diapers. For families facing financial hardship, diapers are more than an expense. They can be the dividing line between stability and crisis. Marisol Family, a ministry of Catholic Charities, is once again running its annual Diaper Drive to meet this urgent need. The organizati

Why contemplating Christ’s first nine months reveals the dignity of unborn life — and deepens our Advent devotion. (Photo: Lightstock) Advent draws us to contemplate Christ’s first coming, even as we expect his coming again in glory. The season contains an almost incomprehensible reality: God has become man, “infinity dwindled to infancy,” as Gerard Manley Hopkins put it. Israel’s centuries-long yearning for the Messiah blossomed in the first Advent as Our Lady became God’s t

(Photo: Lightstock) By Mark Hahn Emmaus Catholic Hospice   In the tender embrace of faith, the journey towards eternal life is a sacred passage. For Catholics, this transition is imbued with profound spiritual significance, demanding care that honors not only the physical self but also the soul. It is in this spirit that Emmaus Catholic Hospice stands as a guiding light, offering compassionate, faith-centered, end-of-life care that upholds the dignity of every individual and

From living wills to the sacraments, the Church guides us to prepare for death not with fear, but with faith and hope in the Resurrection. (Photo: Unsplash) By Deacon John Volk, MD   There’s an old saying: “Don’t rehearse for bad news.” While that can be good advice, sometimes it is wise to have a discussion with loved ones about how to approach medical decisions in the later years and at the end of life. In my experience as a family doctor, often medical conditions arise sud

(Photo: Unsplash) By Deacon Ernest Martinez Director of Deacons Archdiocese of Denver As I reflect on End-of-Life Month  in our Archdiocese, I find myself looking back over two distinct callings in my life: first as a police officer, then later as a deacon. They might seem worlds apart, but both have placed me face-to-face with the mystery of death and the beauty of the human soul’s longing for God. From the Streets to the Sanctuary During my years in law enforcement, I stood

(Photo by Ryan Brady) Nearly 150 high school students from across the Archdiocese of Denver gathered at St. Mary Parish in Littleton for the 2025 Pro-Life High School Symposium, hosted by Respect Life Denver, a ministry of Catholic Charities, and St. Mary’s Respect Life group. The day offered students a chance to grow in faith, courage and authentic love through the theme “Rise Up: Love Deeply, Live Boldly.” Both Catholic and non-Catholic pro-life students attended, represent

Catholic teaching reminds us that human dignity endures until our final breath, and that preparing for death — either ours or that of a parent or loved one — is an act of both gratitude and love. Extremae Unctionis Sacramentum by Pietro Longhi, c. 1757. (Photo: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons) By Father Scott Bailey   I recently anointed a man who was dying by himself in a nursing home. He was unresponsive, but I think he knew that I was there. His wife of 50+ years is homebo

Together with the new Catholic End-of-Life Network, Respect Life Denver is working to defend the dignity of every human life — from the first heartbeat to the final breath. (Photo: Lightstock) Respect Life Denver, a ministry of Catholic Charities, is on a mission to help transform Colorado into a sanctuary where every human being is valued and protected at every stage of life. While that mission begins with the unborn, the most vulnerable among us, it does not end there. Resp

Through prayer, partnership and pastoral care, Denver Catholics are working together to honor the dignity of every person at life’s end this End-of-Life Respect Month and every day. (Photo: Unsplash) By Erin Scherer “Where was this two years ago when my mom died?” asked one participant at last year’s End-of-Life Conference at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora. The gathering brought together several ministries serving families in their final journeys of life, offering resources,

(Photo provided) The room was filled with warmth, laughter and a shared sense of mission as more than three dozen advocates gathered for Respect Life Denver’s Gospel of Life Workshop on Saturday, October 18. The day offered not only formation but also a renewal of heart for those seeking to live out Christ’s love in the pro-life movement. Participants were joined by the Sisters of Life and Chelsy Gomez from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Walking with Moms i

With rosaries in hand and Christ in the Eucharist leading the way, Denver Catholics stood as a sign of hope in a state where life is under assault. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) The chill of the autumn air was met with the warmth of prayerful community on Saturday morning, as faithful from across the archdiocese gathered for the annual pro-life procession around Planned Parenthood in Denver. With Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila leading the effort, the procession circled

(Photo: Ivon19/Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0) By Francesca Pollio Fenton/CNA Catholics across the United States are encouraged to participate in the national Respect Life Novena beginning Oct. 22 in an effort to unite in prayer for the protection of the unborn and all those affected by abortion. The Respect Life Novena is offered annually by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) and consists of nine days of prayers, Scripture readings, and suggested acts o

The UK Parliament has debated "assisted dying" for months, the latest affront to life and a clear misunderstanding of compassion. (Photo: Unsplash) The “Mother of Parliaments” — that’s the one in London — has been embroiled for months in a debate over “assisted dying,” which is euphemized elsewhere under other Orwellian monikers: “Medical Assistance in Dying,” “Physician Assisted Suicide,” “Physician Assisted Dying,” and so forth. The bill legalizing this odious practice narr

(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

Beginning October 22, Catholics are encouraged to join the national Respect Life Novena and unite their prayers for the unborn, the vulnerable and all those affected by abortion. (Photo: Unsplash) In a state where abortion remains heartbreakingly prevalent, Catholics in Colorado are being called once again to stand in prayerful witness for the sanctity of every human life. Beginning Wednesday, October 22, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) invites the fa

Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila leads the annual Eucharistic procession around Planned Parenthood in Denver mere days before the 2024 elections. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) On the morning of Saturday, October 25, Catholics from across Northern Colorado will gather at an unlikely place: outside the largest abortion provider in the state. There, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila will lead the faithful in a Eucharistic procession around Planned Parenthood in Denver’s Park Hill neighbo

The Nov. 8 symposium will offer teens a chance to deepen their faith, connect with peers and discover how to live pro-life values in daily life. Last year's symposium brought together high schoolers from around the archdiocese in support of the pro-life cause. Attendees learned more about what the Church teaches and why, were encouraged in their outreach and sent out to continue witnessing for life. (Photo provided) By Andrew Hagan Volunteer, Sidewalk Advocates for Life 2024

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

The innovative new effort will bring compassionate care to the streets of Denver, meeting women right where they are, and where this sort...

(Photo: Unsplash) It’s October again — the season when the Church pauses to contemplate life at every stage. During Respect Life Month,...