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'Holding on in the Storm': A Christian Physician on Dying, Dignity and Hope

Dr. Bob Cutillo's new book, "Holding on in the Storm," aims to help Christians face death and suffering without fear, drawing from biblical, medical and personal wisdom gleaned over decades of medical practice, and in his accompaniment of his wife, Heather, as she prepared for death. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Bob Cutillo) By Caitlin Burm Many of us have faced the loss of a loved one and know how disorienting death can feel. Even with the hope of eternal life, grief can still overwhelm us and...

Once a Ram, Always a Ram: Father Joseph LaJoie’s Journey From CSU Student to CSU Pastor

Father Joseph LaJoie celebrates "Mass on the Grass" at Colorado State University, a RamCatholic tradition in the fall semester. (Photo courtesy of St. John XXIII Parish's Facebook) By Sarah Mendus Across the street from Colorado State University in Fort Collins sits St. John XXIII Parish, the beloved home of RamCatholic and its many CSU student members. Since 2022, the community has been shepherded by Father Joseph LaJoie, a pastor known for his classic rock references and his “CSU Dad”...

Archdiocese of Denver Alert Regarding Charlie Johnston and CORAC

(Denver Catholic file photo) The Archdiocese of Denver has issued the following statement addressed to the faithful regarding the public activity of Mr. Charlie Johnston, to alert the community and avoid confusion about his status within the Church. The complete statement follows below, printed in full: The Archdiocese of Denver is issuing this alert to reiterate that, as stated in years past, it does not recognize Charlie Johnston or the website corac.co  as authoritative sources of Catholic...

Dr. Scott Elmer Named Superintendent to Lead Denver Catholic Schools On Mission 

(Photo: Denver Catholic file photo) After a brief period of service as interim superintendent, the Archdiocese of Denver is pleased to announce that Dr. Scott Elmer will assume the role permanently, effective January 1, 2026. Reflecting on this call, Dr. Elmer shared, “I could not be more excited for this opportunity. I truly believe that our schools are our most potent mission field and the greatest lever we have to build the Kingdom of God and impact the future of our society.”  In addition...

A Simple Gift That Changes Everything: Marisol Family Urgently Seeks Diaper Donations This Holiday Season

(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 organization is asking the...

PHOTOS: Archbishop Samuel Aquila Ordains New Deacon at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine 

Deacon Juan Diego de María Gómez Jiménez was ordained a deacon on Sunday by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila. (Photo by Juan Andrés Coriat) In a moving Eucharistic celebration surrounded by family, friends and parishioners at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Denver, Brother Juan Diego de María Gómez Jiménez, a Cleric Regular Theatine, was ordained a deacon on Sunday, Dec. 7.  Although Brother Juan had felt a special connection to the Church and to the idea of a religious vocation since childhood,...

PHOTOS | 'A New Beginning': Sts. Peter and Paul Breaks Ground on Major School Expansion

Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila and representatives from the Archdiocese of Denver, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Parish and STEM School, SHEA Family Charities and others ceremonially break ground on the new building at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic STEM School in Wheat Ridge. (Photo by Neil McDonough) On a bright December morning in Wheat Ridge, the schoolyard at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic STEM School bustled with excitement. Students gathered in their uniforms, families pressed together against...

PHOTOS: $1.3 Million Raised to Make Disciples: Record-Breaking Evening of Hope Inspires Catholic Community

With Father Mike Schmitz as the keynote speaker, Seeds of Hope celebrated its mission to form young disciples and the families whose lives are transformed. As the keynote speaker, Father Mike Schmitz reflected on the necessity of Catholic education and its role in making disciples of Jesus. (Photo provided) By Jay Sorgi The Denver Tech Center was abuzz with activity late last month, as hundreds of supporters of local Catholic education gathered for the annual Evening of Hope, benefitting...

PHOTOS | From Dreams to Reality: Hispanic Students Earn Their Degrees Through Centro San Juan Diego and UPAEP

Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez with graduates and program administrators following Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Denver. (Photo by Juan Andrés Coriat) The most recent graduating class from the online degree program offered by Centro San Juan Diego, a ministry of Catholic Charities, in partnership with the Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), celebrated their graduation on Friday, Nov. 21. The ceremony reaffirmed the impact of this initiative on Denver’s Hispanic...

PHOTOS | ‘Know your dignity’: Archbishop Aquila’s Call to Hope for Migrants on the Immaculate Conception

At a special Immaculate Conception Mass celebrated for migrants, the archbishop urged the faithful to reject political rhetoric and reclaim a biblical vision of human dignity. On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila called the Church to remember and honor the dignity of every human person, especially migrants. (Photo by Grant Whitty) By Grant Whitty Church bells tolled through the Capitol Hill neighborhood as religious, seminarians and laity made...

Archbishop’s Prayer Intention for December: That the Holy Spirit May Overshadow the Faithful This Advent

(Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” Luke 1:35 As we begin Advent, the Church once again enters a season filled with quiet expectation and profound mystery. We contemplate Christ’s first coming in Bethlehem, even as we look ahead to his glorious return. Yet before the manger and the angels, before the shepherds and the star, there was a moment hidden from the world: the overshadowing of Mary by the Holy...

Colorado: #6 Charitable State, #1 in Our Hearts this Colorado Gives Day

(Photo: Unsplash) Something special is happening in Colorado. This year, WalletHub ranked our state the 6th most charitable in the nation — climbing two spots from last year. That means Coloradans are not only giving back, they’re giving more than ever before. It’s no surprise to those who live here: we see generosity happen every day in mountain towns, suburbs and city streets across the Front Range. Giving is simply part of who we are. We shovel our neighbor’s driveway after a snowstorm. We...