Local

Father Scott Bailey Reflects on Faith, Film and Mystery in "Knives Out" Movie

The film's Catholic Technical Consultant reacts to "Wake Up Dead Man" and some of the online reception. When faith shows up in popular culture, it often sparks curiosity — and sometimes controversy. But for Catholics in Northern Colorado, the conversation around Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery  feels a little closer to home. That’s because Father Scott Bailey, pastor of Risen Christ Parish in Denver, recently shared his reflections on the film in a new YouTube video. The video offers...

Medicine, Mercy and Mission: A Catholic Doctor and Family Finds Christ in the Poor, from Loveland to Tanzania

A family on mission, the Engbloms show how faith-filled communities live the Gospel together. Dr. Bethany Engblom with the addiction team. (Photo provided) By Jay Sorgi Dr. Bethany and Josiah Engblom’s journey of seeing the face of Christ has led them to be the hands and feet of Christ, and in turn, has brought them closer to a deeper love of Christ. This journey of service has led the Loveland residents to a life of deep commitment to a community in Tanzania, as well as instilling a similar...

Sacred and Religious Art Still Matter: Painting and Praying with Beauty

In this first installment of our series on Catholic religious and sacred artists, meet Catholic artist Brie Schulze and the vocation behind her sacred work. Brie Schulze, a local Catholic artist, seeks to bring others into an encounter with God and his saints through her art. (Photo by Juan Andrés Coriat, courtesy of Brie Schulze) By Gennie O'Gara For local Catholic artist Brie Schulze, good art centers on a personal relationship with God. Meditating on sacred art serves as a way for the...

'Hope Does Not Disappoint': The Paschal Candle Burns for One Almost Forgotten Man

A Jubilee inscription takes on new meaning as a baptismal promise is fulfilled at a funeral Mass marked by hope and mercy. (Photo by Karin Gamba) By Karin Gamba The flame of the Paschal candle flickered as the daily Mass crowd slipped into their pews on a cold Monday morning in December. Carved into the tall pillar of wax are the words of St. Paul to the Romans: Hope does not disappoint.  First lit at the Easter Vigil, the candle proclaims the joy of resurrection, Christ, the light of life,...

Inside Colorado’s Prisons, One Inmate Is Quietly Restoring Dignity — One Hygiene Kit at a Time

A single inmate’s calling becomes a ministry of dignity for men and women entering Colorado’s correctional system. (Photo: Lightstock) By Ryan Brady   When a man enters Colorado’s Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center (DRDC), he carries whatever he arrived to jail with. Often, that amounts to almost nothing.   The state’s central intake facility processes approximately 30-40 new inmates daily, assessing their needs and assigning classifications. Many come in without basic hygiene items and...

A Church on Fire for Christ: SEEK26 in Denver

Denver parishioners leave the annual conference renewed in faith and mission, on fire for love of Jesus and ready to preach the Gospel. (Photo courtesy of FOCUS) By Caitlin Burm A Revival of Faith Thousands of Catholics from across the United States traveled to FOCUS’ annual SEEK conference in Denver this New Year. The five-day experience reignited many participants with a fire for Christ, throughout daily Mass, keynote talks and breakout sessions, and extended opportunities for Adoration and...

Finding Strength in Brotherhood: Gathering of Men Retreat Set for Late January

(Photo: Lightstock) Each January, the mountains of Estes Park fill with brotherhood as Catholic men from Colorado and beyond make their way to the YMCA of the Rockies. They come carrying ordinary burdens: pressures at work, strains in fatherhood or struggles in marriage. Some arrive unsure why they signed up at all. The Gathering of Men Retreat , held this year from January 30 to February 1, invites men into something deeper than a weekend away. Under the direction of Father John Lager, a...

Rachel’s Vineyard Colorado Offers Weekend of Hope and Healing

(Photo: Lightstock) From January 30 through February 1, 2026, Rachel’s Vineyard Colorado will host a confidential Catholic retreat designed to offer hope and healing to women and men carrying the hidden pain of a past abortion. Held at St. Mary Parish in Littleton, the weekend retreat invites participants into a safe, prayerful environment to encounter God’s mercy and begin a journey toward restoration. Rachel’s Vineyard retreats are rooted in the Church’s consistent teaching on the dignity...

Weeks for Freedom Call Colorado Catholics to Prayer, Awareness and Action

The plague of human trafficking affects countless souls, and local Catholics are invited to pray, witness and work to end the vicious suffering. (Photo: Lightstock) Catholics across Northern Colorado are invited to unite in prayer and action during Weeks for Freedom, a focused observance running from January 10 to 24 dedicated to ending human trafficking through faith, education and concrete outreach. Taking place during Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the initiative invites parishes and...

Facilitating Encounters with Christ: Jeff Runyan and Encounter Travels

(Photo provided) For Jeff Runyan, discipleship has always meant helping others meet Jesus — not just in theory, but in person.    After more than a decade of service with FOCUS, Runyan discerned that God was calling him in a new direction. In late 2023, he and his wife began praying about how best to use their gifts and passions for the Church. Through that prayer, he realized that one of his greatest passions was taking people around the world to encounter Christ through sacred places and...

Official Priest Assignments: January 2026

(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,  effective February...

‘That’s What I Was Made For’: Denver Deacons Share Lives of Service at SEEK26

Personal witness highlights the beauty and urgency of the diaconate in today’s Church. (Photo provided) Three deacons from the Archdiocese of Denver addressed a packed breakout session at the SEEK26 conference, sharing their journeys from their call to the diaconate to their ordination to their daily living the heart of the servant. The gathering was part of the Archdiocesan Diaconate Office’s efforts to raise awareness of the diaconal vocation and the beginning of a new partnership with...