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PHOTOS | A Legacy of Self-Gift: Hispanic Community Thanks Archbishop Aquila

At a special Mass of thanksgiving, the Catholic faithful gathered with their shepherd to express deep gratitude ahead of his upcoming retirement. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila blesses and greets the faithful at the end of a Mass of Thanksgiving at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora. (Photo by Juan Andrés Coriat) Last Saturday, members of the local Hispanic community gave thanks for and honored the ministry of Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila during an emotional Mass and celebration held at Queen...

Pro-Family Propositions Heading to Colorado Secretary of State Ahead of 2026 Ballot

(Photo: Unsplash) After months of dedicated effort, three ballot initiatives backed by the Catholic Church in Colorado are heading to the Colorado Secretary of State’s office for review and eventual inclusion in the November 2026 ballot. Proposition 109, “The Protect Women and Girls’ Sports Act,” garnered over 170,000 signatures and aims to designate sports as male, female or co-ed, thereby protecting women and girls’ private spaces. Proposition 110, “The Protect Children from Irreversible...

PHOTOS: Archbishop-designate Golka visits St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in First Official Denver Visit

Archbishop-designate James Golka welcomes a student to school at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Denver after blessing a religious bracelet. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr.) As students at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Denver shuffled their way through the school gates, some still wiping the sleep from their eyes, they were met with a bit of a surprise — even before the Monday morning school bell trilled. Dropping by to welcome students as they arrived were Denver Archbishop...

A Work of Mercy: Catholic High School Students Accompany Unknown Peer at his Funeral

Students from Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora and Holy Family High School in Broomfield attended the funeral of a teenager who died with no known family on February 2, a testament to the works of mercy. (Photo courtesy of Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of Colorado) By Erin Scherer Unknown, and yet, accompanied “What makes this funeral special is that none of us know anything about this man,” said Bishop Jorge Rodriguez. “Perfectly unknown. And, we are here to accompany him.”   On...

Marisol Health Mobile Launches in Partnership with Save the Storks to Bring Life-Affirming Care to Denver

(Photo provided) Catholic Charities of Denver and Save the Storks have officially launched the Marisol Health Mobile, a state-of-the-art clinic on wheels that will bring free, life-affirming healthcare directly to women and families across the Denver metro area. The new mobile clinic — funded through a more than $700,000 grant from Save the Storks and additional contributions from Marisol Health donors — marks Save the Storks’ 106th mobile medical clinic nationwide and the first of its kind...

PHOTOS: Bishop Rodriguez Calls Faithful to Be the Hands of Christ in an AI World on World Day of the Sick

Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez anoints a woman during the annual Mass for the World Day of the Sick. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) By Grant Whitty A large red banner bearing an eight-point cross murmured in the mild February breeze as the faithful ascended the steps of Denver’s historic Holy Ghost Parish for noon Mass. The cross symbolizing the eight Beatitudes is the emblem of the Sovereign Order of Malta, which sponsored Sunday’s special liturgy celebrating World Day for...

PHOTOS | Archbishop Aquila's Final Ash Wednesday Message: Listen to Jesus

Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila celebrated his final Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday. (Photo by Neil McDonough) As Catholics across Northern Colorado marked the beginning of Lent on Wednesday, Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila celebrated his last Ash Wednesday Mass as shepherd of Northern Colorado. Earlier this month, it was announced that Pope Leo XIV had accepted his retirement and named his successor, Most Rev. James R. Golka....

Encounter Jesus: Listening with the Heart

(Photo: Lightstock) As the Lenten season begins, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila has issued his final pastoral note, entitled "Encounter Jesus: Listening with the Heart." In it, he encourages the faithful to encounter the Lord Jesus, especially in Scripture, discern his voice and allow his will to be carried out through each of us. The pastoral note and its exhortation come following the announcement that Pope Leo XIV had accepted Archbishop Aquila's request to retire on February 7, appointing...

Ash Wednesday at the Capitol: In the Shadow of Politics, A Sign of Faith

Thanks to a partnership between the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver and the Colorado Catholic Conference, lawmakers, staff and visitors to the Colorado State Capitol had the chance to mark Ash Wednesday with prayer. (Photo by Neil McDonough) Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, and in downtown Denver, the holy season saw a surprising start as the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and the Colorado Catholic Conference brought ashes to a perhaps unlikely...

A Shepherd Who Always Asked, 'How Can I Help?'

Darren Walsh, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Denver, and Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila at the Beacon of Hope gala in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities of Denver) By Darren Walsh President & CEO Catholic Charities of Denver As we welcome our new archbishop, I have been reflecting on the leadership of Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila and, just as importantly, on the friendship and steady support he has offered Catholic Charities of Denver over so many years. Archbishop Aquila was...

Sisters of Life Honor Archbishop Aquila for Pro-Life Witness 

In a formal letter of commendation, the sisters recognized the Denver archbishop’s “steadfast fidelity” to preaching the Gospel of Life.   Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila invited the Sisters of Life to the Archdiocese of Denver early in his ministry, and was pleased to welcome them at a Mass in September 2015. (Photo by Andrew Wright/Denver Catholic) It’s no secret that the dignity of life faces profound challenges in the apostolic age in which we live. Unlike the eras of the past, the world does...

Deacon Dads, Married Kids: A Catholic Love Story Written By Providence

From diaconate formation to the wedding Mass, God was at work every step of the way. (Photo by Mo, emmkayyphotos.com By Jay Sorgi Katie and Victor Villa prove that God can turn small things, like a delivery of raffle tickets and a night at a taco bar, into something beautiful, even a sacramental union. Of course, it helps to have dads who are Denver-area deacons and who became close friends during their formation, which they began together in 2019. “Steve Boselli and the Boselli Family have...