Local

How An Archbishop, A Priest and Colorado Catholics Built a 15-Year Friendship with a Parish in Tanzania 

Father James Spahn, Archbishop Emeritus Samuel Aquila and Northern Colorado Catholics have helped build schools and support a mission community — while discovering how much their brothers and sisters in Tanzania have given them in return. (Left) Father James Spahn, pastor of St. John Paul II Parish in Thornton, and Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila (right) smile with (center) Father Rafael Kabuche, parochial vicar, and students at the new boys' high school currently being built at Kristo...

Official Priest Appointments: September 11, 2026

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 his time in...

Remembering Deacon Tom Fox

(Photo: Archdiocese of Denver file photo) With sorrow, yet with confidence in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Archdiocese of Denver mourns the passing of Deacon Thomas “Tom” Michael Fox, who entered eternal life on July 25, 2026, at the age of 85. Following a lengthy battle with lung cancer, he died surrounded by his loving family. Deacon Fox was born on April 2, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, to Thomas Lawrence Fox and Mary Curtin Fox. He was baptized on April 27, 1941, at St. John...

Archbishop Golka to Christ in the City: Give Love Away and Watch It Multiply

Reflecting on St. John Paul II’s “law of the gift,” Denver’s archbishop encouraged young adult missionaries serving the poor to trust that the more they give themselves away in love, the more fully they become themselves. Denver Archbishop James Golka visited the Denver headquarters of Christ in the City, a local apostolate serving the poor and homeless, for the first time as Archbishop of Denver. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) Did you know that, according to Pope St. John...

Denver to Celebrate 800 Years of St. Francis of Assisi 

As the Church marks 800 years since St. Francis’ death, Denver Capuchin Franciscans invite Catholics to rediscover his radical witness of peace, simplicity, fraternity, service to the poor and surrender to Christ in an age of division, conflict and distraction. Denver's Annunciation Parish is preparing to celebrate St. Francis of Assisi in style on the 800th anniversary of his death, with a two-day festival complete with prayer, food, fun and two chances to earn a plenary indulgence. (Photo...

Archbishop Golka Joins More Than 50 Seniors in Prayer for National Grandparents Day

Denver Archbishop James Golka smiles with seniors at Holly Creek Retirement Community, where he visited to pray a Rosary. (Photo by Richard Caldwell, courtesy of The Rosary Team) By Teresa Rodriguez In celebration of National Grandparents Day and National Catholic Grandparents Day, Denver Archbishop James Golka joined more than 50 residents, staff and Rosary Team volunteers at Holly Creek Retirement Community in the Denver metro area to pray the Rosary together. For the seniors who gather...

Local Catholic Leader Named Finalist for Colorado Teacher of the Year

On Sept. 3, Viviana Martínez of Vista PEAK Preparatory was surprised in her classroom by state representatives with the news that she had been nominated for the 2027 Colorado Teacher of the Year award. (Photo provided) Reflecting on her journey in education, Viviana Martínez sums up her vocation in one phrase: “Education is a call to serve.” It is a conviction that has guided her work and the way she accompanies each of her students. A Spanish and history teacher at the public Vista PEAK...

Archbishop Golka to Catholic Entrepreneurs at SENT Summit: ‘Get Into the Arena’

The archbishop and Arthur Brooks challenged Catholic business leaders to pursue excellence, put Christ at the center and transform their businesses into places of mission capable of renewing the culture. Denver Archbishop James Golka celebrated Mass for the SENT Summit on Thursday, challenging Catholic entrepreneurs to use their gifts, talents and resources for the Gospel. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) Imagine bringing a squirt gun to a house fire. That wouldn’t be all that...

‘No more ego lifting’: How one Catholic gym is putting God at the center of fitness

A Catholic gym is helping people transform their workouts into opportunities for prayer, discipline, and service. Jayce Rastrelli is co-owner of Grow the Kingdom, a Catholic gym in Greenwood Village, Colorado. (Photo by Francesca Fenton/EWTN News) By Francesca Pollio Fenton/EWTN News As you walk into one new gym in the Archdiocese of Denver, the first thing you’ll notice isn’t the equipment. A large crucifix hangs on the wall above a Bible, while a nearby whiteboard is covered with prayer...

Remembering Deacon John Franklin

(Photo: Archdiocese of Denver file photo) With sorrow, yet with confidence in the mercy of Jesus Christ, the Archdiocese of Denver remembers Deacon John MacCarthy Franklin, who entered eternal life on July 16, 2026, at the age of 93, following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He died peacefully at his home in Frisco, Texas, in the presence of his beloved wife, Diane. Deacon Franklin was ordained to the diaconate on June 10, 2000, by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. He faithfully...

‘Go and Fear Nothing’: Our Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Champion

After the death of her husband, a Colorado woman carried forward his dream of visiting the Wisconsin shrine — and discovered unexpected healing along the way. Marianne Arling and her pilgrimage group smile at Servant of God Adele Brice's tomb. The group visited the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Wisconsin as part of the Catholic Saints of America exhibit, in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding. (Photo provided) By Marianne Arling I first read...

Archbishop Golka Heads Back to School, Welcoming Students and Faculty Around the Archdiocese

In a weeks-long tour around the archdiocese, the Denver archbishop visited several schools during back-to-school season, welcoming communities back and encouraging them at the beginning of a new academic year. Denver Archbishop James Golka distributes Communion during Mass at St. John Paul the Great High School in Denver. The archbishop visited several Catholic schools around the archdiocese, including St. John Paul the Great, at the beginning of the new academic year. (Photo by Madison...