On Mission

Even in life's mess and disappointment, Advent teaches us to hope again — not in what we can control, but in the God who has already come to save us. (Photo: Lightstock) Isn’t it interesting that every year, the weeks between November 28th and December 26th look completely different from the rest of the year? The Christmas season, religious or not, transforms everything: the décor in our homes, the parties on our calendars, the outfits we wear and the media we consume. On one hand, it’s...

(Photo: Unsplash) Surveys indicate that reading books is dropping precipitously across all age groups. This is a tragedy in itself; it’s also a social disaster, as a post-literate society risks becoming a post-rational society. All the more reason, then, to consider giving books for Christmas: books that entertain, inform, and open new horizons of understanding. Here are eleven suggestions, including recent publications and what the Sixties radio DJs used to call “oldies but goodies”: Jeeves...

Denver priest and youth evangelization leader dies at 89   (Photo provided) Monsignor George Matthias Schroeder, a beloved retired priest who served the Archdiocese of Denver for over two decades, particularly in campus and youth ministry, passed away on November 8, 2025, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 89.  A Heart for Service  Many in Northern Colorado and across the archdiocese remember him as a steady pastor, an energetic evangelizer of young people and a priest who carried his love for...

Bishop Jorge Rodríguez celebrates Mass at Cure d'Ars Parish in Denver. (Photo by Ryan Brady) Good news! This holiday season, the Church is giving us a great gift: the chance to go to Mass TWICE in one weekend! That might not seem like a “gift” to some, with all the demands of the holiday season pressing down. But this weekend, we celebrate a few fantastic feasts that you won’t want to miss. First, on Sunday, December 7, we gather to celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. We’ll hear an ancient...

Between shopping lists and Nativity plays, Seinfeld, Elf and St. Paul offer us a reminder: God became man to dwell in our mess. That changes everything. (Photo: Lightstock) On a famous episode of the TV comedy Seinfeld , George Costanza follows this advice: “Do the opposite.” His life decisions have turned out disastrously in work, romance, finance and more. He has always trusted his instincts, but he has been wrong every time. Now, he will “Do the opposite.” If every instinct he has is...

(Photo: Lightstock) "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone.” Isaiah 9:2 Every December, as our homes and neighborhoods begin to sparkle with lights, our hearts are drawn again to this ancient prophecy from Isaiah. The glow that fills our streets and sanctuaries is more than seasonal cheer; it reflects a far greater truth. That great, true light has indeed shone among us: the light of Jesus Christ, the Word made...

As we break open our piggy banks to give gifts this season, here are 15 ways to give a gift with lasting impact right here in Northern Colorado. (Photo: Unsplash) As Advent begins and we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, Giving Tuesday offers a chance to pause, look around our own communities and ask: How can I share the love I’ve received? Every year, this global day of generosity invites people to support causes that matter. But here in Northern Colorado, Catholics have a unique...

(Photo: Lightstock) By Michael T. Meurer, Meurer & Potter, P.C. “The good leave an inheritance to their children's children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the just.” (Proverbs 13:22) As Catholics, we are called to be faithful stewards of the blessings God has given us — not only in life, but in how we prepare for death. Estate planning is not merely a legal exercise; it is a spiritual act of love, a way to leave behind peace, clarity and harmony for those we cherish. A...

(Photo: Lightstock) As Advent draws near, many Catholic homes and parishes are preparing more than wreaths and lights. They’re setting up a Jesse Tree — a beautiful, hands-on tradition that invites families to journey through salvation history, reflect on Christ’s coming and serve those in need. A Tradition Rooted in Scripture and History The Jesse Tree takes its name from the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah: “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his...

(Photo: Adobe Stock) The twinkling lights are going up. The Advent wreath is getting dusted off. And somewhere in Colorado, a familiar question is echoing in kitchens, car rides and parish hallways alike: What on earth am I going to get everyone this year? Good news — Denver Catholic ’s award-winning Gift Guide  is back, and it might just become your new Advent tradition. Each year, our editorial team gathers the best ideas we can find from across the Catholic world: handmade goods from local...

Why prayer isn’t supposed to look like panic — and how to rediscover its peace. La Religieuse (The Nun) by Henriette Browne. 1859 Oil on canvas. Height: 92.4 cm (36.3 in), width: 73.6 cm (28.9 in). National Inventory of Continental European Paintings. Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain) It was several years ago, so I couldn’t tell you now what I was working on when I went searching for reference photos of someone in prayer. I only remember typing...

A missionary tradition can become a powerful way to cultivate gratitude and recognize God’s presence in your daily life. (Photo courtesy of Christ in the City) “Lord, thank you for 36 pounds of honey …” “Jesus, thank you for getting to see Michael on street ministry today…” “Father, thank you for your calm in the storm…”   When I was a missionary with Christ in the City in Denver, the “Thanksgiving Rosary” was a staple of community life. At the end of each day, we’d gather as a community in...