On Mission

From parish drives to 'Super Bowl' liturgies, a priest shares the witness of Archbishop Aquila's priesthood and humanity. From Archbishop Aquila's side, Father Scott Bailey learned profound lessons about the spiritual life. (Denver Catholic archive photo) By Father Scott Bailey Pastor, Risen Christ Parish, Denver Priest Secretary, 2014—2018 Editor's Note: Over the last almost 14 years, many have gotten to know Archbishop Aquila all across Northern Colorado as he ministered and taught,...

Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila visited Queen of Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Wheat Ridge ahead of his upcoming retirement to give thanks to God for their work together over the last 13 years. (Photo by Olivia Britt/Denver Catholic) Fifty years ago, in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, citizens of Vietnam courageously fled their home country in search of a better life here in the United States, and a group of refugees made their home here in Denver. Today, what was once a small band of...

Archbishop Aquila's first Denver priest-secretary reflects on the shepherd's leadership, rooted in faith and humanity. As Archbishop Aquila's first priest secretary, Father Matt Book (right) got a front-row seat to the new shepherd's ministry. (Denver Catholic archive photo) By Father Matthew Book Vicar for Clergy Priest Secretary, 2014—2024 Archdiocese of Denver Editor's Note: Over the last almost 14 years, many have gotten to know Archbishop Aquila all across Northern Colorado as he...

For Jeremiah Obiano, Deacon Enrique Cruz and Joseph Trinh, following God's call meant leaving their families and homelands to serve the Church in Denver. (Photo provided) On a brisk morning in Denver, as sunlight shines through stained glass, a young seminarian kneels in prayer before Mass. Though his voice still carries an accent and rhythm of a country thousands of miles away, among these pews and parishioners, he is home. A Calling That Began Thousands of Miles Away Deacon Enrique Cruz...

In a historic first for his time in Denver, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila led the opening prayer for the Colorado House of Representatives on a snowy Friday morning. Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila led the invocation from the floor of the Colorado House of Representatives on March 6, a historic first as he comes to the end of his formal ministry in Northern Colorado. (Photo by Neil McDonough/Denver Catholic) “Lord, our God, we praise you, thank you and adore you for the beauty of your...

(Photo: Adobe Stock) At Holy Rosary Parish in Denver, a model of intentional accompaniment guides couples step by step toward a deeper experience of the sacrament of marriage. In a culture where “forever” seems increasingly fragile and divorce has become almost an automatic response, the Church faces an urgent and profoundly human challenge: How can couples be better prepared to receive the sacrament of marriage and, even more, how can they be accompanied so that they remain faithful to their...

Hundreds gathered for a Rite of Election ceremony in Windsor last month, encouraged by Bishop Jorge Rodríguez to enter the story of God's love for each person. Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez encouraged those entering the Church at Easter to enter into the divine love story during the annual Rite of Election ceremony at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Windsor. (Photo by Joe Donelson/Denver Catholic) By Joe Donelson Last month, Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Windsor was filled to...

Daniel Igoe, a seminarian at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, walks to class with fellow seminarians. (Photo by Grant Whitty) From Classroom to Conviction In a theology classroom at the former Bishop Machebeuf High School, Joseph Tynan encountered a line from Gaudium et Spes that would help shape the course of his life towards his vocation. Jesus Christ “fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear," he recalled. “I came to understand that if I truly...

International Women’s Day, Endow’s Letter to Artists and the universal longing for beauty as a path to dignity and renewal. (Photo courtesy of Endow) Women create — things, ideas, opportunities, new life, change. Like all people, they are artists throughout their lives, crafting meaning through everyday work. A teacher adapting her lesson in real time. A curator arranging paintings to reveal an artist’s life story. A parent who solves the Rubik’s Cube of eight pickups and drop-offs in a...

A timeline of episcopal service in Northern Colorado (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) 2015-2016: Restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation and Sealed & Sent "The world needs saints. Even as our society becomes more distant from faith and more forgetful of God, it still hungers for joyful witnesses who have been transformed by Christ. At the same time, new generations of Catholics need grace to sustain them in a non-Christian environment. To answer these needs, I have decided to...

(Photo provided) By Forest Barnette The year is 1912. A tired but determined Italian immigrant sits across from a Coloradan carpenter. Though the mid-April chill doesn’t betray it, a summer heat fast approaches the Rocky Mountain foothills — and there is much to do. Together, this mismatched pair draws up plans to house local orphan girls for the third consecutive summer camp hosted by a fledgling religious order. The head of that community sits at this table against all odds, toughened...

(Denver Catholic file photo) It is with deep sorrow, yet firm hope in the Resurrection, that the Archdiocese of Denver announces the passing of Deacon Pablo Simon Salas, who entered eternal life on February 27, 2026, at the age of 79, surrounded by his loving family. Deacon Salas was born on May 10, 1946, in Matamoros, Mexico, to Pablo Salas and Hermelinda Miranda. He was baptized on March 27, 1947, at Our Lady of Refuge Parish in Matamoros. When he was seven years old, his family moved...