On Mission

Denver Archbishop James Golka has been in Northern Colorado for just about six months now, and boy, has it been busy! He's visited schools, parishes and ministries. He's celebrated Confirmations. He's broken ground on new churches. He's visited with archdiocesan priests and deacons. He's led Eucharistic processions and retreat days. In all these pastoral visits, the faithful across the archdiocese have been able to get to know their new shepherd a bit better, sharing appreciation for his...

More than a symbol, the Sacrament of Baptism is the moment when God claims us as his own, recreates our nature and draws us into the life of Christ. (Photo by Ashley Ortiz) By Father Daniel Eusterman Vice Rector St. John Vianney Seminary, Denver Imagine standing next to a grave, freshly covered in earth. You call out to the one buried; he does not answer. Ask him to walk, and there is no movement. Ask him to listen, and his ears cannot hear. Ask him to speak praise, and his lips cannot speak...

Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul walk in the annual Friends of the Poor Walk in support of the Denver Metro Council of the society. (Photo provided) When a single mother left an abusive situation, she faced a new crisis as she struggled to keep a roof over the heads of her four children. Working a job that paid just above minimum wage, she had fallen behind on her rent and faced the possibility of eviction. The stress of caring for her children weighed heavily on her. But when...

Hundreds of faithful took part in Denver’s first Marian Day, held on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in a gathering marked by faith, prayer and devotion. At the conclusion of the first Marian Day in the Archdiocese of Denver, the faithful walked together in procession, united in prayer and devotion to the Virgin Mary. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) “Mary’s yes can change the whole world.” With these moving words from his homily, Denver Archbishop...

New school leaders across the Archdiocese of Denver see their vocations as opportunities to share the Gospel, build up communities and inspire children and families. From left to right, Shirelle Edghill, principal of Frassati Catholic Academy in Thornton, David Cichos, principal of St. Therese Catholic Classical School in Aurora, and Sydney Corbiserio, assistant principal and dean of curriculum at St. Stephen Catholic School in Glenwood Springs, are pictured during a recent training day at...

Colorado’s new COR Peer Support Program is building a culture of fraternity, accompaniment and care among priests and deacons. Deacon John Doubrava (left) and Deacon Ed Green (right) chat before the second COR training. (Photo by André Escaleira, Jr./Denver Catholic) Jesus had Simon of Cyrene to help carry the Cross (Matthew 27). Colorado clergy now have each other, thanks to a bourgeoning clergy peer support program launched by the Archdiocese of Denver and the Diocese of Colorado Springs...

Heavy packs, mountain storms, Eucharistic Adoration and 74 miles in the Wyoming wilderness taught 11 Denver seminarians powerful lessons in fraternity, leadership and trust in God. 11 Denver seminarians spent three weeks backpacking in Wyoming at the end of their Spirituality Year. The experience was a unique one that brought them closer in community, trust and faith. (Photo provided) By Father Matteo Invernizzi, F.S.C.B. Parochial Vicar Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Broomfield Have you ever...

(Photo by Lena Hall Photography) I had terrible postpartum depression with my second-born and didn’t even know it. I was convinced that if I fixed this particular problem or got that much more sleep, everything would be better. But I was in such a dark place, I couldn’t see how dark it really was. A Tough Beginning We had two children within our first two years of marriage, so life was changing very rapidly. When our first was born, every part of motherhood felt new and overwhelming. When our...

Three adult converts share their journeys to the Catholic Church and the new life they found in Jesus Christ. (Photo by Neil McDonough/Denver Catholic) Most Catholics, baptized as babies, don’t remember their spiritual birthday, when they became children of God. It’s a far-off thing, existing only in dusty scrapbooks on dark shelves in chilly basements or garages. But for some — a growing amount, to be sure — the Lord calls a bit more slowly but no less emphatically. For these adult converts...

(Photo: Lightstock) Fiction can often convey the human texture of a time and place better than scholarly works of history. Herewith, and in honor of the national semiquincentennial, some novels that help tell the Catholic story in these United States through a fictional lens. The Pre-History: Through the life of one of my native state’s notable daughters, Margaret Brent, Lucia St. Clair Robson’s Mary’s Land recounts the initial settlement and later struggles of the only English colony...

I had martini lunches, a human-fax-machine job and no intention of moving to California. God had other ideas. (Photo: Lightstock) I was a college dropout. Twenty years old. Working for an oil company. Dating an executive. Enjoying martini lunches at the old world oilmen’s clubs. It was like a Mad Men throwback, and I loved it. There was only one problem. My job was “human fax machine.” In those pre-fax days, I walked up and down the streets of downtown Denver, delivering documents. Without a...

Annual gathering brought together Denver’s deacons, wives, widowed deacons, widows and priests for Mass, renewal of promises and fraternity Archdiocesan deacons gathered August 12 for the annual Deacon Day, celebrating their vocations and service to the Church. (Photo by Majewski Digital Photography) Bishop Jorge Rodríguez joined the deacons for the annual celebration. (Photo by Majewski Digital Photography) Deacons from across the Archdiocese of Denver, including active, retired and widowed...