On Mission

As the United States of America approaches its 250th anniversary, Catholics are invited to prayer, renewal and a deeper encounter with Christ’s love, a devotion with deep roots in Denver. The Sacred Heart of Jesus statue at the Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden overlooks the Archdiocese of Denver, and will be the site of local consecrations on June 11 and 12. (Photo courtesy of the Mother Cabrini Shrine) The United States of America turns 250 years old on July 4. 23 days beforehand, America’s...

From Biblical School to home visits, Terry King's life of service reflects a deep commitment to human dignity and the Gospel. (Photo provided) When Terry King heard Cardinal Dolan tell a story on the radio about his father secretly bringing Christmas gifts to a family in need, introducing himself as simply delivering an "order" so the father could keep his pride, something stirred inside her. She had heard of the St. Vincent de Paul Society before, but that story grabbed her and inspired her...

Celebrating Mass for Annunciation Heights, Totus Tuus and Camp Wojtyla missionaries, the archbishop encouraged faith-filled generosity and service. (Photo provided) Mere days after Pentecost, the day on which God gave his people the greatest gift of all — the Holy Spirit — Denver Archbishop James Golka challenged young adult summer missionaries to live that radical generosity throughout their service. Celebrating Mass during the weeklong training for Annunciation Heights, Totus Tuus and Camp...

From the sanctity of life to religious liberty and economic justice, Catholic teaching provides principles for faithful citizenship. (Photo: Lightstock) It’s a big year in Colorado, with many important elected positions up for voting, from the Governor to the Attorney General to various state and local representative positions. On June 30th, voters will decide who will represent each political party on the November General Election ballot during the state primaries. Candidates lay out their...

Pope St. John Paul II speaks during World Youth Day 1993 in Denver. (Photo by James Baca/Denver Catholic Register) When he was elected Bishop of Rome on October 16, 1978, Cardinal Karol Wojtyła had a rather limited experience of the Catholic Church in the United States. He had met American churchmen at the Second Vatican Council, and a few of them visited Poland in the ensuing years. The Cracovian cardinal had made two visits to the United States, one during the national bicentennial in 1976,...

Fort Collins’ sole Catholic school celebrates a century of Catholic education, academic excellence and community impact in Northern Colorado (Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic School Fort Collins) (Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic School Fort Collins) High above the doors to enter St. Joseph Catholic School in Fort Collins is a colorful bas-relief of the lamp of learning, signifying intellectual illumination, study and truth. Inside the school, every classroom displays a crucifix of...

As America marks 250 years, these saints and holy witnesses show how God has raised up Catholics to educate, serve, evangelize and strengthen the Church in the United States. (Photo: Denver Catholic design) Editor's Note: As we zoom in on our country's 250 years, we see the many saints and witnesses that God has raised up to build up his Kingdom here on earth. These souls shine for their courageous preaching of the Gospel, their prayerful devotion, their love for the poor and their pursuit of...

The story of America and Colorado is ultimately a story of God’s faithfulness, mercy and invitation to holiness. (Photo: Adobe Stock) Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and forever. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made Heaven and earth. That formula for an apostolic blessing, a benediction that bishops give, has a lot to teach us as we reflect on our country’s last 250 years and our state’s last 150 — years marked by courage, sacrifice and perseverance — and as we look forward to...

FOCUS, Highlight Catholic’s relationship aims to mold both kids and young adults in Christ through their sport Thanks to a new partnership between Varsity Catholic, FOCUS' college athlete apostolate, and Highlight Catholic Ministries, young people are coming to know the joy of faith and sport. (Photo by Annabel Kiley, courtesy of Varsity Catholic) Coaches from a Catholic sports organization based in Littleton are taking every moment possible during practices and games to joyfully and...

Fathers Manuel Alarcon, Jason DiRito, Jonathan Francois and Daniel Rivas look forward to bringing God's mercy and presence to Catholics across Northern Colorado. Fathers Jason DiRito, Manuel Alarcon, Daniel Rivas and Jonathan Francois were ordained priests by Archbishop James Golka on May 9 — his first ordinations as Archbishop of Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) On Saturday, May 9, Archbishop James Golka ordained four men to the priesthood at the Cathedral Basilica of the...

Archbishop James Golka smiles with Knights of Columbus present at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, following the annual Memorial Day Mass. (Photo courtesy of Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of Colorado) By Erin Scherer Mary’s Mantle of Protection Hundreds gathered this Memorial Day at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wheat Ridge to pray for the faithful departed, honor fallen servicemen and women and celebrate the memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church. At...

On the cusp of the United States’ 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th, the Centennial State and its Catholic witnesses show modern Catholics a path forward. The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, completed in 1912, has stood as a visible symbol of the Catholic faith in Colorado for over a century. (Photo: Archdiocese of Denver Archives) Colorado celebrates its own 150th anniversary this year, as the rest of the country marks 250 years since the founding of the...