On Mission

Hundreds of priests processed into the March 25 Installation Mass of Archbishop James Golka. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) I could not attend Archbishop Golka’s Installation Mass in person, but I did tune in to the livestream for as long as I could. As I watched the lengthy procession of priests from across our archdiocese, I unexpectedly felt warm tears of gratitude roll down my cheeks. Many of the faces I recognized, and I was deeply moved by the sight of our clergy moving in...

Archbishop James R. Golka blesses a Massgoer following the Palm Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver. (Photo by Dan Petty/Denver Catholic) With a renewed call to gratitude, the Archdiocese of Denver has launched the 2026 Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal. The annual campaign invites the faithful across Northern Colorado to prayerfully reflect on God’s generosity and respond in gratitude through their support of the local Church’s mission. This year’s appeal...

Archbishop James R. Golka spoke at Marisol Services' SonRISE Men's Breakfast on April 2, 2026, supporting the ministry's pro-life mission. (Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities) The SonRise Men’s Breakfast — an annual gathering uniting men in faith, fellowship and purpose in support of Marisol Services — carried particular significance this year with the presence of Archbishop James R. Golka. The event marked his first appearance at a Catholic Charities gathering since his Installation....

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich in November 2018. (Photo by Olivier LPB via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0). Your Eminence: In an article recently published by a major German Catholic website, you suggested that the question of whether the Church can ordain women has not been definitively settled: “I cannot imagine how a Church can continue to exist in the long run if half of God’s people suffer because they have no access to ordained ministry.” Putting aside for a moment the questions of...

These young men’s stories show how the “Called By Name” invitation participates in an often deep-seated discernment process Young men like Denver seminarian Ashton Mendoza (pictured here following the Holy Thursday liturgy) and incoming seminarians Francisco Avila, Jeremy Gillett and David Lopez Gutierrez are among those the Lord calls into the vineyard here in Northern Colorado. But the Church needs more spiritual fathers — a need leading to a second Called By Name campaign. (Photo by Dan...

Archbishop James R. Golka preaches during his March 25 Installation Mass. (Photo by Rachel Moore/Denver Catholic) In response to a Sunday evening social media post by President Donald J. Trump criticizing Pope Leo XIV, Denver Archbishop James R. Golka has joined his brother bishops in responding. His brief statement is printed in full below. "I join my brother bishops in stating clearly that the recent remarks directed at Pope Leo by President Trump are not acceptable. Such language fails to...

Archdiocesan priests concelebrate the Installation Mass of Archbishop James R. Golka as the sixth Archbishop of Denver. (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. These appointments are effective July 1, 2026, unless noted otherwise. Pastors Renewed for an Additional Six Years (or one year) at the Same Parish Father James Baird, St. Mark...

Thoughts and tips on how to preach the Gospel of hope even amid difficult times (Photo: Lightstock) By Hilary Draftz FOCUS “I stopped going to church when my mother died.” "I wish I had the faith you have, but I just don’t see how a good God could allow so much evil in the world.” “At this point, I’ve gone too far to change my life. God couldn’t forgive me for what I’ve done.” These statements come from real interactions I have had with a variety of friends, family and acquaintances over many...

(Photo by Andy Sanchez/Denver Catholic) For the third consecutive year, Denver will be the gathering place for thousands of people from across the state, united to defend the beauty and dignity of every human being. The Colorado March for Life, taking place on April 17, will begin with Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver at 9 a.m., celebrated by Denver Archbishop James Golka. This will be followed by a time of prayer and praise at 10 a.m. outside the State...

Denver Archbishop James Golka, along with dozens of other new archbishops from around the world, will gather in Rome to receive their pallium from Pope Leo XIV this June. (Photo by Grant Whitty/Denver Catholic) There’s a rare opportunity on the horizon for the faithful of Northern Colorado and beyond ...and it’s almost gone. This summer, pilgrims will travel to Rome alongside Archbishop Golka for a historic moment in the life of the Church: the reception of the pallium from the Holy Father at...

The Holy Father’s global challenge comes amid growing tensions in the Middle East and beyond. Pope Leo XIV greets the crowd after delivering his Easter blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 5, 2026. (Photo: CNS/Lola Gomez) In the face of increasing tensions worldwide, Pope Leo XIV has called the faithful to join him in a prayer vigil for peace on Saturday, April 11. An Easter Challenge In his first Easter Urbi...

Haydee Lara, who serves her parish in a variety of ways, is April 2026's Disciple of the Month. (Photo provided) Haydee Lara doesn't view serving in the Church as a responsibility. Instead, her service is a daily response to God's love. As director of religious education for her parish, Lara works alongside her husband to lead marriage preparation and FOCCUS sessions, helping couples and families deepen their relationship with Christ. Her journey began during a time of spiritual emptiness. “I...