At the corner of 14th Street and Mapleton Avenue in Boulder, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church is known for bringing “the heart of Jesus to the heart of Boulder” and for a Catholic school tradition that dates to 1900. Founded in 1875, the parish grew from Christmas services in a nearby tent to a spare, mid-century modern church, a parish center and a school whose young students fill the schoolyard with joyful sounds.
From a Tent to 14th and Mapleton
Founded July 19, 1875, by Denver’s first bishop, Joseph Machebeuf, Sacred Heart of Jesus serves Catholics from around the region. Its original building was not complete by 1877, so the first Christmas services were celebrated in a nearby tent. In less than 30 years, the parish outgrew that building and a second church was constructed in 1907. The community outgrew the second church as well. The current structure was built and dedicated in 1963, and its spare mid-century modern design reflects the simplicity espoused by the Benedictine Fathers who shepherded the parish until 1985.
In 1900, 25 years after the parish was founded, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary opened a new parochial school. It began in a remodeled rectory built by the Benedictines and charged $1.50 in tuition. In 1918, the parish constructed a three-story white-brick school and convent at 13th Street and Mapleton Avenue, which served the community into the post-war era. As Boulder’s population nearly quadrupled from 1950 to 1980, the school overflowed with students. A larger third school replaced it in 1959, enrollment surpassed 700 in the 1960s, and a new junior high building expanded the school in 1976. In 1983, the convent on the northeast corner of 14th Street and Mapleton Avenue became the parish center. The school became the parish’s primary ministry, a tradition that continues, and has educated local children for more than a century.
Mass at the Heart of Boulder
At the 1318 Mapleton Avenue church, daily Mass is celebrated at 7:00 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. Saturday’s vigil Mass is at 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses are at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. in Spanish and 6:00 p.m. St. Rita Mission Church in Nederland hosts a 9:30 a.m. English Mass on Sunday.
Mass is celebrated in the church and by livestream. For those unable to attend in person, the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, the 1:00 p.m. Spanish Sunday Mass and the daily 12:10 p.m. Mass are livestreamed on the Sacred Heart of Jesus Boulder YouTube channel. The parish also provides a dedicated Mass Online entry point for the live broadcasts and Mass videos.
Eucharistic Adoration takes place in the church on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Reconciliation is offered Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to noon; Friday from 11:30 a.m. to noon and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in English and Spanish; Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in English and Spanish; and Sunday from noon to 1:00 p.m. in Spanish. Private confession can be arranged with a parish priest. On the first Friday of each month, an Anointing Mass alternates between the 7:00 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. Masses.
Seven Sacraments for a Catholic Life
Nourished by the Eucharist and the holy word of God, the parish strives to bring the heart of Jesus to all whom it serves. Jesus Christ is the compass that guides people to him through regular reception of the Holy Eucharist as a communal, Eucharistic people. The seven sacraments are outward signs of inward grace: in worship, people give God what they owe him, while the sacraments give the graces needed to live a truly human life.
- Baptism. Children age six or younger follow the parish baptism class process, while children age seven and older have a separate route. At least one godparent must be a confirmed Catholic living in harmony with the Catholic faith. Proof of Confirmation and, if applicable, marriage in the Catholic Church is required.
- Reconciliation. Jesus established Confession so that sinners may receive forgiveness and reconcile with God and the Church. This sacrament washes away sin and renews a person in Christ.
- Confirmation and Holy Communion. Sacred Heart follows the Archdiocese of Denver’s restored order of the sacraments. In a two-year preparation program, children receive First Reconciliation in second grade, then Confirmation and First Holy Communion in third grade. Confirmation enriches the baptized with the strength of the Holy Spirit and calls them to witness the faith by word and deed. Holy Communion completes Christian initiation and is presented as the “source and summit” of Christian life: a Real Presence, a sacrifice and a meal.
- Marriage. Preparation begins with Deacon David Luksch and takes at least eight months before the intended wedding date. It includes regular meetings with clergy, the FOCCUS premarriage inventory, natural family planning and a marriage retreat weekend. The parish also prepares couples for convalidation when they were married outside the Church and offers a process for annulment. A civil divorce does not invalidate a marriage, but specific circumstances can lead to an annulment.
- Holy Orders. Men and women who are considering religious life may speak with the pastor about a vocation, while those discerning the diaconate may seek guidance through the Archdiocese of Denver’s Office of the Diaconate.
- Anointing of the Sick. This healing sacrament is for someone in danger of death from illness or old age. It may be given before surgery or repeated when an illness worsens. Through the priest, Jesus touches the sick with comfort, peace, courage and forgiveness of sins, strengthening them against despair and sustaining Christian hope. Fr. Mark is available for home visits, and Holy Communion may be brought to homebound parishioners at home, a hospital or a nursing home.
For funerals, the parish works with the funeral home and family to choose readings, identify opportunities for family participation, and plan music and other details. A Sacred Heart funeral coordinator remains present to assist.
A Place for Children, and a Church That Hears
At the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, children from preschool through second grade gather and are sent forth from Mass to learn about the Sunday readings through stories, activities and lessons that teach the faith. They return in time to rejoin their families before the Eucharistic prayer. No sign-up is required, and parents are welcome to remain with their children.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I welcomes children ages three to five and uses presentations and hands-on work to help them deepen their relationship with God. Children also receive religious education through Sacred Heart of Jesus School or the parish program. Anyone serving with young people must complete safe environment training.
An assistive listening system known as an induction loop or hearing loop has been installed in the church. It allows people with hearing loss to hear services clearly through their own hearing aid, implant or a receiver.
Parents in Prayer meets at 8:10 a.m. each Thursday in the parish center, and all are welcome.
Learning for Adults and Young Adults
Faith formation at Sacred Heart is intended to nurture the minds and hearts of the whole Catholic family so people can live as effective ambassadors of their faith. It is not limited to preparing for sacraments; it seeks a deeper understanding of membership in the universal Catholic Church. Youth and adults use Symbolon, and parishioners have free access to FORMED with parish code WPKNNZ. FORMED offers Catholic films, video studies, eBooks and audio presentations.
Adult options include the Denver Catholic Biblical School, a four-year program of lectures, small-group discussions and weekly coursework that follows salvation history from Genesis to Revelation. A separate two-year, four-semester Catechism course called “The Ladder of Ascent” studies the Creed, the sacraments, Christian morality and prayer. ENDOW offers studies for women to deepen their knowledge, discover their purpose and renew their lives for service.
Parish retreats have drawn on the works of Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, including “33 Days to Morning Glory,” “Consoling the Heart of Jesus” and “33 Days to Merciful Love.” Fr. Terry Ryan, CSP, offers talks on the mystics of the Western tradition and the contemplative roots of the Gospel. Young Boulder Catholics supports Catholics in their twenties and thirties through Mass, Bible studies, reading groups, hikes, game nights, shared meals and other gatherings.
A Path to Becoming Catholic
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults welcomes people who are not yet fully Catholic, including the unbaptized, Christians baptized in another denomination, and baptized Catholics who need First Communion or Confirmation. Its four periods are Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy. Inquiry carries no commitment. The full path typically takes one to two years and includes monthly meetings, time with a sponsor, Sunday Mass and a retreat or two.
There is no cost, no test of perfection and no obligation to join after an inquiry. What is expected is a sincere desire to grow in relationship with Jesus and learn more about the Catholic Church. Candidates are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass.
Care That Reaches Beyond the Parish
Hearts & Hands turns practical needs into acts of care. Volunteers may provide rides to Mass or parish events, write notes of encouragement, help around the house, prepare meals, offer prayers, make visits or make calls. The parish prayer line and Hearts & Hands mailbox coordinate these requests.
Earth’s Table volunteers till, plant, water and harvest donated community gardens. All produce goes to Harvest of Hope and other food-assistance organizations. Sacred Heart and St. Thomas Aquinas combined their food efforts in 2012 to form Harvest of Hope, a Catholic nonprofit guided by pastors and members of both parishes.
The charity account, funded directly by parishioner donations, helps City of Boulder residents who need assistance with rent, utility bills or prescription medication. Donations can be placed in the Poor Box, included in the Saturday or Sunday collection or sent to the parish center. Online giving through Flocknote supports parish giving with one-time or recurring gifts by credit card, debit card or ACH.
The SHJ Quilters meet weekly to sew and quilt for families in need, new babies, single mothers, nursing home residents and people in missions. Sheets and thread are welcome donations.
Harvest of Hope offers a client-choice pantry. People with kitchens and refrigeration can shop weekday mornings for dairy, prepared foods and proteins. Those without kitchens can shop weekday afternoons for easy-to-eat foods such as protein bars, pop-top cans, yogurt, produce and fresh sandwiches.
The parish also connects residents to counseling through Mount Tabor Counseling and St. Raphael Counseling, which provide individual, family and couples therapy, marriage preparation, recovery groups and spiritual direction. Boulder Shelter for the Homeless and the Emergency Family Assistance Association help with case management, benefits, prescriptions, identification, housing, job resources and bus passes. Marisol offers health care, counseling, housing and support for unexpected pregnancies, while Mother House provides a safe haven for pregnant women who are at risk.
Ushers, Lectors, Choir, and Service
- Ushers greet parishioners and visitors, help people find seats, manage the collection and offer a friendly conclusion to the Eucharistic celebration.
- Lectors proclaim the word of salvation and require a love of Scripture and competent reading.
- Parish Choir members praise God through song, and singers and instrumentalists are invited to share their gifts.
- Altar Servers are boys and girls in fourth through twelfth grade who have received First Holy Communion. They assist at the altar, set up before Mass, clean afterward and may also serve at weddings and funerals.
- Sacristans prepare the books, vestments, chalices, ciboria, linens, oils, processional crosses and candles needed for the liturgy. The ministry is open to confirmed adults who are free of impediments to participating in the sacramental life of the Church.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are fully initiated members of the Church who distribute Holy Communion during Mass or Communion services.
Volunteer opportunities also include music ministers, teachers and catechists, OCIA sponsors and quilters. The adult choir rehearses at 6:00 p.m. each Wednesday in Jubilee Hall, and no singing experience is required. The Saint Serra Apostolate meets on the first and third Fridays of each month after the 7:00 a.m. Mass to pray for and support vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. The parish gift shop carries books, Bibles, children’s books, rosaries, statues, crucifixes, medals, jewelry and cards for sacraments and celebrations.
The pastoral team consists of Father Mark Kovacik, pastor; Father John Paul Almeida, parochial vicar; Father Terry Ryan, CSP, priest in residence; and Deacon David Luksch. Deissy Lara leads music ministry, and Henry Schliff, OFS, directs religious education.
Welcome Home on the Journey
Father Mark Kovacik describes the parish as “people on pilgrimage” who support one another with love while recognizing their own imperfections and seeking full communion with God. His welcome emphasizes spiritual nourishment at the Eucharist, listening to the word of God and gratitude for God’s gifts.
Parishioners who have already received Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation can return through the sacrament of Reconciliation. People with questions about Catholic teachings, marriage, annulment or other special circumstances can speak with a priest. Those who are simply curious about the Catholic Church can begin with an initial welcome conversation over coffee, with no commitment, and many continue into OCIA.
That welcome is joined by a broad network of ministries: Eucharistic adoration and confession, Catholic formation for every age, volunteer service, food growing, charitable assistance and care for people who are homebound. Sacred Heart of Jesus continues the identity it has built since 1875: a Boulder parish centered on the Eucharist, the Word, sacramental life and service to others, with St. Rita Mission Church extending that community to Nederland.