About Sacred Heart of Jesus · Boulder, Colorado
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church is a historic parish in Boulder, Colorado, founded on July 19, 1875, by Denver's first bishop, Joseph Machebeuf. The parish serves Catholics from around the region with a mid-century modern church at 1318 Mapleton Avenue, alongside a parish school and St. Rita Mission Church in Nederland. Its mission: 'Nourished by the Eucharist and the holy word of God, we strive to bring the heart of Jesus to all whom we serve,' and its tagline proudly reads 'Bringing the Heart of Jesus to the Heart of Boulder since 1875.' In 2025 the parish is celebrating its 150th anniversary as a cornerstone of Catholic life in Boulder County.
- Established
- 1875
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Father Mark Kovacik
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
Sacred Heart of Jesus offers daily and Sunday Mass in English and Spanish, weekday Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesday and Thursday, and a robust confession schedule — including Spanish-language confession on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday noon — making it unusually accessible for a parish of its size. It also runs a Catholic school (Preschool through junior high) and full OCIA/RCIA, children's faith formation, youth faith formation, adult faith formation, liturgical ministries and community outreach programs. With a mission centered on the Eucharist and 'bringing the heart of Jesus to all whom we serve,' and as the mother parish of St. Rita Mission in Nederland, it is a community where longtime families and newcomers alike can find a place at the table — whether in person or via livestream.
Mass times at Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 11:30 a.m. – noon
- Tuesday 11:30 a.m. – noon
- Thursday 11:30 a.m. – noon
- Friday 11:30 a.m. – noon
- Friday 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (English and Spanish)
- Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (English and Spanish)
- Sunday 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. (Spanish)
- By private appointment with one of the parish priests (call parish center or email a priest directly)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 8:00 a.m. – noon and 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the church
- Thursday 8:00 a.m. – noon and 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the church
- No adoration on December 26 and January 2
Who We Are: 150 Years of Catholic Life in Boulder
Sacred Heart of Jesus stands at the corner of 14th Street and Mapleton Avenue in the heart of Boulder. Founded July 19, 1875, by Denver's first bishop, Joseph Machebeuf, the parish has been a constant witness to the Catholic faith in the community for nearly 150 years. The mid-century modern church, dedicated in 1963, reflects the Benedictine simplicity of the priests who shepherded the parish until 1985. In 2025 the parish joyously celebrates 150 years of bringing Jesus to the heart of Boulder.
- Founded July 19, 1875 by Bishop Joseph Machebeuf
- Current church built and dedicated in 1963
- Mid-century modern architecture
- Shepherded by Benedictine Fathers until 1985
- 150th anniversary celebrated in 2025
Parish History
The first church was completed in 1877 — too late for the parish's first Christmas, which was celebrated in a tent. By 1907 the parish had outgrown the original building and constructed a larger church (Sacred Heart Church), which served until 1963 when it was torn down and replaced by the present-day Sacred Heart of Jesus at 1318 Mapleton Avenue. For the 150th anniversary in 2025, the parish worked to return the original 1875 cornerstone to the property — a project led by longtime parishioner Hank Barth and volunteers.
- 1875: Parish officially founded by Bishop Machebeuf
- 1877: First church completed; Christmas Mass first celebrated in a tent
- 1907/1908: Second, larger Sacred Heart Church built
- 1963: Current mid-century modern church built and dedicated
- 2025: 150th anniversary and return of original cornerstone
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School
The parish school opened in 1900 under the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, beginning in a remodeled rectory with $1.50 tuition. It has been the parish's primary ministry ever since. Over the decades the school has grown through multiple buildings: a 1918 three-story school and convent at 13th and Mapleton; a larger replacement in 1959; a 1976 junior high building; and the 1983 conversion of the old convent into today's parish center. Today the school serves Preschool through junior high, with Fr. Mark Kovacik serving as school chaplain.
- Founded 1900 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM)
- Preschool through junior high
- Website: school.shjboulder.org
- Fr. Mark Kovacik serves as chaplain
- Located on the parish campus at 13th–14th and Mapleton
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Father Mark Kovacik as Pastor, supported by Father John Paul Almeida (Parochial Vicar), Father Terry Ryan, CSP (Priest in Residence) and Deacon David Luksch. Henry Schliff, OFS, serves as Director of Religious Education. Lay staff include Gina Arvizu, Ariel Sanchez, Linda Martinez, Deissy Lara, and Lili Kozlowski in business, music, facilities, welcome desk and payroll roles. Fr. Mark is also available for home visits, Anointing of the Sick, confession and bringing the Eucharist to those who are homebound.
- Father Mark Kovacik — Pastor ([email protected])
- Father John Paul Almeida — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Father Terry Ryan, CSP — Priest in Residence
- Deacon David Luksch ([email protected])
- Henry Schliff, OFS — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Gina Arvizu — parish office / Anointing of the Sick contact ([email protected])
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
Sacred Heart of Jesus runs a full Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) program, welcoming catechumens, baptized Christians from other denominations, and Catholics seeking First Communion and/or Confirmation. The 2025–2026 cohort meets weekly on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 p.m., with monthly sponsor meetings, Sunday Mass attendance and a Lenten retreat at St. Rita Mission Church in Nederland. Reception into the Church is celebrated at the Easter Vigil. There is no cost to participate.
- Weekly Tuesday evening meetings at 6:00 p.m.
- Lenten retreat on Palm Sunday at St. Rita Church, Nederland
- Reception at the Easter Vigil
- Contact: Henry Schliff, (720) 355-9490, [email protected]
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs faith formation programming for every age: Children's Faith Formation (including First Communion and Confirmation preparation), Youth Faith Formation, and Adult Faith Formation. The parish also extends its formation work through the Catholic school, which integrates catechesis into daily academic life from Preschool through junior high.
- Children's Faith Formation
- Youth Faith Formation
- Adult Faith Formation
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation
- Children's OCIA for ages 7+
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners are invited to serve in the liturgical life of the parish, including roles as ushers, extraordinary ministers, lectors and in other liturgical ministries. (The parish site encourages parishioners to prayerfully consider serving.)
- Ushers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Other liturgical volunteer roles
Community Outreach
Sacred Heart of Jesus lists Community Outreach as one of its core ministry areas, seeking to live out the parish mission to 'bring the heart of Jesus to all whom we serve' beyond the parish campus.
- Community Outreach ministry
- Volunteer opportunities coordinated through the parish office
St. Rita Mission Church, Nederland
Sacred Heart of Jesus is the mother parish of St. Rita Mission Church at 326 Boulder Canyon Drive in Nederland, Colorado — about 20 minutes up Boulder Canyon from Boulder. Sunday Mass at St. Rita is celebrated at 9:30 a.m., with Confession and the Rosary beginning at 9:00 a.m. The Mass is also broadcast on 99.3 FM in the parking lot for those who prefer to remain in their cars.
- 326 Boulder Canyon Drive, Nederland, CO 80466
- Sunday Mass: 9:30 a.m.
- Confession & Rosary: 9:00 a.m.
- Parking-lot broadcast on 99.3 FM
- Website: saintrita-church.com
Visiting & Contact
Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed; the parish recommends emailing a priest or deacon directly to schedule a conversation about sacraments, returning to the faith, or OCIA.
- Phone: 303.442.6158
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–noon and 1–4 p.m.
- Welcome desk coordinator on staff