About St. Anthony of Padua · Denver, Colorado
St. Anthony of Padua is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish serving the Westwood neighborhood of southwest Denver, Colorado, in the Archdiocese of Denver. Founded in 1947, the parish has grown into a vibrant community offering Mass in both English and Spanish, with five Sunday Masses and daily Masses in two languages. The parish is led by Pastor Father Arturo Chagala and Parochial Vicar Father Miljenko Pavkovic, with retired priest Father Peter Urban also actively assisting the community. Beyond the liturgy, St. Anthony's is known for its parish food bank, religious education (CCD/OCIA), Eucharistic Adoration, and ongoing outreach including support for the Miguel Pro Mission in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Father Arturo Chagala
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua is a welcoming bilingual parish where a family can worship in English or Spanish almost any day of the week, with five Sunday Masses plus daily Mass in two languages. The community is small enough to know one another and active in real outreach — running its own food bank for neighbors in need, sustaining the Nocturnal Adoracion and Eucharistic Adoration prayer groups, and supporting the Miguel Pro Mission in Ciudad Juárez. Solid sacramental preparation for First Communion, Confirmation, baptism (OCIA), and marriage, plus a staff that includes a pastor, parochial vicar, retired priest, and CCD director, make it a good fit for families looking for an authentically Catholic home in southwest Denver.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 5:30 PM – 5:50 PM
- Tuesday 5:30 PM – 5:50 PM
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Thursday 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Friday 5:30 PM – 5:50 PM
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- First Friday of the Month 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday evenings 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Eucharistic Adoration prayer group)
About St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
St. Anthony of Padua is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in the Westwood neighborhood of southwest Denver, Colorado, founded in 1947 and part of the Archdiocese of Denver. The parish serves a largely Latino community and offers Mass in both English and Spanish — including four Spanish Sunday Masses, an English Sunday Mass, daily bilingual Masses, and a Saturday vigil Mass. The parish is pastored by Father Arturo Chagala with Parochial Vicar Father Miljenko Pavkovic, and retired priest Father Peter Urban also remains active in the community.
- Founded: 1947
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Denver
- Location: Westwood neighborhood, Denver, CO 80219
- Pastor: Father Arturo Chagala
- Parochial Vicar: Father Miljenko Pavkovic
- Retired priest in residence: Father Peter Urban
Parish History
St. Anthony of Padua was established in 1947 in what is now the Westwood neighborhood of southwest Denver, according to GCatholic and public business records. Over more than 75 years the parish has grown into a thriving bilingual community. Its strong Hispanic/Latino identity is reflected in the schedule (four of five Sunday Masses in Spanish), the Nocturnal Adoracion devotion, and the parish food bank. Today the parish is known for its active Eucharistic Adoration life, its outreach to the surrounding Westwood neighborhood, and its missionary link to the Miguel Pro Mission in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
- Founded in 1947 (per GCatholic)
- Located on West Ohio Avenue in Westwood since its founding
- Has become a predominantly bilingual (English/Spanish) parish with strong Hispanic Catholic devotional traditions
Nocturnal Adoracion
The Nocturnal Adoracion group meets the first Saturday night of every month. Families keep vigil with Our Lord until midnight, after which the men continue an all-night vigil that includes the Liturgy of the Hours and the Rosary during Eucharistic Adoration — a hallmark of Hispanic Catholic devotional life.
- Meets first Saturday night of every month
- Family vigil until midnight, then all-night men's vigil
- Includes Liturgy of the Hours and Rosary during Adoration
Sacraments
St. Anthony's prepares the faithful for all the major sacraments of initiation and marriage. Registrations for Religious Education (CCD), OCIA, and Baptism are typically held during the summer; check the bulletin for current registration dates.
- Baptism – for non-baptized children and adults 8 years and older
- First Communion & Confirmation – 2-year Religious Education program
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) – Sacraments of Initiation
- Marriage – contact the parish office to begin preparation
- Baptism registration requires 2 copies of birth certificate, 2 copies of baptism certificate (if applicable), and a registration fee
Religious Education (CCD)
The parish's Religious Education program (CCD), directed by Laura, prepares children for First Communion and Confirmation through a two-year program. The program welcomes school-age children whose families want them to receive these sacraments, with registrations typically opening each summer.
- Director: Laura (CCD Director, 303-935-2431 x3005)
- Two-year preparation cycle
- Registrations typically during the summer; check the parish bulletin
St. Anthony's Food Bank
St. Anthony's Food Bank is one of the most visible parish ministries, serving neighbors in need from the surrounding community. The food bank is open Tuesdays and Fridays at set morning hours and is staffed by parish volunteers under the direction of parish staff member Avelina.
- Hours: Tuesday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Service area: addresses between Federal, Wadsworth, Alameda, and Florida
- Contact: 303-935-2431 x3012 (Avelina), [email protected]
- Requires proof of address and ID
Miguel Pro Mission (Ciudad Juárez)
Through the tireless advocacy of retired priest Father Peter Urban, the parish supports the Miguel Pro Mission in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Father Peter has championed this mission as part of his ongoing ministry from St. Anthony's, and parishioners are encouraged to learn about and support the work of the mission.
- Mission website: http://www.miguelpromission.com/
- Championed by retired priest Father Peter Urban
- Outreach to the people of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
Parish Staff & Directory
The parish is served by a small but dedicated staff of clergy and lay employees, listed on the parish directory page. Office questions, sacramental records, food bank inquiries, accounting, and religious education can all be routed through the parish office.
- Father Arturo Chagala – Pastor, 303-935-2431 x3010, [email protected]
- Father Miljenko Pavkovic – Parochial Vicar, 303-935-2431 x3009, [email protected]
- Father Peter Urban – Retired Priest, 303-935-2431 x3000, [email protected]
- Monica – Office Admin, 303-935-2431 x3003, [email protected]
- Avelina – Food Bank, 303-935-2431 x3012, [email protected]
- Mary – Accounting, 303-935-2431
- Laura – CCD Director, 303-935-2431 x3005
Visit & Contact
Visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM (closed Mondays). The church and office are wheelchair accessible, and the parish is located in the Westwood neighborhood of southwest Denver.
- Address: 3801 W Ohio Avenue, Denver, CO 80219
- Phone: 303-935-2431
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Tue–Fri 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM (Closed Monday)
- Wheelchair accessible entrance, restroom, and parking lot