About St. Mary Magdalene · Denver, Colorado
St. Mary Magdalene is a Roman Catholic parish in west Denver, Colorado, situated above Sloans Lake just south of the Highlands neighborhood and serving more than 600 families. Founded on July 9, 1907 by Rev. Joseph M. Desaulniers, who celebrated the first Mass in a parishioner's home, it is one of the historic Catholic communities of the Archdiocese of Denver. The current church building was constructed in 1950 and renovated in the 2000s, and the parish offers Mass in both English and Spanish along with a robust sacramental life, youth formation, and ministries for every age.
- Established
- 1907
- Patron
- Saint Mary Magdalene
- Rector
- Fr. Joe McLagan, V.F.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver
Why belong here
St. Mary Magdalene offers a welcoming, bilingual Catholic community of more than 600 families on Denver's west side, with Mass in both English and Spanish, weekly adoration with confession, and a full sacramental life including RCIA, baptism prep, and a robust marriage preparation program. Active lay ministries — from the Ave Maria Women's Group and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to Apostoles de La Palabra, Altar Servers, and Sacristans — give every parishioner a way to serve, while youth formation for ages 5–17 supports lifelong faith growth rooted in the family and the parish.
Mass times at St. Mary Magdalene
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (or by appointment) — English and Español available
- Wednesday 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (during Adoration) — English and Español available
- Sunday 9:15 AM – 9:50 AM — bilingual
- Sunday 11:15 AM – 11:50 AM — bilingual
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (confessions available during Adoration)
Our Parish: A West Denver Catholic Community
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church sits in west Denver, perched above Sloans Lake and just south of the Highlands, with a current congregation of more than 600 families. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Denver and is built on three pillars: Formation, Community, and Evangelization. The current church was built in 1950 and renovated in the 2000s, and the parish is described by its leadership as a vibrant, growing community.
- Location: west Denver, above Sloans Lake and south of the Highlands
- Serves over 600 families
- Current church built 1950, renovated in the 2000s
- Part of the Archdiocese of Denver
Parish History
Founded on July 9, 1907 by Rev. Joseph M. Desaulniers, the parish grew steadily across the 20th century. Father Desaulniers said the first Mass in a parishioner's home and saw 900 people witness the cornerstone laying on June 30, 1907. His successor, Monsignor James P. Flanagan, shepherded a forty-three-year pastorate beginning in 1926 and oversaw explosive growth from 400 to 1,400 families during the 1938–1950s period. A school opened in September 1950 with two Franciscan nuns teaching 65 students, and the current church was built the same year. The parish later partnered with St. Anthony Hospital on a child development center and hosted seminarians from St. John Vianney Theological Seminary at Villa Madeleine.
- 1907: Parish founded by Rev. Joseph M. Desaulniers
- 1907: Cornerstone laid June 30 with 900 attendees
- 1926: Rev. James P. Flanagan begins 43-year pastorate
- 1927: Parish purchases property on Sheridan Boulevard
- 1950: Four-classroom school opens with 2 Franciscan nuns and 65 students; current church built
- 1969: Monsignor Flanagan retires (d. 1980); Rev. Roy Figlino appointed, converts rectory to Villa Madeleine for retired priests
- 1979: Parish school closes
- 1982: Child development center opens with St. Anthony Hospital
- 1986: Gene Murray appointed lay administrator, succeeded by Deacon Richard Vieira
- Early 2000s: Villa Madeleine used by St. John Vianney Theological Seminary
- November 2012: Rev. Luis Escandon named Pastor
Clergy and Staff
St. Mary Magdalene is served by a pastor, a parochial vicar, and a deacon, supported by a small staff team responsible for ministry coordination, music, operations, and parish office work. The current pastor, Fr. Joe McLagan, holds the title Vicar Forane (V.F.).
- Fr. Joe McLagan, V.F. — Pastor
- Fr. Geronimo Gonzalez — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Mr. Tony Werckman — Deacon
- Melina Muro — Ministry Coordinator
- Paul Kneusel & Clare Nowak — Music Ministers
- James Carillo — Operations Manager
- Tina Marie Rincón — Office Assistant
Parish Ministries
Parishioners of all ages can find a way to serve through the parish's liturgical and community ministries. Liturgical roles include Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and Sacristans, while community life is enriched by the Ave Maria Women's Group and the bilingual Apostoles de La Palabra. To get involved in any of these ministries, the parish invites people to call the parish office at 303.455.1968 or email [email protected].
- Altar Servers — young boys and men assisting at the altar (must be baptized and in religious education or Confirmed)
- Apostoles de La Palabra — Spanish-language ministry meeting Mondays in Madonna Hall at 7 PM (contact [email protected])
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — bring Communion to parishioners in nursing homes, assisted living, or their own homes
- Ave Maria Women's Group — meets Saturdays 9:15–10:45 AM and Thursdays 6:00–7:00 PM; contact Alberta Lopez at 303.905.9917
- Sacristans — facilitate and prepare for liturgical activities
Youth Formation
The Youth Formation program at St. Mary Magdalene serves children and youth ages 5–17. The parish grounds its program in the conviction that the family is the 'domestic church' and the first place children learn to live their faith, and it aims to create a program of lifelong faith formation centered in and flowing out of the events of parish life, promoting faith growth at home and active participation in Church life.
- Serves children and youth ages 5–17
- Recognizes the family / 'domestic church' as the primary catechist
- Promotes lifelong faith formation rooted in parish life
- Contact: parish office at 303.455.1968
Becoming Catholic (RCIA / OCIA)
St. Mary Magdalene walks with adults who wish to become Catholic or complete their initiation through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults — now referred to as the Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA). The process is described as more than a program: it is a journey of intellectual learning, spiritual growth, and conversion that culminates in reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. It also welcomes those who have been baptized in another Christian tradition or who have been away from the Church and wish to return.
- For the unbaptized, those baptized in another Christian church, and returning Catholics
- Process of intellectual learning, spiritual growth, and conversion
- Culminates in the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
- Contact the parish office for more information
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments with required preparation. Baptism is described as the 'door' to the other sacraments and unites the baptized with Christ. Marriage requires a minimum eight-month preparation period under the Archdiocese of Denver and includes a FOCCUS Inventory, a Marriage Prep Program, Natural Family Planning, and a Final Meeting; at least one member of the couple must be a baptized Catholic and practicing the faith.
- Baptism — with required preparation classes; first of the seven sacraments
- Marriage — 8-month Archdiocesan preparation, FOCCUS Inventory, Marriage Prep Program, Natural Family Planning, Final Meeting
- Confirmation and First Communion — celebrated as part of initiation
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
- Becoming Catholic (OCIA) — for unbaptized and other Christians seeking full communion
Faith Formation Resources
To enrich ongoing faith life, the parish recommends a curated list of Catholic media and study resources that parishioners can use at home or on the go.
- Formed.com
- Hallow App
- Word On Fire
- Ascension Press
- Ave Maria Press
Archdiocese of Denver & Wider Resources
St. Mary Magdalene is proud to be part of the Archdiocese of Denver, which proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, celebrates his Sacraments, and exercises his works of mercy so that all might share in salvation and the lasting joy of a relationship with Christ. The parish website links to several Archdiocesan-run ministries and resources available to parishioners.
- St. John Vianney Lay Division — lay formation through Biblical School, Catechetical School, short courses, and lectures
- Annunciation Heights — youth and family camp, outdoor education, group retreat space, and missionary opportunities
- Centro San Juan Diego — Hispanic community education, family support, integration, and leadership formation
- Archdiocese of Denver — news and stories from across Northern Colorado
Parish Registration & Welcome
St. Mary Magdalene invites those who have been attending Mass to register as parishioners. Registration allows the parish to keep important family information on file, send yearly tax receipts, and manage mail and giving preferences. The registration form captures sacramental records (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation) and basic demographic information.
- Online registration form available on the parish website
- Tracks Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and other family details
- Used to issue yearly tax receipts and manage communications
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph M. Desaulniers1907–
Founding pastor; said the first Mass in a parishioner's home on July 9, 1907; laid the cornerstone on June 30, 1907.
- Rev. James P. Flanagan1926–1969
Forty-three-year pastorate; also served as director of Mount Olivet Cemetery; retired with the title of Monsignor in 1969; died December 21, 1980.
- Rev. Roy Figlinoafter 1969
Appointed by Archbishop Casey; converted the rectory into Villa Madeleine, a home for retired priests.
- Gene Murray1986–
Lay administrator; handled day-to-day operations while retired priests in residence handled spiritual needs.
- Deacon Richard Vieiraafter Gene Murray
Served as parish administrator.
- Rev. Luis EscandonNovember 2012–
House Father and Formator for seminarians at Villa Madeleine before being named Pastor.
- Fr. Joe McLagan, V.F.present
Current pastor; holds the title Vicar Forane (V.F.).