About Us
Church of the Beloved is an independent, inclusive Catholic faith community. We have Mass every Saturday at 5pm. The Second Saturday of each month is a Mass For All Ages, in which children are encouraged to participate.
Located At:
10500 Grant Dr
Northglenn, CO 80233
We...
We are concerned, committed Catholics forging a path toward the reform and renewal of the Church. Embracing an inclusive community, we...
- welcome all to the celebration of the sacraments,
- allow priests the freedom to marry and raise families,
- recognize that women have the opportunity to serve God's people as ordained ministers,
- freely give Jesus's gift of the Eucharist to all the baptized, whether Catholic or Protestant,
- recognize the dignity of all human beings, regardless of their race, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation,
- strive for justice within the church and throughout the world,
- are members of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion.
History
Father Paul Burson was our first pastor and is a former Vincentian priest. Although COB is still his home community, Paul (Pablo), was elected in 2022 to be the Presiding Bishop of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion (ECC).
Mother Kae Madden began as a lay associate while Greg served in the music ministry. She was ordained to the diaconate in October 2005 and was ordained a priest on July 29, 2006. Kae was called as pastor in 2009. In 2021, Kae was elected to serve as the first bishop of the Rocky Mountain Region of the ECC and continues to serve as our Pastor.
Father Len Schreiner is a former Capuchin priest and was incardinated into the ECC in 2004. Father Len became affiliated with Church of the Beloved for several years. He and his wife, Nancy Trottner, moved to New Mexico in 2018 where they now live and remain in close connection with our community and the ECC.
Mother Alice Bradley joined the community in 2018, and in 2020 was called to be a Pastoral Associate. In 2021, Alice was ordained as a deacon and then ordained to the priesthood October 10, 2021. She is currently our Associate Pastor.
Mother Christy Chady joined COB in 2018 (the same day as Mother Alice). Christy was ordained a deacon in 2024. Following the completion of seminary, Christy was ordained to the priesthood on January 17, 2026. Mother Christy currently serves as our Assistant Pastor.
Church of the Beloved joined the ECC in March 2007 and formed its first parish council that same year. We have grown from 2 households in 2004, to 53 households in 2022 and in 2026 we have 68 active households participating in the life of our community.
We share the distinctives of the ECC, and rejoice in the diversity of our community.
Journeys
In the years/months prior to finding the Church of the Beloved, members of our community recount their stories of spirituality, church community and religious experience: What was happening in their hearts? Where were they spiritually? emotionally? intellectually? How did they first learn of Church of the Beloved (or the ECC)? What finally prompted them to attend Mass? How their first experience felt. Any identifying information has been removed.
Survey
Click here for a Survey to see if you are Ecumenical or Roman Catholic!
Ecumenical Catholic Communion
Our community chooses to be members of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion. Being Catholic involves journeying with others in the tradition.
The ECC's mission statement:
We are People of God baptized in Christ and professing our faith in a living Catholic tradition. We are men and women, lay and ordained, joining together as a "communion of communities" in response to the messianic call of the Spirit to preach the Gospel of liberation and justice; to offer a refuge in Christ for those who suffer prejudice; to stand open to dialogue with others so called and, to conform our lives to the life and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ecumenical
Ecumenism refers to efforts by Christians of different church traditions to develop closer relationships and better understandings.
Catholic
In an ecclesiastical sense, we practice worship, ritual, sacraments, in the Catholic tradition. We listen to the Word of God, share the real presence of the body and blood of Christ, live the Christian message of love and Gospel values. We follow the liturgical year, using symbols and signs, traditional prayers, etc. One does not have to be Roman to be Catholic. There are many catholic traditions. Many Christian traditions use the word "catholic" in their creeds or professions of faith; at its root meaning universal. We of the ECC consider ourselves to be Everybody's Catholic Church!
Communion
We are in deep, even intimate, relationship with Jesus and each other as we gather around a common table, common faith, and life. Living into communion is to hone the skills of relationship as Jesus did with reverence and dignity to which we are each called. After discernment, each ECC parish or worshipping community made a decision to be a member of the Communion. There is an application process. Part of being Catholic is connecting with the whole. We are a Communion of member communities.
Racial Equity Resources
The ECC Anti-Racism Statement
COB Racial Equity Resources
Church of the Beloved has compiled a list of resources and actions (linked above) to aid those who seek to understand, learn more and do more about the impact of racism on Black, Indigenousness People of Color (BIPOC).
Rocky Mountain Region
We are a part of the Rocky Mountain Region of the ECC.
Compelling Vision of the RMRC: A strong faith-filled communion of diverse communities within the Rocky Mountain Region of the ECC.
Mission: The Mission of the RMRC is to listen and respond to the Spirit’s leading and action in the diverse communities of our region, facilitate collaboration, foster growth in faith and love, and extend the radical hospitality of the ECC to one and all.
Functions/Scope of Responsibility: Relationships: Facilitating relationships among the regional member communities, via dialogue, shared prayer, retreats, annual summits, social outreach, and educational events.
Communications: Sustaining ongoing communications among region communities by all available means; Collaborating on efforts to educate about and increase visibility of the ECC to the public at large.
Administration: Administering the region’s resources and finances, i.e. Vicar stipend, travel expenses, etc. Coordinating dialogue about the growth, leadership and effective operation of the region. Facilitating ongoing dialogue and discernment regarding the call of a regional bishop when timely and appropriate.
Check out the other ECC churches in this region:
- Church of the Holy Family
- Aurora, Colorado
- Light of Christ
- Longmont, Colorado
- St. Paul
- Denver, Colorado
- Mary of Magdala
- Ft. Collins, Colorado
Sacraments
Baptism
Baptism marks us with the Sign of the Cross, initiating us into the Family of God. Infants, children, and adults are prepared on an individual basis.
Communion
Receiving Communion, or the Holy Eucharist, is encouraged by all the baptized, regardless of age. We invite children to join us at Jesus' table as soon as parents are comfortable. Formal education about this most holy sacrament and remembrance of Jesus' life commences when the child reaches the age of reason.
Reconciliation
The sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated to restore and heal our broken relationships with God and neighbor. In addition, communal penance services are held seasonally.
Confirmation
Confirmation is a furthering of our baptismal initiation, anointing us with the Holy Spirit. We will prepare youth as they are ready in 7th-9th grade and may join with other Colorado ECC communities for Confirmation.
Matrimony
Witnessing a marriage is our great privilege. Engaged couples (gay and straight) are encouraged to contact our pastoral staff to discuss the individual situation. We engage in marriage preparation, a series of meetings with the presider, to explore the riches of the marriage covenant and enhance the relationship of the couple, followed by planning the ceremony. Three to six months preparation time is recommended. A prior marriage is not necessarily an obstacle to a sacramental marriage or union.
Ordination
Ordination, a call to ordained ministry as a deacon, priest, or bishop, is open to men and women, celibate, single, and married. Guidelines for preparation are available on the ECC website here.
Sacrament of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Sick is the anointing of a person with holy oils when s/he is suffering illness or instability. Celebrated with family and friends, the ritual and prayers call upon God's healing mercy and grace to restore wholeness and connect to God's abundant life.