Archive for month: December, 2024
St. John the Evangelist Parish celebrates 100 years of God’s grace and loving service
Maura Baker
Staff Writer
A church of German Gothic design nestled in Covington welcomed a full congregation on the evening of Nov. 23 to celebrate its centennial anniversary. For the past 100 years, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Covington, has served its local community in faith.
The formation of the parish and building of the church began with a need, Bishop John Iffert, who celebrated the Mass, began his homily. The History of the Diocese of Covington, a book published in the 1950’s, has a brief but “interesting” entry on St. John the Evangelist’s Parish. “The reason the neighbors began gathering and began to work on founding a parish here,” said Bishop Iffert, “is because they wanted to build a school.”
The commute to the next closest school at Mother of God was “too long of a commute,” he said, “especially given the condition of the roads at the time. So, apparently, it was easier to build the school and start a parish than for them to fix the roads!”
While the comment was made partially in jest, Bishop Iffert used this origin story to connect to the weekend’s liturgy — the Solemnity of Christ the King. In his homily, he spoke about the promises made by sovereigns and government leaders, such as the Michigan governor who ran on the platform of “fixing the expletive roads.”
“It seems like that’s been a feature of a need for our lives for a long time, especially for folks here in St. John’s Parish,” Bishop Iffert said. “It’s interesting how often our political campaigns, who takes political power … how often it hinges on those very human rights.”
“Jesus remembers something that we and our rulers often forget,” he continued in his homily, “We hear the kings of the world speak of themselves in the third person: the royal ‘we.’ In our democratic age, it sounds officious … that language comes from the idea that the king no longer has a private life, that the king no longer has a self-interest … The king is supposed to be the one who does not promote his own good, but instead lives for the good of others.”
Bishop Iffert said, “Jesus reveals to us that this is the way God cares for us. This is the way God loves us. This is the way God pours out his life, ruling from the cross, emptying himself for the love of us, you and me. This is the way we are called to govern our own lives in a way that we live in service to others.”
Circling back, Bishop Iffert concluded his homily, saying that while the origin of St. John’s Parish was so that “children didn’t have to walk on muddy roads for long distances, the purpose has always been the same. Share that power of love with everyone you meet.”
“That’s what we celebrate tonight,” he said, “100 years of God’s grace, supporting you in that kind of loving service — service that looks like the cross of Jesus, the cross on which he reigns. King of the universe, high priest and champion of our hearts.”
DCCH Center for Children and Families shelters the homeless year round; Is that your Dad?— soon, one prospective family hopes to answer with a resounding ‘yes!’
Bella Young
Multimedia Correspondent
As part of the Diocesan wide Campaign of Mercy, the Messenger has been highlighting a different work of mercy each month. For the month of December, the focus is on the corporal work, sheltering the homeless.
Sheltering the homeless is not something that many people feel they can participate in. The image many conjure is of welcoming into their home a stranger; perhaps someone who sits on the corner or sleeps on the sidewalk. Opening your home to strangers can not only be dangerous but for many they feel wary about letting a stranger into their home. It takes specially trained people and organizations to meet the housing needs of this most vulnerable population. For individuals, its best to support these organizations in their mission and ministry.
However, there are other groups to consider when thinking of sheltering the homeless. Instead of picturing a stranger on the corner, picture a small child who had to be removed from his or her home because of unsafe conditions. Picture a teenager, whose whole life has been in and out of institutions, multiple homes and new people. These are the faces of the children in our local foster care and adoption system. And they have many ways for individuals to participate in their mission and ministry of providing shelter for homeless children.
DCCH Center for Children and Families, Ft. Mitchell, receives 400 referrals a month for children that need to be placed with a foster or adoptive family. Ron Bertsch, Therapeutic Foster Care/Adoption/ILP director, said that every month they must turn away referrals because they do not have enough families. Mr. Bertsch, in his role, recruits families, trains them, does their home study and gets them approved so that he can help those 400 children who do not have a home to go to.
“Without the recruitment of resources and families it is hard to do the rest of our job, which is to match homeless children, that need a foster or adoptive family,” he said.
When the job is difficult, Mr. Bertsch said that remembering the work of mercy he is doing helps him stay motivated. “It helps me stay motivated in this job because I feel like it is a ministry that I am doing, and it is God’s work. There are a lot of days that are hard and frustrating, but I feel this is more than a job for me, it truly is a ministry.”
The DCCH Center for Children and Families also has a program that aids older children once they have aged out of the traditional foster care system.
“In the history of our services, many kids turned 18 and aged out and had to fend for themselves,” said Mr. Bertsch. Recognizing the needs of these vulnerable young adults, in 2017 DCCH found some funding, and launched its independent living services.
“Kids that are 18 … if they choose, they can extend their stay in foster care. We find them an apartment, we pay utilities and rent and offer case management and therapy … I have had a lot of success with over a dozen kids since we have been doing that, I feel like I am another father figure to these young men and women,” said Mr. Bertsch.
The best part of the job, Mr. Bertsch said, is being able to tell a child that they found a family. “To be able to tell them, ‘Hey, we found you a family.’ I don’t know if I have the words … but I can see it on their face, it is almost unbelievable, the excitement and the joy … it is the excitement, ‘there is somebody out there in the world that is willing to give me a chance.’”
Anyone interested in learning more about foster care or adoption services, DCCH is hosting a no obligation, informational night, Monday, Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. at DCCH Center, 75 Orphanage Road, Ft. Mitchell, in its Miller Building — signs will direct you.
One-on-one ZOOM information meetings can be scheduled if the planned info meeting is not convenient. E-mail [email protected] requesting a meeting with someone from our team.
For a related story about an upcoming 175th DCCH adoption see page 16
Is that your Dad?— soon, one prospective family hopes to answer with a resounding ‘yes!’
“Following God’s will of caring for orphans can seem like a lot, but God will take your yes and meet you where you are at. My journey began with two years of mentoring Joseph. We got to know each other through Sundays at church and many other diverse activities and events. “Then God saw fit to provide everything needed for me to foster Joseph with the intention of adoption. After 11 months, we have the final court date for adoption on Dec. 3. God is so good. “So, wherever you are in your decision process with mentoring, fostering or adopting know that God will honor your yes and do more than you can imagine changing the life of a child for His Kingdom and glory,” Brian Menendez.
These words were expressed from the heart and mind of Mr. Menendez as he finalizes the adoption of his son, Joseph. Below is the story of how Brian and Joseph will become the 175th family through adoption facilitated by DCCH Center for Children and Families.
Brian Menendez, a 40-year-old single man had recently moved and was getting to know the Northern Kentucky area. He read the bible verse James 1:27 which reads, “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows”. Something stirred, and Brian did an internet search for places to help orphans and came across DCCH Center for Children and Families, in Ft. Mitchell. He immediately began the process to become a mentor for a child.
DCCH just marked their 175th anniversary of providing care for children since starting in 1848 as St. John Orphanage. Merging with St. Joseph Orphanage forming the Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home focusing on the healing of children abused and neglected entering the foster care system.
Brian was matched with Joseph, a then 10-yr old boy in March of 2022. Brian and Joseph’s visits started on the DCCH campus together talking and building Lego sets. In time, Brian was able to take Joseph out during the day and they would attend church and do fun activities together.
Brian shared that he understood his role as a mentor. He wanted to be a safe and loving person for Joseph. During that time, Joseph was open with Brian about things that were occurring in his life. Brian was praying that Joseph would be able to leave DCCH Residential Program and be with a forever family. Brian shared that it never crossed his mind that he could become his family.
Months turned into years, and Joseph still was without the forever family. Brian and Joseph were out in the community one day and someone asked Joseph if Brian was his dad. Joseph nodded his head yes, while cautiously looking at Brian. For the first time, Brian realized that maybe he could be Joseph’s father. Brian prayed and talked with his pastor and those in leadership at church. They agreed that Joseph had become part of the church family, and he needed to be with us.
Brian was introduced to Ron Bertsch, Foster Care and Adoption Director in the fall of 2023. Brian shared his heart and his desire to be a father and a safe home for Joseph. Brian started foster and adoptive classes through DCCH. When Brian was able to inform Joseph of his intention, Joseph was surprised and excited but still reserved because many other family opportunities had presented for him but had always fallen through.
Joseph progressed to having overnight visits with Brian, and then weekend visits and even spending longer times during school holidays. By February 2024, Joseph and Brian were ready; Joseph moved into Brian’s home full-time.
It wasn’t the easiest transition as Brian and Joseph had to learn to become father and son rather than mentor and mentee, but the bond was well started. In addition, Joseph enrolled at a new school. Brian and Joseph worked together through many obstacles to grow in attachment and trust with one another.
This summer, Brian took Joseph to his family’s home in Florida to meet Brian’s extended family. This was Joseph’s first time flying on a plane and the first time seeing the Atlantic Ocean and beach. As a 13-year-old, that made for quite a memorable experience.
Brian and Joseph have an incredible community surrounding them. Good friends from their church attended DCCH’s respite training to further support Brian and Joseph, providing childcare and respite when needed.
Much of Brian and Joseph’s church family plans to attend the adoption finalization hearing on December 3. Joseph’s adoption marks the 175th adoption facilitated through DCCH, so a large contingency of DCCH staff will also attend the hearing. Celebrating this momentous occasion and being blessed to witness the young Joseph grow from the little boy in residential, to the young man in foster care to now being adopted by such a selfless, strong Christian man become father is another cherished gift from God.
For anyone interested in learning more about fostering, adopting or mentoring, attend a free informational meeting on Monday, Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. at DCCH campus or contact (859) 331-2040 or www.DCCHCenter.org
Deacon Kaiser remembered for a lifetime of generosity and service
Deacon Bernie J. Kaiser, 83, died Nov. 13. He was ordained a deacon of the Diocese of Covington by Bishop William Hughes, 1985, in the diocese’s first class of deacons. He was the husband of Linda Roaden Kaiser, and father to Tim Kaiser and Chris Kaiser, as well as a grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Deacon Kaiser was preceded in death by his parents, his children Sandy Kaiser and Dave Kaiser, sisters Myrtle Vicars and Alvera McMillan and brother Robert Kaiser.
Deacon Bernie Kaiser grew up on Crescent Ave. in West Covington, attended St. Aloysius school and then Covington Catholic high school for half of his high school career before switching to Holmes and graduating in 1960, after which he married his high school sweetheart, Linda Roaden Kaiser, who was introduced to him by friends in high school.
Deacon Kaiser worked several jobs, but landed eventually in a finance company, according to Mrs. Kaiser, helping to form and lead Consumer Credit Counseling, utilizing his professional and personal experience in finances.
Consumer Credit Counseling is a nonprofit, debt relief program dedicated to helping people regain control of their finances and plan for a debt-free future. Father Gerry Reinersman remembers visiting with Deacon Kaiser at Consumer Credit Counseling. “He very much saw his work as a ministry,” said Father Reinersman. He saw in his work, “reducing stress in people’s lives and as a healing ministry for them and their families. He was a good humble soul.”
Deacon Kaiser grew up poor, according to Mrs. Kaiser, and, as such, “he knew what it was like having these needs that people had. He understood that because he had been there. His father was like that, too. Even though he didn’t have a lot, he was always willing to share what he had.”
After his retirement, Mrs. Kaiser remembers Deacon Kaiser telling her that he wanted to become a deacon — and, while Mrs. Kaiser never foresaw herself becoming a Catholic deacon’s wife, having grown up protestant, she noted how God has a “good sense of humor.”
During his time as a deacon, Deacon Kaiser served his home parish, St. Barbara Parish, Erlanger.
“He enjoyed being a husband and a father,” she said, “he had loved being a deacon because he was in a position where he could help people in so many ways.”
Towards the end of his life, Deacon Kaiser suffered from Parkinson’s and Dementia before passing away — while at his visitation and funeral Mass at St. Barbara’s Church, Erlanger, Nov. 22, Mrs. Kaiser recalls how many people came to her speaking of the help and aid that Deacon Kaiser had offered during their lives.
Deacon Kaiser was laid to rest at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Covington. Memorial donations may be made in Deacon Kaiser’s honor either online or in person at services to St. Barbara Church or to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Cincinnati.