SUMMIT24 core team member reflects on what makes SUMMIT special as the weekend retreat approaches

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Bella Young

Multimedia Correspondent

SUMMIT24, a high school Eucharistic retreat hosted by the office of Catechesis and Evangelization, is fast approaching. Josie Bozeman, a member of the SUMMIT core team and an active participant in YCET, the Youth Commissioning and Evangelization Team, says that the main goal of the SUMMIT retreat is to bring back the love of the Eucharist, to understand what the Eucharist is and the importance of it.

Having been homeschooled from first through the eighth grade, Ms. Bozeman says a pivotal moment in her journey of faith was a summer camp.

“I really saw missionaries who are on fire with their faith, I saw peers who are on fire with their faith. I realized that Catholicism is an adventure, and its one that is fun. It will come with sacrifices and suffering, but Christ did that too, and so we can lean into him for that support in those ties,” said Ms. Bozeman. “I realized my faith can be fun and it can be exciting; that is the part that I want my peers to know too, is that it don’t always have to be textbooks, it doesn’t always have to be religion class. I am so grateful for the textbooks and religion classes in my life, but Jesus really just wants us to live life and get to him.” Ms. Bozeman hopes that SUMMIT ignites the same love of faith that her summer camp experience did.

“Someone once told me,” Ms. Bozeman said, “that if we truly knew what the Eucharist was, and really believed it in our hearts, that we would fall down weeping every time we got to go to Mass. I think that is true. As Catholics, a unique part of our faith is the ability to receive him, and he gives us that ability. We should treasure it; it is a blessing for sure. Anyone who is desiring, or doesn’t know Jesus but wants to, or maybe knew Jesus and doesn’t know where to pick back up, will benefit from this retreat.”

The SUMMIT retreat will also allow attendees the opportunity to meet new friends and form relationships with peers who are on a similar faith journey.

“I have had people I can lean on and who want me to grow so they’ll push me to finding that community. Coming to this retreat, you will find that,” said Ms. Bozeman. “I am excited to hang out with friends that I don’t usually see at my parish. I am excited to meet new people that I wouldn’t usually meet and I am definitely excited to spend time with Jesus … None of us know what the outcome is going to be, there might be nervousness, there is certainly excitement from a lot of us, but just try to let Jesus work in your life and give the Holy Spirit a chance. I think we will see a lot of miracles this SUMMIT weekend.”

Carmel Manor: 75 years of senior care where ‘the difference is love’

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Sarah Torres

Contributor

Overlooking the Ohio River and surrounded by forest, Carmel Manor provides a tranquil home for those in need of care later in life. Surrounded by Kentucky’s natural wildlife and sharing the view once witnessed by Mary Draper Ingles on her brave escape along the Ohio River, the Manor has become as embedded in our history as the original mansion it was housed in. And it all began with a determined Bishop and two sisters on a mission of love.

Since the time of Bishop Camillus Maes, there had been no home for the aged within the Diocese of Covington, yet the need for one was great. Upon his arrival to the Diocese, Bishop William Mulloy made rectifying this issue one of his top priorities.

In November 1948, the Diocese purchased the 42-acre Kramer Property in Ft. Thomas, which included two buildings — the historic three-story stone “Kinney Mansion” and a smaller six-room frame building. The Kinney Mansion was remodeled, beginning in January 1949, to serve as a home for the aged, which proved to be a large undertaking as the building required steady electricity and running water along with repairs due to years of being vacant. The smaller building was converted into a convent for the Carmelite Sisters, whom Bishop Mulloy asked to run the new home.

The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirmed had been founded 20 years earlier in New York, with a mission to serve the elderly with love in a cheerful, home-like environment. In July 1949, two sisters, Mother Mary Theresa and Mother Mary Martin, arrived in the Diocese to oversee the final stages of the remodel and to serve as the original staff. On December 13, 1949, Bishop Mulloy blessed the building, bestowing the name Carmel Manor.

The original building was able to house 35 residents and was immediately filled to capacity with a waiting list of over 200. It was clear from the beginning the need was greater than originally expected. In the early 1950s, expansions began leading to the opening of a new wing in 1956, creating space for nearly three times the residents as the original building.

Upon the request of Bishop Richard Ackerman, in 1969, a Priest House was added for the retired priests of the Diocese. The building provided six apartments, a chapel, and a central dining room and social space for the retired priests.

From the founding, Carmel Manor served mostly those who were larging self-sufficient and independent regarding their physical needs. In the 1980s, the need for more intensive care was recognized and 65 skilled-nurse beds were added in 1987. The new expansion, St. Joseph Terrace was opened in 1990 and blessed by Bishop William Hughes. These expansions in care and rooms brought the total resident capacity of Carmel Manor to nearly 150.

Continued expansion throughout the 2010s opened a modern skilled nursing setting including private rooms, spacious bathrooms, and, of course, continued breathtaking views of the Ohio River and surrounding wilderness that the Manor has always been known for.

As we come to the 75th anniversary, the once 35 resident building is now licensed for 95 skilled care and intermediate skilled care residents along with 80 personal care residents. A loving staff of 140 provide round-the-clock care, alongside three Carmelite Sisters who continue to uphold the Sister’s charism. Together they work to uphold the belief that “The Difference is Love.”

Sarah Torres is the archivist for the Diocese of Covington, Ky.

St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky food pantry and parish conferences feed body and spirit

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Bella Young

Multimedia Correspondent

For more than 100 years the Northern Kentucky Council of St. Vincent de Paul has been spreading hope in the northern most counties of Kentucky; Kenton, Campbell, Boone, Carroll, Grant and Pendelton. The Northern Kentucky Council acts as the head of 29 parish conferences, among whom resources are spread to help as many people as possible. One such parish is St. Barbara Parish, Erlanger.

Tim Scherrer, president of the St. Barbara Conference, says about the aid they are able to provide, “We gave out almost $30,000 dollars in food last year. When we look at our total economic impact on our geographic area, it is almost $130,000 of impact.”

St. Vincent de Paul provides not only food to those in need, but also financial aid. “That is primarily rent and utilities, we bought water heaters, we buy bus tokens, we do all kind of things,” said Mr. Scherrer.

“When we get a call, we reach out to that individual, try to make contact with them, figure out what they need, and we try to set up a home visit. We prefer actually getting into the house and being able to sit there and talk to someone face to face. That is kind of the gold standard of our mission, to get face to face with people,” said Mr. Scherrer.

When the volunteers, who are often referred to as Vincentians, make home visits to assess the need for aid they never come empty handed, bringing with them groceries.

“Some people will call in and ask for help with a bill, but we ask them ‘Can we bring you food?’ That’s $100-$120 in groceries that now you can spend on your gas or childcare, or whatever you may need,” said Mr. Scherrer.

Even when people max out the amount of financial aid they can be given in a year, Mr. Scherrer says that they can always be given groceries.

People who find themselves in need of aid, whether financial or help with groceries, are often embarrassed to reach out. Mr. Scherrer says that taking food to them helps relieve some of the embarrassment that might come from walking into a traditional pantry.

The Northern Kentucky Council of St. Vincent de Paul does operate traditional pantries that are open and available to the public. They are known as a choice pantry.

As Becca Gerding, programs director with St. Vincent de Paul of Northern Kentucky, explained, “The guests that we serve can actually come through and shop with a volunteer to pick items their family needs and will eat. It caters to dietary restrictions, or even picky eaters. They get to pick the brands and flavors out of what is available to them.”

Ms. Gerding says that often, this choice can empower the family. Backing up the sentiment of Mr. Scherrer, Ms. Gerding recognizes that when a family is need of aid it can be embarrassing and lead to feeling like things are out of their control. The choice pantries, located in Falmouth, Cold Spring and Erlanger, seek to give some control back to the families.

“We couldn’t do it without the wonderful community support,” said Ms. Gerding, “We couldn’t meet the need we are seeing without community support and our community rallying behind us, and the wonderful group of people helping with St. Vincent.”

The emphasis of community drives home the goal of the Campaign of Mercy, which is to increase the number of people who participate in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Without the community upholding the St. Barbara Parish Food Pantry and the pantries of St. Vincent de Paul of Northern Kentucky, their mission would not be possible.

For information on St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky and other ministries that help serve the needs of local families, visit www.covdio.org/mercy.

Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) – Saint Agnes School

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Saint Agnes, a K-8 school in Ft. Wright, KY is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) to join our educational team. This is currently a part-time position with the potential to become full-time.  The SLP will provide comprehensive speech and language services to students with communication disorders. This role involves assessing, diagnosing, and providing interventions for speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders to help students achieve their academic and social potential.  Candidates should have a Master’s degree or equivalent education in the area of speech-language pathology or communication disorders.  Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to Erin Redleski at [email protected].

Preschool Lead Teacher – St. Henry Catholic School

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General Summary:  The Preschool Teacher is responsible for fostering the intellectual, social, physical, and faith development of children at St. Henry Catholic Preschool. St. Henry Catholic Preschool provides a child centered, creative and developmentally appropriate learning environment for three, four and five year old children.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Implement all curriculum in accordance with the St. Henry Catholic Preschool Program curriculum plan
  • Develop weekly lesson plans
  • Supervise children in curriculum and activities
  • Model and instruct in Conscious Discipline for social/emotional development and classroom management.
  • Observe and respond to children’s needs, emergencies, and conflicts that might occur in a classroom, on the playground, in bathrooms, or in common areas
  • Interact with children at their level both physically and verbally throughout the day
  • Enforce all policies to ensure the safety of all participants
  • Meet with parents as needed, staff, and administration and attends staff meetings and other events as needed/requested
  • Ensure that required documentation is complete and is in compliance with regulations, standards, and VIRTUS.
  • Perform other duties as assigned
  • Assist and coordinate snacks, meals, naptime, and bathroom activities (children are toilet trained)
  • Attend monthly staff meetings, trainings, and/or school functions as determined by the Director

QUALIFICATIONS

  • High school diploma or GED required
  • College degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development Associate (CDA) or prior work experience and/or other specialized training in lieu of educational requirements.
  • Three years of relevant early childhood experience is preferred
  • Excellent communication, customer service, and problem solving skills, including the ability to maintain composure under stress
  • Able to interact in a developmentally appropriate way with three, four and five year old children
  • Highly professional and dependable
  • Pleasant/friendly demeanor and an outgoing personality
  • Able to bend, kneel, squat, stand, and lift objects as needed
  • Able to stand for long periods of time
  • Proficient computer and internet skills
  • Current CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications a plus

Interested applicants should send their resume to Kimberly Wagner at [email protected]

Vocations a 15 second sneak peak

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Vocations a 1 minute look

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As the Thanksgiving season fast approaches, Feeding the Hungry is particularly relevant

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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. The month of November is no different with the focus being on the corporal work, feeding the hungry.

Feeding the hungry is often referred to as the first corporal work of mercy because of Jesus’ mention of it in Matthew 25:35, where he names it first in the list of works of mercy. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,…”

Feeding the hungry is mentioned throughout the Bible, once again in Isaiah 58:7 where God says, “Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.”

Especially relevant during the upcoming Thanksgiving season, there are many ministries within the Diocese of Covington that feed the hungry, both at the diocesan and parish level.

One of the most well know ministries is Parish Kitchen, Covington. Having just celebrated its 50-year anniversary, Parish Kitchen is a fixture of the community, serving hot meals 365 days a year, serviced by approximately 300 volunteers, and serving more than 74,000 meals a year. This ministry, operated by Catholic Charities within the Diocese of Covington, is the embodiment of the work of mercy that is feeding the hungry.

The St. Francis Food Pantry, Covington, is a ministry of the Franciscan Daughters of Mary. St. Francis Food Pantry is open from Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Neighbors may receive donated food to bring home to their families each day the Rose Garden Mission is open, no questions asked, no need to prove there is a need. Bags of food that do not need to be cooked are also available upon request.

At the parish level, feeding the hungry is often done on a more personal level. From parishioners coming together and organizing a meal train for someone who is sick, monetary donations to a food pantry or even donating boxes of stuffing to the parish for those who may not be able to purchase any. Feeding the hungry is a work of mercy that does not need specialized training, it is one that Jesus calls us to.

Feeding the hungry does not have to be a big, performative act. And there’s no reason to reinvent the wheel. It can be as simple as making a double batch of a recipe and donating the extra, it could mean volunteering at Parish Kitchen or the St. Francis Food Pantry.

To find out how to volunteer at both Parish Kitchen and the St. Francis Food Pantry and for a list of other ministries that feed the hungry, go to covdio.org/mercy.

UNHEARDOF brand designer encourages kids to listen and speak up against bullying, adversity

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

A sunny and brisk afternoon, Oct. 24, welcomed aboard children from the Diocese of Covington ACUE schools, alongside those from the CHNK Children’s Home, to a B&B riverboat cruise along the Ohio river.

Phil Lipschutz, founder and designer of the UNHEARDOF brand, is a local to the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, and grew up drawing the types of shoes that growing up his family couldn’t afford. Now pursuing a career as a designer, he collaborates with businesses, like the Adidas company, to make some of these dreams come to life — and to give back to his community.

At three years old, Mr. Lipschutz was “dropped off” at the CHNK Children’s Home, and says that the home always has had a “special place in his heart.” As a result, he began sharing the shoes he designs with children from the community — including the Diocese of Covington’s ACUE schools.

The children present all received a pair of UNHEARDOF brand’s newest design, molded with stone brickwork and accented in teal to mimic the look of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. Mr. Lipschutz cites his inspiration both on the man who funded the bridge — who, in part, also helped to establish the Children’s Home — but also from his personal experiences.

“When I grew up in Latonia,” he said, “they always told me not to cross the river, don’t go to Cincinnati. It’s bad there and there’s bad things happening all the time. It’s a dangerous place.” Of course, the first thing he did, Mr. Lipschutz humorously continued, was skateboard across the bridge. “As soon as I skated across the bridge, I stopped and I took it all in for 20 minutes because I couldn’t get over how beautiful it was.”

As the riverboat sailed by the shoe’s inspirational bridge, Mr. Lipschutz got the chance to speak to the children aboard — encouraging them to speak out when it comes to facing adversity with bullies or at home.

“Always ask for help,” he said, “…we all need to do better at listening to one another, because we might not all look the same, but sometimes we all feel the same, and sometimes things go on inside of our heads that we all connect to. So, we all need to speak up, and we all need to be better listeners, too.”

Atrium students learn through encounters with the Divine Teacher— Jesus

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Laura Keener

Editor

A bowl of holy water sits on a table in front of an icon of The Good Shepherd outside the door of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium at St. Catherine of Siena School. The holy water is there for catechists, students and visitors to bless themselves as they are about to enter sacred space — a space where children experience a personal encounter with Jesus. Through this encounter, Jesus, the Divine Teacher, makes himself known in the hearts and minds of young students on their terms — through intuitive and structured work.

“Jesus is the teacher in the Atrium, and the role of the catechist is just to bring the children and him together,” said Jeanne Hicks, lead catechist, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Ft. Thomas.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — also known as the Atrium — is a form of catechesis recently introduced at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. It occupies one classroom at St. Catherine of Siena School. Kindergarteners followed Father Stef Bankemper, pastor, around the classroom, Oct. 22, as he blessed and dedicated the space. The blessing itself is an example of how children learn in the Atrium — by listening to Scripture, praying communally and individually, learning the names of sacramentals and through active participation.

The Atrium is a distinctive educational environment designed for catechizing young children in the Catholic faith, originating from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, developed by Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi in the 1950s. Inspired by Montessori principles, the Atrium is a prepared space that invites children to engage deeply with their faith through hands-on materials and contemplative experiences.

Ms. Cavalletti, an Italian educator and theologian, observed how children could connect with God through their own exploration. The Atrium serves as a sacred space where children can learn about biblical stories, liturgical elements, and the life of Jesus in a child-friendly manner. The curriculum focuses on nurturing a personal relationship with God, fostering a sense of wonder and reverence.

Nearly everything at the Ft. Thomas Atrium was lovingly made or provided by St. Catherine parishioners. And while it typically takes six months to a year to properly outfit an Atrium, the St. Catherine Atrium was ready in three weeks.

“So, you know that God just really wanted this to happen because there is no other explanation for that,” Mrs. Hicks said.

While there are three levels to an Atrium, the Atrium at St. Catherine Parish currently only offers Level 1, which is for children ages three to six. It is hoped that levels will be added as interest and catechists increase. Including herself, Mrs. Hicks has three CGS certified catechists. School students spend an hour in the Atrium, while children not in school attend for an hour-and-a-half. The Atrium is open to the community on Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:30–5 p.m. Class capacity is 11 students. Currently there is a waiting list.

The day starts with the students gathering to listen to a Scripture passage. The children then go to work, visiting various learning stations. Each station has three-dimensional learning aids that invite children to an immersive learning experience through play and quiet contemplation while Jesus speaks to their heart.

A favorite for many of the children is the child-sized altar. The altar comes complete with altar cloth, candles, crucifix, paten, chalice, purificator, corporal, cruets, lavabo and candle snuffer. There are even child-sized chasubles in all the liturgical colors. Each item is clearly identified, and its proper use explained. At this station, the learning comes in repeatedly preparing for and acting out the Mass.

“It helps be engaged more in the worship of the Mass,” said Mrs. Hicks.

Another station, the geography station, features a 3-d map of Jerusalem. A cross sits on a hillside outside the walls. Inside the walls, children will find, in miniature, the building where the Last Supper took place, Harrods palace and Pontius Pilate’s praetorium. A nearby station features the upper room where students can immerse themselves even more in the story of the Last Supper.

Over the decades, the Atrium has gained popularity in parishes and schools worldwide, adapting to various cultural contexts while maintaining its foundational principles. It emphasizes the importance of adult guidance while allowing children the freedom to discover and reflect on their faith.

“It’s almost like a Holy Hour for them,” said Mrs. Hicks. “It’s very quiet. When the children speak, they speak in quiet tones. They walk slowly. They use their body slowly. They’re so respectful of the items in here. They’re asking us, ‘help me to come to know Jesus by myself,’ and through all of these works they come to know that.”

Mrs. Hicks is hopeful that the St. Catherine Atrium will be the first of many Atria in the Diocese of Covington. Anyone wanting to learn more may contact Mrs. Hicks at [email protected]