Bella Bailey
Multimedia Correspondent
In an increasingly online world and with the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), it is not merely enough to know the technology, but to know how to use it safely, said Mandy Sanchez, director of programming, Culture Reframed. Dr. Sanchez spoke to Curia staff, Catholic schools’ staff, parish staff, law enforcement, social workers and parents, March 25, about the dangers of AI and social media, and how to keep kids safe from unsavory and dangerous content.
Dr. Sanchez works for renowned international organization Culture Reframed, which strives to change the culture of a “pornified” world, said Dr. Sanchez. With resources for parents and educators on how to protect young children and teens, Dr. Sanchez said, “we talk about the dangers and harms of excessive use of social media and the harms of pornography to young people.”
In her presentation, Dr. Sanchez highlighted that one in three children, approximately 25 million children in the United States, have “seen hardcore porn by age 12,” she said. “Those numbers are getting younger and younger and younger … much of this content is misleading, objectifying and degrading.”
The dangers of errant, unsupervised and unrestricted social media and technology use are on the rise, with 95 to 98 percent of 13–17-year-olds being on social media platforms, and 53 percent of children owning a smartphone by age 11, she said.
“Social media can be good for teens as a way to help expand their identity, to socialize … however, we have had numerous reports where we’re looking at depression, anxiety, sleep, stress, isolation,” said Dr. Sanchez.
“At Culture Reframed, we like to look at social media, not in terms of good and bad, but in terms of safety. What is safe and unsafe, healthy and unhealthy,” she said.
Many children, said Dr. Sanchez, do not seek out or go looking for pornographic content; rather, the content finds them on their social media accounts and games because “porn is everywhere,” she said. “What happens when we live in a pornified space is that if you can make porn of it, people will.”
The effects of pornography on developing brains are evident: “The overstimulation rewires the brain. It disrupts all of the processes that are happening in the frontal lobe. We know that the frontal lobe is responsible for things like decision making, empathy, emotional regulation.”
“Other risks include some mental health risks. Because of that frontal lobe rewiring, we see an undermining of self-awareness and regulation of impulse control, of course, poor body image. This is all research-based, lower self-esteem, depression and anxiety; we see higher engagement in risky and casual sex,” she said.
While social media is a breeding ground for explicit content, the rise of artificial intelligence is giving life to new vices and x-rated content. Today, children and teens have the ability to create “deep fakes,” which are “images and videos that are fake but appear to be real,” said Dr. Sanchez. Where, children and teens are able to create videos of anyone doing anything, including sexually explicit material.
Additionally, character AI allows children and teens to create their own AI characters, with personas and characteristics, that can then interact with other AI characters from other users. “These characters are programmed with natural language algorithms. They can generate human-like text responses. These platforms are not safe for kids, they do not have parental controls,” said Dr. Sanchez.
Research shows that children and teens are turning to character AI and other “chat bots” for friendship, in lieu of personal connection with peers.
“When kids are being bullied at school, we’re finding that their friendships are being severed online. So, we’re finding they’re pulling from their social media and in real life groups and moving into the world of AI chat bots for support,” she said.
“Kids see AI bots as human and that is because kids trust anything that resembles anything that has human features. So, it’s really important to get this digital literacy to children early, to let them know that AI isn’t human,” she said.
This, said Dr. Sanchez, is the key to keeping kids safe. Being present, watching out for warning signs, having age-appropriate conversations about online safety, “being able to point those things out, talking about AI, how they use it, encourage that critical thinking and reflection in your spaces, having them write about things. We invite everyone to the table because it is everyone’s responsibility,” she said.
“We want to reframe the conversation. If our kiddos are spending a good portion of their day online, then a lot of conversations are happening and there’s a lot being advertised to them. So, if we don’t have these conversations with kids, then I can tell you who will. We don’t want them to have those conversations with a multibillion-dollar industry; that is getting really dangerous, really unhealthy messages,” she said. “Everyone has to come to the table because this is an issue we all need help with.”
Principal – St. Cecilia Catholic School
/in Job Postings, School AdministratorSt. Cecilia Catholic School in Independence, Kentucky is prayerfully searching for the next leader of our school family, a principal who will walk with our students, support our teachers, and help guide our community into the 2026–2027 school year and beyond.
We are a Kindergarten through 8th grade school, blessed with an Early Childhood Learning Center that includes both preschool and daycare, and an in-house aftercare program. More importantly, we are a place where children are known, loved, and formed, not just academically, but spiritually and personally. Our school is an extension of our parish home, and everything we do is rooted in faith, family, and community.
We are looking for someone who doesn’t just want a job, but a calling. A leader who will greet children by name, encourage teachers in their mission, and partner with parents in raising strong, faith-filled young people. Someone who understands that education is more than books and tests, it’s about shaping hearts, building character, and helping each child discover who God created them to be.
At St. Cecilia, you won’t find just a school; you’ll find a community that supports one another, celebrates together, and shows up when it matters most. We are proud of who we are, and we are excited about where we are going.
If you feel called to be part of something special, we would love to hear from you. Come lead. Come serve. Come grow with us. Interested candidates must be practicing Roman Catholics. Please mail or email a letter of interest, a comprehensive resume, and at least three references to Stephen Koplyay, SPHR, P.O. Box 15550, Covington, KY 41015-0550, or skoplyay@covdio.org.
Easter Sunday
/in Go and GlorifyFather Daniel Schomaker
Guest
Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! This is a customary greeting of the Eastern Churches on Easter — hence why it is said in Greek. Instead of saying “Hi” on Easter Sunday, you say: “Christ is Risen!” and the response is “Truly he is Risen!”
We gather today to celebrate Jesus overcoming the tomb. Death was not in the original plan of creation. Death is the consequence of sin — specifically the sin of our first parents, in their desire (via the temptation of the devil) to make themselves God. What they didn’t realize is that they were already like God, for they had been made in his image and likeness. Their pride unfortunately got the better of them and had them cast out of paradise and put them at odds with the Almighty One.
Jesus entered into human history so as to bring about reconciliation between God and humanity. By his Passion (suffering and death) he took upon himself the consequence of our sin. And in his Resurrection from the dead, he restored humanity to its rightful place in creation. Paradise is once again opened for us!
On this Easter Sunday, let us give particular thanks and praise and adoration and glory to Our God, who never abandons us — ever!
Father Daniel Schomaker is pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Ft. Mitchell and director, Office of Worship and Liturgy for the Diocese of Covington, Ky.
Weekend Staff Coordinator – Parish Kitchen -Catholic Charities
/in Curia Openings, Job PostingsReports To: Parish Kitchen Manager
Position Summary
The Weekend Staff Coordinator is responsible for overseeing all Parish Kitchen operations on Saturdays and Sundays. This role ensures safe, orderly, and respectful meal service for guests; coordinates and supports volunteers; and manages kitchen and dining room operations from opening through closing.
Compensation & Work Schedule
Work Schedule Options
52‑Week Option: One individual is scheduled to work every weekend throughout the year (approximately 52 weekends). Because this is a part‑time position, paid leave is not included. Limited unpaid coverage may be arranged for up to four weekends off, subject to operational needs.
26‑Week Option: Two individuals alternate weekends (approximately 26 weekends each). Under this structure, assigned weekends fulfil full commitment for the role, and additional weekends off are not provided.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Qualifications
Physical Requirements
Work Environment
This position operates in a commercial kitchen and dining room setting and involves regular interaction with guests, volunteers, and staff.
To Apply
Please submit your resume, cover letter, salary history, and at least three references to:
Shannon Braun sbraun@covingtoncharities.org
Learn more about Parish Kitchen and Catholic Charities at:
https://www.covingtoncharities.org/news-events/job-opportunities
UNHEARDOF designer gives shoes to diocesan students, promotes friendship, community and perseverance
/in Featured StoriesMaura Baker
Staff Writer
Seventh and eighth-grade students from St. Therese, Southgate; St. Paul, Florence; St. Philip, Melbourne and Prince of Peace, Covington, were invited to join UNHEARDOF brand shoe designer Phil Lipschutz, March 27, along with representatives from Adidas and shoe influencer and photographer Andrew Dutton, to the launch of his new collaborative sneaker at the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati.
The “Piggy Runners” released during the drop were given for free to each student present, in bright, nostalgic spring colors. Specifically, students received the shoe in a green “Cupcake” colorway, named for one of Mr. Lipschutz’s childhood friends.
The Contemporary Arts Center welcomed students with colorful, springtime and Easter-themed décor matching Mr. Lipschutz’s shoes, and mascots of Mr. Lipschutz’s pink pig mascot “Porkchop” (named after his own childhood nickname) and green pig mascot “Cupcake” joined in the festivities.
Donating these special shoes has become a tradition for Mr. Lipschutz as a way to give back to his community, crediting especially the efforts of his former teacher and current diocesan Safe Environment director, Julie Feinauer, for his success following a turbulent childhood growing up in Latonia.
Speaking directly to the students present, Mr. Lipschutz said, “I know what it’s like with some of the challenges and some of the experiences that you guys go through, but what has really helped me through my life is my friends and building new friends and communicating with my friends. I’ve done a lot of shows with Adidas over the last few years,” he said, “I’m not going to run through them all, but a lot of them talk about mental health and suicide prevention.”
Mr. Lipschutz, who lost his sister to suicide, said that he advocates in particular for kids to “continue to talk each other” and “continue to speak up.”
“If we quit the name-calling, quit the picking on one another, and we just hash out our differences and our problems — we can ‘oink’ the whole world,” said Mr. Lipschutz, humorously referencing his pig-themed branding and mascots.
“You guys are going to change the world,” Mr. Lipschutz told students. “You guys are going to make an impact and make this an even cooler, doper planet that it already is. Without a doubt, I’m so fortunate and I’m so thankful to be alive, and you should too, because you only get one life. You’ve got to maximize it. You can’t waste it. You can’t give up on yourself.”
Protecting kids in an online world where new dangers are rampant
/in Featured StoriesBella Bailey
Multimedia Correspondent
In an increasingly online world and with the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), it is not merely enough to know the technology, but to know how to use it safely, said Mandy Sanchez, director of programming, Culture Reframed. Dr. Sanchez spoke to Curia staff, Catholic schools’ staff, parish staff, law enforcement, social workers and parents, March 25, about the dangers of AI and social media, and how to keep kids safe from unsavory and dangerous content.
Dr. Sanchez works for renowned international organization Culture Reframed, which strives to change the culture of a “pornified” world, said Dr. Sanchez. With resources for parents and educators on how to protect young children and teens, Dr. Sanchez said, “we talk about the dangers and harms of excessive use of social media and the harms of pornography to young people.”
In her presentation, Dr. Sanchez highlighted that one in three children, approximately 25 million children in the United States, have “seen hardcore porn by age 12,” she said. “Those numbers are getting younger and younger and younger … much of this content is misleading, objectifying and degrading.”
The dangers of errant, unsupervised and unrestricted social media and technology use are on the rise, with 95 to 98 percent of 13–17-year-olds being on social media platforms, and 53 percent of children owning a smartphone by age 11, she said.
“Social media can be good for teens as a way to help expand their identity, to socialize … however, we have had numerous reports where we’re looking at depression, anxiety, sleep, stress, isolation,” said Dr. Sanchez.
“At Culture Reframed, we like to look at social media, not in terms of good and bad, but in terms of safety. What is safe and unsafe, healthy and unhealthy,” she said.
Many children, said Dr. Sanchez, do not seek out or go looking for pornographic content; rather, the content finds them on their social media accounts and games because “porn is everywhere,” she said. “What happens when we live in a pornified space is that if you can make porn of it, people will.”
The effects of pornography on developing brains are evident: “The overstimulation rewires the brain. It disrupts all of the processes that are happening in the frontal lobe. We know that the frontal lobe is responsible for things like decision making, empathy, emotional regulation.”
“Other risks include some mental health risks. Because of that frontal lobe rewiring, we see an undermining of self-awareness and regulation of impulse control, of course, poor body image. This is all research-based, lower self-esteem, depression and anxiety; we see higher engagement in risky and casual sex,” she said.
While social media is a breeding ground for explicit content, the rise of artificial intelligence is giving life to new vices and x-rated content. Today, children and teens have the ability to create “deep fakes,” which are “images and videos that are fake but appear to be real,” said Dr. Sanchez. Where, children and teens are able to create videos of anyone doing anything, including sexually explicit material.
Additionally, character AI allows children and teens to create their own AI characters, with personas and characteristics, that can then interact with other AI characters from other users. “These characters are programmed with natural language algorithms. They can generate human-like text responses. These platforms are not safe for kids, they do not have parental controls,” said Dr. Sanchez.
Research shows that children and teens are turning to character AI and other “chat bots” for friendship, in lieu of personal connection with peers.
“When kids are being bullied at school, we’re finding that their friendships are being severed online. So, we’re finding they’re pulling from their social media and in real life groups and moving into the world of AI chat bots for support,” she said.
“Kids see AI bots as human and that is because kids trust anything that resembles anything that has human features. So, it’s really important to get this digital literacy to children early, to let them know that AI isn’t human,” she said.
This, said Dr. Sanchez, is the key to keeping kids safe. Being present, watching out for warning signs, having age-appropriate conversations about online safety, “being able to point those things out, talking about AI, how they use it, encourage that critical thinking and reflection in your spaces, having them write about things. We invite everyone to the table because it is everyone’s responsibility,” she said.
“We want to reframe the conversation. If our kiddos are spending a good portion of their day online, then a lot of conversations are happening and there’s a lot being advertised to them. So, if we don’t have these conversations with kids, then I can tell you who will. We don’t want them to have those conversations with a multibillion-dollar industry; that is getting really dangerous, really unhealthy messages,” she said. “Everyone has to come to the table because this is an issue we all need help with.”
Young people help to promote a ‘culture of life’, says Bishop Emeritus at Pro-life Essay
/in Featured StoriesMaura Baker
Staff Writer
Annually, eighth-grade students from diocesan secondary schools are invited to participate in the Pro-life Essay Contest. This year, the contest’s theme aligned with the USCCB’s 2025-26 Respect Life Theme, “Life — Our Sign of Hope.”
“Bishop Daniel Thomas, Bishop of Toledo, asked us to be anchors of hope in our diocese. I took this theme and ran with it when speaking to our students,” said Faye Roch, director of the Office of Pro-life who organizes the contest.
20 finalist essays from 10 different schools were chosen out of 250 essays, including a first, second and third place winner and two honorable mentions. Winners received scholarships courtesy of the Knights of Columbus for their efforts.
On March 26, finalists and their families, along with Pro-life advocates and members of the contest’s selection committee gathered for a banquet. During which, members of the committee read to the crowd excerpts from each finalist’s essay, as well as the winners’ and honorable mentions’ essays in full.
This year, the first-place essay was written by Emma Haney of St. Joseph School, Crescent Springs. (To read her winning essay see page 5.) Second place was awarded to Drew Marshall, St. Pius X School, Edgewood, and third place to Sammi Schmitz, also from St. Pius X. Honorable mentions were awarded to Addison Delaney, St. Mary School, Alexandria, and Briana Saalfeld, Holy Cross Elemenrary School, Latonia.
Awards were distributed to students by Bishop Emeritus Roger Foys, who additionally gave his remarks at the banquet.
He began by quoting Pope Leo XIV’s general audience the day before, “The sanctity of life, from conception to natural death, must be defended — especially now in a world marked by the madness of war.”
“We fought for many years, almost 50, to overturn Roe v. Wade,” Bishop Foys said, “… The easiest work is behind us, because what we need to do now is to promote a culture of life.”
Recalling the negative reception to the bills overturning on major news outlets and within communities, Bishop Foys said that “happened because, even though we were able to overturn that Roe v. Wade decision, we still had not achieved a culture of life … It’s behind me, at my age, but it’s ahead of us, especially in these young people,” he addressed the essay finalists.
“I think these essays tonight should give us hope — should be an anchor of hope for us that there are young people who can express in many, many ways, in a profound way, their love of life,” he said. “I think that’s remarkable, and for that we should be grateful, and we should thank God, and we should thank these young people.”
Director of Finance & Development
/in Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Job PostingsThe Director of Finance & Development serves as the chief financial administrator for three Catholic parishes, and their two schools, ensuring sound fiscal management, successful development strategies, accurate financial reporting, and compliance with diocesan policies. This role supports the mission of the parishes by stewarding resources responsibly and transparently. This position works collaboratively with the pastor, parish leadership, staff, and volunteers to maintain financial stability and accountability across all three parishes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Advisory & Strategic Support
Accounting and Financial Management
Development
Supervision & Leadership
Compliance & Reporting
Qualifications
Required
Preferred
Skills and Competencies
Working Conditions
Compensation
Contact
Email: resume@myspartans.org
Mail: St. Peter Catholic Church
Attn: Paula Nestor
104 W 1st Street
Mansfield, OH 44902
Help shape the future of the Diocese of Covington
/in Featured StoriesYour input is important! Help shape the future of the Diocese of Covington by joining one of four pastoral planning and development Commissions.
The Diocese of Covington is launching an expansive, consultation‑driven process to develop a Diocesan foundation and set a pastoral course for “the next decade or more.” Bishop John Iffert is inviting parishioners from around the Diocese to be involved in the discernment and recommendation process.
The commitment involves four monthly sessions from April through July, lasting 90 minutes to two hours each.
Participants will attend an initial kick-off General Session, April 14, 15 or 16, 6:30–8:30 p.m., followed by three focused subcommittee meetings to benchmark best practices and draft actionable strategic goals. Meetings are held at the Curia, Bishop Howard Memorial Auditorium, Covington.
Registrations are now being accepted, visit www.covdioplanning.org.
The Catholic Foundation Commission will evaluate the feasibility of establishing a Diocesan foundation designed to inspire greater generosity and ensure sustained support for the Church’s mission. To inform this strategy, the Commission will analyze giving trends within the Diocese of Covington over the last 20 years, reviewing data across parishes, schools, and Diocesan ministries. This process includes benchmarking against peer organizations to adopt best practices in annual funds, major gifts, and planned giving.
Subcommittees of the Catholic Foundation Commission are:
Governance Committee
Foundation Services Committee
Communications and Technology Committee
The Catholic Schools Commission will work closely with the Superintendent of Schools and the Diocesan School Board to create a three-year strategic plan for the Office of Catholic Schools to ensure our diocesan school system is operating as a proactive, mission-driven model that ensures long-term viability, spiritual vitality and academic excellence. In an era of changing demographics and financial pressures, such a plan will serve as a “living roadmap” to align resources with our core values. The commission will use the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools as the framework for the planning and sub-committee organization.
Subcommittees for the Catholic Schools Commission are:
Governance and Leadership Committee
Operational Vitality Committee
Academic Excellence Committee
Mission and Catholic Identity Committee
The Catholic Charities Commission will study the vital mission and history of Catholic Charities at both the local and national levels. With the Board and staff having celebrated the completion of its current three-year strategic plan and all associated achievements, this commission will develop a new strategic plan to guide Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Covington through 2030.
Subcommittees for the Catholic Charities Commission are:
Governance Committee
Programs and Services Committee
Parish and Community Partnerships Committee
Communications and Fundraising Committee
The Diocesan Governance Commission will meet from September–December 2026.
Specific dates and times will be determined and published in July.
Subcommittees for the Diocesan Governance Commission are:
Governance and Organization Committee
Finance and Financial Services Committee
Technology Committee
Communications Committee
The crucifixion reminds us of Christ’s humility, Bishop Iffert says in Palm Sunday homily
/in Featured StoriesMaura Baker
Staff Writer
Holy Week began with the observance of Palm Sunday, March 29. Mass began at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, on a breezy spring morning, with the congregation, carrying palms, gathering across the street from the Cathedral at St. Mary’s Park — where the palms were blessed and hymns sung before processing back across the street for the Mass proper.
During the observance of Palm Sunday, the Passion of Christ is read — describing Jesus’s journey starting with his arrival into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, until he is crucified and laid in the tomb. The Scripture is read in parts, with different speakers taking on the dialogue of characters such as the apostles, Christ, and other key players, while the congregation reads the parts of the crowd/public.
Bishop John Iffert was the celebrant and homilist for the Mass, during which he commented on the social hierarchy of Ancient Roman society and how it relates to Jesus’s humility.
“Roman society in the first century AD was a highly competitive and stratified society,” Bishop Iffert said. “They were the most status symbol-conscious society of the ancient world. The elite especially thought of their lives as a contest, an honors race … honor meant personal esteem and public office.”
“Though Jesus was in the form of God, he emptied himself, becoming the form of a slave — the very bottom of the social status pecking order.” Bishop Iffert described that not only did Jesus “humble himself” by stooping from divine status to the lowest form of human servitude, “but Paul establishes that Jesus lived his human life in a particularly surprising and humbling way.”
“He was obedient to the Father,” he said. “Even to the point of death, he was a humble servant to the Father. Throughout his lifetime, this devoted and loving servitude made him a servant even to his fellow man, even to his fellow slave.”
The climax of Paul’s statement, according to Bishop Iffert, was that Jesus not only accepted death, but even death on a cross.
“Death on a cross was not only the ultimate extreme of pain,” Bishop Iffert said, “but especially of humiliation.
“The execution method of crucifixion was reserved only for non-citizen criminals, especially slaves,” Bishop Iffert added.
“If the city of Philippi was filled with inscriptions posted by citizens eager to boast of their accomplishments in the Roman race for honors, if we are sometimes preoccupied with status, wealth, office, nationality, celebrity, social media … if we get wrapped up in any of that,” said Bishop Iffert, “Paul counters this mindset with his acclamation of Jesus Christ’s self-emptying humility. Jesus, he meets our own self-promoting passions with his wholehearted embrace of the Father’s will … and he enters into the suffering passion that our selfish sins deserve. And because of this humility, meekness and obedience — God the Father exalts him.”
Preschool Aide and Kindergarten Aide – Saint Joseph Academy
/in Job Postings, School Related OpeningsSaint Joseph Academy in Walton, Kentucky is looking to hire a Kindergarten and Preschool Aide. Must have at least a high school diploma, have good communication skills, be able to demonstrate professional practices and demeanor, like working with young children, and be able to collaborate with others in a positive and professional manner. Full time available. If you are interested, you may submit your resume with a cover letter and references to Sister Patricia Jean, SJW at principal@sjawalton.com.