Divine Providence Sister Janet Bucher retires after decades of service to Our Savior Parish

Macie Becker

Media Intern

Congregation of Divine Providence Sister Janet Bucher, who has been serving the Diocese of Covington and beyond for 65 years, has retired Monday, July 14. Sister Janet discerned religious life as a young adult, having “just felt a call,” she said. She often helped the sisters at her grade school, St. Aloysisus. She always appreciated the sisters who had taught her, and said she felt an “inner sense” toward religious life. Sister Janet attended Our Lady of Providence Academy in Newport until she entered the convent at St. Anne, Melbourne, where she finished high school. In 1958, Sister Janet made her profession religious vows.

Since then, she has been assigned to many places and jobs, both in and out of the diocese, some of which include teaching in schools in several states, serving as principal at Bishop Howard Nongraded School and parish work in Ecuador and on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona.

Her longest assignment though has been in Covington at Our Savior Parish, where she has served as Pastoral Administrator since 1991. Our Savior, located on East Tenth Street, was founded in 1943 to serve the African American Catholic community in Covington. (See related story on page 1.)

“And now I’m 85 years old, I feel like it’s time to move on,” said Sister Janet. She will continue doing women’s jail ministry and visiting students at Holy Cross District High School, Covington, as she had before her retirement. She has always lived by the belief that community is important, saying, “it’s good to be present in the neighborhood,” and she will continue to do so in her retirement.

For a related story go to https://covdio.org/historicalmarker/