Annual Catechetical Awards recognize 22 catechists from across the Diocese

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The annual Catechetical Leadership Awards, May 14, recognize catechists from across the Diocese for their outstanding work in areas of catechesis, evangelization and leadership. For 43 years, the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization has hosted the evening of celebration, this year they honored 22 catechists for outstanding work.

Keynote speaker, Bishop Emeritus Roger Foys, spoke to the catechists and their families, thanking them for their years of dedication. Praising their faith in action, “the function of catechesis is to teach, catechize, the faith of the Catholic Church … both by word and example. We can say all the words in the world, but if we don’t live those words in the sight of others, then our words are empty,” he said.

“The words are important, teaching is important, but the living out those teachings is what really matters,” said Bishop Foys. Through their work in the schools, parishes and in youth ministry, the catechists live their faith and influence the lives of others. Their recognition by the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization is an honor which denotes their outstanding work in pursuit of the catechetical mission of the Church.

“The Churches directive for catechesis states that faith must be known, celebrated, lived and turned into prayer. This is what your called to do, the faith must be known, celebrated, lived and turned into prayer in a personal and total encounter of the heart, mind and sense with Christ,” said Bishop Foys. “It’s an awesome mission. Frightening, actuate, to put people not only in touch, but in communion, in intimacy, with the person of Jesus Christ.”

In his closing remarks, Bishop John Iffert reflected on Pope Leo XIV’s first papal exhortation, “Dilexi Te,” which focuses on the Churches love of the poor. “There are many ways of being poor,” said Bishop Iffert, “we can be poor in material goods, we can be poor in not having enough to eat, we can be poor in our prospects … the students you work with are poor in their experience and understanding of the world. So, to wade into their lives, to invite them to share yours, to be there for them, to be rich in the Word of God and in the connection that we offer to people who we care for them, this can be a great gift.”

The first award category to be recognized was Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher/Catechist, which recognized: Jean Collins, St. Joseph Parish, Crescent Springs; Marci Hagedorn, St. Joseph School, Crescent Springs; Mary Beth Meisenhelder, Blessed Sacrament School, Ft. Mitchell; and Anna Webster, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Carrollton.

Mrs. Collins was recognized for her significant role in preparing students for the sacraments of reconciliation and first Communion, through hands on activities, including a child-sized Mass kit, helping them to truly understand the sacramental process.

Mrs. Hagedorn, a second-grade teacher, weaves faith into every aspect of her classroom, helping to prepare students for the sacraments in a way that not only guides them intellectually, but spiritually, so that they can see the beauty of these sacraments.

A 28-year servant to the mission of Blessed Sacrament School, Mrs. Meisenhelder made her daily priority “saving little souls,” as read in her nomination. Mrs. Meisenhelder imparts on her young students the importance of prayer, service and reverence for God.

Mrs. Webster prepares second-grade children of the parish for the sacraments, while coordinating May Crowning, sacramental retreats and vacation bible school. Her hard work and dedication make learning fun for all the children in her care.

The second award category was for Outstanding Middle School Teacher/Catechist, which recognized Deborah Finke and Jarrod Lux, both of St. Agnes School, Ft. Wright.

Mrs. Finke is a middle school math teacher that seamlessly brings faith into her classroom by beginning each class with prayer. In addition to teaching mathematics, Mrs. Finke promotes faith in the school through parish youth programs such as the Y-Disciple groups.

Mr. Lux is a middle school religion teacher and an active participant in the life of the parish, lecturing and planning Masses, while coordination school activities, like school retreats. Mr. Lux is known for bringing faith to life for his students.

The third award category was for Outstanding Senior High School Teacher/Catechist, awarded to Patty Grothaus, Newport Central Catholic High School, Newport, and Alan Harsin, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Carrollton.

Mrs. Grothaus has been a key part of Newport Central Catholic’s theology department since 2019 and is retiring at the end of 2025-2026 school year. She fosters a culture of service, acceptance and humility and has been crucial in the development and execution of retreats for all grades.

Mr. Harsin has been a tireless servant of the parish youth and CCD programs for over 12 years. In addition, he works to enhance the parish and their Spanish-speaking community through a men’s group. Mr. Harsin actively participates in the life of the parish through many parish activities and his service as a lector at Mass.

The fourth award category was for Outstanding Catechetical Leader, awarded to Soshana Bosley, Villa Madonna Elementary, Villa Hills; Anita Dunn, St. Agnes Parish; Pamela McQueen, Villa Madonna Academy, Villa Hills; and Erin Redleski, St. Agnes School.

Mrs. Bosley was recognized for her outstanding work as principal of Villa Madonna Elementary, where she championed a new organizational house structure for students grades K-6, bringing students closer than ever, and forging bonds in Christ that will last a lifetime.

In her role as director and coordinator of religious education, Mrs. Dunn organizes the Parish School of Religion program and at the diocesan level trains new directors and coordinators of religious education at other parishes. She lives her faith and is a shining example to her students.

Mrs. Klare is director of religious education serving with a tireless devotion. She makes it her personal mission to bring her students closer to a life in Christ through the development of a personal relationship with him.

Mrs. McQueen has served as principal of Villa Madonna Academy of 30 years. A champion for an era of success, Mrs. McQueen saw three Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Awards, five Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Light House Awards, and led the school through five years of recognition as one of America’s most challenging high schools — all done in honor of the school’s Benedictine traditions of scholarship, service and hospitality.

As school principal, Mrs. Redleski has created a culture of trust and support, strengthening both the school’s academic excellence and Catholic identity. She empowers her teachers to fulfill their own vocations as catechists.

The fifth award category was the Sister Ann Adele Fritz Catechetical Leader Award. Given to Shannon Barnes, of the Diocese of Covington Offices of the Diaconate, Vocations and Worship and Liturgy; Mary Creech, Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington; Divine Providence Sister Lynn Stenken, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, California; and Shannon Wells, St. Patrick School, Taylor Mill.

Serving the Diocese of Covington, Ms. Barnes uses her knowledge of the faith, and talent has a musician to bring a reverence to diocesan liturgies. Over the years she has shared the faith with her children, grandchildren and all those she encounters in her work, bringing 11 people into the church over the years.

Mrs. Creech is the facilities manager and OCIA catechist at the Cathedral. In her role, she shares her devotion and deep knowledge of the faith to all those she meets, helping to form new disciples in the Mystical Body of Christ through OCIA. She is a true witness to a life lived in service of the Church.

Divine Providence Sister Lynn Stenken is the director of religious education. Sharing her own vocation as a member of consecrated religious, Sister Lynn meets people where they are and walks with them in faith, inviting them into relationship with Christ.

Mrs. Wells of St. Patrick Elementary also serves as the lead preschool catechist at St. Mary’s Parish, Alexandria. She shares her love for Jesus with everyone who steps into her classroom, students and parents alike, a true role model as a disciple of Christ.

Kate Iadipaolo of St. Anthony Parish, Taylor Mill, was awarded Outstanding Homeschool Educator. She has been involved with the Lyceum Catholic Community Co-op for 13 years, teaches theology classes to high school students, and runs a small community group with other homeschool moms that offers enrichment courses that students elsewhere could not receive. In addition, Mrs. Iadipaolo utilizes her education and strong family values when leading sacramental prep for first reconciliation and Communion for the Guatemalan community at St. Anthony Parish.

Hannah Ubelhor, St. Timothy Parish, Union, received the Outstanding Catholic Retreat Minister award. Ms. Ubelhor serves as the Youth Commission Evangelization Team (YCET) co-director and uses her energy and passion for the faith to enliven each retreat she has served on.

Bradley Barnes, a volunteer youth minister in the Diocese of Covington and teacher at Newport Central Catholic High School, was awarded Outstanding Youth Ministry Innovator. Mr. Barnes is gifted in all facets of youth ministry and has served with the Diocese of Covington in a volunteer capacity for three years. He inspires, and is inspired by, the youth of the Diocese every step of the way.

The Outstanding High School YCET Leader was awarded to Alex Chadwich, St. Joseph Parish, Crescent Springs, and Eva Rousseau, All Saints Parish, Walton.

Mr. Chadwick serves as a disciple of Christ, living the call to evangelize, by inviting his peers and their families to join him for daily Mass before school every Friday. Each week, these students and their parents join Mr. Chadwick for Mass and breakfast, a testament to the effect of personal relationships in the faith.

Ms. Rousseau is a senior in the Divine Mercy Home School Co-Op, and attends Thomas More University, Crestview Hills. She is a living witness of the faith in her work with prayer, study and YCET leadership. She often welcomes and invites new people to Church, and faith events, spreading the Good News of Christ.

At the conclusion of the awards, Bishop Iffert, still reflecting on the papal exhortation, “Dilexi Te,” told those who were recognized, “I thank you for your work, with young people and old, who are poor in one way or another, and I ask us all to join in being a Church of the poor and broken, for the poor and broken.”