Gone but Not Forgotten: MLB Unmarked Graves Project returns to the Diocese of Covington

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Bella Young

Multimedia Correspondent

The Diocese of Covington is no stranger to the work of the Gone But Not Forgotten: MLB Unmarked Graves Project. It was two years ago that David Shannon and Thomas Bucher, the project founders, provided a headstone to Henry “Hank” Gastright, who had been laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery, Wilder, in an unmarked grave. Their latest project focused on giving Robert “Bob” Clark of the 1891 Cincinnati Reds a headstone at St. Mary Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell.

Mr. Clark was born in Covington on May 18, 1863. He would go on to play seven seasons in Major League Baseball, starting his career with the Brooklyn Bridegrooms and staying for five seasons, where he would become a well-known catcher, before concluding his career in the Majors with the Reds.

Mr. Shannon read from an excerpt of the October 1889 edition of the Brooklyn Eagle, “The first two years he (Mr. Clark) was with Brooklyn he did not distinguish himself very much and was given comparatively little work to do. This year however, he came to the front, and his work as been of the gilt-edge order. He has demonstrated that he is a great back stop, a quick and accurate thrower to bases, a fine batsman and a clever base runner. Clark is now admittedly Brooklyn’s star catcher. He is a well-built fellow, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and weighs 175 pounds,” said Mr. Shannon to the crowd gathered.

Over his five seasons with Brooklyn, Mr. Clark became a standout playing in a total of 260 games. Despite playing a number of games, Mr. Clark was seemingly always injured. The most games he played in a season topped out at 53 in 1889.

In the succeeding 1890 season, the Brooklyn Bridegrooms and Mr. Clark had a chance to win the Pennant, what would we now call the World Series. However, “The series,” it was reported, “which was fraught with disaster to the Brooklyn’s, resulted in his disablement … His injury was a serious blow to Brooklyn’s hopes, for before he was hurt, they had a chance to win,” Mr. Shannon read aloud.

Of his injury in the World Series, Mr. Clark was quoted as saying, “My doctor seemed to think that I was paying up for severely straining myself and overtaxing my strength in those Brooklyn games. We ought to have won the Pennant.”

Because of his proclivity for injury, Brooklyn allowed the Cincinnati National League Club, to purchase his contract. In a press release from March 25, 1891, “The Cincinnati National League Club yesterday, closed a contract with another player, who will add strength to the team. Bob Clark, the fine catcher, who has been with the Brooklyn League Club for the past five seasons, will next summer wear the red and white of the Queen City Organization. This engagement will prove a good one. Clark is a Covington boy and is very popular on both sides of the river. He has a large following, and from a box-office standpoint, as well as in a playing sense, the local League Club scored a big mark in securing him,” Mr. Shannon read aloud.

Due to injury, Mr. Clark played in only 16 games for the Reds in the 1891 season.

After his retirement Mr. Clark became a saloonist. Mr. Shannon read, “There was an article from February 1892 that said he (Mr. Clark) was doing a prosperous business with a liquid emporium in Covington.” In 1895 it was reported that he was a government official, other reports noted him as a tax collector for the city of Covington. In the years leading up to his death, Mr. Clark worked at a chemical factory. It was at this chemical factory that he sustained life threatening injuries that eventually led to his death.

Mr. Clark was born a “Covington boy,” said Mr. Shannon. It was his affinity for baseball and his love of his city that was remembered as the veil was lifted from his new headstone. A round of applause came as the new granite marker was taken in by friends of the family and the family themselves.

Mr. Shannon concluded the program, “Through this project, I feel like I have gotten to know Bob Clark … Robert Clark may be gone, but hopefully not forgotten.”

SUMMIT 24 retreat brings ‘joy and love of the Eucharist’ to high school students

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

A joyous morning of prayer, dancing and song opened up Saturday morning of the SUMMIT 24 Eucharistic Retreat for high school students — just the beginning of a day of prayer and community for the young people in attendance.

This three-day retreat, Nov. 15–17, held hours of both celebration and reflection centered around the Eucharist, as well as this year’s retreat theme (which corresponds with the theme of the 2025 jubilee year), “Pilgrims of Hope.” Days consisted of Adoration, prayer and Mass, as well as educational sessions and free time to interact with fellow retreaters. This year, SUMMIT 24 welcomed 150 students.

This year’s retreat was also more diverse, according to Angie Poat, diocesan youth minister and orchestrator for the event, saying that “students came from new schools, new parishes and even from Ohio.”

“It was a blessing to see the students receive the joy of the Lord, and to grow in their depth and love for the Eucharist,” said Mrs. Poat. “They gained renewal in their own faith to be surrounded by such on-fire Catholics who were headed in the same direction as they are.”

Another “special” aspect of this year’s retreat, as Mrs. Poat described, was greater involvement in leadership from the students themselves — both from the SUMMIT core team and the YCET team, who had “larger roles in presenting the retreat.”

Following the retreat, one senior student expressed gratitude for the opportunities presented by SUMMIT 24, saying, “I am grateful for the people I met during this retreat and for the intimate relationship with God that I had in Adoration.”

The diocesan office of youth ministry is currently “building follow-up opportunities to SUMMIT,” said Mrs. Poat, which will tie in with the Eucharistic Revival and the Church’s year of mission. “We’re doing that with our young people,” she said.

Youth ministry is also gearing up for their next major “Connect” event in February, which serves a similar role as SUMMIT for junior high students.

For more information on Diocesan youth ministry events and programming, visit https://covdio.org/youth/.

Sacred Heart church celebrates 150 years of building and strengthening the Church in Bellevue

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Laura Keener

Editor

Three-hundred and fifty years (1674) ago, in Paray-le-Monial, France, Jesus reveals devotions to His Sacred Heart to visionary Visitation Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque. Two-hundred years later (1874), in Bellevue, Kentucky, a church is established and dedicated under the patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In October 2024, Pope Francis writes his fourth encyclical, “Dilexit Nos,” (On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ),” calling for a rededication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Like a night time constellation spanning the constraints of time, Father Martin Pitstick, pastor, connected these seemingly random historic and current events as a guide for parishioners, encouraging devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and, ultimately, eternal life with Him in heaven.

“Many generations have sacrificed so that the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus might be known in this town. Many generations of parishioners have prayed in this church. They have come and they have gone,” Father Pitstick said in his homily. “A million years from today, this church will be dust. But the immortal souls of those who built it and who have prayed in it will remain forever in one of two places.”

Parishioners of Divine Mercy Parish, Bellevue, gathered Nov. 17 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the dedication of its church building, Sacred Heart Church. The celebration began with Mass, which was broadcast live on Sacred Heart Radio and live streamed on the parish website, and included a Eucharistic procession from the church, around the school buildings and back to the church for Benediction.

“The message for us today is that, even in the midst of tribulation, we need not fear. The Lord himself is with us, and he is our inheritance. This is the same message that Jesus gave Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque about the love of his Sacred Heart,” Father Pitstick said.

“The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a door open wide, and Jesus is inviting me and you to come into his heart, to take refuge and to receive all of the treasures and graces and mercy and forgiveness that you long for,” he said.

In an interview the week before the sesquicentennial celebration, Father Pitstick shared that the parish is in the middle of a three-phase major restoration of Sacred Heart Church. Phase 1 was a $1.1 million restoration of the exterior of the church — repairing and replacing the roof and the copper bell tower. The parish has raised another $600,000 to begin the interior restoration. A third phase will add an elevator from the main church to the restrooms and undercroft making the entire church handicap accessible.

“It’s taking longer than I would have liked because there’s a lot of choices of colors and designs,” said Father Pitstick, mentioning that he has contracted with a company that specializes in sacred architecture and is working with the diocesan Office of Worship, “to make a beautiful interior restoration with a nice marble sanctuary and good lighting.”

The interior restoration will also include fixing water damage and painting the ceiling and walls.

Aside from improvements to the physical church, Father Pitstick is equally, if not more, excited to talk about “the things that we’ve been doing in the parish,” things that are building up God’s church — the people.

In May, Father Pitstick led 20 people, including some parishioners, on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. There they had a powerful spiritual experience during a rosary procession. Inspired by the experience, Father Pitstick and the pilgrims held a one-hour rosary procession around the city of Bellevue.

“We alternated the rosary and Marian hymns and prayers. It was nice,” said Father Pitstick.

Father Pitstick said that for many years the parish was trying, without success, to develop a strong youth ministry. About five years ago, he was approached by Brad Torline, former associate director for the diocesan Office of Catechesis and Evangelization and now executive director of the Angelico Project, to begin a Young Adult ministry instead.

“It’s better to start with the young adults because, after you get that as an anchor, then you can go in both directions,” said Father Pitstick. As the young adults age out of young adult ministry, the idea is that many will continue as active parishioners and those that marry and have children of their own, would instinctively want some kind of similar youth ministry for their children. So far, with the foundation laid by Mr. Torline and for the last several years coordinated by Nick Thorvaldsen, Young Adult Ministry is thriving at Divine Mercy Parish.

“We’ve used the win, build and send model,” said Father Pitstick. Win, Build, Send is a popular model used by college evangelization ministries like FOCUS. “You have some big events that are fun — that’s win,” said Father Pitstick mentioning their annual river boat swing dance cruise, which typically draws over 100 young adults.

Build incorporates catechetical events, like Bible study or prayer events. Send involves going out on mission — sharing your spiritual journey, serving others and bringing others to Christ. The Young Adult group is currently planning for a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with Mustard Seed Communities, a trip inspired after Bishop John Iffert’s visit to the Mustard Seed Communities in Jamaica earlier this year.

“Go to the website and see all the stuff that’s going on, go to the Instagram page or the Facebook page … they’re always doing something,” said Father Pitstick.

Additionally, the parish recently reactived its Knights of Columbus Council 702, one of the original councils in Kentucky. Also, for the spiritual and missionary development of parishioners, the parish has begun offering That Man Is You, for its men members, and Walking With Purpose for women. And they started a new initiative for young families to get together socially for some faith-based activities, like the upcoming Advent wreath making event. The parish also has an active St. Vincent de Paul conference.

Father Pitstick is also pastor of neighboring St. Bernard Parish in Dayton. He said that between the two parishes there are less than 500 registered households. But their small size doesn’t diminish the desire to do more and more for each other, the community and ultimately the Lord.

“It’s hard to find these resources, so I’ve really stepped out in faith and stretched. We have a lot of staff, and the staff is fueling these things,” said Father Pitstick. “It puts pressure on me to raise the money to do all these things, but it’s bearing fruit and so far we haven’t collapsed financially. It seems like we’re moving forward bit by bit.”

Dr. Mandy Sanchez of Culture Reframed presents on the harms of social media and pornography

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Bella Young

Multimedia Correspondent

Invited by the Diocese of Covington Safe Environment Office, Dr. Many Sanchez, director of programming at Culture Reframed gave a presentation entitled “Growing Up in a Porn Culture: How Social Media, Gaming and Pornography Harms Our Youth.”

The November 6 presentation explored the culture we live in today and the affect it has had on young women and teenagers; forced to conform or be invisible. Dr. Sanchez explained social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, their relationship to the porn industry and how there is more on the platforms that what meets the eye.

Joanna Angel, a famous pornographer, said in an interview once that girls today come to her set porn ready. “They were ready when they came to her set, she didn’t really have to coach them. They already knew what to do, they knew how to pose, they knew what to wear they knew how to do it,” said Dr. Sanchez. How though, is this generation of young women porn-ready?

The answer, Dr. Sanchez said, lies in a culture of comparison exacerbated by social media.

“Porn sells, and I know we have heard that sex sells, but really it is the same thing,” said Dr. Sanchez. This is an important facet of the conversation to understand because it is what drives posting habits on social media, subconsciously or not. Comparison culture makes teenagers, and young adults crave the validation of their peers, most commonly in the form of likes, comments and reposts of their content on social media.

Dr. Sanchez explained the validation that comes from the engagement of peers on social media posts from the perspective of a teenager, “The more hearts and likes and shares that I get the more social cred I have, the less invisible I become.” Because porn sells, that is often what teenagers, especially young teenage girls will turn to. Posting in a shirt that is a little too cropped, or shorts that are a little too short, will generate buzz and interest. These posts though, are often not seen by parents or guardians. Rather they are hidden beneath the surface.

“75% of 13-17 years olds have at least one social media profile, the average amount of fake accounts that the average teenager has today is five,” said Dr. Sanchez. It is the fake accounts or, “finstas,” where teenagers will seek this validation. Finstas will have specific peers and strangers, curated based on the attention that the poster desires.

While Instagram perpetuates this comparison culture, the beloved platform, Snapchat, had it’s start with a much more sinister motive. “Snapchat was originally marketed as Peekaboo, to send and receive nude photos,” said Dr. Sanchez. Snapchat has also recently released a dangerous new feature known as Snap Maps. This feature, unless disabled in user settings, shares real time location with snap friends in the area.

“This Snap Map will show anyone who you have in your circle where you are. If we don’t turn this off, this will be on. We have worked with anti-trafficking organizations that work with survivors, law enforcement, and Interpol. They said that these Snap Maps are exactly what predators are looking for. If they know that there is a concentration of kids here, they can jump on Snapchat and connect with kids,” said Dr. Sanchez.

The perpetuation of comparison culture and the deep seeded need for validation instilled in young girls reinforces the role of porn in today’s culture. This leads young girls open and vulnerable to predators.

Dr. Gail Dines, founder and CEO of Culture Reframed, was conducting interviews with 12 men who were incarcerated in a maximum-security prison. Each of the twelve men were incarcerated for the sexual assault of a family member. In an interview with one of the men he said, “It was super easy to groom my twelve-year old stepdaughter. I started with little compliments, I told her how pretty she looked, and that was a nice dress, and that skirt made her legs look gorgeous, and that makeup, and the way you’re doing your hair. It was so easy because she already knew what to do, the culture did a lot of the grooming for me.”

The first step to protecting the younger generations against porn culture is a knowledge of how they are being exposed and how the culture is sustained. Through social media and the desire for external validation of peers, porn culture seeps into everyday lives, without many realizing it. Dr. Mandy Sanchez and her colleagues at Culture Reframed are dedicated to addressing the harms of pornography in youth. For more information about the Diocese of Covington Safe Environment Office and the work they do go to covdio.org/safe-environment/.

Chancery, Curia and parish collaboration and integration isa hallmark of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan

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Laura Keener

Editor

Some people develop plans and after the plan is put on paper, shove it in a drawer and never look at it again, said Deacon Jim Fortner, chief operating officer, Diocese of Covington. But, that’s not what’s happening in the Diocese of Covington.

After a year of listening sessions, focus groups and diocesan-wide surveys, which began in October 2022 and continued through April 2023, the Diocese of Covington is now releasing to the public its three-year Pastoral Plan. The Pastoral Plan includes a summary of the Diocese’s priorities and goals. The Diocesan Pastoral Plan can be found on page #.

Additionally, ever parish in the diocese used the same data to develop a three-year parish pastoral plan. The parish plans, like the diocesan plan, is comprised of data-driven priorities and goals. A summary of each Parish Pastoral Plan is included in the digital version of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, which can be found online at www.covdio.org.

Last fall, Bishop John Iffert presented the Diocesan Pastoral Plan to the presbyterate, who affirmed its content. The Curia has been operating under the plan for nearly a year. Deacon Fortner said that there was even a need — the development of a formation program for deacon aspirants — uncovered by the Focus Groups that was so urgent that action was taken without the initiative making it into the Pastoral Plan.

“It was really critical for us to get this done in May,” said Deacon Fortner about the deacon aspirant program, as the next class of deacon aspirants was scheduled to begin in August. “If we had missed the deadline, it would be two years before another class of aspirants would begin,” he said, noting that the timeline for deacon formation is done in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

The entire pastoral planning process has been led by the Catholic Leadership Institute and Deacon Fortner. During the process two groups — made up of Sisters from local religious communities and parish lay leaders — has been organized. The first group, the Planning Commission, attended the listening sessions and focus groups and reviewed the survey data. Their work was completed in May 2023 when they identified and recommended to Bishop Iffert three priorities for the diocesan pastoral plan. A team of Curia staff then completed the plan by adding goals, strategies, action items and goal dates.

The second group, the Core Team, is meeting quarterly to help keep implementation of the plan on track and to offer feedback.

The three priorities of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan are: Ongoing Faith Formation, Evangelization and Leadership Development. The most strategic part of the plan, Deacon Fortner said, is the integration and collaboration between the Chancery, Curia and parishes that is lifting and moving together the entire Diocese.

Examples of this can be seen by parts of the plan that have already been implemented. First was the hiring of a diocesan Youth Minister to help lead and guide youth ministry. Another is the Diocesan partnership with Catechetical Institute of Franciscan University, with the Diocese making the entire library of Franciscan At Home catechetical workshops available at no charge to every parish and every parishioner.

The Catholic Leadership Institute is leading the leadership development part of the plan. Its programs are also being made available at no cost to the diocese, parishes or participants, thanks to a group of anonymous benefactors. These trainings, too, began immediately.

Leadership development starts with priests and the Good Leaders, Good Shepherds initiative. A first group of 20 priests and Bishop Iffert completed training in June 2024. Immediately following the priest training, 38 Curia and parish staff who work directly with these priests began in August Tending the Talents training, a program similar in content to Good Leaders, Good Shepherds. This first Tending the Talents cohort will conclude in December. A second cohort of priests will begin Good Leaders, Good Shepherds training in April 2025, and Cohort 2 of Tending the Talents will also be held in 2025.

Additionally, pastors were asked to identify and invite parish leaders to attend Parish Missionary Disciples training. A first cohort of 60 concluded training in April 2024 and a second cohort will begin February 2025. All these trainings integrate Chancery, Curia and parish leaders sitting and learning together side-by-side.

Another important collaboration between the Chancery, Curia and parishes has been the continuation, reestablishment or establishment of Professional Learning Communities. These communities of parish secretaries, business managers, principals, media coordinators, youth ministers and directors and coordinators of religious education meet regularly to learn and share best practices. Some, like the principals and parish secretaries, have been meeting for years. Others, like the media coordinators, just getting started. All are being tasked to look at ways they can be a true learning community and not just a group that meets.

“All of these roles we are working with as a collective team to share ideas, share best practices,” said Deacon Fortner. “We are wired into parish life in a much more collaborative way. This is going to be an ongoing process.”

For the complete Diocesan Pastoral Plan that includes summaries of Parish Pastoral Plans visit www.covdio.org

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.

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]

The St. Mary Stadtmiller Family Parish Activity Center is dedicated and blessed in an October 2 ceremony

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Bella Young

Multimedia Correspondent

After a fruitful first phase of the St. Mary Parish, Alexandria, Cultivating Legacy capital campaign, which included the installment of a church elevator and the expansion of the parking lot, phase two officially concluded Oct. 2 with the dedication and blessing of the new Parish Activity Center.

“Today we ask God’s blessing on this Parish Center. We ask God that those entrusted with the education in this parish and school may teach how to join human wisdom with the truth of the Gospel, so that they will be able to keep the true faith and live up to it with their lives, said Bishop Iffert in his blessing. “We also ask the Lord that students find in their teachers, the image of Christ. So that, enriched with both human and divine learning, they are ready and able to enlighten and assist others.”

The new Parish Activity Center, or PAC, contains access to the main school building, three new preschool classrooms each at 750 square feet, and a new gymnasium with a capacity for 500 adults or 700 children, making it double the size of the previous gymnasium.

Looking forward, the third and final phase of the Cultivating Legacy capital campaign will include the renovation of the previous gymnasium into “a much-needed STEM classroom space,” said Father Joseph Gallenstein, pastor at St. Mary Parish.

During the planning process of the Cultivating Legacy capital campaign, it was determined that it would be feasible for the parish to raise $3.5 million.

“We said $4.2 million is needed,” said Father Gallenstein, “Then comes COVID and that went up to $5.9 million. At each turn, all the way, they met the fundraising challenges with confidence, creativity and enthusiasm … More than 900 people contributed, large and small donations, to make this facility possible,” said Father Gallenstein, standing in front of the emblem at center court.

The Stadtmiller family, for whom the PAC is named, was the lead donor to the capital campaign. “There is one family, who in fact, was the lead donor. In addition to their own personal generosity, they helped secure other large donors during the campaign. Without which, this project would not be possible — Jim and Connie Stadtmiller,” said Father Gallenstein.

To those in the St. Mary community the name Stadtmiller will sound familiar. Mr. and Mrs. Stadtmiller sent their four children to St. Mary School and have been faithful parishioners to the church for just as long.

“They have been tireless and generous supporters of St. Mary Parish and School,” said Father Gallenstein.

Now three of those four children are raising their own families at St. Mary Parish, and their daughter is investing her time and talents as a teacher and campus minister at neighboring Bishop Brossart High School, Alexandria. Father Gallenstein concluded his remarks, “The Stadtmillers are a family of deep Catholic faith … this facility will bear the name Stadtmiller.”

Jennifer Geiman, principal, St. Mary School, explained to those in attendance why this Activity Center was so desperately needed.

“The road to this moment was very challenging. Having to navigate a worldwide pandemic that exponentially changed the completion timeline and cost. In June 2022 when I stepped in as principal, the circumstances were dire. The lack of space for our rapidly growing student body … hard decisions were happening, such as eliminating our thriving preschool program,” Ms. Geiman said.

Those preschool students now have three classrooms in the PAC. “We are so blessed that our community provided us with such a beautiful new learning and activity space for our students and parishioners,” said Ms. Geiman

“When we say that the Church is holy, it doesn’t mean I’m all that,” said Bishop Iffert. “Jesus calls us together to eat his body. Jesus is the holiness of the Church. His life, his word, his ministry flows on in the mission that we share here at St. Mary’s. That is what makes the Church holy.

“Today we are here to bless this building. What we are really doing when we are blessing the building is we’re blessing you. We’re asking God to beat every evil, every temptation, every tendency to be divided, or to hurt one another, away from us. Instead, in this building, in this place you have created — you have made by your efforts and your sacrifices — to make this a place where you come to know Christ. Where he converts us and changes our hearts and helps us to be Christ to one another. That’s what we do when we bless this space. We say, ‘Make this a space where holy people gather in the image of Jesus and treat one another like Christ.’ Everything that happens in this building, we want to be leading toward Christ. The way you play here on this floor, the way you treat one another when you play, even when you are in competition with one another, the way you help one another learn, the way you assist one another … That’s what will make this building holy.”

Taking the aspersorium and aspergillum, Bishop Iffert blessed those in attendance, as well as the physical building with holy water raising screeches of delight from the preschoolers and kindergarteners as Bishop Iffert passed them, and more reverent signs of the cross from the older students, all of whom are on their way to making the St. Mary Stadtmiller Parish Activity Center a holy place.