St. Augustine Parish to celebrate Holy Qurbana in celebration of Father Kinnai’s ordination anniversary

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Father Niby Kannai, pastor, St. Augustine Parish, Covington, will be bringing a piece of home to St. Augustine, Jan. 3, as he celebrates the eastern, Syro-Malabar, rite of the holy Mass. The Mass will be celebrated in his native language of Malayalam, with English responses from the congregation. The Syro-Malabar rite is the rite Father Kannai was born and ordained into. With the 20th anniversary of his ordination approaching, Father Kannai wanted to share the rite with his parishioners and the diocese.

Syro-Malabar is one of 24 rites in the Catholic Church, all in full communion with the Pope. It is the second largest of the eastern rites, with the Byzantine Catholic Rite being the largest.

The rite originated in India from the St. Thomas Christians after St. Thomas landed on the coast of the present-day Kerala, India, in 52 A.D. Kerala. It was known then as Muziris, an ancient port on the Malabar coast.

Part of the Syro-Malabar rite’s history is their affiliation with the Assyrian Church of the East, of whom they were under jurisdiction. Additionally, Syrian Catholics fled to India to escape persecution in Syria, said Father Kannai. This is where the name of the modern-day rite comes from, with “Syro,” recalling the ties to Syria, and “Malabar,” commemorating the landing of St. Thomas the Apostle.

The name of the Mass celebrated in the Syro-Malabar rite is Qurbana, translated to mean holy sacrifice, which is a call to the Eucharist. Father Kannai noted the differences between the Mass and the Qurbana.

“Historically, theologically, the Eastern rite is focusing on the mystery. In the liturgy, you will experience a slightly different style, the mystery aspect of the liturgy, or even the transcendental aspect of our liturgy. You will be able to see a little bit more symbols, there is a little more ringing of the bell, and some of the signs are different in Eastern Liturgy,” he said.

Perhaps the most notable difference is the standing during the consecration of the Eucharist, rather than the Latin rite tradition of kneeling.

“The altar represents us,” said Father Kannai. “The throne of God is almost the same as the Eastern rite, and standing is the primary posture of resurrection.”

Over the last six months as pastor of St. Augustine Parish, Father Kannai has shared about the Syro-Malabar rite on an individual level as questions arise. He is looking forward to sharing his home rite with all his parishioners, he said.

“I wanted to connect with my parishioners in St. Augustine,” said Father Kannai. “They may know of Father Niby but they do not know my background or how I grew up, or how I celebrated Mass growing up. I hope people are fascinated by seeing different elements of Mass in a different style, in the Eastern Rite.”

Local tree farmer continues tradition of generosity at St. Mary’s Park

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

In years past, real Christmas trees decked the halls of local churches — the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, St. Cecilia, Independence and St. Barabara, Erlanger, to name a few. These trees, some of which were up to 18 feet tall, were grown, supplied and donated by one man — Dr. Ron Lubbe.

And while fire laws have changed, and some of these churches have made the switch to artificial trees, Dr. Lubbe continues to grow Christmas trees annually to sell to families around the Northern Kentucky area — even in his mid 70s.

This year, Dr. Lubbe’s generosity to the Church continued with a donation of a tree to stand in St. Mary’s Park, Covington — continuing the yearly tradition of this Cathedral Square display, decorated in bulbs representing the Diocese of Covington’s parishes, schools and institutions.

Describing himself as a “frustrated farmer,” Dr. Lubbe’s father, also a farmer, insisted he continued his schooling to afford his farming dreams. After receiving his doctorate in medical school, Mr. Lubbe bought the property that he now lives and grows the trees on to this day.

Originally, Dr. Lubbe’s farm kept heads of cattle, chickens and hay, work that got “too demanding” as Dr. Lubbe got older. The switch to growing trees was an idea from a friend, a thought that had Dr. Lubbe think, “That’s a good idea!” In addition to Christmas trees, Dr. Lubbe grows other trees from seeds on his property, including chestnuts, persimmons and paw paws.

As for the Austrian pine currently standing prominently in St. Mary’s Park, Dr. Lubbe says that he has “two more for the next two years” to help decorate the park for more Christmas seasons to come.

Jail Ministry spreads more than Christmas cheer, it spreads the Gospel

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Throughout the year, jail ministry provides a moment of reprieve for inmates, a space to learn and hear the word of God from jail ministers. During December, the same can be said. But, in addition to spreading the word of God, jail ministers spread Christmas cheer with festive goodie bags for the inmates.

Donna Heim, one of the jail ministers in the Diocese of Covington, said the bags bring more than Christmas cheer, they bring Christ.

“It has even inspired some to join our Bible study. Not because we gave out these Christmas goodies, but one person said to me, ‘I could tell you care about us, and if you can care about us like that, I want to come and see what this is about,’” said Mrs. Heim.

It is that care and Christ-like love spread in the Campbell County Detention Center that Mrs. Heim believes makes a difference in the lives of inmates.

“These men and these women are so joy filled to receive these Christmas bags. They have told us that they are surprised people care enough about them to provide these good things. Things that we take for granted, they do not,” she said.

Jail ministers meet with the inmates of the detention center, some in groups and some one-on-one, and participate in a “very prayerful Bible study,” said Mrs. Heim. “We’re a safe place for them to share what’s going on in their hearts and minds and souls, and then to pray about it with them, kind of to accompany them on their journey.”

Through the gift of the Christmas bags, filled with candy, a prayer card, Little Debbie snack cakes, and more, the jail ministers share their love of Christ

“We can’t change their outer circumstances, but if we can remind them through that prayer card that Jesus can change their inner circumstances and that they can find hope and strength and joy in him, then it’s a deeper kind of joy than just getting all the goodies, and that’s what’s important to us,” said Mrs. Heim.

The jail ministry team and volunteers will be assembling the Christmas goodie bags, Dec. 22, at the Southgate Fire House at 5 p.m. Consider volunteering or donating candy (no nuts, no sticks and no foil wrappers) to make a difference in the lives of the incarcerated. For information e-mail donnakheim@gmail.com.

Generous donations to Give Catholic NKY appreciated

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The Give Catholic NKY donation portal officially closed, Dec. 9, following the successful day of giving, Dec. 2, which raised over $400,000 in 24 hours. The generosity of the Diocesan community did not end on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, with donations continuing to trickle in, putting the total amount raised $ 572,766.48 from 1,114 donors when the portal closed.

“I thank everyone who participated in Giving Tuesday, who supported our parishes and schools with gifts large and small,” said Bishop John Iffert. “Giving Tuesday has been growing in our awareness for a decade now, and it’s exciting to bring that generous impulse into the life of the Church, so that people have an opportunity to direct their Giving Tuesday gifts to the churches and the schools where their hearts are so invested.”

With live Nativity walls raised, Knights of St. John prepare for another Christmas season

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

In front of the rectory of St. Pius X Parish, Edgewood, on Dec. 6, a 50-year tradition spanning multiple generations began again. The Knights of St. John (KOSJ), an organization of Catholic men, have been setting up and running the diocesan live Nativity since the 1970s — and now, with the wooden walls raised, another year of celebrating the season begins.

Tim Ryan, the current acting president of KOSJ and member of 20 years, regarded fondly the Nativity’s mission. “It warms my heart to see the children see these animals and see Mary and Joseph,” he said.

“What that represents is the birth of Jesus,” said Mr. Ryan. “We’re disciples of Jesus, and we’re trying to evangelize. Hopefully they’ll (the children and families) see the Holy Family at Christmas with the animals, and maybe it’ll trigger something in them to come to church and see what Jesus is all about.”

The Nativity, which will feature goat kids and parishioners of St. Pius X fulfilling the roles of Mary and Joseph, will be open evenings, Dec. 20–23, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 20, and 7:30 p.m. on the other days. The display is free to attend and to view.

As the year comes to a close, Bishop reflects on Jubilee, Christ’s mercy and love

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

The 2025 Jubilee Year — Pilgrims of Hope — will soon be coming to a close, with the doors of St. Peter’s Basilica to be sealed on the celebration of the Epiphany, Jan. 6 as the official end of the Jubilee. For the rest of the dioceses around the world, Holy Doors are set to close Dec. 28 — with the Diocese of Covington closing its during the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption’s 10 a.m. Mass.

With the doors having opened during the first Sunday of Advent last year, it’s been a total of 13 months since the Jubilee celebrations began.

“I think people entered into this Jubilee with a good spirit,” Bishop John Iffert said, reflecting on the past year. “I encounter people all the time who are visiting the Cathedral, visiting the other churches we designated and who are seeking the Jubilee indulgence. It’s an opening of the font of mercy, and I think people have engaged that around the diocese, and that has been important.”

The Jubilee indulgence is a plenary indulgence that can only be granted during the Jubilee year by visiting St. Peter’s Basilica or any designated holy site — including in one’s own diocese. The Jubilee Year closing Mass on Dec. 28 will be the last opportunity to receive this indulgence.

Another key aspect of the past Jubilee year has been the theme of pilgrimage, as established by the late Pope Francis during the year’s beginnings, according to Bishop Iffert.

“We’re developing that theme of pilgrimage here in the diocese, both with our downtown churches pilgrimage on the Saturday before Palm Sunday,” a tradition that had already grown in the diocese prior to the Jubilee year, but saw record attendance during the celebration, “and then our international pilgrimages and local pilgrimages … and I think that’s fruitful for us all to remind ourselves that we’re a pilgrim people moving through the world, and that we rely on God’s mercy.”

As the Jubilee year draws to a close, Bishop Iffert invites the faithful to “keep the Advent season, and, as we always do, remember God’s mercy. Continue to read and pray and think around that theme of God’s mercy … we celebrate it in a particular way during these Jubilee years, but that doesn’t mean that it’s closed off to us. These Jubilee years are about emphasizing the centrality of mercy, in our beliefs and in the way God works with us.”

The Jubilee “points us towards our constant,” he said, “our call to constantly be moving towards sanctification. Events like the Jubilee Year point us towards the end, where Christ will gather us together in his mercy and his love.”

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception recognizes Mary as the mother of the world and all redemption

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

On the feast of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Bishop John Iffert celebrated Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, Dec. 8. Concelebrating was Bishop Emeritus Roger Foys; Father Ryan Maher, rector of the Cathedral; Msgr. Kurt Kemo, vice vector; with Deacon Jerry Franzen assisting.

Bishop Iffert spoke to the Diocesan faithful gathered in attendance the evening of the Solemnity, speaking of Mary’s redemptive love and her role as the arc of the covenant, the tabernacle of Christ. It was Mary’s immaculate conception to Sts. Anne and Joachim that put into motion God’s plan for the redemption of sinners, said Bishop Iffert.

Recalling the first reading for the Solemnity, Bishop Iffert spoke of the fall of Adam and Eve, giving into the temptation of the serpent and casting mankind from the light of God’s grace.

“Because they wanted to be like God, so we became alienated from the Kingdom of God. We no longer walked and talked with God in the Garden. We no longer spoke with him face to face…but we began to sin against one another and against God’s creation,” he said.

It was at that moment, the eating of the apple, the casting out from the garden, said Bishop Iffert, that “God set into motion his plan that would come to fulfillment with the birth of the Divine Word into the world.”

“God the Father sends the Son Incarnate into the world, so that in him, we might be redeemed, that he might offer the redemptive sacrifice for us once and for all,” said Bishop Iffert.

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception celebrates, “the mystery by which, from the very conception of Mary, God protected her from all stain of sin,” said Bishop Iffert. “He cleansed her from the very beginning, from original sin and from the effects of all sin, and gave her the grace to choose, to maneuver through this life, maintaining the purity of body, mind and spirit.”
“It is through her, the one whom Jesus gives us to be our mother,” said Bishop Iffert, “the Redeemer acts for our salvation.”

The St. Patrick School community rallied to pack 5,000 bags of food for children overseas

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Students, families, faculty and staff at St. Patrick School, Taylor Mill, were abuzz with feelings of gratitude and giving, Nov. 21, as they participated in an on-campus service project, Feed the Need. As students packed meals to send overseas, smiles filled the room while they scooped, poured and sealed 5,000 bags of food.

“They [Feed the Need] take meals mostly to third world countries. Most of the food we pack will go to Bangladesh to feed the people there. Then they take them the message of the Gospel along with the meals,” said Pam Nunnelley, principal.

Simon, sixth grader at St. Patrick School, said, “It’s an organization that helps kids get food.”

Fifth grader, May, explained that “Everyone gets a scoop of vegetables, vitamin powdered, rice and lentils. We put it in a bag and then we measure to make sure it’s 380 to 400 grams. Then we seal the bag and put it in boxes.”

Together the school community packaged enough meals “to feed a student for a whole school year,” said Mrs. Nunnelley. “I was just trying to find a way to have the kids outside of themselves and to do something for other people,” she said.

Feed the Need provided St. Patrick School with all the packing supplies, food and event management, but they could not provide the excitement and spirit the students brought.

“They’re excited about being able to do something to help other people,” said Mrs. Nunnelley. “I’m excited to see the excitement on them. Some of them, since the day we talked about doing this … they’ve been asking every day ‘when do we get to do this?’”

Tristin, a fifth-grade student, said about his experience, “I just don’t want kids feeling hungry, especially in the wintertime when they can’t grow crops or anything.” Tristin wants people to remember that “You’re a human and they’re human, they just have a different life than you.”

Franciscan Daughters’ turkey giveaway fed 558 families ahead of Thanksgiving

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

An annual tradition, 558 families received turkeys, shelf-stable essentials, bread and produce from the Franciscan Daughters of Mary’s “Turkey Giveaway,” held Nov. 25 ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Alongside a team of volunteers, the sisters operated the giveaway out of their Rose Garden Mission, Covington.

Despite heavy rain on the day of the event, volunteers and sisters alike described it as both “peaceful” and “beautiful.”

“The Thanksgiving and Christmas giveaways have been part of our holiday season since our kids were babies,” said one volunteer. “We’re humbled to be a small part of the beautiful work the mission does to bring Christ’s love to the community.”

“I got home and was so sore, and it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I witnessed the loaves and the fish — the food just kept coming,” said another. “Each person got so much food with their turkey that they needed a volunteer to bring it to their car in a grocery cart.”

Future Deacons take a big step

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Bishop John Iffert, Diocese of Covington, accepted the petitions for “candidacy” of nine men taking the first formal step in deacon formation. With the support of their wives, they were admitted as Candidates for Ordination to the Diaconate at a Mass, Nov. 23. The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Robert Casey of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati at Mt. St. Mary Seminary and School of Theology, Cincinnati.

The candidates and their wives are: G. Michal and Juliette Bezold, St. Mary Parish, Alexandria; Jeffery and Susan Bier, St. Henry Parish, Elsmere; Kevin and Judine Hooker, St. Paul Parish, Florence; Juan Carlos and Julia Montes, Cristo Rey Parish, Florence; Thomas and Jennifer Paolucci, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Burlington; Gregory and Angie Smorey, St. Mary Parish, Alexandria; Jason Snapp, St. Augustine Parish, Augusta; Kevin and Mary Stamps, St. Timothy Parish, Union and Jerome (JJ) and Pamela Wurtz, St. Joseph Parish, Cold Spring.

In the candidacy ceremony, a man makes a public declaration of his resolve to complete his preparation for diaconate so as to give faithful service to Christ the Lord and his body — the Church. In turn, the sponsoring diocese receives the man’s declaration and expresses its joy and support.

Please continue to pray for the men in deacon formation and their wives as they continue to discern a call to diaconal ministry in the Diocese of Covington.