Kissells to share Divine Mercy devotion and witness of faith in suffering

For as long as he can remember Carson Kissell has been bathed in Divine Mercy. Carson was born with a rare skin disease, Epidermolysis Bullosa. At the least amount of friction, the disease causes painful blisters and sores. There is no cure. Treatment consists of keeping the skin clean and bandaged — from neck to toe.

There is no charge to attend the Kissells’ presentation at St. Catherine Church, March 24. Admittance is first come first seated. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Kissell’s will begin their presentation at 7 p.m. Bring a rosary, Carson will lead the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Read more on page 5.

YCET welcomes new members, encourages Catholic youth leadership

Members of the Youth Commission Evangelization Team (YCET) met on Thomas More University’s campus, March 8, for an orientation welcoming and introducing the new members to the team.

Read more on page 1.

Catholic Schools Week Mass celebrated united in ‘faith and love of Jesus’

The pews filled with diocesan students, teachers, administrators and supporters, Jan. 31, to celebrate a Mass commemorating Catholic Schools Week. The Mass was held in the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, and celebrated by Bishop John Iffert. Students representing every diocesan grade school and high school were present among their educators, processing in with banners decorated in school colors.

Read more on page 2.

‘Head up, feet moving,’ Bishop Iffert encourages consecrated religious

Women and men religious gathered with laity for Mass, Feb. 3, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington. This special Mass celebrated World Day of Consecrated Life. Bishop John Iffert celebrated the Mass, joined by Father Ryan Maher, the Cathedral’s rector, with Deacons Barry Henry and Gerald Franzen assisting.

The World Day of Consecrated Life was established as a day of prayer for religious men and women in 1997 by Pope St. John Paul II. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on Feb. 2.

Read more on page 3.

‘Love Them Both’ – 2024 March for Life Ky.

The clouds were gray, and the rain was pouring as hundreds gathered in Frankfort for the first Kentucky march for life. The day started with Mass celebrated by Father John Lijana, pastor, Good Shepard Church, Frankfort.

“Life is good because it comes from God … do with it what he wills.” This was the message that rang throughout Father Lijana’s homily on Jan. 23.

The words hung over the congregation of about 500 as they took in the message that what they will be marching for is the sanctity of life and the dignity of mother and child. The latter of which being the theme of this year’s march, “Love Them Both.”

Read more on page 1.

Upcoming Cursillo weekends offer tools to enrich the Catholic faith for a lifetime

A new year means a new year of Cursillo retreats, with the next scheduled as soon as this month.

Cursillo is named for a Spanish word meaning short course. A Cursillo (pronounced “kur-see-yo”),therefore, is a short course in Christianity. Originating in Spain in the 1940s, today Cursillos are given in more than 50 nations on 5 Continents. It is estimated that more than 2 million men and women of various races and languages have participated. Locally, all Cursillo weekends are held at the Jesuit Spiritual Retreat Center in Milford, Ohio.

Read more on page 2.

Join Bishop Iffert on an 11-day pilgrimage to Greece ‘In the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle’

Have you ever wanted to visit Greece to walk in the footsteps of St. Paul? If so, Bishop John Iffert is inviting 44 travelers to join him on a pilgrimage to Greece. The 11-day trip includes a 3-night cruise through the Greek Islands and Turkey. Travelers will depart from the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati Airport, Oct. 22 and return home Nov. 1.

Read more on page 1.

Bambinelli blessing returns to St. Mary’s Park for its second year

Last Advent, the Diocese of Covington held its first ever Bambinelli blessing at St. Mary’s Park, Cathedral Square, Covington. This year, the blessing returns after positive reception by the community for its second event.

Sunday, Dec. 17, 6:30–8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Park, Cathedral Square, Covington.

Read more on page 1.

New Seminary Ball video gives insight to seminarians’ daily lives

A new video promoting vocations will be premiered at this year’s Seminary Ball, Oct. 27. Moving away from the past format of seminarian interviews, the new video, which was created by Patrick McNamara of Drawn to the Image Studios, follows the Diocese of Covington’s seminarians through a day in their lives at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Penn.

Read more on page 2: https://covdio.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9334MESSENGEROCTOBER62023.pdf

Upcoming Events

Diocesan Pro-life Mass

Oct. 17, 7 p.m.

Rosary at 6:30 p.m.

Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington

All are invited to gather in prayer and celebration of life.

40 Hour Devotion

This year, the three-year Eucharistic Revival is in its parish phase. To help unite parishes around the Eucharist, Bishop John Iffert, at the request of the diocesan Worship Committee, has asked pastors to host 40 Hours of continual Eucharistic adoration.

These 40 Hours will be scheduled sometime during the year, from now until July 2024, when the revival culminates with a Eucharistic Congress, July 17–21, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis. Discounted tickets for the Congress are available through the diocesan Office of Worship and Liturgy; an application is online at covdio.org.

Upcoming 40 Hour Devotions

Oct. 13, 2023, St. Edward Parish, Cynthiana

Oct. 20, 2023, St. Augustine Parish, Augusta

Oct. 27, 2023, St. John Parish, Carrollton

Nov. 3, 2023, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Burlington

Nov. 17, 2023, St. Joseph Parish, Cold Spring

May 3, 2024, St. Joseph Parish, Camp Springs

(The schedule will be updated as needed.)

2023 Seminary Ball

An evening of drinks, dinner and dancing in support of our seminarians.

Oct. 27, 6–11 p.m.

Northern Kentucky Convention Center, Covington

RSVP’s available until Oct. 13 at https://covdio.org/seminaryball/.

Cemetery Visitations

Families and friends of our beloved dead are invited to join Bishop John Iffert for a prayer service, Saturday, Oct. 21, at the following diocesan cemeteries:

10 a.m., St. John Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell

11 a.m., St. Mary Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell

12:30 p.m., St. Stephen Cemetery, Ft. Thomas

At each cemetery, the names of those interred from October 2022 through September 2023 will be proclaimed.

“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.”

‘To Heal, Proclaim and Teach’

A presentation by Jared Dees, Oct. 14, 8:30–11:30 a.m., at the Curia’s Bishop Howard Memorial Auditorium, Covington.

Mr. Dees is an author, speaker, teacher and creator of the popular website The Religion Teacher, which provides practical resources and effective teaching strategies.

Sponsored by the diocesan Office of Catechesis and Evangelization. The presentation is open to everyone. No cost to attend. RSVP at covdio.org/register or call David Cooley at (859) 392-1592.