Archive for category: Featured Stories

Laura Keener

Editor

Musica Sacra will open the 50th anniversary season of the Cathedral Concert Series, Oct. 25. Musica Sacra has been the lead performer for the series since its inception, making the Cincinnati ensemble a fitting choice to begin a milestone year at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington.

The bond reaches back to the series’ founders, the late Dr. Robert and Rita Schaffer, and Musica Sacra’s founding conductor, Dr. Helmut J. Roehrig. Their friendship grew into a partnership rooted in a common belief — sacred music belongs in sacred spaces, where it can serve both artistic excellence and spiritual life.

Dr. L. Brett Scott, Musica Sacra’s conductor and professor of ensembles and conducting at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, said the ensemble’s connection with the cathedral began very early.

“My understanding is that our founding director, Helmut Roehrig, and the director of music at the Basilica, which was Greg Schaffer’s father, were close friends,” Dr. Scott said. “As a result of that, Musica Sacra has been involved in the concert series, if not from the very first year, from very, very early on in its history.”

“Dr. Helmut Roehrig was actually one of Dad’s assistants at the cathedral very early on, and they were very close friends,” said Dr. Greg Schaffer, son of Robert and Rita. “The music of Sacra is the quintessential example” of the sacred music the series promotes.

That early relationship was more than a convenient collaboration. Musica Sacra was founded because Roehrig saw a need in Cincinnati for an ensemble devoted to the great sacred choral-orchestral works. Dr. Scott said the group’s purpose “was to perform these sacred pieces in the spaces for which they were intended.” The cathedral series offered precisely that kind of setting.

“We really do focus exclusively on sacred music,” Dr. Scott said, often presenting larger choral-orchestral works. “The type of repertoire that we do is a perfect fit for the Basilica,” he added. “With such a visually stunning place, it’s always a wonderful opportunity for us to perform this music in such a wonderful location.”

The Schaffers approached the concert series with a similar sense of mission. Dr. Greg Schaffer, now director of the series as well as principal organist and choir director at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, said his parents were accomplished concert performers with strong ties throughout the organ community. They wanted to present music from the Western liturgical tradition in what their mission statement called “a suitable environment.”

That phrase, Greg said, almost understates the experience. “Attending a concert at our basilica is really — I can’t think of anything to compare it to on a local or regional level, visually or acoustically,” he said.

Robert and Rita also insisted that the music remain accessible. “They felt quite motivated to make this available to the community, but without any financial concern,” Dr. Schaffer said. “No matter what your disposition is, you’re able to come and witness these programs free of charge.” The series has continued through basket donations and occasional larger gifts rather than ticket sales.

Dr. Schaffer sees that openness as part of the cathedral’s ministry. “I see it as community outreach, opening the doors to the general public,” he said. People are welcome regardless of denomination or spirituality.

Dr. Scott sees that loyalty when Musica Sacra opens the season. “The place is always packed,” he said. “I think it shows that people still have a desire and a thirst to hear this music — to hear this sacred music.”

The longevity of both organizations — 50 years for the concert series and more than 60 years for Musica Sacra — also reflects enduring regional support.

Behind the public success is a family story. Dr. Schaffer remembers dinner-table conversations in which the concert series was being quietly “hatched.” In the early years, Robert and Rita led the work while their children watched; later, the children were enlisted to perform or help. “It was definitely a family effort spearheaded by Bob and Rita,” Dr. Schaffer said.

Dr. Schaffer said that his older brother Mark, who is now deceased, was especially talented and joined the performances at a very early age. “Mark was just a natural fit because he had been studying organ and was much more motivated as an adolescent, 15 and 16 years old, spending his summer doing scales in the basement,” he said. “He was just capable of doing that at an early age.”

Continuing that legacy is joyful, but not light work. “It’s scary in a good way,” Dr. Schaffer said. “It’s big shoes to fill because I’m filling essentially four pairs of shoes at the same time.” With help from his sister, Rebecca Schaffer Wells, he manages the artists, promotional materials, accounting and business details. “My goodness, what a labor of love,” he said. “To be able to present this program of concerts year after year — I can’t express in words the joy it gives me.”

Still, Dr. Schaffer said the greatest reward comes after the final chord. “The real payoff to me is seeing the people’s faces at these concerts,” he said. He notices first-time visitors immediately: they enter through the north door, look upward and drop their jaws.

After five decades, that sense of wonder remains the series’ most convincing measure of success. “If we’ve made a difference in one person’s day or their life and uplifted their soul in some way, then that has fulfilled our ministry and mission,” said Dr. Schaffer.

 

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Bishop John Iffert met and prayed with the people of the Diocese, Oct. 17, at three diocesan cemeteries: St. John Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell; St. Mary Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell and St. Stepehen Cemetery, Ft. Thomas. Together, the faithful and Bishop Iffert prayed the Liturgy of the Hours and remembered those who have been interred at each cemetery in the last year from October 2025 to September of 2026.

The names of the deceased were read aloud by Bishop Iffert, offering the loved ones gathered a chance to remember and pray for those they lost.

“This is the purpose of Catholic cemeteries,” said Bishop Iffert. “The reason for Catholic cemeteries is so that we remember and pray for those that came before us.” Prayer for the repose of the decedents souls prepares the faithful for the celebration of All Souls Day, Nov. 2, and helps those gathered remember the deceased.

“That’s the whole purpose why we maintain these places,” said Bishop Iffert in the mausoleum of St. Mary Cemetery, “so that we don’t forget to pray for the dead. We pray for your loved ones in a special way, but also when we’re here, we pray for everybody, the people we don’t know.”

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

People of the diocese came together in support of vocations and seminarian education, Oct. 16, for the 2026 Seminary Ball. This annual ball serves as the “kickoff” for the Seminarian Education Collection and a major fundraiser for the Seminarian Education Fund, which provides funding for diocesan seminarians as they study for the priesthood.

This year’s event was hosted at Receptions in Erlanger, where 73 tables became 75 as Jim Hess, director of Stewardship and Mission Services, who hosts the ball, announced that this year’s ball was “record-breaking” in the number of attendees — with more than 740 present.

“This is a unique event because it is not a hard sell,” Mr. Hess told guests during his welcome at the ball. And, while the option to donate at the event was given — guests were also invited to participate in the collection the following weekend, Oct. 24 and 25, with funds raised during the event mostly thanks to the event’s sponsors.

“We’re extremely grateful for your support,” Mr. Hess said, “I’m absolutely floored by the level of support tonight,” proudly announcing that more than $210,000 was raised for the Seminarian Education Fund thanks to guests and sponsors before the event even began.

As part of the evening’s program, the seminarians themselves (currently 6 within the diocese) were invited to participate — both in the mingling with guests, but in a “Q&A” session hosted by Bishop John Iffert following dinner, as well.

Questions were provided by guests during dinner service, with questions ranging from asking seminarians their favorite dinosaurs and Marian titles, to feelings about having an American pope and how they’ve “encountered” Jesus at seminary.

During the Q&A, Bishop Iffert finished off with one last question. “When you look out at this crowd — 740 people strong — and you see this level of support, what does the Holy Spirit say to you?”

“I just really get a sense of peace with all the love and support that we get,” one seminarian, Will Fuller, answered, “and from the people of God.”

“I was just looking out at the crowd,” answered another seminarian, Evan Ihrig, who said he was reminded of a quote in the book of Hebrews that says, “You are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, so run the race and persevere.”

“To know that I have the diocese behind me … many people praying for me and for my brother seminarians, it’s so incredible to be surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses as I run this race with my brothers towards the priesthood,” Mr. Ihrig said.

Following the Q&A, Bishop Iffert also personally thanked the people gathered, saying that the Seminary Ball was “one of the most lovely evenings in the life of our local Church here in Covington, where so many people gather together to support these men and to support the reality of priesthood and formation for priesthood here in the diocese. I am very grateful to you all for turning out.”

“As I look at these men who are studying and discerning their way forward, I am renewed and invigorated,” Bishop Iffert said, “and these men, God has been extraordinarily generous in the quality of human beings that God is sending us for that discernment.”

“So thank you,” he said, addressing the seminarians once more, “I want you to know that even now, just in being open to this discernment, you are feeding the life of faith of your bishop. You are showing me God’s constant call to be sanctified and renewed. You are that kind of love in the life of this Church.”

“Put that in your little bank of thankful moments,” Bishop Iffert said, “and let it be an encouragement to you when you need that encouragement.”

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Diocese of Covington’s Office of Youth Ministry is hosting the second of the 2026 middle school CONNECT Retreats, Nov. 20, at Thomas More University, Crestview Hills. Dexter Bent, junior at Thomas More University and Youth Ministry volunteer, organized this retreat around his own experiences with youth ministry in the Diocese with one simple goal — connection.

“The goal of CONNECT is for middle schoolers to connect with God and with each other. The main goal for me is to have a good time with the kids, get them some formation and put a positive correlation to the church,” said Mr. Bent. These retreats, he said, help middle schoolers form a strong foundation early in their own faith life, providing a first opportunity to choose the faith for themselves. “It’s a huge opportunity,” he said, “it’s a first step in them choosing the faith for themselves.”

This year’s fall CONNECT theme is “restless hearts, come find rest,” born out of St. Augustine’s theology on the restless heart which finds rest in the Lord. The middle schoolers will hear a series of formation talks about the theology and its application in their own life. “That search for meaning in earthly things and then realizing that ultimate meaning is found in their relationship with Jesus,” said Mr. Bent. After the talks, there will be opportunity for small group discussion facilitated by Thomas More University Students and Youth Ministry volunteers, “talking about the practicality of the faith and how it applies to them, bringing it down to their level,” said Mr. Bent.

Time for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and confession will be a central point of the day. “I think it’s very important to get youth in front of the Blessed Sacrament because not many students have the opportunity to frequent that sacrament. For them to be able to experience it and how much it means to me, it makes me happy because I know how much it can mean to them.”

Mr. Bent knows the benefits of Youth Ministry events firsthand, “I am who I am today because of Youth Ministry in our Diocese,” he said, “I see the fruits of it in my life, so I know that there’s so much potential there.”

Register by November 9 for early-bird registration at https://covdio.org/youth/.

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Ft. Thomas, will be welcoming Sister Deirdre Byrne, M.D., as a speaker, Nov. 1, at 6:30 p.m.

Sister Deirdre is a professed member of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, a retired U.S. Army colonel and a surgeon — who paid for her medical training through service in the armed forces. Her talk at the parish will focus on her life through the lens of her biography, written by Leisa Marie Carzon, Ph.D and titled “Sister, Soldier, Surgeon.”

Terri Babey, a parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena and organizer of the event, described Sister Deirdre as a “total package” — humble, faithful and with a “sense of humor.”

“For me,” Ms. Babey said, “to see his real person living this unreal, incredible life is inspiring. She’s very understated when she talks, but very thoughtful. I thought that was interesting.”

Exemplified by her “care for the poor,” Sister Deirdre offers free and low-cost medical care for poor and uninsured communities. “She has so much virtue,” Ms. Babey said, “but it is virtue in action.” This devotion has also taken Sister Deirdre on missions abroad to countries such as Sudan, where her mission still runs, but her dedication persists in her local community as a woman religious as well.

While the talk at St. Catherine of Siena Parish is free, Terri Babey hopes people coming to see the sister speak will “give generously” in free will offerings — all of which will be returned to Sister Deirdre in support of her free clinic operated near her convent’s home in Washington D.C.

“She has done so many things,” Ms. Babey said, “It’s really a wild, beautiful lifestyle that she leads,” encouraging all to join for not just the talk — but to read the biography as well.