Newport Central Catholic’s renovated entrance and commons include accessibility improvements, space to build community

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

In a ceremony, Dec. 19, Newport Central Catholic High School, Newport, celebrated the opening of its newly built Tom Hoffman Alumni Hall and Commons.

A result of the school’s “Looking Up” capital campaign, the commons — which is situated at the front of the school — opens with a completely handicap accessible entrance. The whole space is likewise fitted with ramps for students, alumni and visitors of any mobility, and new bathrooms are ADA compliant. Tracie Hoffman, the widow of alumnus Thomas Hoffman, whom the hall is named for, came to Kenny Collopy, principal, to ask what support was needed for the hall’s construction.

“She wanted to make an impact outside of the campaign we have going on,” said Mr. Collopy. “We provided her with a very wide list and range of needs, and she compassionately chose to support the need of improving our accessibility to those entering our building.”

In addition to added accessibility, the hall’s construction and entrance renovation include safety and security improvements, upgraded administrative offices, as well as “common areas for the students,” said Mr. Collopy.

“It’s one of the areas in which you sit,” he said, addressing the crowd gathered for the commemoration, before thanking the Hoffmans and other donors for the common areas, which will “gather community and help build (the Newport Central Catholic) community and family even stronger.”

Bishop John Iffert, who participated in the ribbon cutting and blessed the space, spoke also, saying, “We pray today that this will be a place where people, as they enter this school and community, will really encounter one another and find what we share in common — our hopes, our dreams, our giftedness, our desire to reflect God’s goodness. Discover that in each person we meet, so that we can bring some calm to all of the chaos in the world, that we can bring some goodness reflected in that space.”

At Christmas, Bishop Iffert tells congregation the image of a cow at the Nativity relates to transformative divine love

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

A peaceful Christmas morning, Dec. 25, the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, welcomed parishioners and guests alike to celebrate Midnight Mass for the Nativity of the Lord.

The Cathedral’s pews were full for the celebration — and music filled the Cathedral, decorated with greenery, as the Bishop’s Choir and a string quartet performed songs until the Mass began.

Bishop John Iffert celebrated the Mass, and served as homilist, as well.

In his homily, Bishop Iffert recalled an encounter with the diocesan chancellor, Jamie Schroeder. “I mentioned that I especially like the way that she had positioned the cow just behind the crib, nudging up toward Jesus in a way that was particularly attentive to the baby,” Bishop Iffert said.

To which Mrs. Schroeder replied, according to Bishop Iffert, “That’s the way I was taught. I was told that the cow warmed the baby Jesus with her breath.”

Continuing, he said that, “The idea that this lovely creature recognized the Lord of Heaven and earth — her Creator — and the great gift of love born for the redemption of the world. And, in spontaneous reaction to this love, loves in return … to respond to the love of God with her very breath.”

“Love inspires love,” said Bishop Iffert. “It is the source of holiness. It is the source of wisdom … That’s the story of Christmas, isn’t it? … He emptied himself out being born in human likeness, joining our nature to his and accepting all our limitations, even temptation, even death, so that we might know that we are loved.”

“We are loved so much so that our God will not remain separated from us,” he continued, “even when we have made ourselves God’s enemies — even then he comes to love us. Love transforms. Love inspires love in return.”

He concluded, saying, “From now on, I will set up my nativity scene with the cow hovering closely to the baby Jesus. Practically touching. And I will imagine her, with her big brown eyes, breathing warm against the chill of the night.”

“And it will remind me,” said Bishop Iffert, “that being loved by Jesus changes everything. Who will accept the gift of divine love? That love transforms us. It is our training. It is the path to holiness. It is the path to peace.”

Jubilee Year comes to an end at closing Mass with Bishop Iffert

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Bishop John Iffert celebrated the closing Mass for the 2025 Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope, Dec. 28, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington. The Jubilee Year was opened by Pope Francis one year prior on the eve of Christmas, with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. This, in a special way, connected the Jubilee Year and the celebration of the first coming of Christ at Christmas.

The Jubilee Year called the faithful to focus on the indulgent love of Christ and the pouring out of his love onto his people, said Bishop Iffert, in the same way that God’s love was brought into the world through the Christ child.

“The celebration of the Jubilee shares something with the Christmas celebration … Every day we remember that the Lord Jesus dwells with his people, comes to us and empties out his love for us every day. And Christmas, we remember that in a particularly poignant way,” said Bishop Iffert.

It is this indulgent love of Christ that Pope Francis called into focus through the jubilee theme, “pilgrims of hope.” The theological virtue of hope, Bishop Iffert said, “is certainty in the mercy of God and in his victory over the Kingdom. That’s what this Jubilee Year has been for us, a walking in that confidence in the divine love to strengthen our community.”

“Even though we don’t live in the fulfillment, the perfection, of that kingdom right now, even though we live in a time where that kingdom has been introduced by the first coming of Jesus, we await the second coming of Jesus for its perfection and fulfillment, even now, because we are people of hope,” said Bishop Iffert.

Though the Jubilee Year has ended, the message and invitation it espoused, to follow God, and trust in his infinite wisdom, still rings true.

“The Jubilee celebration draws our attention and focus to the indulgent mercy of God; it doesn’t control that mercy. In closing out the Jubilee we do not end the river of God’s mercy that flows down upon us. God’s mercy is constant,” said Bishop Iffert. “This Jubilee year has been for us a walking in that confidence in the divine love to strengthen our community as we journey together throughout the world.”

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.”