The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption chimeras to land within months as project completion draws near

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Diocese of Covington Restored in Christ Campaign is nearing completion as the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, enters the final stages of construction. Still to be completed in the coming months is the finishing of: Dutchmen repairs to the tracery, stone replacement, terracotta reglazing; instillation of the gargoyles, chimeras, lower columns, bases and cross; the stabilization of seven spires; and final touches such as the façade cleaning and the sealing of the 12 unsealed windows.

Don Knochelmann, diocesan director of the Buildings and Property Office, said the chimera will be the first to arrive but the last to be installed, hoping to minimize the possibility of damage during their instillation.

Trisco Construction Company continues its work of the upper tracery, which is the limestone columns and the decorative pieces at the top of the Cathedral, this will continue through August, said Mr. Knochelmann.

The gargoyles, which are nearing completion at Boston Valley Terra Cotta, New York, are on track to be installed in October.

“Everything they’re doing now is a continuation of what they’ve been doing all along. There’s stone replacement, there’s terracotta glazing around the tracery, around the windows, column replacement. It’s a big project. We’re doing some sealing around the windows to repair leaks,” said Mr. Knochelmann

The Restored in Christ Campaign, which was announced in early 2023, has been raising funds to support the repair and restoration of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. Currently, 96 percent of the $7,560,000 goal has been raised, with $250,000 left to raise.

Bishop John Iffert says about the fundraising goal nearing completion, “I am deeply grateful for your sacrificial gifts that have raised an incredible $7.31 million toward our Cathedral Renovation Capital Campaign … Because of your unwavering support, the Cathedral Basilica will continue to shine as a timeless symbol of faith, beauty and community in our Diocese of Covington.”

Religious sisters give witness to God through their lives, says Bishop Iffert at annual Serran luncheon

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Annually, the Serra Club for Vocations — an organization that promotes and sponsors vocations to the priesthood and religious life — hosts a luncheon for the women religious of the Diocese of Covington. This year’s luncheon, held at the Devou Park Golf and Event center, July 8, celebrated the women in attendance with an afternoon of lunch, games and fellowship.

Bishop John Iffert, who attended the luncheon, addressed the sisters and thanked them for their work across the diocese — in service, in prayer and in teaching. But, Bishop Iffert said, “even more than the work is the witness of your life that you give.”

“We dedicated ourselves to God … your whole life is that witness. And so, I’m very grateful.”

Continuing from his point, Bishop Iffert commented on the fact that vocations to the religious life are “fewer and fewer” in the United States, and thus asked for prayers from the sisters and the Serra Club members presents, to “bombard heaven” with prayer — “to keep that witness alive in the Church, in the Diocese of Covington and around the world.”

As Sisters of Notre Dame celebrate final 4th of July festival, legacy continues in the people

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Laura Keener

Editor

Notre Dame Sister Cormarie Rebhan patiently encouraged the young children to “pick a winner” as they fastidiously maneuvered fishing nets around the festival’s Duck Pond to snare a rubber a duck in exchange for a prize. Joan Lecoy, parishioner, Sts. Boniface and James Parish, Ludlow, and volunteer at the festival also working the Duck Pond, leaned over and whispered, “they’re all winners.”

The Sisters of Notre Dame, Covington, held its final Fourth of July Festival this year, ending a 103-year tradition. The festival began in 1922 as a way for local parishioners to help support the Sisters and to fund the building and maintenance of St. Joseph Heights convent, Park Hills.

At that time the St. Joseph Heights Home Association, affectionately known by the Sisters as “The Old Faithful Club” and led by John F. Cook, Grand Knight of the Price Hill Council of the Knights of Columbus, organized the first Fourth of July Festival. For 103 years the Club has helped the Sisters of Notre Dame organize the Fourth of July Festival, which has become a way for the entire community to not only financially support the Sisters but also to come together in joy and gratitude.

“Today we dress in red, white and blue and are graced with patriotic fun and genuine friendship in the SND style,” wrote Notre Dame Sister Mary Dennise Wagenlander, Festival Chair, in the “103 4th of July Festival: Fun for the Whole Family” program distributed at the event. “We treasure you, our faithful supporters and partners, in doing the mission of Jesus. We are grateful for the many ways you contribute to help us fund-raise and friend-raise.”

Walter Witt, parishioner, St. Agnes Parish, Ft. Wright, is one of the many volunteers who, out of love and respect for the Sisters, has been working the festivals. Mr. Witt will celebrate his 90th birthday next month, and the Sisters of Notre Dame have been a part of his life since he was a student at Sacred Heart School, Bellevue. He is grateful to the Sisters of Notre Dame for their dedication to Catholic education, not only his own but also that of his five children and the thousands of children throughout the Diocese of Covington over the last 151 years, beginning with Mother of God School, Covington in 1874.

“The Sisters, they have staffed I don’t know how many schools right in this area. Ever since they came here from Germany the sisters have, you know, given a lot to the community,” said Mr. Witt.

Mr. Witt said he began volunteering at the festival 50-plus years ago. His daughter, Margaret, a second grader at St. Agnes School, raised her hand when Sister Paulita asked for volunteers to help the festival. Since then, the Witt family has been a mainstay at the festival, beginning with the Grocery Booth and moving up to the Major Raffle booth for the last 25 years.

“They’ve (the Sisters of Notre Dame) been part of my life, you know, in my younger days of formation, and you appreciate these things,” said Mr. Witt. “If you can say ‘thank you’ by giving them some service when they need some helpers, I was honored to do it.”

The Fourth of July Festival is ending the way it began, being connected to the rise and fall of the St. Joseph Heights building. For over 100 years, St. Joseph Heights has been home to the Sisters of Notre Dame. With the number of Sisters decreasing, so did the need for the large historic building. The Sisters conducted studies to find ways to repurpose the building, but none proved feasible. Days after the final Fourth of July festival, O’Rourke Demolition Company began razing the building, July 7.

The Sisters of Notre Dame plan to continue its mission and ministries in Northern Kentucky by repurposing the property to address the many needs of senior adults, including recreation, education, housing, inter-generational opportunities and meeting space for Park Hills seniors. This work will continue as St. Charles Community, a senior living community founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame, assumes the property.

“The ministry and mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame will be continued from the Dixie Highway to the expressway. That whole the property can then house the mission and ministry,” said Notre Dame Sister Shauna Bankemper.

By the end of October 2024, all of the Sisters had moved from the Heights building. Of the 68 Sisters of Notre Dame living in Kentucky, 38 are living at St. Charles Community. The other 30 Sisters are living and ministering in the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati area.

“The Sisters might not be living there, but our mission is continuing through St. Charles and Notre Dame Academy,” said Sister Shauna. “The building isn’t the legacy. Our legacy is the people. You are our legacy. Where you go, our mission and ministry goes forward. You carry it forward,” she said about the all the students taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame and at Notre Dame Academy and all of the people whose lives have been touched by the Sisters.

Considering the immense influence of the Sisters of Notre Dame, through the grace of God and his Divine Providence, like the children at the Duck Pond, all the people in Northern Kentucky are winners.

Community gathers at St. Patrick Cemetery for historic groundbreaking of Stations of the Cross

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

There was standing room only under the white peaked tent at St. Patrick Cemetery, Maysville, as ground was ceremoniously broken on the new multimillion dollar, life size, bronze, Stations of the Cross and meditation garden. The June 3 event drew together notable community leaders such as Maysville Mayor Debra Cotterill, Mason County Judge Executive Owen McNeill and Kentucky State Representative William “Buddy” Lawrence. Also in attendance were friends, family, community members and others involved in the project.

This project, many years in the making, is led by Jerry Lundergan, former chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party, and Alissa Tibe, executive vice president of the Lundergan Group Companies.

“The idea and purpose behind this project is not only to beautify the cemetery and this wonderful space, but to take pride in our beautiful Catholic church, St. Patrick, and even more so, the community of Maysville, and to bring visitors from far away. Pilgrims, those of religious descent and folks that are looking for spirituality and community to find solace here on these sacred grounds,” said Mrs. Tibe.

Mr. Lundergan said the decision for the garden to reside at St. Patrick Cemetery was an easy one, “we’ve always had a love for the St. Patrick Cemetery and were brought up that way as children … about 15 years ago I purchased that piece of property over there … and I said, ‘we’re going to build a little meditation garden over there and people can come and just sit on the bench and think about life and think about how they’re going to get to where they’re supposed to go.’”

The garden, which will begin with a seventy-foot tall cross, will be exactly 2500 feet, and an exact replica of the route Christ took on his road to Golgotha. Along the route will be six-foot tall statues designed by Mr. Lundergan and Reto Demetz, chief executive officer, Art Studio Demetz, Italy. Each statue will be 300 pounds and hand carved by Mr. Demetz and his team of sculptors.

“We made an effort that they [the sculptures] have no base. So, once a visitor comes up to the stature, he’s looking at the raised statue, but brings Jesus down to the same eye level as us,” said Mr. Demetz.

Nine of the stations have already been completed, with the tenth underway. Stations 11, 12, 13 and 14 are expected to be finished before the intended project completion date of April 2026.

John Carman, senior principal of CARMAN Landscape Architecture Firm, said, “the journey is meant to be a very meaningful journey, very spiritual. It’s meant to engage whoever’s walking on that path to understand really what that final walk was all about. So, creating the Passion and also trying to give a feel of the anguish that Christ understood and that he went through.”

Mr. Carman and his team will seek to incorporate many aspects of symbolism into the landscape including the use of the color white. White is a symbol of pureness, meant to enhance the sacredness of the space. In conjunction with the white will be small pops of color courtesy of Redbud Trees, or Judas Tree.

“The seven-story cross … it’s made up of a cluster of four-square columns. Four has to do with a lot of meaning and symbolism. Symbolism in the Bible, such as the four Gospels. The Garden of Gethsemane was actually an olive garden. While we can’t grow olive trees here, we’re going to have about a 200-year-old antique olive mill and press in the garden,” said Mr. Carman.

The goal, Mr. Lundergan said, is to have the project completed within 10 months, just in time for Easter, so that every aspect of the Triduum can be celebrated at the garden.

“The idea would be to have a very important Holy Thursday service, to have a 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross on Friday, and a sunrise Mass, which we are building an altar over there on the hillside, we’ll have a sunrise service on Sunday morning,” said Mr. Lundergan.

The intent for the Stations of the Cross and garden is to encourage people to have a deeply spiritual experience and to drive people from all over the world to Maysville.

“If we could just get 200,000 more people coming into Mason County in Maysville for the filling stations, the restaurants, the hotels and leave a donation of some type, which will be distributed between the upkeep of the garden, the upkeep of the cemetery, and the upkeep of St. Patrick School and Church, then we will have fulfilled our dream,” said Mr. Lundergan.

Thirteen catechists from across the Diocese recognized at the Catechetical Leadership Awards

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Catechists, friends and family gathered in Bishop Howard Memorial Auditorium, Covington, May 29, for the annual Catechetical Leadership Awards hosted by the Diocese of Covington Office of Catechesis and Evangelization. These awards honor outstanding catechetical leaders in parishes and schools throughout the Diocese.

Isaak Isaak, director of the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization, welcomed those in attendance.

“It’s really truly a joy to have all of you with us this evening, celebrating ministerial life, celebrating catechesis and the new evangelization that you all are committed to,” Mr. Isaak said. “Thank you for assisting our chief catechist and shepherd, Bishop John as his extension in ministry. Thank you for enabling our parishes and schools to exercise their mission to bring Christ into the world as leaven. As lay ecclesial ministers you undertake an important work that’s essential to the very life of our local Church.”

Eight awards to 13 recipients highlight the work of catechists from early childhood, through high school and parish life.

The first award, Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher/Catechist, was awarded to five recipients: Rosada Harr, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Carrollton; Jenny Long, St. Pius X School, Edgewood; Rose Miller, St. Agnes Parish, Ft. Wright; Janet Schmidt, St. Joseph School, Crescent Springs and Dan Walsh, St. Thomas Parish, Ft. Thomas.

Together, these five recipients have over 80 years of catechetical teaching experience. Ranging in grade level from preschool through eighth grade, these catechists exemplify what it means to be an outstanding early childhood teacher/catechist. The Outstanding Junior High Teacher/Catechist award was awarded to Ashleigh Stall of Blessed Sacrament School, Ft. Mitchell. The impact of Ms. Stall on her students is immeasurable, with 14 of her eighth-grade students nominating her for this award.

“Ashleigh’s genuine faith and connection with God permeates all her interactions with students, staff and parents,” said Allison Miller, pledge coordinator with the Diocese of Covington Office of Stewardship and Mission.

The Outstanding Catechetical Leader award was presented to two recipients: Terri Mounce, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Carrollton, and Divine Providence Sister Armella Pietrowski, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Burlington.

Ms. Mounce has served as a catechist for 17 years as a part of the St. John the Evangelist parish’s CCD program. Sister Armella has been the director of Religious Education at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish for 39 years, making her a mainstay in the culture and life of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.

Deacon Jerry Franzen, Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, was the recipient of the Sister Ann Adele Fritz Catechetical Award.

“He has consistently offered encouraging, and sound preaching and leads a lectio divina prayer group at the Cathedral Basilica’s Parish Office. He has prepared countless couples for the baptism of their first child, hosting them in his own home. Deacon Jerry, with his wife Tena, continue to work with engaged couples in preparation to receive the sacrament of marriage,” said Mrs. Miller.

Deacon Franzen’s consistent work in sacramental preparation and prayerful leadership sets him apart, qualifying him recipient for the Sister Ann Adele Fritz Catechetical Award.

The Outstanding Youth Minister award was presented to John Kidwell, St. Barbara Parish, Erlanger. Mr. Kidwell has served in St. Barbara Parish for 23 years creating a fun, safe and engaging space for parish youth to become involved in their faith. “John is a spiritual role model and support mentor to the youth he serves,” said Angie Poat, diocesan youth minister.

Terese Meeks, Holy Cross District High School, Covington, was awarded the Outstanding Campus Minister award for her 35 dedicated years to Holy Cross District High School. Mrs. Meeks, now retired, creates an atmosphere of openness, welcome, kindness and compassion, said Mrs. Poat. She created opportunities for students and adults to see God in themselves and others around them through her example in the classroom, retreats or in individual connections.

The Outstanding Catholic Retreat Minister award was presented to Bridget Price, Notre Dame Academy, Park Hills. Mrs. Price has been leading or assisting with retreats at Notre Dame Academy for 20 years. Her dedication to the retreats and countless hours spent preparing spiritual experiences for students is done with her whole heart and soul. She provides rich spiritual opportunities for students to encounter Christ.

Aaron Batson, also of Holy Cross District High School, was one of two recipients for the Outstanding High School YCET Leader. Mr. Batson is a recent graduate of Holy Cross District High School and a member of Mother of God Parish, Covington. During his time at Holy Cross, Mr. Batson started an adoration club, helping to draw other students closer to Christ.

“He is a great example of Christ’s heart, reaching out to students at retreats who were on their own, making them feel welcome and seen,” said Mrs. Poat.

Clara Howard, recent graduate of Ryle High School, Union, and parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Parish, also received the Outstanding High School YCET Leader award. Ms. Howard is grounded in Christ and embodies what it means to have the heart of a missionary, said Mrs. Poat. Ms. Howard will begin a year of missionary work as a Regnum Christi Missionary in an assigned city to serve middle school and high school girls.

“Let me add my congratulations and my thanks to all of you who are here in the room and to all of your coworkers and your co-laborers in the vineyard, back in our parishes and schools,” said Bishop John Iffert, emphasizing the importance of living and leading with love to the awarded catechists. “Thank you for passing on the faith … We share the faith with one another the way the faith is taught primarily — the example we set for one another, the way that we love one another.”

God’s mercy is the reason for priestly vocation, Bishop Iffert says at ordination Mass

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Celebrated among a congregation of the people of the diocese – including family, friends and many fellow clergy – Father Joshua Heskamp was ordained to the Order of Priest, June 7, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington.

Bishop John Iffert was the celebrant of the Mass, and welcomed the now ordained Father Heskamp to the presbyterate alongside priests fro across the diocese – and some beyond, including St. Vincent Seminary faculty Benedictine Father Jude Brady and Benedictine Father Isaac Haywiser.

Father Heskamp’s family also partook in the Mass, with notably his uncle, fellow priest, Father Jeffery Von Lehmen, pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Taylor Mill, serving as vesting clergy for his investiture.

Bishop Iffert began his homily acknowledging to the contribution of Father Heskamp’s family to his formation. Even though he addresses him as his “own dear son,” Bishop Iffert said, and that “this is an acknowledgment that I’m able to introduce [Deacon Heskamp] to the life of grace-filled service to God’s people in the priesthood,” he said, “in no way is this little reference of endearment meant to supplant the role of Deacon Heskamp’s own father and his own family…who gave him life and nurtured him in the faith.”

“It’s a profound gift,” said Bishop Iffert, “that Deacon Heskamp presents today in offering himself to be set apart for the ministry. I thank you for supporting his in his vocational discernment.”

As part of his homily, Bishop Iffert also reflected on a question that a student asked him at a dinner at Thomas More University, Crestview Hills. The student asked him why he thought that God chose him as a bishop, to which Bishop Iffert replied that, after a moment, the reason is that, “God is always being merciful, and always leading us to salvation.”

“I can only presume that God has allowed me to be here,” he said, “because there is something in this experience that will help me towards salvation, something that I need to be able to grow in holiness and be more like Christ.”

“As soon as I said it, I recognized that truth of it,” said Bishop Iffert, then addressing the soon to be ordained Deacon Heskamp, “Joshua, we are not called to be priests because we are such swell guys…We are called to be priests because the empty, needful, broken space inside us conforms to the way Christ and his Holy Spirit long to fill us and make up for our sins and our failure. We are called not because of our personal strengths, but because we boast in our weakness and in the cross of Christ that is our salvation.”

“Today,” Bishop Iffert said, “you are called to be a father to the faithful. As you will pray over the fathers of the children you will baptize, so we all pray for you today.”

Mary Grable to retire from St. Edward School for the second time

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Beloved teacher, mentor and principal Mary Grable is to retire for the second time as principal of St. Edward School, Cynthiana. Her dedication and devotion to St. Edward School was celebrated by the community at the end of year Rose and Candle Ceremony.

This annual ceremony is a farewell to the fifth graders as they prepare to leave St. Edward for the local middle school, however this year the community was also saying goodbye to Mrs. Grable. During the Rose and Candle Ceremony the fourth graders give the fifth graders roses to take with them on their new adventure and the fifth graders give the fourth graders a candle, reminding them to lead the school with the light of Christ.

Mrs. Grable and principal-elect, Mark Hatmaker, teacher at St. Edward School, participated also in this ceremony with Mrs. Grable bestowing the ceremonial candle to Mr. Hatmaker and Mr. Hatmaker presenting Mrs. Grable with a dozen roses.

“Twelve roses is probably not enough for all the dedication you’ve given to the school, but we thank you Mrs. Grable,” said one faculty member as the rose and candle exchange was occurring.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to Mary Grable for coming out of retirement to serve as the interim principal of St. Edward School. She worked tireless during this time leading the school. Mary is a true servant leader who gave so much of her time to help St. Edward,” said Kendra McGuire, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Covington, in response to the Messenger request for a comment.

Mrs. Grable has been a tireless servant leader, in both her first and second term as principal, putting first the needs of the students and their faith formation. Upon her first arrival at St. Edward School the pastor at the time said that while academics are important, it was her job to turn them into saints. This was a motto she said that stuck with her throughout her tenure.

“My first year here we had a mirror that we put up,” said Mrs. Grable. She would tell the students, “You should see Christ in everybody, so go look in the mirror. Is Christ looking back at you, or is it somebody else?”

Father Niby Kannai, pastor at St. Edward Parish, Cynthiana, said about Mrs. Grable, “Her deep Catholic identity, lived so faithfully and joyfully, has been a shining example for our children and families. Her tireless dedication and tender love for every child has not only educated minds but also formed hearts in Christ.”

Mrs. Grable’s career started at Southside Elementary School, Cynthiana, where she served for 27 years as a special education teacher, before retiring from public education and transitioning to St. Edward School.

As a principal, Mrs. Grable says her favorite part is watching the kids grow up. “Watching people grow,” she said, “after all these years somebody comes back … it makes you feel like you’ve done something.”

Mrs. Grable expressed her sound support for the incoming principal, Mr. Hatmaker, “He’s interested in learning, but he’s also interested in what their future is going to hold and how close to God they’ll be. That’s what I think we need,” said Mrs. Grable.

Upon his being named principal, Mrs. Grable shared with Mr. Hatmaker a poem,

“Isn’t it strange that princes and kings,

And clowns that caper In sawdust rings, And common people,

Like you and me,

Are builders for eternity?

Each is given a bag of tools,

A shapeless mass,

A book of rules;

And each must make –

Ere life is flown –

A stumbling block

Or a steppingstone.”

Mrs. Grable said she hopes she has built a steppingstone for Mr. Hatmaker, and that he will build one for the next principal. Leaving a lasting legacy for the future students of St. Edward School.

Seventeen parishes underway to receive DPAA rebates, more to go

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

The 2025 Diocesan Parish Annual Appeal (DPAA) is well underway, with a recent mailing encouraging parishioners from across the Diocese to dedicate their contributions if they have not already.

As of the end of April, the DPAA has raised more than $2.6 million which will be used to help fund the ministries of the diocese. This is just short of the $2.7 million goal of the whole campaign — but, more than that, there are goals for the individual parishes that are yet to be met for the campaign.

In July, money collected over the goal amount for any specific parish is returned to the parish as a rebate. This money is used towards parish construction projects and ministries. However, with only 17 parishes having exceeded their goal so far, there is still a long way to go in terms of raising money for diocesan parishes.

St. Henry Parish, Elsmere, has successfully exceeded its DPAA goal this year — and has been setting aside rebates since 2022 for the pavement and restriping of the parish’s parking lot this year, according to Kris Staverman, a parishioner. “The lot was last resurfaced with new asphalt in 1989,” said Ms. Staverman, who notes that additional funds will be put towards a new sound system for the church.

Other parishes who have exceeded their goals include St. Therese Parish, Southgate, whose pastor, Father Michael Grady, hopes to put the money towards tuition assistance for St. Therese’s school. “We see a need there and we try to fill that need so that our families can afford a Catholic education,” said Father Grady.

Holy Spirit Parish has also exceeded its goal, and will be putting their 2025 DPAA rebate into a “transformative project,” according to parishioner Alex Bramel. These projects include a new limestone retaining wall, new landscaping and an irrigation system.

However, with these parishes on track to receive funds towards their projects — many other parishes are still working together to meet those goals.

Giving for the 2025 DPAA is still open — and pledges and contributions are needed to assist not just the parishes of the Diocese of Covington, but the ministries and people, as well. More information, including giving, can be found online at https://covdio.org/ stewardship-missions/.

Graduates possess an ‘unalienable dignity, ’ says Bishop Iffert at Thomas More baccalaureate Mass

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Thomas More University’s graduates were among the first to graduate as the Class of 2025 this year — celebrating their accomplishments with a baccalaureate Mass, May 16. Held in the campus’s Mary, Seat of Wisdom, chapel — Bishop John Iffert visited to celebrate the Mass with the Class of 2025.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled,” Bishop Iffert began his homily quoting John 14, and reflecting on a story of a young girl he met when he was pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish in Columbia, Illinois. The little girl, a fifth grader, who had been caught cheating, was distraught. “Literally bawling,” said Bishop Iffert.

The little girl believed because of this mistake, she would not get into the best high school, or college, and feared that she would not “fulfill her potential worth.”

“As I sat there and watched this young girl, just riddled with anxiety,” Bishop Iffert said, “I wanted to punish someone. But, it wasn’t her. Her parents, the school, myself, maybe, for ratcheting up the pressure on this girl. That anxiety, it’s a killer.”

“We are the most rejected generation,” Bishop Iffert quoted a young man in an article for the New York Times. College applications, internships and even jobs, all have a lower acceptance rate now than ever, according to the article.

“Rejection reinforces the dark world mentality,” said Bishop Iffert, “that is so prevalent in our culture. The idea that the world is menacing and that people and institutions are untrustworthy. It’s a dark view of the world that believes that our neighbors are out to get us, or even in constant competition.”

“Here at Thomas More University,” he continued, “I hope that you have learned a few things that will help you stand against that dark view of the world. I hope that you have learned that you possess an unalienable dignity that comes to you as a free gift from God, and that can never be taken away from you because of anyone’s judgment or rejection.”

“This dignity is yours by right,” Bishop Iffert said, “You are created with it. You do not have to earn it. It is yours.”

For more graduation coverage including a listing of the Class of 2025 from Thomas More University and all nine Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Covington, see page 9.

Kentucky House Bill 90 passes after a veto; affirms what is and isn’t an abortion in Kentucky law

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Kentucky House Bill 90, AN ACT relating to maternal health and declaring an emergency, was passed on March 27 with a veto override vote in both the House and Senate. The bill, lobbied on by Addia Wuchner, executive director, Kentucky Right to Life, included three main components.

“House Bill 90,” said Mrs. Wuchner, “is a comprehensive maternal health bill covering many aspects that concern maternal health in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”

The three main components are the establishment of a licensing framework for free standing birthing centers in Kentucky, the providing of legal and clinical clarity for maternal health interventions that are not elective abortions and the expansion of access to perinatal palliative care.

A freestanding birthing center is described in the bill language as, “a safe and regulated alternative for maternity care, offering a medically directed care, midwifery-led model that emphasized holistic, patient-centered care.”

The establishment of freestanding birthing centers was the core of House Bill 90 before the two latter elements were introduced to the Bill framework.

The legal and clinical clarity for maternal healthcare helps physicians to distinguish comprehensive and appropriate medical care from elective abortion. It provides clarification on medical conditions that are not abortions and therefore are explicitly protected medical treatments under Kentucky law. Conditions such as miscarriage management, ectopic pregnancy treatment, molar pregnancy treatment, sepsis treatment, hemorrhage control and the management of fetal demise and stillbirth.

This portion of the Bill was cited by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear as his reason for vetoing the Bill. The primary concern of all those against House Bill 90 was the restrictive nature of an exhaustive list of treatable conditions under Kentucky law.

“No one, including legislators, can possibly create an exhaustive list of emergency situations that may occur in a hospital or medical facility. Gaps in the law are literally a matter of life and death,” said Governor Beshear in his veto.

Mrs. Wuchner refutes this claim, saying that it is necessary to define what is not an intentional abortion so that medical intervention is able to be exercised without fear of legal retribution.

“While we already define what is an abortion, let’s define what isn’t an abortion. We defined an outline that miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, septic miscarriage, are not abortions … The common language defining that these are not considered an elective abortion so that it was clear that women in Kentucky … have the care that they need,” said Mrs. Wuchner.

“Working with the medical community was to assure that there’s no question when it comes to the care that women in Kentucky are going to receive and deserve. We didn’t think that there was a question before, but since it kept being brought up that there were concerns, we wanted to eliminate those concerns,” said Mrs. Wuchner.

Representative Kim Moser, chairwomen of Health and Family Services committee, said, “This is about offering real options and real support when families face incredibly difficult medical news. House Bill 90 brings clarity when a maternal complication requires medically therapeutic treatment or critical life-saving interventions.”

Faye Roch, director of the Diocese of Covington ProLife Office, worked closely with Mrs. Wuchner, in listening sessions and advocating for pieces in the Bill.

“We’re working together to keep a close eye on everything that’s going on in Frankfort,” said Mrs. Wuchner.

When asked what she wanted Messenger readers to know about the Bill, Mrs. Wuchner said, “I hope that when they hear about this, I want them to be proud of Kentucky and proud of what the General Assembly gas done.”