Archive for category: Featured Stories

Laura Keener

Editor

The “Restored in Christ” Cathedral restoration project began in 2018 when Father Ryan Maher, rector, was taking his dog on her morning walk. There, on the sidewalk, lay a piece of masonry — maybe from a gargoyle, maybe from a chimera, maybe a piece of tracery — that had fallen from the Cathedral.

“He (Father Maher) raised the question, ‘What’s going on with our Cathedral building?’” Bishop John Iffert told the nearly 100 donors, May 22, at the “Gargoyles and Gratitude” event.

Jim Hess, director, Office of Stewardship and Mission Services, has been leading the “Restored in Christ” $7 million capital campaign. To thank major donors of the project, Mr. Hess hosted Gargoyles and Gratitude, an evening of small plates and socialization, which included eight special guests — eight of the newly crafted 26 chimeras.

Restoration of the Cathedral began just as the capital campaign began. Due to safety concerns, the deteriorating chimeras, popularly referred to as gargoyles, were removed from the Cathedral roof in March 2023, the same month of the launch of the capital campaign. True to the biblical saying, “The first shall be last,” returning the chimeras to their rooftop home, anticipated for late October or early November, will mark the completion of the restoration project.

The name, details and photo of the Covington Cathedral and its Notre Dame, France, cousin accompanied each of the chimera. Mr. Hess introduced the benefactors to “The Goat,” one of the chimeras on display at the event with an explosive past. In 1985, lightning struck The Goat, and he lost his head. A local craftsman created a replacement head, but in 2015, lightning struck again, rendering The Goat headless until its removal in 2023. To recreate The Goat for the restoration project, artisans at Boston Valley Terra Cotta, New York, modeled it from its French cousin. The other 25 chimera were digitally scanned and recrafted.

“It’s been such a privilege getting to know these chimeras,” said Mr. Hess. “I wanted to, at least, have an evening like this where we could spend some time with these before they’re on top of the Cathedral forever.”

In his comments to the benefactors, Bishop Iffert expressed his gratitude, calling the restoration a very practical project. “It was about safety for people in and around the building, and it was about preserving what had been handed on to us, preserving that built tradition,” he said.

Bishop Iffert pointed out that the Cathedral restoration project also has a very spiritual significance, in preserving “that witness to the faith.”

Visiting Covington’s Cathedral, he said, is usually listed second on many lists of “Things to Do in Greater Cincinnati,” just behind attending a Bengals or Reds game, depending on the season. And in a very real and awesome way, the Cathedral is “proclaiming the message of Jesus and His love for you. That’s why it’s so important that we preserve this building. It’s so important that this witness be preserved,” he said.

“When you walk into our Cathedral Church, two things happen. First, you are inspired and enthused … your very posture begins to turn you toward the eschaton, the last things, the aim and goal of life. And all around you, in stone and in stained glass, are the stories of the Scriptures, the stories of the saints, the stories of the Councils, the stories of our Jewish forebears, the stories of those who’ve gone before us, trusting in God. It is a catechism in light … It’s necessary to preserve this and to hand it on for generations so that they know of the love of Christ, that the faith of the apostles is planted firmly in the Bluegrass state, and what generations have handed on to us, we now have a responsibility to hand on to others.”

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

St. Mary of the Assumption Parish and School, Alexandria, welcomed Bishop John Iffert for the blessing of a new library, STEM and art classrooms, upon the completion of the third and final phase of its Cultivating Legacy Capital Campaign.

With three phases, the capital campaign was able to add a new church elevator, larger church parking lot, four new classrooms and parish center, the expansion of the school cafeteria and the renovation of the old gymnasium into three new classrooms. It was this final piece of the campaign which Bishop Iffert blessed on August 22, surrounded by students, faculty, staff and campaign donors.

“Through these things,” said Father Joseph Gallestein, pastor of St. Mary Parish, “the Gospel would be proclaimed, the faith would be taught, the sacraments would be celebrated and the people of God would grow more like Christ himself in humility and in service.”

The campaign, launched in 2019, raised a total of $6,380,000 from 971 unique donors. Throughout the Cultivating Legacy Capital Campaign, the parish incurred no debt, said Brett Ruschman, campaign co-chair and has no money left to raise. Something that, he says, is a true testament to the dedication of the parishioners and friends of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish and School.

“Whether your contribution was large or small, financial or spiritual, we couldn’t have done it without you. This was a team effort in the truest sense, and we are very humbled by the outpouring of that support,” said Jennifer Geiman, principal, to those gathered in the newly renovated space.

She continued saying, “Our students now have access to a brand-new junior high science lab, inspiring art room and a spacious STEM and media center. These beautiful new spaces are more than just classrooms, but launch pads for imagination, discovery and growth. They are a true legacy built by our parish community that will serve generations to come.”

It is not about the physical spaces built as a result of the Cultivating Legacy Capital Campaign, said Mr. Ruschman, but rather, “it’s about vision, perseverance and faith. It’s about creating something that will serve not just us but generations to come. That’s what cultivating legacy truly means.”

A sentiment echoed by Bishop Iffert, “The fact that you were able to accomplish all this is because so many people looked at the children in this school and saw them as Christ, saw them as one deserving of love, as those who needed to be loved and cared for and honored and respected — images of Christ.”

“Today is so much more than about dedicating this space,” said Father Gallestein, “…it is about community, family, and above all, faith. All of our working together, guided by the Holy Spirit, willing to say yes to the Spirit’s prompting, has made great things happen; in the far distant past, in the more recent past, today and in the days to come.”

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

The 2025 Diocesan Parish Annual Appeal (DPAA) celebrated its conclusion, Aug. 21, in Bishop Howard Memorial Auditorium, Covington, with a reception where more than $270,000 dollars were allocated to diocesan and community ministries in grants.

Jeff Jehn, who served as the general chair for the 2025 DPAA, noted the success of this year’s campaign — with total numbers at $3.98 million as of Aug. 20, which is around three percent over the amount raised at this time last year, according to Mr. Jehn.

Overall, this impressive total comes from 6,617 donors throughout the diocese — and 39 out of 53 parishes have met or exceeded their goal. Funds collected over the goal go back directly to the parishes to serve parish needs. And, Mr. Jehn said, “I know in the coming days, more and more parishes will meet and exceed their goals. So, we’ve done very well — and it is wonderful not to only be part of this program, but also to watch the fruits of this program be disseminated.”

Lisa Knochelmann, who was the campaign’s leadership gifts chair, also comments on the DPAA’s “tremendous” success this year. “Truly, what a blessing,” said Mrs. Knochelmann, “My personal involvement with the DPAA this year has been eye opening and inspiring. At each ministry fair, I had the privilege of meeting representatives from missionary ministries and agencies supported through the appeal — their passion and commitment made me realize just how impactful this work truly is. This evening, approximately 60 agencies will be receiving grants. What a remarkable testament to the generosity of his community.”

“People pitching in to help others when they have a need,” Bishop John Iffert spoke to attendees towards the end of the reception, “this, for me, is what it’s all about. Especially when we do that in the name Christ — well, then, my heart just sings! It’s great to distribute these checks and know that there are folks, both in some of our Catholic associations and parishes and schools and agencies, and in our community organizations, who are going to do good things for neighbors. We want to express a vote of confidence in you. This is where grace is manifest in our community.”

For a full list of grants go to: https://covdio.org/dpaa-grants-list/.

The Schools Office and Alliance for Catholic Urban Education welcomed solicitors to its annual appeal kickoff breakfast meeting, Aug. 21. Led by appeal chair, Karen Riegler, this year 60 solicitors will reach out asking for support of the 2025-2026 ACUE Annual Appeal. ACUE helps fund the Diocese’s five urban elementary schools — Holy Cross Elementary, Latonia; Holy Trinity School, Bellevue; Prince of Peace School, Covington; St. Anthony School, Taylor Mill and St. Augustine School, Covington.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to our ACUE solicitors for their unwavering dedication not only to the mission of our urban Catholic schools but also to the children who attend them,” said Kendra McGuire, superintendent of Schools. “Every family should have the opportunity to choose a Catholic education for their children and finances should not be a barrier to that choice.  The diligent efforts of our solicitors and the substantial contributions received from our generous donors during the ACUE annual appeal are the largest source of support for our urban schools and open the doors for countless children to benefit from an excellent Catholic education.”