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

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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

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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’

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Couples celebrating milestone anniversaries ‘show the way God loves’

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This year, 102 couples celebrating milestone anniversaries were recognized by Bishop John Iffert. (For a list of the couples see page 13.) The Office of Catechesis and Evangelization distributed a certificate signed by Bishop Iffert to each couple honoring their 1 year, 25 years, 50 years or 60-plus years of married life. Many of these couples joined Bishop Iffert for Vespers and a blessing, Sept. 17, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington. Read more on page 1: https://covdio.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9332MESSENGERSEPTEMBER222023.pdf

‘To Heal, Proclaim and Teach’: a presentation for anyone wanting to bring others to Christ

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In a mission to provide resources to assist catechists and teachers, David Cooley, co-director, Office of Catechesis and Evangelization, is welcoming Jared Dees for a presentation “To Heal, Proclaim and Teach,” Oct. 14, 8:30–11:30 a.m., at the Curia’s Bishop Howard Memorial Auditorium. The presentation is open to everyone. Read more on page 2: https://covdio.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9332MESSENGERSEPTEMBER222023.pdf

Go forward and serve others “in truth and in constant love,” said Bishop Iffert at Mass celebrating 100 year anniversary of Covington Latin School

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The afternoon of Sept. 10 brought students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption to celebrate a Mass in honor of Covington Latin School’s 100 year anniversary. Read more on page 1: https://covdio.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9331MESSENGERSEPTEMBER152023.pdf

Historic first — Bishop Iffert meets with newly created Diocesan Pastoral Council

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Bishop John Iffert welcomed 10 members of the newly formed Diocesan Pastoral Council for its first gathering, Sept. 9, at the Curia. The Diocesan Pastoral Council is an offshoot of the five Deanery Pastoral Councils. Read more on page 1: https://covdio.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/9331MESSENGERSEPTEMBER152023.pdf