How one prayer group uses Franciscan at Home to grow in their faith— consider a new Lenten practice

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Laura Keener

Editor

As part of the Diocese of Covington’s With One Heart pastoral plan, a collaboration with Franciscan University’s Catechetical Institute allows every individual in the Diocese of Covington free access to the Franciscan at Home library of Catechetical materials.

These materials, accessed via https://franciscanathome.com/ diocese-covington, offer learning tracks for any members of the diocesan community with courses covering many aspects of Catholic teaching, as well as offering “tracks” that cater to the needs of an individual or group no matter their role in their parish and diocesan community.

These courses go hand-in-glove with many parish pastoral plans as adult faith formation and education was identified as a priority for many parishes.

Currently, one friend group who gathers weekly for prayer is utilizing these free resources to follow a mentor track titled “A Vision for Caring for Others Personally.”

Jenni VonLehman, one of the group’s friends, reports a positive experience with the programming. “When my team first started viewing the Franciscan at Home videos, I expected to fill my brain with good information,” she said. “What I wasn’t expecting was to experience a real sense of calm while having a retreat-like encounter with God. I started looking forward to the videos, especially the ones presented by Dr. Willey. Not only were they helpful — they were actually fun to watch.”

She continued, saying, “In the catechetical formation classes, we were given the unexpected opportunity to work on our own catechesis and our own personal relationship with Christ. We learned that we can’t give what we don’t have ourselves, so we were immersed in it first. It was exhilarating,” she said. “I’ve actually watched a couple of the videos again on my own, and I learned even more the second time … the fact that the Covington diocese generously provides this free program to every member of the diocese is pretty awesome. I’m sure most people aren’t even aware of this treasure.”

This Lent, parish groups are asked to consider how Franciscan At Home might benefit members by hosting a similar prayer/study session. There are over 200 tracks to choose from, or you can start with the same track that Ms. VonLehman has found inspiring.

“It’s an excellent tool for your own personal growth,” said Ms. VonLehman, “or to use to help others growth in their faith.”

For details regarding registration and usage of Franciscan at Home learning materials, visit https://covdio.org/catechetical-institute/.

As the second survey approaches, parish point of contact reflects on how first DMI helped two parishes to grow in faith and community

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

With the Lenten season rapidly approaching, the return of the Disciple Maker Index (DMI) survey is also on the way — with online portals opening this month, Feb. 18.

Online survey portals and paper materials for the second DMI will be distributed by parishes this month, with the survey running seven weeks. Results of the survey are projected to be published in June 2026.

Three years ago, the DMI was integral in developing Parish Pastoral Plans. With the feedback from parishioners, pastors and parish leaders — as well as the diocese at large — were able to curate and act on plans that promoted important aspects of parish life such as catechesis, evangelization and improved ministries to youth and Hispanic individuals.

Toni Zilliox, the parish point of contact for Divine Mercy Parish, Bellevue, and St. Bernard Parish, Dayton, particularly credits the DMI and the “excellent response” from their parishioners for the growth seen in both parishes over the past few years.

Following the survey, Ms. Zilliox reported on some positive changes in the parishes, including a “young adult group that has been busy forming that has really flourished.”

Parishioners who responded to Divine Mercy and St. Bernard’s DMI’s also expressed a desire for “more community,” said Ms. Zilliox, “They wanted to come together more. They wanted more activities and social events, and they wanted more outreach in the community, as well … we now have so many things to offer in the parishes that I’m sure there’s nothing you can’t find at our parishes!”

Looking back at the first DMI, and the pastoral planning process as a whole, Ms. Zilliox said that the parish wanted to hear everything, including complaints. “Hearing all of that is the opportunity to help us grow,” she said.

“It helps us increase our faith, increase our discipleship, increase our spirituality and increase the Sunday Mass experience. That’s what we wanted. We wanted to hear all the responses so that we could take that as an opportunity to help us improve and grow,” she said.

And now, three years later, the DMI’s second round will help to take a pulse on the success of the efforts of parishes like Divine Mercy and St. Bernard. “I hope that we have met the expectations, and maybe even exceeded the expectations, of our parishioners,” said Ms. Zilliox, “so that they are inspired to come to Church, to come to events, to participate as active parishioners and ask others to join them.”

Solicitors Luncheon launches phase one of the 2026 DPAA, “Live as Children of Light”

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Fifty-five volunteers from parishes across the Diocese gathered, Jan. 21, to quietly launch the Leadership Gifts Phase of the 2026 Diocesan Parish Annual Appeal (DPAA), at the DPAA solicitor’s luncheon. These 55 volunteers are responsible for reaching out to the top 250 donors of the 2025 DPAA to solicit donations before the public phase of the DPAA.

Last year, the Leadership Gifts phase raised 33 percent of the lofty $2.7 million goal. This year, the goal of the DPAA marks a slight increase to $2.754 million with the theme “Live as Children of Light.” Born out of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, the theme, “is a reminder that we have been called out of darkness, we’re being called out of darkness and being baptized into Jesus. Because light produces every goodness, kindness and truth. That’s the call to be children of light,” said Bishop John Iffert.

New to the DPAA this year is the introduction of a parish participation goal. Calculated by increasing the total number of donors at a parish by five percent from the previous year, the participation goal “is not at all linked to the dollar goal. It’s not linked to a monetary incentive, or a prize,” said Jim Hess, director of the Office of Stewardship and Mission Services. “The DPAA has raised more and more money every year, but we’ve done it with fewer and fewer donors, so we’re trying to reverse that,” he said.

Dr. Greg Salzman, leadership gifts chair, told the solicitors, “What we’re really doing is inviting someone to fulfill their need to give. Everyone has things that are a gift from God, and we’re just stewards of those gifts.”

“This is about our call to respond to God in gratitude,” said Bishop Iffert to the solicitors. “We are grateful for everything that God has poured on us. Because of that gratitude we need to respond to God by contributing again to the mission of Jesus Christ.”

Results of the leadership gifts phase will be announced at the DPAA kick-off dinners March 3 in Mount Olivet and March 5 in Erlanger.

During Mass celebrating cathedral’s 125th anniversary, Bishop Iffert refers to Christ as the ‘capstone’

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Muara Baker

Staff Writer

On a cold, winter morning, the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption welcomed parishioners and guests alike to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the cathedral’s dedication with Mass, Jan. 27.

While winter storms the weekend prior kept students from Covington Latin School, Covington, from joining in the Mass due to school closings — the celebration proceeded, with Bishop John Iffert as celebrant and homilist.

Bishop Iffert began his homily referencing an activity at a local science museum in St. Louis, Missouri. As the Gateway Arch is a major landmark of the city, children are given blocks to place and balance and construct their own arches.

“It’s a great little way to teach how the arch is built,” Bishop Iffert said, “and the importance of that capstone that slips right into the middle.”

He continued, saying that “Jesus Christ is the capstone of the Church … He is the greatest gift. His love, his salvation, his sacrifice, his offer of redemption — a gift greater than our existence itself.”

Bishop Iffert said, “It’s a sign of that, that those who came before us built up the local church … We are truly blessed to be able to come here day after day, Sunday after Sunday, week after week, and offer worship and pray to the Lord Jesus Christ to purify us and make our worship true and honest and loving.”

“Here in the Diocese of Covington,” he said, “this particular cathedral facility; It stands like a tabernacle lamp for all the world to see — that the love of Jesus Christ is here in Northern Kentucky. We pray that our lives might be like this cathedral — that our lives might witness to the grandeur of Christ and that the community we share might help us to draw attention to the capstone as it slides into place in our lives and takes all the force, vectors, pressures and tensions and holds us together.”

“We celebrate 125 years in this glorious place,” Bishop Iffert concluded.” We pray that each of us, and all of us together, will be the living witness to Christ — the trueness of God, the temple of God — where worship is offered constantly and truly through Christ.”

Faithful are enlivened as With One Heart plan continues to bear fruit at the parish level

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

“Empowering priests. Igniting parishes. Enlivening the faithful.” This is the tagline for the With One Heart Pastoral Plan and lays out the marks of success, the hoped for fruit of the strategic plan. Since the announcement of the plan, many strides have been taken in target areas — priests participating in pastoral and leadership training, and laity being enlivened with Parish Missionary Disciples trainings.

From a core group of parishioners that participated in the Parish Missionary Disciples training by the Catholic Leadership Institute, a group of lay faithful joined together and formed the GYMM, the practice of Growing Your Missionary Muscles. GYMM meetings provide structured time for PMD graduates to practice evangelization skills and support one another.

From the GYMM, the mini–Parish Missionary Disciples workshop was developed — a series of three, two-hour sessions. The mini PMD was first presented at Mother of God Parish, Covington, with much success. Encouraged by what they learned, parishioners from St. Mary Parish, Alexandria, are hosting the second mini PMD.

“We need more people active in the parish,” said host team member and St. Mary Parishioner, Ken Glaser. “This seemed to be one way to be able to start down that road, to try and get more people talking a similar language, to try and get more people thinking in a manner that while faith can be a very personal thing, it can also be a very public thing.”

Mr. Glaser hopes that those who are attending, representing more than a dozen parishes, feel emboldened to host the mini-PMD at their parish.

“We don’t want this to be the last one,” said Mr. Glaser. “We hope that somebody that sat in the room goes, ‘This would be really neat to do at my parish.’”

Jerry Otto, host team member, Mother of God parishioner and founding GYMM member, said at the workshop, “We dare to stand at the crossroads of our society and let others see what we believe, because God first stood at those crossroads waiting for us and welcoming us with mercy and love. God has forgiven us and now we help others know. We want to show God’s mercy to all.”

Mr. Otto encourages those in attendance to be the hands and feet of Christ in their everyday lives, and to evangelize with “warmth, humor and happiness.

FIRE Foundation reaches fundraising goal, prepares for next steps

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

The FIRE Foundation of Northern Kentucky, a nonprofit dedicated to funding and supporting inclusive education in Catholic schools, announced that their fundraising goal for 2025 has been met.

The foundation, which currently is supporting St. Therese, Southgate, is now able to offer grants to three to four additional schools in the Diocese of Covington — allowing the chosen schools to provide training, resources and other needs for students with disabilities.

Following their major event, Ignite the Mission, Oct. 2, 2025, the FIRE Foundation has been working to follow up with supporters, growing their website and board and establishing their finance committee, according to Missy Hail, board president.

In addition to being able to offer their services and funding to more schools, the foundation will also be helping to fund a part-time position in the diocesan Curia — the Coordinator for Inclusive Education.

“We’re so excited because we feel like that position can help when all issues arise,” said Mrs. Hail. Although FIRE partners with only a few schools right now, Mrs. Hail believes the new coordinator will help ignite a future where every school in the diocese can access the support.

As for the grants going to the schools, the FIRE Foundation will be accepting and reviewing grant applications until mid-February. From there, funding and support will be provided for the 2026–2027 school year, with a target date of announcing partner schools on April 1.

To learn more about the FIRE Foundation, and their mission, visit https://www.firefoundationnky.org.

Living and sharing Christ’s love through consecrated life

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Diocese of Covington is celebrating World Day of Consecrated Life with Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, Feb.7, 10 a.m. The Mass, celebrated by Bishop John Iffert, is an invitation to come together in communion with one another to celebrate those who have consecrated their life to Jesus.

Currently, there are five communities of women religious in the Diocese of Covington, in addition to six communities of men religious serving in the Diocese. These communities live out their charism and spiritualities in a variety of ways, each of which is beneficial to the wellbeing of the Diocese. Whether a charism of prayer, healthcare, education or social work, the work of consecrated religious in the Diocese cannot be understated.

Claire Thérèse lives her vocation as a consecrated virgin through her work as a wife of Christ, spiritual mother and director, professor, author and the operation of a non-profit, private retreat cottage. Sister Lynn Stenken answered God’s call when she made first vows with the Congregation of Divine Providence at 23 years old. Now, Sister Lynn serves as director of Religious Education at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, California.

Though answering different calls to consecrated life Ms. Claire Thérèse and Sister Lynn both model Christ’s love through their vocations.

The often-misunderstood vocation of a consecrated virgin is the oldest form of consecrated life within the Catholic Church, predating organized religious life, dating back to pre-apostolic times. “The women first called to be spiritually wed to Christ were not nuns or religious Sisters; they were consecrated virgins,” said Ms. Claire Thérèse.

While other consecrated religious communities, like the Congregation of Divine Providence, focus on living their vocation through a charism, consecrated virgins, can “‘only’ boast of the most foundational aspect of all consecrated life: being the bride of Christ,” Ms. Claire Thérèse.

While members of the Congregation of Divine Providence are also wed to Christ, they share additional responsibilities, through community life and the fulfillment of a charism and spirituality. Given to them by founder, Blessed John Martin Moye, the spirituality flows through four fundamental virtues: poverty, simplicity, apostolic charity and abandonment to Divine Providence.

These provide a framework for living out a charism “rooted in an understanding of God’s great love for all of us and for each of us, individually. And those of us who are attracted to that charism, then live that out through practicing the spiritual and corporal works of mercy,” said Sister Lynn.

Traditionally, sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence lived their charism through “ministries of teaching and nursing,” said Sister Lynn. “As time went on and minds expanded, we began to see the others way which we can live out the spiritual, corporal works of mercy.” Now, sisters can be found in social work settings, teaching, nursing and providing spiritual direction.

Both consecrated virgins and the sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence, though different, share a love of Christ and a dedication to him. Serving as reminders of his love through their earthly ministry.

St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky Launches $12 Million “Hands of Hope” Campaign

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Laura Keener

Editor

St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky (SVdP NKY) has announced its first-ever Hands of Hope Capital Campaign, a $12 million effort to build a new headquarters that will help meet the growing needs of families in Northern Kentucky. The campaign officially kicked off with a launch event on Jan. 21 at the current Erlanger location.

For more than 100 years, SVdP NKY has provided food, housing and emergency assistance to neighbors in need. Today, the organization operates four thrift stores and 14 assistance programs, serving tens of thousands of people each year. But demand has grown so much that the current headquarters — a warehouse built in 1969 — is stretched to its limits.

“Our mission calls us to see Christ in those we serve and to respond with love, dignity, and action,” said Karen Zengel, executive director of SVdP NKY. “Hands of Hope is about creating a space that allows us to serve our neighbors today and for years to come.”

The new headquarters will be a 40,000+ square-foot facility designed to make services easier to access and more effective. Key features include:

— A larger food pantry, doubling current capacity.

— Expanded guest services and call center for better privacy and coordination.

— Dedicated space for community partners to provide wraparound care.

— A chapel for quiet reflection and prayer.

— A multi-purpose room with a teaching kitchen for nutrition classes and community events.

— A climate-controlled warehouse to improve donation management and increase revenue.

— Enhanced retail space projected to generate $150,000 annually for programs.

The new address will be 2064 Crescent Springs Road, Erlanger, less than a mile south of the current location. A former employee of St. Vincent de Paul learned that the owners of the land were interested in selling and helped connect the two. “Being right there, off of I-75, in the middle of Kenton County, was something we were hopeful for,” said Mrs. Zengel.

Cincinnati architectural firm GBBN was tapped to design the new headquarters. In 2019, GBBN architects designed St. Vincent de Paul’s Cincinnati Don & Phyllis Neyer Outreach Center.

“They understood the Vincentian model and how all the elements of the organization come together,” said Mrs. Zengel. “They really did have an understanding of the way that we operate and the importance of having space for us to meet with our guests and neighbors in a more dignified and discrete way than what we’re able to do in our building right now. They understood the thrift store not only as a way to support the outreach, but also as a program and the need for significant warehouse space.”

Before leading the opening prayer, Deacon Jim Fortner, chief operating officer for the Diocese of Covington, spoke fondly of the current warehouse and the St. Vincent de Paul ministry, saying, “I feel like we’re on holy ground.”

“I know how many times we’ve (he and his family) come here as a family to drop things off and what it means to shoppers,” said Deacon Fortner. “St. Vincent would be really proud. I’m so excited about the new place and I know we’re going to reach our goal and exceed our goal.”

Martin (Marty) Butler, chair of the Butler Foundation and the St. Vincent de Paul Hands of Hope steering committee, spoke on how the Foundation and St. Vincent de Paul share a common mission: “to provide help to those in need by the most direct means possible.”

“No other organization meets people where they are quite like St. Vincent de Paul,” said Mr. Butler. “Through thousands of home visits each year, their volunteers build real relationships — listening, praying, and restoring dignity in moments of greatest need. This campaign isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about ensuring that kind of personal, compassionate care continues for generations to come.”

SVdP NKY has already raised $9.1 million of its $12 million goal, thanks to strong community support. The organization is now inviting the public to help reach the finish line by donating at bit.ly/svdpnky_handsofhope. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026, with the new headquarters opening in early 2028.

The need for help in Northern Kentucky is growing. Rising costs for housing, utilities, and food have made it harder for families to make ends meet. SVdP NKY’s programs provide emergency assistance, food and hope to thousands of people each year, and the new headquarters will make sure no one faces hardship alone.

“The Hands of Hope Campaign is a powerful witness to what can be accomplished when faith, love, and a deep reverence for human dignity converge,” said Bishop John Iffert. “St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky has, for more than a century, embodied the Church’s unchanging mission to see Christ in those who are poor, vulnerable or forgotten. This new endeavor reflects not only strategic vision but a profound theological truth: that every act of service is an extension of God’s own mercy at work in the world. I am deeply grateful to all who are giving of their resources, hands and hearts to make this dream a reality. May this new headquarters become a place that Pope Leo XIV envisions, where, ‘the poor will come to realize that Jesus’ words are addressed personally to each of them: I have loved you.’ (Dilexi Te §121)”

St. Timothy group takes on the Big Apple, stuns in Radio City Music Hall performance

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Fifty middle school students from St. Timothy School, Union, were selected by Madison Square Garden Group to open for the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, Dec. 4. And, after months of preparation with choir director and teacher, Andrew Mason, the students were ready and left to take on the big stage of Radio City Music Hall, New York City.

When Mr. Mason and the students walked onto the stage of an empty Radio City Music Hall to warm up, the reality that soon the 6,000 seats staring back at them would be filled, began to set in.

“They knew what that we were there to do, and that’s to represent our school and represent our Catholic identity … they took that responsibility seriously,” said Mr. Mason. The students sang a medley of Christmas songs, including two church hymns, “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “A Child Is Born in Bethlehem,” and two secular songs, “Somewhere in My Memory” and “Christmas Canon.”

“Our best performance was when we were on the stage singing it, that’s when we sounded our best. I was just super thrilled with how it all came together and how they all work together. It was awesome to see that,” said Mr. Mason.

The grandeur of that moment was not lost on the students, with many noting the sheer scale of the venue and how special the opportunity was.

“I really like New York,” said student Hadley. “It was a lot bigger than I expected and the stage was huge. I didn’t expect it to be that big.”

Another student, Harper, said, “It was really cool to be on the really big stage, and it was a really big city with a lot of lights. It was a really big responsibility since we’re such a small school, it was really cool.”

While standing on the stage, back turned to the audience, focused only on directing his students, Mr. Mason said, an overwhelming sense of pride filled him, knowing how hard the students worked. “Pride, with how hard they worked, their talent, how well they came together as a group. It was just an overwhelming amount of pride,” he said.

“It was kind of a big honor,” said middle school student Lucas, of the opportunity to open for the Rockettes.

Middle school student Ava, said, “It was a once in a lifetime trip, because once we saw the Rockettes go up there, I thought, ‘I was on that stage.’ So, it’s really just a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The opportunity and experience, Ava said, “shows what we’ve learned here [St. Timothy School] and how far we’ve come.”

St. Mary’s Parish plans Missionary Disciples Workshop

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Laura Keener

Editor

St. Mary’s Parish in Alexandria is preparing to host a Parish Missionary Disciples (PMD) mini session this winter, aiming to help parishioners grow in faith and learn how to share it with others. The workshop is part of a broader effort to bring evangelization into everyday parish life.

Parishioners Ken Glaser and his wife Amy, along with Russ and Lisa Thacker, are leading the planning. “We thought that doing this workshop would get other people involved and start talking a similar language, similar idea set,” Mr. Glaser said. “We want to see how we can integrate this new evangelization into our parish.”

The idea came after the couples attended the diocesan PMD training as part of Cohort Two. “At first, I was skeptical,” Mr. Glaser admitted. “I went into the first weekend with a thick head. But by the end, I was excited about what would lie ahead. Maybe God had softened my heart a little.”

To help grow the skills learned at PMD, the Glasers began attending the GYMM, (Growing Your Missionary Muscles), a monthly gathering of PMD graduates developed by Bill and Kim Dehlinger and Gerry and Bridget Otto, parishioners at Blessed Sacrament and Mother of God parishes, respectively. Mr. Otto took the six-seminar PMD training developed by the Catholic Leadership Institute and distilled into a mini session of three seminars. Mr. Otto first hosted this mini session at his parish with much success and is now offering it with encouragement to other parishes.

At St. Mary’s, so far, interest has been strong. “Forty people are already registered,” Mr. Glaser said. “About 24 are from St. Mary’s, eight from St. Joe Cold Spring, and the rest from other parishes.” While the workshop is hosted at St. Mary’s, it’s open to anyone in the Diocese of Covington. “We very much wanted to make it something available to the diocese,” Mr. Glaser shared.

The PMD program focuses on helping Catholics feel comfortable sharing their faith. “Evangelization is not a four-letter word,” Mr. Glaser joked. “It’s really just learning how to share your faith and being comfortable with that.”

Mr. Glaser believes that the word evangelization can be intimidating, but in reality, it’s a simple practice of sharing your faith in everyday moments. “When we talk about our faith, even in small ways, we don’t know what effect it will have on somebody,” he said. “All we can do is keep sharing and trust that God is working every day.”

The PMD workshop will give parishioners tools to share their faith in simple, meaningful ways. As Mr. Glaser put it, “It’s exciting to have these conversations and talk about what’s important. We all get caught up in the day-to-day nonsense, but when I spend even 30 seconds talking with God, it makes everything else easier to handle.”

The three-session PMD training will be held on Thursdays, Jan. 22, Feb. 5, and Feb. 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Mary Parish, Alexandria. All are welcome! To register, contact Ken Glaser at kenglaser24@gmail.com or call (859) 512-1577.