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Cathedral garden restoration began with Mary, rest of the grounds to be restored in 2027

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Multimedia Correspondent

Staff Writer

As construction wrapped up on the stonework of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, equipment and machinery that needed to be stored on cathedral grounds left the Marian garden and other green areas of the cathedral grounds in what Cathedral parishioner volunteer gardener Mary Jo Stull described as “great distress.”

Having been affiliated with the gardens previously, Ms. Stull was asked to assist in restoring the gardens alongside vice rector Msgr. Kurt Kemo — and the two of them worked together organizing landscapers and choosing plants to beautify the greenery of the cathedral’s exterior.

The first project within the gardens completed was Mary’s garden, built around a previously standing statue on the south side of the cathedral. Because of previous issues, the garden surrounding her was never able to be completed — until now, and Msgr. Kemo said that since the cathedral was named for Mary, “it was appropriate that her garden would be done first.”

Oliver Lester, of tree health professionals Gregory Forrest Lester Inc., was instrumental in the design of the garden, according to Ms. Stull and Msgr. Kemo. Mr. Lester ensured that each plant and tree chosen for the garden was intentional with Scripture references and sacred symbolism.

While visitors to the cathedral will not be able to enjoy the gardens in full bloom until next spring, flowers planted in front of the statue of Mary are planted in blankets of carefully chosen colors — blue, her most associated color, into white, symbolizing her purity then red, representing her Immaculate Heart. These colorful flowers serve as the “focal point,” said Msgr. Kemo, “trying to highlight the different shades and colors of her life.”

With Mary’s garden completed as “Phase One” of the gardens’ restoration, Ms. Stull and Msgr. Kemo have begun plans for Phase Two — which includes the currently unfinished area around the cathedral’s fountain, as well as the inner courtyard by the rectory. Work on the rest of these gardens is set to begin next year.

Cathedral rector says restoration restored more than the building; it restored the heart of the faithful

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption’s, Covington, restoration began in early 2024 and has grown larger in scale and reputation in each passing year. Hundreds of faithful throughout the Diocese have contributed to the Restored in Christ campaign, to ensure the restoration of their Mother Church.

Covington residents and visiting onlookers could often be found with their cameras out, photographing the hoisting of the gargoyles, chimera, columns and tracery as piece by piece the Cathedral was disassembled and put back together. Local and national media like the Associated Press have reported on the restoration, with the Cathedral parish’s own rector, Father Ryan Maher giving comments to journalists and news agencies.

For Father Maher however, the heart of the project lies deeper than the dollars raised and recognition received, it is about how the Cathedral has stood as a beacon for the faithful of the Diocese, and how it is an honor to take part in Bishop Maes’ historic vision. Noting, even, that the restoration was not a routine maintenance issue but rather a preservation one.

The project, he said, “was taking of a treasure that we’ve been given so that many, many, many more people can come to know the Lord through their experience of the Lord inside and outside of this holy place.”

As Father Maher watched the construction from his office window, as craftsman moved on lifts and operated cranes, what really struck him was “the sense that every inch matters, every millimeter matters,” he said. “That was inspiring to me.” It reminded him that “that’s how the Lord’s love is for us. Every detail matters of my life, of your life. There’s nothing in my heart or in my life that doesn’t matter to him, and there’s no detail that’s not attended to by the Lord and his desire for us. To see that expressed in all of the work, I think, that was one of the main things that stood out,” he said.

The Cathedral was erected by Bishop Camillus Maes, who laid the cornerstone for the church in 1895. Craftsman then worked by horse and buggy, using pully systems to bring the original chimera to the top of the Cathedral. However, the attention to detail remained the same.

“It’s remarkable,” said Father Maher, “because Bishop Maes was very detailed, and details mattered to Bishop Maes and they mattered to us in our life of faith.”

“As time went on, I really just became more and more grateful, and really honored that we can do this together for not just ourselves, but for the future generations. Just being able to, in a practical way, to share Bishop Maes’ work … that we took part in his vision,” said Father Maher.

“It’s a hundred-year project,” he said, recognizing that the building has stood the test of time for over one hundred years, “and we’re the people of that hundred year time. It fell to use to be a part of that, and that was really an ongoing source of, for me, gratitude to the Lord for providing this opportunity.”

With the restoration project officially concluded with the August 15 celebration held on the Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption, the patronal feast day of the Cathedral, Father Maher has taken a moment to reflect and recognized that “there was something more going on than just the restoration of Christ in the Cathedral, but for us — for the local Church, the Diocese, for all those who donated, for all those who come — that there is a restoration of the heart that the Lord is always wanting to make new.”

Cathedral docents give more than tours, but insight into the cathedral as ‘more than just a building’

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Every week, people come to the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption from around the globe for a multitude of reasons. Parishioners visit to celebrate Mass, locals stop on the street to marvel at the architecture and tourists step inside to take in the artwork and peace the historic Gothic cathedral brings.

Every stained-glass window, mosaic and painting is there with a purpose, and inquisitive minds often come to the cathedral seeking to learn more. This education is the role of cathedral docents — volunteers eager to share the beauty of the cathedral with anyone who visits for a tour.

John Peavler, a parishioner of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, is one of these docents. “My role is to provide enlightenment and information to people who come into the cathedral,” Mr. Peavler said about his ministry, “and to help them to realize it’s so much more than just a building — that it is a place for inspiration and enlightenment and meditation and growth.”

Mr. Peavler enjoys telling people about all the “little details” in the cathedral. “It’s so much more than just construction and wood and stone and glass. There’s a story, everything in there.”

Having officially joined the parish in 1991, Mr. Peavler was initially exposed to the cathedral while a student at Thomas More University. Although not a member of the Catholic Church at the time, Mr. Peavler sung with TMU’s chorus, who did a combined concert at the cathedral with the Bishop’s Choir in 1977. Through meeting his wife in the chorus, and over time, Mr. Peavler eventually went through OCIA (then RCIA) and became both a member of the Catholic Church and a parishioner. It’s from there that he took interest in becoming a docent.

“I learned from the other tour guides,” he said, “the past generation.” At first, the docents were an “unorganized group,” according to Mr. Peavler, with the volunteers taking it upon themselves to learn all they could about the cathedral — some of them even well into their 80s and having experienced “much of their life” in the church.

That’s when Steve Enzweiler, the cathedral’s historian, came onto the scene, said Mr. Peavler, and helped organize the docents.

“We had classes for a while,” he said, “talking about a lot of interesting things that we never knew, and that just gave us more direction as to how we handled the tours.”

When guiding tour groups, Mr. Peavler says that, regardless of his audience — from school children to the elderly — “I want them to walk away from there feeling they learned something that they’ll remember,” he said. “I want them to come back and visit again, and I want to make it a very welcoming event that’s enjoyable.”

To learn more about touring the cathedral, or to schedule a guided tour with a docent, visit https://covcathedral.com/visiting-tours/. 

Restoration Celebration commemorates the official end of the cathedral project on the church’s feast day

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

The sun shone over the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, as parishioners, guests and donors came together to celebrate two-fold the cathedral’s feast day and the end of the cathedral restoration project, Restored in Christ, Aug. 15 — the Feast of the Assumption.

Mass began the evening with Bishop John Iffert as the celebrant. Bishop Iffert greeted a full congregation that evening, explaining that he had allowed the feast day to be celebrated at the evening Mass preceding the celebration to follow.

In his homily, Bishop Iffert began by thanking the congregation. “Thank you again for coming out in such good numbers today to celebrate the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and also to celebrate the successful conclusion of the Restored in Christ project here at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption,” he said.

Bishop Iffert shared a story of his arrival as the bishop of Covington, where “there was a report sitting on (his) desk detailing all of what was happening at the Cathedral Basilica,” Bishop Iffert said, “how pieces were falling off and stones were pitted and broken.”

Surprised by this, as the building seemed beautiful — Bishop Iffert noticed the need after being pointed to the damage in the cathedral’s stonework. And thus, the diocese took on the project of restoring the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption.

“Whenever you take up a project of restoring a monument like this, there is a huge learning curve to be tackled,” he said. Bishop Iffert said that one of the very first things he learned were the differences between grotesques, chimera and gargoyles.

“We began to learn these kinds of things,” said Bishop Iffert, “to study the issues that we would face, to talk about what kind of expertise we need in a contractor that might work with us on a project like this … and so, with the help of some of you who are here today, we set out on that journey.”

After a successful campaign, raising over $7 million dollars towards the cathedral’s restoration, Bishop Iffert said that the diocese undertook the project for a simple reason: “To be able to guard the legacy left to us by Bishop Maes and the predecessors who came before us, who wanted this place to be a testimony to the merciful love of God for Covington in Northern Kentucky.”

“We undertake projects like this because here, in this place, just behind me and to my left, dwells the tabernacle of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. “And so, we build and we rebuild and we restore and we protect these monuments built of stone and wood and brick and glass and plaster. We do this because it is a place of dwelling for Jesus Christ, our Lord, and his holy people.”

“If you and I, with all our evil thoughts,” Bishop Iffert continued, “take such care in preparing and protecting a place for the sacramental presence of the Lord — how much more power, goodness, care, love, devotion, attention to detail, generosity does God the Father pour out to prepare a tabernacle for the incarnate Son, Jesus Christ, the one who comes to lay himself down for love of us?”

Bishop Iffert used this bridge to connect the restoration project to the Blessed Virgin and the Feast of the Assumption, saying that throughout all of the Scripture’s labors, “the Lord was working to prepare and protect a woman … who would be prepared to say yes and to become the tabernacle of the incarnate Lord of Heaven and Earth.”

That same Lord “is now dwelling in this heavenly temple,” Bishop Iffert said, referring to the cathedral he spoke in. “All of that becomes a sign for us that God’s grace is still at work in us, still at work in humanity, still at work in the Church, still at work in those who love and respect the Lord … our buildings are a sign to us of God’s mercy working in Northern Kentucky and in the world.”

“They remind us,” he said, “of the woman the Lord gave to us as a mother, to include and embody and foreshadow the salvation of all God’s holy people. This mystery secures the promise that, as the Lord has done for the first to say yes to him, so his grace is at work, building us as living stones into a temple where he dwells.”

After the Mass’s conclusion, guests were invited to join Bishop Iffert and the rest of the diocese in celebrating both the restoration project’s completion and this mystery in an event that spanned much of Cathedral Square.

Donors and parishioners came together for dinner in the adjacent Covington Latin School and ice cream in St. Mary’s Park, and were welcome to walk the Cathedral’s grounds — which included participation in a scavenger hunt, and the ability to contribute their thoughts to a time capsule that will be stored in a statue within the cathedral’s Marian garden.

The Bishops of Covington and their contributions to the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

When Bishop Maes built the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, many projects were left unfinished, like the façade and stained-glass windows. Over the last 100 years the Bishops of the Diocese of Covington have each added to the interior of the Cathedral, contributing to the vision and hope of Bishop Maes to have a Cathedral worthy to be the house of God.

Bishop Camillus Maes, the third Bishop of the Diocese of Covington

– Erected the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption including the original chimera and gargoyles, as well as most of the façade.

– Installed many of the large stained-glass windows in the Cathedral, with few being left unfinished due to the first world war.

– Bishop Maes left instructions to his Vicar General (and future Bishop) Father Ferdinand Brossart to install mosaic stations of the cross.

Bishop Ferdinand Brossart, the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Covington

– Coordinated the logistics and managed the money for the Cathedral under Bishop Maes.

– Installed the mosaic stations of the cross as directed by Bishop Maes.

– Completed the installation of the stained glass windows.

Bishop Francis Howard, the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Covington

– Added a baptistry to the side of the Cathedral, making the baptistry the only structure of the Cathedral not present during Bishop Maes’ lifetime.

– Installed the Wicks pipe organ which is still in use today.

Bishop William Mulloy, the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Covington

– Attempted to repair the damaged chimera with concrete and rebar.

– Installed much of the wood detailing seen in the Cathedral today, including the large crucifix, baldacchino, choir stalls, pulpit, cathedra and decorative wood screens around the Mary and St. Joseph altars.

– Restored the Duveneck artwork in the Blessed Sacrament chapel.

– Enlarged the sanctuary to fit the choir and organ, with a new altar being situated just in front of the baldacchino.

– Installed new communion railing.

– Cleaned and repaired the entire interior of the Cathedral, including the ceiling, windows and walls.

– Replaced original electrical wiring and installed the light fixtures seen today.

Bishop Richard Ackerman, the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Covington

– Created the Sacred Heart altar.

– Brought the Schwab Organ, which resides under the rose window, to the Cathedral.

Bishop Robert Muench, the ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Covington

– Completed major renovations to the interior of the Cathedral including the addition of the baptismal pool, the reconciliation chapel, air conditioning, ramps up to the altar.

– The renovations included moving the altar forward to be in the architectural center of the Church, a new altar which was fashioned from Bishop Mulloy’s altar and communion rails, reconfiguring the pews, cleaning of the interior and exterior of the building and upgrading the sound system.

Bishop Roger Foys, the tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Covington

– Completed the façade which Bishop Maes was unable to complete with the addition of 24 saint statues representing the parishes of the Dioceses, and the tympana over the north and south portal doors.

– Fashioned the reliquary altar using the same type of wood Bishop Mulloy used for the baldacchino.

– Commissioned the stencil work which is seen behind the Mary, St. Joseph and Sacred Heart altars, as well as behind the tabernacle in the Blessed Sacrament chapel.

– Recommissioned the old baptistry to be the final resting place of Bishop Maes, and returned Bishop Maes’ remains to the Cathedral.

Bishop John Iffert, the eleventh Bishop of the Diocese of Covington

– With the completion of the Restored in Christ restoration, Bishop Iffert will have many notable contributions to the Cathedral attributed to his episcopacy.

– These include the restoration of the chimera and gargoyles, the cleaning of the entire edifice and façade, the restoration of buttresses, piers, belt courses, balustrades, colonnades, stained glass, tracery and delicate decorative elements.

Transfiguration Mission church completes renovations one year after devastating flood

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

One year ago, in the early spring days of 2025, Transfiguration Mission church, Perry Park, situated near the Kentucky River, was rendered unusable after three feet of flood water destroyed all in its wake. The carpets, the pews and anything touching the floor had to be removed. After a painstaking year of renovations, the Church has opened its doors once more, inviting visitors and parishioners alike to come worship in a new space that inspires the “awesomeness” of the faith, said Father Thomas Picchioni, pastor.

To mark the occasion of the completion of the interior renovations, Bishop John Iffert traveled to the mission church, consecrated the altar, blessed the church and dedicated the new space, so that it might serve as a gateway to eternal life with Jesus for years to come.

The original Transfiguration Mission church was built in the seventies, and the interior reflected the design choices of the time, explained Father Picchioni. “It had a crucifix and everything, so you knew you were in a church, but that sense of awe seemed to be missing,” he said. When it came time to renovate the church post flood, Father Picchioni focused on deep liturgical themes and the want for a sacred space.

“I wanted people to feel a sense of peace just being here … a piece of ‘I’m in a different world now,” he said. “The intent of the whole redo was to get people to walk in here and just feel the awesomeness of what it means to be in a church.”

Because of the devastation caused by the flooding, the church was able to get an entirely new interior look. Originally, the tabernacle was off to the side, and the priest sat in the middle of the altar. Now, the tabernacle is situated on a new, wooden, high altar, adorned on the front with the carved image of the last supper. In addition, a new eternal flame was installed on the wall of the Church, replacing the one that was beside the tabernacle prior. The altar of sacrifice is also new, matching the gold detailing of the high altar, it depicts the sacrificial lamb with angels on either side. To match, the ambo is also a dark wood, with the imagery of the four evangelists.

The new sanctuary is larger than the old and was designed by Father Picchioni with the space in mind. “I wanted the sanctuary to be as big as possible … I designed it, gave it a unique look.” In addition, the crucifix that now hangs above the tabernacle, with a base of wood and gold detailing to match, was also handmade by Father Picchioni.

His vision for the new space came together, through determination and help of his parishioners, “I said, ‘I’m going to fight to put something together that is what I think is going to give glory to God,’” he said.

Parishioner Diane Webster said, “people were very impressed walking in and seeing all the new fixtures and just how refreshing and … it became more of a sacred space.”

“Seeing the time, effort, and money that got put into restoring it has definitely been very positive in our neighborhood, in our community, and it has definitely uplifted spirits … In some ways, it’s helped restore faith in some of our neighbors,” she said. “I think it makes them feel like their faith life is valued.”

FIRE Foundation of Northern Kentucky to host ‘A Mass of Belonging’ celebrating inclusion and community

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Staff Report

The FIRE Foundation of Northern Kentucky invites families, educators, parish communities and supporters to join “A Mass of Belonging,” a special Mass celebrating inclusion and creating a greater sense of belonging for individuals with learning differences and disabilities throughout the Diocese of Covington. This Mass will be the third annual Mass of its kind.

The Mass will be held Sept. 15, 6 p.m., at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington. Father Ryan Maher, the cathedral’s rector, will be the celebrant.

The event is designed to celebrate the belief that there should be no separate Church for persons with disabilities, but “rather one flock that follows a single shepherd”, according to the FIRE Foundation. The Mass will bring together members of the Diocese, families, Catholic schools, parishes, educators and advocates to celebrate the gifts and contributions of people of all abilities to the Catholic Church.

Representatives from the FIRE Foundation of Northern Kentucky will be in attendance. FIRE Foundation’s mission is to champion the inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools by providing educational resources, fundraising and promoting a culture of belonging. This year, the FIRE Foundation was able to provide grant funding to six schools in the Diocese of Covington towards accessible education.

“A Mass of Belonging is an opportunity for our Catholic community to come together and celebrate that every person has a place at the table,” said Missy Hail, president of the FIRE Foundation of Northern Kentucky. “We want families and individuals with disabilities to know that they are valued, welcomed, and an important part of our parishes, schools, and Diocese.”

Following the Mass, attendees are invited to participate in a family ice cream social, providing an opportunity for fellowship and connection.

Villa Madonna Academy celebrates the dedication of new Chase & Cole Fischer STEM Wing

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Faculty, staff and students gathered with members of the Villa Madonna Academy, Villa Hills, community to celebrate the blessing and dedication of the newly opened Chase & Cole Fischer STEM Wing. Named for brothers and Villa Madonna students Chase and Cole Fischer, who tragically died in 2023, the renovated classrooms and laboratories will be opening for students in the freshly begun 2026–2027 school year.

“So many in our Villa community have helped transform our campus, creating learning environments that reflect the excellence of a Villa education. We remain deeply grateful to all who help lay that foundation,” Pamela McQueen, president, Villa Madonna Academy, remarked during the wing’s dedication. “And now, the Chase and Cole Fischer STEM Wing represents the next step in that commitment — a place where curiosity is encouraged, creativity flourishes and students are challenged to prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow.”

Made possible through the generosity of private family donors and St. Elizabeth Healthcare, the STEM wing, which includes equipment for engineering and dedicated laboratories for scientific disciplines such as biology, chemistry and physics, will allow for “students and teachers will design and prototype solutions, build and test engineering projects, explore robotics and automation, investigate scientific questions, create digital media, collaborate across disciplines and solve authentic, real-world problems,” said Mrs. McQueen. “And, as they do, they will discover that the greatest innovations are those guided by wisdom, compassion and a desire to bring love and light into the world.”

Scott Seifert, a mathematics and physics teacher at Villa Madonna Academy, remarked that he was “amazed” when the faculty first walked in the newly renovated space.

“This new STEM spot,” he said, “it encourages us to create, to innovate, to learn, to enjoy and to dream. It compels us to do those things … what I like about science is that when you study it, you start seeing it all around you … But beyond that, which is probably most important, is you start seeing the order in the universe when you study science, you start seeing intelligent design, you start seeing God’s hand at work, and this STEM wing is going to help us in that endeavor. What a blessing.”

Bishop John Iffert who was present at the dedication, blessed the space. After his blessing, he reflected on the Gospel of Matthew, where Christian people are described as the “salt of the earth.”

“Jesus teaches that we are the flavor and the joy of life,” Bishop Iffert said. “Jesus, with these words, extends that mission to all of us in everything we do. In the face of the many problems of the world, like violence, materialism, poverty, moral relativism, Jesus challenged us to ask, ‘What can I do to share God’s love in the world?’”

“Christians are called to be light to the world,” he said, “and the world will be impacted for better or for worse by the way we live our lives. … When we misuse creation and its scientific principles, without any regard for the wisdom God has planted within us, we add to the chaos. But when we imitate Christ’s love, mercy and generosity — when we use our minds to effectively serve the dignity of our brothers and sisters — well, then we glorify our heavenly Father.”

Father James Schaeper installed as pastor at St. Joseph Parish and St. Edward Mission

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Bishop John Iffert officially installed Father James Schaeper pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Warsaw, and St. Edward Mission, Owenton, through the Rite of Installation of a Pastor, Aug. 16. Father Schaeper was gifted the keys to his parish, and vowed to fulfill his duties as pastor, making sacraments regularly available to his flock and sharing the word of God in accordance with the Church.

Father Schaeper’s elevation to pastor comes after two years as Parochial Administrator to the parish and its mission. “What’s the difference? What’s the difference between a priest who is an administrator and a priest who is a pastor,” asked Bishop Iffert to the congregation of St. Joseph Parish. Answering his own question he said, “To us biblical language, you might say it’s the difference between a hired hand and a shepherd … When a man becomes pastor, he becomes the shepherd of a local flock.”

This role comes with increased duties and responsibilities, said Bishop Iffert, explaining that Father Schaeper now has “responsibilities toward you,” he said to the congregation. “As pastor, he is in a sacred obligation to provide for you all of the instruments of sanctification that the Church extends. To assure that you have access to regular sacramental life, to the Eucharist, to the forgiveness of sins. He has a responsibility for the catechesis of every person in the parish,” said Bishop Iffert.

To Father Schaeper, being a pastor means “leading others to Christ,” he said. Through regular use of the sacraments, of Communion and reconciliation. “With faith … and with love and an open heart,” he said. “We bring the sacraments, and being there for people in difficult times, but also in joyous times … helping them to do God’s will and to live out their vocation with faith and cooperating with God’s will.”

The Gospel story for the day of Father Schaeper’s installation was the story of the Canaanite woman who was begging Christ for the healing of her daughter, who was wrought with evil spirits.

“Her only thought is the freedom of her child,” said Bishop Iffert, “and she has come to believe that Jesus can free her child, and in freeing her child, free her.” The woman pleaded with Jesus, calling out to him, “Lord, help me,” said Bishop Iffert.

“Father Jim,” said Bishop Iffert addressing Father Schaeper, “everything you and I do in service to the people of God should begin with that prayer of faith. Everything we do must begin with trust in the Lord God, and with crying out to the Lord to help us in everything we do.”

In begging for the healing of her child, the woman makes Jesus and his disciples “uncomfortable,” said Bishop Iffert, for they believe there is no way they can help her. This uncomfortable tension exists in the world today, said Bishop Iffert, “Our life together as the family of God is not going to be perfect this side of Heaven.”

From this Gospel reading, it is taught that amidst that tension “to persist in charity, to persist in love … always in enduring love, always go on teaching, pleading administering mercy with a persistent need in Christ,” he said.

“It’s great instruction for us today, we celebrate this priest who has become your pastor, and this people who has become your flock. Begin everything you do together in faith,” said Bishop Iffert.

During his remarks at the conclusion of Mass, Father Schaeper said, “we’ve done really great things here by cooperating with God’s grace … God bless you all and thank you.”

Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker celebrate Sister Philomena Marie’s first profession of vows

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Tucked away from the rest of the world, down a winding drive in Walton, Ky., occurred a moment of total abandonment to the Lord as Sister of St. Joseph the Worker Philomena Marie made her first profession of vows, Aug. 15. Inside the small convent chapel gathered Sister Philomena’s mother, father and brother who traveled from Oklahoma, along with friends of the Sisters St. Joseph the Worker.

The profession of first vows is an important milestone in the life of any consecrated religious as it leads them deeper into life with their community and prepares them for their final vows, where they become fully consecrated to Christ. Sister Philomena professed these vows during Mass celebrated by Bishop John Iffert, concelebrated by Bishop Emeritus Roger Foys; Father Matt Cushing, chaplain for the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker; Father Daniel Schomaker, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Ft. Mitchell; Father Kelly Edwards, a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and Sister Philomena Marie’s former campus minister and spiritual director during her vocational discernment. Also in attendance were Deacons Hudson Henry, St. Joseph Parish, Crescent Springs, and Chuck Melville, St. Barbara Parish, Erlanger, as well diocesan seminarian, Will Fuller.

In preparation for her first vows, Sister Philomena participated in a silent retreat, where she spent six days reflecting on this next step in her discernment to consecrated life. When the day came to profess her first vows, Sister Philomena said she felt only, “a profound sense of peace.” Though nervous in the days leading up to the event, “when I walked into the chapel right before Mass, I just felt this space, like the peace that surpasses all understanding that the Lord gives and it’s like, ‘yes, I’m here. I’m ready, and here I am Lord. I come to do your will,’” she said.

During the profession of vows, Bishop Iffert blessed the crucifix and chain that each sister of the order wears, as an outward manifestation of their union to God, something that Sister Philomena likened to a wedding ring. She recalled a moment, the night before she was to profess her vows, “sister was setting up the chapel, and she had the crucifix on a little table, and that was the moment, like ‘oh, this is for real.’”

Prior to the profession of vows, during his homily, Bishop Iffert said to Sister Philomena, “You are choosing today, with these vows, a life filled with blessing … Those who are consecrated to the Lord Jesus Christ, who go all in on that single most central loving relationship of our lives, is all for gain. Even the hardships you encounter, even the difficulties that come with life, they are for something. They are for learning the language of sacrificial love.”

Sister Philomena Marie will continue to renew these “temporary vows” once every year for at least three years before professing final vows, where she will be bound forever in consecration to Christ.