Faith meets future: educators, parents and leaders explore AI’s role in education at TMU

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Laura Keener

Editor

As the global society comes to understand and manage the use of Artificial Intelligence, the Catholic Church, first under Pope Francis and now Pope Leo XIV, encourages bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful, especially educators and parents, to “dedicate themselves to this critical subject with care and attention.” (Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Antiqua et nova, §5)

As a regional education leader, Thomas More University is hosting an AI summit, entitled “AI & Education: A Catholic Perspective,” Jan. 24. The day will begin 9 a.m. with Mass with Bishop John Iffert at Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel on the TMU campus. The presentation will follow in the neighboring Zeigler Auditorium. Everyone is welcome to attend, especially educators and parents — Catholic and non-Catholic.

With all its promise and potential, AI carries with it the specter of misuse and abuse. “…there is broad consensus that AI marks a new and significant phase in humanity’s engagement with technology, placing it at the heart of what Pope Francis has described as an ‘epochal change.’ Its impact is felt globally and in a wide range of areas, including interpersonal relationships, education, work, art, healthcare, law, warfare, and international relations.” (Antiqua et nova, §4)

Of most concern to the Church is “ensuring that its applications are used to promote human progress and the common good.” (Antiqua et nova, §4)

Keynote speaker for the TMU’s AI summit is Matthew Harvey Sanders. Mr. Sanders is CEO of Longbeard, a company founded in 2015 to build AI in service to the Catholic Church. Among its products is the popular Magisterium AI. Unlike ChatGPT, which is an open-source AI platform, Magisterium AI is a closed system sourcing from its own and trusted Catholic organizations in order to provide users accurate information. The Holy See is among its clients.

Dr. John Rudnick, professor at TMU, will also give a presentation on his participation at the 2025 Builders AI Forum in Rome last November. The Forum discussed ways AI can help the Church’s mission of evangelization.

In a letter to participants of the Builders AI Forum, Pope Leo XIV wrote, “Whether designing algorithms for Catholic education, tools for compassionate health care, or creative platforms that tell the Christian story with truth and beauty, each participant contributes to a shared mission: to place technology at the service of evangelization and the integral development of every person.”

Following the presentations, a panel of local educators, a Catholic communicator, and a psychologist will field questions and lead discussion.

“Artificial Intelligence is an enduring reality that will continue to shape our world,” said Dr. Rudnick. “As members of the Catholic Church, we share a profound responsibility to establish ethical frameworks that guide its development and application. This summit is intended to initiate a thoughtful dialogue — one that ensures technology serves the mission of the Church and the common good.”

Thomas More University students and staff attend ‘life changing,’ SEEK conference

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

More than 30 students, faculty and staff from Thomas More University, Crestview Hills, attended SEEK, January 1-5, traveling to Columbus, Ohio, to experience their faith in a new way. Along with Thomas More University, students from the Newman Club at Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, and students throughout the Diocese of Covington attended.

The annual Catholic conference boasted a record-breaking 26,000 attendees, a 24 percent increase from 2025, busting the “weird narrative,” that, “Gen Z doesn’t care about their faith,” said Amber Konerman, assistant registrar.

Ms. Konerman was one of the staff members to attend SEEK from Thomas More University, chaperoning students like Emily Brown, a second-year psychology and philosophy student. Like many of the other student attendees, Ms. Brown is an active member of campus ministry, leading the organization of on campus Eucharistic adoration for students and community members. When Ms. Brown heard of the opportunity to attend SEEK with Thomas More, she knew, no matter the cost, that she was going to attend.

“I knew I had to go because I’ve never seen that many Catholics my age before, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she said. The lofty $500 conference ticket, in addition to the cost of hotel rooms for the five-day conference, threatened to deter students from attending. However, a donor offered to help pay the way for students, allowing them to “pay what we could,” said Ms. Brown.

Once at SEEK, both Ms. Konerman and Ms. Brown had what they called a “life changing,” experience. “I’ve never seen that many young Catholics in one place before. We were in a room full of 16,000 people who chose to be there on New Year’s Day,” said Ms. Konerman.

In a particularly poignant moment, Ms. Brown was sitting in Mass on the last day of the conference. Listening to the priest’s homily, she closed her eyes and, “I could feel Jesus’ arm around me, like the presence,” she said. This holy moment she attributes to the four days of reveling in likeminded, faith-filled company without the distraction of outside pressures. “I wasn’t thinking ‘Oh, I want to go on my phone right now and look on Instagram,’ I was like, ‘I need to be here right now,’” she said.

As a faculty member, Ms. Konerman said, “It was a really cool experience to see that these students do care about their faith.” A sentiment shared by Ms. Brown, “I can just see in my peers who went, they’re on fire with the Spirit … for young people, the Church is still alive and thriving and we want to spread the word,” she said.

Return of the Disciple Maker Index draws closer — participation from parishioners, parish leadership, needed to develop robust pastoral plans

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

In Luke 14:28–31, Jesus asks a crowd travelling with him, “Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? … Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?”

This quote emphasizes the importance of gathering information — the goal of the upcoming Disciple Maker Index (DMI) survey returning this Lenten season to parishes across the dioceses.

Previously completed by more than 40 percent of parishioners in 2023, the results from the index were pivotal in developing the With One Heart parish and diocesan pastoral plans, which have been put into effect since the previous survey’s completion and the launching of the With One Heart Campaign. Fruits of these plans are already observable, with the establishment of a diocesan youth minister and growth of youth and young adult groups across the diocese, the promotion of the Catholic Leadership Institute and improvements in communications and Hispanic ministry.

Now, the survey returns to read exactly how this progress has changed the responses since the previous round. And, as Deacon Fortner, the Diocese of Covington’s COO puts it, “my intuition tells me that I think this survey’s going to show positive results.”

With a goal of as many answers as possible, parish points of contact will be distributing the survey — which will be made available both physically and through an online portal shared at parishes — beginning Feb. 18, with seven weeks given for parishioners to contribute. From there, the results will be analyzed by individual parishes and updates to plans will be put into effect for a projected June 2026 completion.

“Whether you’re a profit company or nonprofit company or church, the data says that if you have a strategic plan, you have better results,” Deacon Fortner said. “We’re expecting that to hold true here … The data will give pastors insight into what has been working and what needs more focus.”

While it’s the described role of parish points of contact to promote and distribute the survey in their parish communities, Deacon Fortner also emphasized the importance of the clergy’s involvement in the process. “The pastors need to promote this as an important tool as well,” he said. “The better informed the parish leadership is, the better their plans will be.”

Passionist Nuns pray for the Church ahead of World Day of Consecrated Life

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

A Mass to celebrate the World Day of Consecrated Life will be celebrated by Bishop John Iffert, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, Feb. 7, 10 a.m. The Mass will be attended by consecrated men and women of the Diocese of Covington to celebrate one another, their ministry and service to their communities. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Within the Diocese of Covington there are 11 communities of consecrated religious. While many of the communities live their mission and vocation in the world, ministering to the poor, administering healthcare and teaching, there are others that live a life of contemplative prayer, cloistered from the distractions of the world. The Passionist Nuns, a worldwide community of cloistered contemplative nuns, live to serve their community in prayer. Five of those Passionist Nuns reside in the Diocese of Covington.

Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, the Passionist Nuns, “were founded to pray for the Church,” said Mother Michelle Mudd, superior of the Erlanger community. “The Church needs prayer. One of the models for cloistered contemplative life, Jesus said, he wants us to dedicate our whole life to prayer.”

Passionist Sister Mary Catherine said, “Contemplatives are kind of the heart of the Church, the heart is hidden. I think of us contemplatives as pumping grace to the rest of the Mystical Body.”

“If you remove contemplatives from the Church, and put us all out in the field, the Church would not survive,” said Mother Michelle.

Their robust prayer life flows through their dedication to the passion of Christ.  “Our model is ‘May the passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts,’ and we bear that in our hearts but then we proclaim it,” said Mother Michelle. “…We proclaim it to the world by living here, maintaining the cloister.”

Sister Mary Catherine said, “It’s our favorite meditation, the Passion, what he (Christ) did. So many people are hurting, they come here for prayers and so to be able to let them know you’re not alone, he knows exactly what you want. In fact, it hit him first, everything was on the cross. I think it gives them comfort to know that, even though they may not feel it, God’s presence is deeper than our feelings.”

“If this is your vocation, this is where you want to be, we don’t want to be out there. We’re called to be in solitude with Jesus,” said Sister Mary Catherine.

Newport Central Catholic’s renovated entrance and commons include accessibility improvements, space to build community

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

In a ceremony, Dec. 19, Newport Central Catholic High School, Newport, celebrated the opening of its newly built Tom Hoffman Alumni Hall and Commons.

A result of the school’s “Looking Up” capital campaign, the commons — which is situated at the front of the school — opens with a completely handicap accessible entrance. The whole space is likewise fitted with ramps for students, alumni and visitors of any mobility, and new bathrooms are ADA compliant. Tracie Hoffman, the widow of alumnus Thomas Hoffman, whom the hall is named for, came to Kenny Collopy, principal, to ask what support was needed for the hall’s construction.

“She wanted to make an impact outside of the campaign we have going on,” said Mr. Collopy. “We provided her with a very wide list and range of needs, and she compassionately chose to support the need of improving our accessibility to those entering our building.”

In addition to added accessibility, the hall’s construction and entrance renovation include safety and security improvements, upgraded administrative offices, as well as “common areas for the students,” said Mr. Collopy.

“It’s one of the areas in which you sit,” he said, addressing the crowd gathered for the commemoration, before thanking the Hoffmans and other donors for the common areas, which will “gather community and help build (the Newport Central Catholic) community and family even stronger.”

Bishop John Iffert, who participated in the ribbon cutting and blessed the space, spoke also, saying, “We pray today that this will be a place where people, as they enter this school and community, will really encounter one another and find what we share in common — our hopes, our dreams, our giftedness, our desire to reflect God’s goodness. Discover that in each person we meet, so that we can bring some calm to all of the chaos in the world, that we can bring some goodness reflected in that space.”

At Christmas, Bishop Iffert tells congregation the image of a cow at the Nativity relates to transformative divine love

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

A peaceful Christmas morning, Dec. 25, the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, welcomed parishioners and guests alike to celebrate Midnight Mass for the Nativity of the Lord.

The Cathedral’s pews were full for the celebration — and music filled the Cathedral, decorated with greenery, as the Bishop’s Choir and a string quartet performed songs until the Mass began.

Bishop John Iffert celebrated the Mass, and served as homilist, as well.

In his homily, Bishop Iffert recalled an encounter with the diocesan chancellor, Jamie Schroeder. “I mentioned that I especially like the way that she had positioned the cow just behind the crib, nudging up toward Jesus in a way that was particularly attentive to the baby,” Bishop Iffert said.

To which Mrs. Schroeder replied, according to Bishop Iffert, “That’s the way I was taught. I was told that the cow warmed the baby Jesus with her breath.”

Continuing, he said that, “The idea that this lovely creature recognized the Lord of Heaven and earth — her Creator — and the great gift of love born for the redemption of the world. And, in spontaneous reaction to this love, loves in return … to respond to the love of God with her very breath.”

“Love inspires love,” said Bishop Iffert. “It is the source of holiness. It is the source of wisdom … That’s the story of Christmas, isn’t it? … He emptied himself out being born in human likeness, joining our nature to his and accepting all our limitations, even temptation, even death, so that we might know that we are loved.”

“We are loved so much so that our God will not remain separated from us,” he continued, “even when we have made ourselves God’s enemies — even then he comes to love us. Love transforms. Love inspires love in return.”

He concluded, saying, “From now on, I will set up my nativity scene with the cow hovering closely to the baby Jesus. Practically touching. And I will imagine her, with her big brown eyes, breathing warm against the chill of the night.”

“And it will remind me,” said Bishop Iffert, “that being loved by Jesus changes everything. Who will accept the gift of divine love? That love transforms us. It is our training. It is the path to holiness. It is the path to peace.”

Jubilee Year comes to an end at closing Mass with Bishop Iffert

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Bishop John Iffert celebrated the closing Mass for the 2025 Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope, Dec. 28, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington. The Jubilee Year was opened by Pope Francis one year prior on the eve of Christmas, with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. This, in a special way, connected the Jubilee Year and the celebration of the first coming of Christ at Christmas.

The Jubilee Year called the faithful to focus on the indulgent love of Christ and the pouring out of his love onto his people, said Bishop Iffert, in the same way that God’s love was brought into the world through the Christ child.

“The celebration of the Jubilee shares something with the Christmas celebration … Every day we remember that the Lord Jesus dwells with his people, comes to us and empties out his love for us every day. And Christmas, we remember that in a particularly poignant way,” said Bishop Iffert.

It is this indulgent love of Christ that Pope Francis called into focus through the jubilee theme, “pilgrims of hope.” The theological virtue of hope, Bishop Iffert said, “is certainty in the mercy of God and in his victory over the Kingdom. That’s what this Jubilee Year has been for us, a walking in that confidence in the divine love to strengthen our community.”

“Even though we don’t live in the fulfillment, the perfection, of that kingdom right now, even though we live in a time where that kingdom has been introduced by the first coming of Jesus, we await the second coming of Jesus for its perfection and fulfillment, even now, because we are people of hope,” said Bishop Iffert.

Though the Jubilee Year has ended, the message and invitation it espoused, to follow God, and trust in his infinite wisdom, still rings true.

“The Jubilee celebration draws our attention and focus to the indulgent mercy of God; it doesn’t control that mercy. In closing out the Jubilee we do not end the river of God’s mercy that flows down upon us. God’s mercy is constant,” said Bishop Iffert. “This Jubilee year has been for us a walking in that confidence in the divine love to strengthen our community as we journey together throughout the world.”

St. Augustine Parish to celebrate Holy Qurbana in celebration of Father Kinnai’s ordination anniversary

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Father Niby Kannai, pastor, St. Augustine Parish, Covington, will be bringing a piece of home to St. Augustine, Jan. 3, as he celebrates the eastern, Syro-Malabar, rite of the holy Mass. The Mass will be celebrated in his native language of Malayalam, with English responses from the congregation. The Syro-Malabar rite is the rite Father Kannai was born and ordained into. With the 20th anniversary of his ordination approaching, Father Kannai wanted to share the rite with his parishioners and the diocese.

Syro-Malabar is one of 24 rites in the Catholic Church, all in full communion with the Pope. It is the second largest of the eastern rites, with the Byzantine Catholic Rite being the largest.

The rite originated in India from the St. Thomas Christians after St. Thomas landed on the coast of the present-day Kerala, India, in 52 A.D. Kerala. It was known then as Muziris, an ancient port on the Malabar coast.

Part of the Syro-Malabar rite’s history is their affiliation with the Assyrian Church of the East, of whom they were under jurisdiction. Additionally, Syrian Catholics fled to India to escape persecution in Syria, said Father Kannai. This is where the name of the modern-day rite comes from, with “Syro,” recalling the ties to Syria, and “Malabar,” commemorating the landing of St. Thomas the Apostle.

The name of the Mass celebrated in the Syro-Malabar rite is Qurbana, translated to mean holy sacrifice, which is a call to the Eucharist. Father Kannai noted the differences between the Mass and the Qurbana.

“Historically, theologically, the Eastern rite is focusing on the mystery. In the liturgy, you will experience a slightly different style, the mystery aspect of the liturgy, or even the transcendental aspect of our liturgy. You will be able to see a little bit more symbols, there is a little more ringing of the bell, and some of the signs are different in Eastern Liturgy,” he said.

Perhaps the most notable difference is the standing during the consecration of the Eucharist, rather than the Latin rite tradition of kneeling.

“The altar represents us,” said Father Kannai. “The throne of God is almost the same as the Eastern rite, and standing is the primary posture of resurrection.”

Over the last six months as pastor of St. Augustine Parish, Father Kannai has shared about the Syro-Malabar rite on an individual level as questions arise. He is looking forward to sharing his home rite with all his parishioners, he said.

“I wanted to connect with my parishioners in St. Augustine,” said Father Kannai. “They may know of Father Niby but they do not know my background or how I grew up, or how I celebrated Mass growing up. I hope people are fascinated by seeing different elements of Mass in a different style, in the Eastern Rite.”

Local tree farmer continues tradition of generosity at St. Mary’s Park

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

In years past, real Christmas trees decked the halls of local churches — the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, St. Cecilia, Independence and St. Barabara, Erlanger, to name a few. These trees, some of which were up to 18 feet tall, were grown, supplied and donated by one man — Dr. Ron Lubbe.

And while fire laws have changed, and some of these churches have made the switch to artificial trees, Dr. Lubbe continues to grow Christmas trees annually to sell to families around the Northern Kentucky area — even in his mid 70s.

This year, Dr. Lubbe’s generosity to the Church continued with a donation of a tree to stand in St. Mary’s Park, Covington — continuing the yearly tradition of this Cathedral Square display, decorated in bulbs representing the Diocese of Covington’s parishes, schools and institutions.

Describing himself as a “frustrated farmer,” Dr. Lubbe’s father, also a farmer, insisted he continued his schooling to afford his farming dreams. After receiving his doctorate in medical school, Mr. Lubbe bought the property that he now lives and grows the trees on to this day.

Originally, Dr. Lubbe’s farm kept heads of cattle, chickens and hay, work that got “too demanding” as Dr. Lubbe got older. The switch to growing trees was an idea from a friend, a thought that had Dr. Lubbe think, “That’s a good idea!” In addition to Christmas trees, Dr. Lubbe grows other trees from seeds on his property, including chestnuts, persimmons and paw paws.

As for the Austrian pine currently standing prominently in St. Mary’s Park, Dr. Lubbe says that he has “two more for the next two years” to help decorate the park for more Christmas seasons to come.

Jail Ministry spreads more than Christmas cheer, it spreads the Gospel

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Throughout the year, jail ministry provides a moment of reprieve for inmates, a space to learn and hear the word of God from jail ministers. During December, the same can be said. But, in addition to spreading the word of God, jail ministers spread Christmas cheer with festive goodie bags for the inmates.

Donna Heim, one of the jail ministers in the Diocese of Covington, said the bags bring more than Christmas cheer, they bring Christ.

“It has even inspired some to join our Bible study. Not because we gave out these Christmas goodies, but one person said to me, ‘I could tell you care about us, and if you can care about us like that, I want to come and see what this is about,’” said Mrs. Heim.

It is that care and Christ-like love spread in the Campbell County Detention Center that Mrs. Heim believes makes a difference in the lives of inmates.

“These men and these women are so joy filled to receive these Christmas bags. They have told us that they are surprised people care enough about them to provide these good things. Things that we take for granted, they do not,” she said.

Jail ministers meet with the inmates of the detention center, some in groups and some one-on-one, and participate in a “very prayerful Bible study,” said Mrs. Heim. “We’re a safe place for them to share what’s going on in their hearts and minds and souls, and then to pray about it with them, kind of to accompany them on their journey.”

Through the gift of the Christmas bags, filled with candy, a prayer card, Little Debbie snack cakes, and more, the jail ministers share their love of Christ

“We can’t change their outer circumstances, but if we can remind them through that prayer card that Jesus can change their inner circumstances and that they can find hope and strength and joy in him, then it’s a deeper kind of joy than just getting all the goodies, and that’s what’s important to us,” said Mrs. Heim.

The jail ministry team and volunteers will be assembling the Christmas goodie bags, Dec. 22, at the Southgate Fire House at 5 p.m. Consider volunteering or donating candy (no nuts, no sticks and no foil wrappers) to make a difference in the lives of the incarcerated. For information e-mail donnakheim@gmail.com.