Archive for category: Featured Stories

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

The change of seasons to springtime brings with it a period of preparation and cleaning for the warm months. During this period, people in a community may require assistance with getting into the swing of spring, and the sunny spring days of April 16 and 18 brought exactly that.

Through two service days, one on April 16 where the Diocese of Covington’s Curia employees set out into their community, and another where lay people joined the diocese’s religious sisters in similar projects — neighbors helped neighbors with tasks like gardening, serving food, childcare and organizing.

Ministries such as St. Vincent de Paul, the Brighton Center, Redwood, the Emergency Shelter, the Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home and diocesan schools, benefitted from volunteers on both days coming to serve. Prayer and reflection both began and concluded both days.

“To me, it’s the core mission of the Church of Jesus,” said Notre Dame Sister Marla Monahan, vicar for religious and one of the people behind planning both days. “They call it neighbor to neighbor — you don’t have to be Catholic to receive help, you don’t have to be Catholic to give help. It’s just about the dignity of each person.”

“For me,” Sister Marla said, “The relationship is totally mutual — we’re Christ to each other.”

This sentiment resonated with volunteers, many of whom spoke positively about the people they met during their time volunteering in the following reflections.

“I think our service days are really reminding us of the heart of the Gospel,” said Sister Marla, calling to mind Luke 4. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18–19).

“I think that’s what we do and receive from each other,” she said. “The core mission of Jesus, the core mission of the Church — the purpose of our lives … we’re made in the same image of community that reminds us that we’re one family, that we’re not saved alone. We’re saved with each other.”

Laura Keener

Editor

Bishop John Iffert led the inaugural Good Friday praying of the Stations of the Cross, April 3, at the newly dedicated Gardens of St. Patrick’s. Hundreds of people from across the Diocese of Covington participated. It was one of several events held at the Gardens during Holy Week, which culminated with sunrise Easter Sunday Mass with Father James Sichko.

Before opening prayers beginning the Stations of the Cross, Bishop Iffert shared that the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu is one of his favorite places he visited in Jerusalem. The church is believed to be built over the house of the high priest Joseph Caiaphas, and the place where Jesus was held in a lower-level dungeon the night before his passion and death.

“It’s a moving place,” said Bishp Iffert. “And one of things that makes it so moving is that as you descend the stairs down into the stone pit, you pass crosses and graffiti that has been scratched into the wall.”

Some of the graffiti dates to the late first century. The graffiti, said Bishop Iffert, “is part of the testimony that says this is the place where Jesus was held. It’s because of those early pilgrim witnesses who went there to join him in his place, so today, here in Maysville, Kentucky, we join ourselves to all of those believers in Jesus, all of those Christians, all of those who seek to be self-emptying like Christ. We join them in remembering the journey that Jesus took to his cross and to his tomb and beyond.”

At the Gardens there are 15 stations featuring life-sized bronze statues, 14 traditional stations with the 15th being the Resurrection. The 14th Station — Jesus is Laid in the Tomb — is nearly complete. The tomb and its 5,000-pound rolling stone are there; the statues are on the way. The tomb and rolling stone were hand carved by Kentuckians from ancient limestone, 485 million years old. The 15th Station — the Resurrection — still needs to be installed. Bishop Iffert said that he likes that the Gardens are not complete for the inaugural events because it reminds us that we aren’t complete and that God is continually drawing us to him.

The Via Dolorosa — the Way of Suffering — begins with visitors passing by a 6,000-year-old olive press, a tangible reminder of the Garden of Gethsemane, an olive garden, were with a kiss Judas betrayed Jesus, an innocent man.

Bishop Iffert invited everyone to join him in praying for all those wrongly accused, detained and imprisoned throughout the world.

The journey ends at reflection pools with fountains surrounding a 7.5 story lighted cross near the 15th Station. The cross is prominently placed so that it can be clearly seen by travelers passing along Route 62.

“To meditate on the suffering and death of Jesus Christ is to invite Jesus to be with us in carrying our crosses,” said Bishop Iffert, “to ask Jesus for the grace not that our cross would go away, not that our cross would be removed from us, but that Jesus will be with us under our crosses, and Jesus will strengthen us to be able to carry the cross that is ours in life.”

The evening revealed the event’s quiet power through the eyes of a young participant, Juan Briseño, a student from St. Patrick’s School who volunteered to serve for Bishop Iffert. He described being deeply moved while walking among the Stations and seeing them “brought to life,” an experience he said left him newly motivated. Like many in attendance, he was surprised by the size of the crowd — a testament to the strong sense of community and shared faith that shaped the night.

Visitors described the experience as deeply emotional, noting how the Stations of the Cross immediately invited personal reflection. The quiet, prayerful atmosphere allowed participants to pause and reflect on Christ’s passion in a way that felt both intimate and profound.

“I’ve lived here all my life, and this just touches my heart when you think about how much he (Jesus) did for us. This is the most amazing tribute someone could give to our community,” said Debbie Mason, parishioner at St. Patrick Parish, Maysville. She was especially moved by the First Station — Jesus is Condemned to Death. “That station reminds me that we all had a part in it — whether we want to admit it or not — through what we’ve done or failed to do.”

Several visitors emphasized how the scale and presentation of the displays intensified that experience. Helen McKay, parishioner, St. Patrick Parish, Maysville, noted that the larger-than-life elements made a lasting impression, explaining that “it’s much more moving than a three‑by‑three.” For her, the physical size and presence of the stations deepened the sense of walking alongside Christ on his journey.

St. Patrick parishioner Dana Casey, agreed. “To stand next to the life‑size Stations of the Cross instead of seeing them as small icons on the wall makes the story feel personal and real,” said Ms. Casey. An exceptionally emotional moment for her came at Station Four — Jesus Meets His Mother. “The moment when Jesus sees his mother — just that silent glance between them — really stayed with me. They didn’t need words. She had to say ‘yes’ at the beginning, and she had to say it again at the end.”

For others, attending the stations was an intentional part of observing Good Friday.

St. Catherine of Siena parishioners David and Sharon Kohr who traveled from Ft. Thomas echoed that sense of personal connection. Mr. Kohrs said that praying, “The Stations of the Cross were always very emotional—[they] go straight to the soul.”

Mr. Kohrs expressed the importance of making the time for Holy Week observances despite busy schedules, saying, “When we saw this in the Messenger, we just made it happen. We made ourselves make it into our schedule that we would come down and spend Good Friday here.” He added that retracing “the real journey of Christ, through his passion,” is “such an integral part of our faith,” and something they wanted to hold “in our heart and our soul.”

Mrs. Kohrs shared that the experience left a lasting impression. “It’s such a blessing,” she said, adding that she was “absolutely” glad they made the trip. The combination of personal prayer, art and shared worship made the observance both meaningful and memorable

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Continuing the tradition from last year, the diocesan Youth Ministry office held a Holy Week Mission of Mercy for diocesan youth, in partnership with the Regnum Christi Youth movement. Students were invited and challenged to spend Holy Week accompanying Jesus and taking their faith to the streets, sharing the love of Jesus with those who perhaps would not make it to church themselves.

The retreat featured prayer, fellowship and opportunities for evangelization. Seventy-five high school and 12 elementary students were joined by 12 young adult team leaders and 45 adult volunteers during the course of the three-day mission.

Included in the retreat was a Good Friday “Cross Walk.” During the Cross Walk, divided into eight groups, students were assigned with routes alongside adult chaperones — taking them into Covington and surrounding communities to pray for and with the people there.

Each group was equipped with a wooden cross and post it notes. As they met people on the streets, they invited them to pray with them and put their intentions onto the crosses.

“I do believe that because we’re walking and carrying a cross, it’s not just alongside of Jesus, but united to him,” said Father Andrew Gronotte, LC, a Legionnaire of Christ who joined students for the mission told youth prior to taking to the streets. “Our life is becoming one with his, and we’re part of the story of redemption. As we carry those crosses through the streets … we’re praying with others, we’re interceding for others. And that’s all the way in which Jesus is saying, ‘I want you to be part of me, be part of that redemption I’ve come to share with the world’.”

After the walk, students came together for the Good Friday liturgy at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, then set back out to pray the Stations of the Cross together while walking around the block. Friday ended with intercessory prayer by teams, recalling the many prayer intentions they had gathered throughout the previous two days, including a door-to-door mission inviting individuals to Mass the day before, on Holy Thursday.

“This was my second time participating in the Holy Week Missions and it has been a life changing experience,” said Dexter, one of the young adult volunteers. “From seeing high schoolers have the courage to pray with strangers, crying with people I just met or seeing how a simple smile can have such a positive impact on someone — it is evident that the Holy Spirit was all over Covington this Holy Week.”

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper was held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, where celebrant and homilist Bishop John Iffert shared a message of salvation through Christ, and the counter cultural worship of the Lord.

In the first reading, the Lord passes a commandment to Moses that all households should procure an unblemished lamb for slaughter. The blood of this lamb shall be sacrificed in the name of the Lord, its blood applied to the doorposts and its flesh roasted for eating.

This worship of God, Bishop Iffert said, would be “abhorrent,” to the Egyptians. “You see, in the land of Egypt, these young creatures, especially the more perfect they were, would have been considered a reflection of the divine.” By participating in this sacrificial worship, the Israelites “reject the worship of the land of Egypt, and instead they will worship the one true God. This is testimony to their neighbors that they do not fit in,” said Bishop Iffert. Their worship of the Lord would have been deemed countercultural, and “enraged” their neighbors, said Bishop Iffert.

In the second reading, Jesus shares the words which are echoed at every celebration of the Eucharist, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

“Jesus taught his disciples that this was his body and his blood. He was anticipating his own sacrifice on the cross, which would come in the following hours. He anticipated his own gift of himself and instead of lamb, he places his own, divine, human self at the center of the sacrifice,” said Bishop Iffert.

In his own sacrifice, Jesus acts as the sacrificial lamb from the time of Moses, and during the Last Supper he casts aside any status he might have and washes the feet of his disciples.

“He rises from the meal, and he puts aside his outer cloak, the outer cloak that for so many in the society would have represented their social standing,” said Bishop Iffert. And wrapping a towel around his waist, “he proceeded to wash the feet of the disciples. And he taught us again to reject the weight of the world, he taught us again to reject that kind of culture of empire where the only one right and wrong is what you have the power and wealth to get away with,” said Bishop Iffert.

The readings at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, represent a counter cultural way to live. To know one’s own weakness, and in the way of the disciples, have our feet washed by the Lord in the course of salvation.

Bishop Iffert said, “We need to know that our feet are filthy and that they must be washed by the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to be sustained in the way. We need to be saved. It’s counter cultural to know that you’re needy and to embrace it.”

“Being a follower of Jesus, is always counter cultural, to be true to the worship of God has always been a different way to live. Jesus asks not that we be successful but that you love one another in everything you do. We pray to be worthy of the teaching of the God of Man, the one who loves us and who loves us to the end” he said.

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

With a service beginning in total darkness, illuminated only by an Easter Fire — the celebration of the Easter Vigil after sunset marks the official end of the Lenten season and the beginning of Easter, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

The pews were filled as the vigil began at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington — with Bishop John Iffert serving as the Mass’s celebrant and homilist. Among the congregation were 16 candidates and catechumens, who would receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion during the service. These numbers are representative of more than 420 who were welcomed into the Church during the Easter Vigil across the diocese, a more than 57 percent increase from last year.

As his homily began, Bishop Iffert welcomed all who were present — Cathedral parishioners, their families, visitors and, in a special way, the candidates and catechumens.

“Welcome especially to those who have been journeying with us,” he said, greeting also the families and friends of these individuals who had come to support this step in their journey.

Remarking on some struggle to light the Paschal candle at the beginning of the Mass, following the blessing of the fire, Bishop Iffert spoke on his worries since that the fire would go out.

“Just before I walked over here to the ambo to begin sharing,” Bishop Iffert said, “I looked up and I saw that flame dancing above the top of the candle. And what happens? Fear is transformed into joy. That’s as good a place to begin tonight as any, isn’t it?”

With a smile, Bishop Iffert said that “it fits with what I was hoping to say to you when I came in tonight.”

Bishop Iffert spoke about the fear felt by the three women who came to discover the tomb empty, and how the angel speaks to the women, “Do not be afraid.”

“He tells them that the Lord Jesus is not in the tomb but has been raised from the dead and has gone before them. And then, he sends them. It says they went quickly from the tomb — fearful, and yet overjoyed.”

“I love that description,” Bishop Iffert remarked. “Although the angel has told them ‘do not be afraid’, they remain fearful. The events of Good Friday do not go away, they are not undone. They remain with questions in their heart.”

Later, as the women encounter Jesus, still “bearing the weight of the cross,” as Bishop Iffert said, “notice what he says, ‘Do not be afraid.’ Do not let your fear have the last word. Do not let that fear dominate your life. Do not let that fear steal away hope. Do not live in the darkness.”

“These women are sent on a mission,” said Bishop Iffert. “They encounter the risen Lord, first to encounter the risen Lord, and they are sent on a mission to go — go and tell.”

“This is the truth of the situation for all of us,” he continued. “We are invited into life in Jesus. Jesus, who himself carried the cross, doesn’t always volunteer to take our crosses away from us.”

Bishop Iffert said, “We might be like these women, as if we’re sitting in darkness, looking for something that we can’t even put into words, and we’re waiting — but we’re waiting in a new way, no longer overwhelmed by fear, but joyful with the promise of the resurrected light of Christ.”

“May the light of Christ never die in our heart,” he concluded, “may we always see him and know him, catching glimpses of the joyfulness of his life — and may that joy carry us into the resurrected life.”