Generous donations to Give Catholic NKY appreciated

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The Give Catholic NKY donation portal officially closed, Dec. 9, following the successful day of giving, Dec. 2, which raised over $400,000 in 24 hours. The generosity of the Diocesan community did not end on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, with donations continuing to trickle in, putting the total amount raised $ 572,766.48 from 1,114 donors when the portal closed.

“I thank everyone who participated in Giving Tuesday, who supported our parishes and schools with gifts large and small,” said Bishop John Iffert. “Giving Tuesday has been growing in our awareness for a decade now, and it’s exciting to bring that generous impulse into the life of the Church, so that people have an opportunity to direct their Giving Tuesday gifts to the churches and the schools where their hearts are so invested.”

With live Nativity walls raised, Knights of St. John prepare for another Christmas season

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

In front of the rectory of St. Pius X Parish, Edgewood, on Dec. 6, a 50-year tradition spanning multiple generations began again. The Knights of St. John (KOSJ), an organization of Catholic men, have been setting up and running the diocesan live Nativity since the 1970s — and now, with the wooden walls raised, another year of celebrating the season begins.

Tim Ryan, the current acting president of KOSJ and member of 20 years, regarded fondly the Nativity’s mission. “It warms my heart to see the children see these animals and see Mary and Joseph,” he said.

“What that represents is the birth of Jesus,” said Mr. Ryan. “We’re disciples of Jesus, and we’re trying to evangelize. Hopefully they’ll (the children and families) see the Holy Family at Christmas with the animals, and maybe it’ll trigger something in them to come to church and see what Jesus is all about.”

The Nativity, which will feature goat kids and parishioners of St. Pius X fulfilling the roles of Mary and Joseph, will be open evenings, Dec. 20–23, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 20, and 7:30 p.m. on the other days. The display is free to attend and to view.

As the year comes to a close, Bishop reflects on Jubilee, Christ’s mercy and love

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

The 2025 Jubilee Year — Pilgrims of Hope — will soon be coming to a close, with the doors of St. Peter’s Basilica to be sealed on the celebration of the Epiphany, Jan. 6 as the official end of the Jubilee. For the rest of the dioceses around the world, Holy Doors are set to close Dec. 28 — with the Diocese of Covington closing its during the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption’s 10 a.m. Mass.

With the doors having opened during the first Sunday of Advent last year, it’s been a total of 13 months since the Jubilee celebrations began.

“I think people entered into this Jubilee with a good spirit,” Bishop John Iffert said, reflecting on the past year. “I encounter people all the time who are visiting the Cathedral, visiting the other churches we designated and who are seeking the Jubilee indulgence. It’s an opening of the font of mercy, and I think people have engaged that around the diocese, and that has been important.”

The Jubilee indulgence is a plenary indulgence that can only be granted during the Jubilee year by visiting St. Peter’s Basilica or any designated holy site — including in one’s own diocese. The Jubilee Year closing Mass on Dec. 28 will be the last opportunity to receive this indulgence.

Another key aspect of the past Jubilee year has been the theme of pilgrimage, as established by the late Pope Francis during the year’s beginnings, according to Bishop Iffert.

“We’re developing that theme of pilgrimage here in the diocese, both with our downtown churches pilgrimage on the Saturday before Palm Sunday,” a tradition that had already grown in the diocese prior to the Jubilee year, but saw record attendance during the celebration, “and then our international pilgrimages and local pilgrimages … and I think that’s fruitful for us all to remind ourselves that we’re a pilgrim people moving through the world, and that we rely on God’s mercy.”

As the Jubilee year draws to a close, Bishop Iffert invites the faithful to “keep the Advent season, and, as we always do, remember God’s mercy. Continue to read and pray and think around that theme of God’s mercy … we celebrate it in a particular way during these Jubilee years, but that doesn’t mean that it’s closed off to us. These Jubilee years are about emphasizing the centrality of mercy, in our beliefs and in the way God works with us.”

The Jubilee “points us towards our constant,” he said, “our call to constantly be moving towards sanctification. Events like the Jubilee Year point us towards the end, where Christ will gather us together in his mercy and his love.”

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception recognizes Mary as the mother of the world and all redemption

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

On the feast of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Bishop John Iffert celebrated Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, Dec. 8. Concelebrating was Bishop Emeritus Roger Foys; Father Ryan Maher, rector of the Cathedral; Msgr. Kurt Kemo, vice vector; with Deacon Jerry Franzen assisting.

Bishop Iffert spoke to the Diocesan faithful gathered in attendance the evening of the Solemnity, speaking of Mary’s redemptive love and her role as the arc of the covenant, the tabernacle of Christ. It was Mary’s immaculate conception to Sts. Anne and Joachim that put into motion God’s plan for the redemption of sinners, said Bishop Iffert.

Recalling the first reading for the Solemnity, Bishop Iffert spoke of the fall of Adam and Eve, giving into the temptation of the serpent and casting mankind from the light of God’s grace.

“Because they wanted to be like God, so we became alienated from the Kingdom of God. We no longer walked and talked with God in the Garden. We no longer spoke with him face to face…but we began to sin against one another and against God’s creation,” he said.

It was at that moment, the eating of the apple, the casting out from the garden, said Bishop Iffert, that “God set into motion his plan that would come to fulfillment with the birth of the Divine Word into the world.”

“God the Father sends the Son Incarnate into the world, so that in him, we might be redeemed, that he might offer the redemptive sacrifice for us once and for all,” said Bishop Iffert.

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception celebrates, “the mystery by which, from the very conception of Mary, God protected her from all stain of sin,” said Bishop Iffert. “He cleansed her from the very beginning, from original sin and from the effects of all sin, and gave her the grace to choose, to maneuver through this life, maintaining the purity of body, mind and spirit.”
“It is through her, the one whom Jesus gives us to be our mother,” said Bishop Iffert, “the Redeemer acts for our salvation.”

The St. Patrick School community rallied to pack 5,000 bags of food for children overseas

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Students, families, faculty and staff at St. Patrick School, Taylor Mill, were abuzz with feelings of gratitude and giving, Nov. 21, as they participated in an on-campus service project, Feed the Need. As students packed meals to send overseas, smiles filled the room while they scooped, poured and sealed 5,000 bags of food.

“They [Feed the Need] take meals mostly to third world countries. Most of the food we pack will go to Bangladesh to feed the people there. Then they take them the message of the Gospel along with the meals,” said Pam Nunnelley, principal.

Simon, sixth grader at St. Patrick School, said, “It’s an organization that helps kids get food.”

Fifth grader, May, explained that “Everyone gets a scoop of vegetables, vitamin powdered, rice and lentils. We put it in a bag and then we measure to make sure it’s 380 to 400 grams. Then we seal the bag and put it in boxes.”

Together the school community packaged enough meals “to feed a student for a whole school year,” said Mrs. Nunnelley. “I was just trying to find a way to have the kids outside of themselves and to do something for other people,” she said.

Feed the Need provided St. Patrick School with all the packing supplies, food and event management, but they could not provide the excitement and spirit the students brought.

“They’re excited about being able to do something to help other people,” said Mrs. Nunnelley. “I’m excited to see the excitement on them. Some of them, since the day we talked about doing this … they’ve been asking every day ‘when do we get to do this?’”

Tristin, a fifth-grade student, said about his experience, “I just don’t want kids feeling hungry, especially in the wintertime when they can’t grow crops or anything.” Tristin wants people to remember that “You’re a human and they’re human, they just have a different life than you.”

Franciscan Daughters’ turkey giveaway fed 558 families ahead of Thanksgiving

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

An annual tradition, 558 families received turkeys, shelf-stable essentials, bread and produce from the Franciscan Daughters of Mary’s “Turkey Giveaway,” held Nov. 25 ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Alongside a team of volunteers, the sisters operated the giveaway out of their Rose Garden Mission, Covington.

Despite heavy rain on the day of the event, volunteers and sisters alike described it as both “peaceful” and “beautiful.”

“The Thanksgiving and Christmas giveaways have been part of our holiday season since our kids were babies,” said one volunteer. “We’re humbled to be a small part of the beautiful work the mission does to bring Christ’s love to the community.”

“I got home and was so sore, and it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I witnessed the loaves and the fish — the food just kept coming,” said another. “Each person got so much food with their turkey that they needed a volunteer to bring it to their car in a grocery cart.”

Future Deacons take a big step

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Bishop John Iffert, Diocese of Covington, accepted the petitions for “candidacy” of nine men taking the first formal step in deacon formation. With the support of their wives, they were admitted as Candidates for Ordination to the Diaconate at a Mass, Nov. 23. The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Robert Casey of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati at Mt. St. Mary Seminary and School of Theology, Cincinnati.

The candidates and their wives are: G. Michal and Juliette Bezold, St. Mary Parish, Alexandria; Jeffery and Susan Bier, St. Henry Parish, Elsmere; Kevin and Judine Hooker, St. Paul Parish, Florence; Juan Carlos and Julia Montes, Cristo Rey Parish, Florence; Thomas and Jennifer Paolucci, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Burlington; Gregory and Angie Smorey, St. Mary Parish, Alexandria; Jason Snapp, St. Augustine Parish, Augusta; Kevin and Mary Stamps, St. Timothy Parish, Union and Jerome (JJ) and Pamela Wurtz, St. Joseph Parish, Cold Spring.

In the candidacy ceremony, a man makes a public declaration of his resolve to complete his preparation for diaconate so as to give faithful service to Christ the Lord and his body — the Church. In turn, the sponsoring diocese receives the man’s declaration and expresses its joy and support.

Please continue to pray for the men in deacon formation and their wives as they continue to discern a call to diaconal ministry in the Diocese of Covington.

The Retired Fund for Religious helps retired religious and their communities with rising healthcare costs

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Benedictine Sister Emmanuel Pieper dedicated her life and ministry to students through art. Teaching grade school and high school art classes, Sister Emmanuel saw firsthand the impact that one person can have on another. Now, in her retirement, she stays busy making art and enjoying life at St. Walberg Monastery, Villa Hills. At 97 years old, however, Sister Emmanuel finds herself in need of additional healthcare, living at the onsite infirmary at St. Walberg Monastery.

Like Sister Emmanuel, tens of thousands of retired religious find themselves in need of additional healthcare, with the median age of nuns in the United States reaching 80 years old. As the aged and infirmed population is on the rise, religious orders are facing difficulties with the increasing cost of additional healthcare. Because of this, over 260 religious communities rely on funds from the Retirement Fund for Religious.  The retirement fund for religious has given over $1,000,000,000 to retired religious since their inception in 1988. This year, there will be a second collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious at Masses, December 12-14, so they can continue to provide for those retired religious in need.

“I think I have a wonderful life,” said Sister Emmanuel, “I thank God every morning for a new sunrise and a new day to live in his wonderful world.”

Her vocation story began at baptism, when she was named after her aunt who was a Benedictine Sister. She carried this with her throughout her life. “All my life I had an inclination to enter the monastery,” she said. Sure in her vocation, Sister Emmanuel entered the Order of St. Benedict at 17 years old, where they allowed her to continue her passion for art. She holds both her Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana.

“I think I was born with a love of beauty, anything beautiful just attracts me so strongly,” she said of her affinity for the craft. Her artwork can be seen at Holy Cross District High School, Covington; St. Henry District High School, Erlanger, and Thomas More University, Crestview Hills.

She shared her love of art with the students she taught, whether in grade school or high school. “My favorite part was seeing how kids could develop,” she said, “seeing people catch on to something, be able to do it, be satisfied with themselves.”

Donating to the second collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious will help more sisters like Sister Emmanuel continue their ministry into retirement. Providing funds to those religious communities in need of help to offset healthcare costs.

National Catholic Youth Conference provides opportunities for deepening relationships with Christ

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Four hundred students and chaperons made their way back to the Diocese of Covington, Nov. 22, following the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), Indianapolis. The annual conference has become the premier destination for young Catholics to grow and reignite their faith, while growing in relationship with Christ and others. While there, the students participated in all the conference had to offer, Adoration, confession, prayer, games, breakout sessions, and most notably, a conference wide dialogue with Pope Leo XIV.

Covington Catholic senior, Brayden, had the unique opportunity to be part of the group of students from around the country to give input on the discussion topics for Pope Leo.

Even though the students gathered were from across the country, the central themes for their desired dialogue were the same. “Relationships, friendships, discussing things like technology, and things like that,” said Brayden. “We all have the same overarching ideas about our faith and the struggles with our faith and the things we go through in our daily lives.”

“It’s really cool to see how many different people can come together and share ideas and be able to hear different perspectives on things from people around the country,” he said.

Young Catholics uniting and forming relationships is a common theme of NCYC. One Notre Dame Academy, Park Hills, student, Noelle, said, “I really didn’t expect there to be a lot of people my age … but going out there and seeing all these young teenagers around my age and trying to grow deeper in their faith really inspired me to grow deeper in my faith as well.”

While the attendees form relationships with their peers from across the country, the true focus of the National Catholic Youth Conference is forming a strong relationship with Christ.

“I remember something that Pope Leo said and it really stuck with me,” said Noelle. “He basically said you have to deepen your relationship with God and want to have that relationship with him in order to give him your problems or struggles.”

Both Brayden and Noelle identified the Friday evening adoration at Lucas Oil Stadium as one of the most impactful moments of the conference in growing their relationship with Christ.

“Our entire diocese was able to sit down on the main floor of the stadium and so we were basically circled around the monstrance and Eucharist … the focus that people had on the Eucharist was amazing for me,” said Brayden.

Being down on the main floor of the stadium meant that there were approximately 16,000 other Catholics filling the stands of the stadium during Eucharistic adoration. But for Noelle, there was only one person she was focused on.

“I was surrounded by a huge crowd, but I was so zoned in on the Eucharist that I honestly forgot, I forgot everyone else was there, almost like it was just me and God in that instant,” she said. “Staring up at the host really got me feeling a lot about my faith, and very emotional. It brought me to tears a bit.”

The 2026 National Youth Conference will be held in Long Beach, California, and will return to Indianapolis in 2027.

“If you’re ever thinking about going to the conference, go in with an open heart and open arms, wanting to get the whole experience,” said Noelle.

The Bambinelli and Christmas tree blessing returns for a fourth year, celebrating the local church

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Bambinelli and Christmas tree blessing is back for another year, Dec. 13, at St. Mary’s Park, Covington, immediately following the 4:30 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington.  This will be the fourth of what has become an annual diocesan tradition, where Bishop John Iffert blesses the bambinelli (infant Jesus) of home nativities and lights the diocesan Christmas tree.

The Christmas tree will stand tall in St. Mary’s Park as a representation of the local church of Covington, as churches and schools decorate the ornaments which adorn the tree. While the blessing of the bambinelli is an active participation in the local church, “it’s a way to celebrate together,” said Jamie Schroeder, chancellor.

“It reminds us of the reason for season, which is the spirit of it. We’re celebrating the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ,” she said. The blessing of the bambinelli is a tradition popularized by St. Pope John Paul II in 1969. He invited children to bring their bambinelli to St. Peter’s Square where he blessed them. Now, the tradition lives on in the local church of Covington.

“It’s a beautiful way to celebrate the season, it’s kind of like the Curia’s gift to the diocese. It’s one way for us to show our gratitude and appreciation for the people of the diocese,” said Mrs. Schroeder.

This year, the Bambinelli and Christmas tree blessing will feature a performance by the St. Thomas Chrildrens Choir and the reading of a classic Christmas story by Bishop Iffert. Also available will be cookies, homemade by Curia staff members, as well as hot chocolate and hors d’oeuvres.

So far, the event as yielded an average attendance of “250 to 300 people who come each year,” said Mrs. Schroeder. “It lifts your heart,” she said, “to see how many people are out there. It’s just exciting.”

There is no registration required for the event, “all are welcome to come and be with us, to celebrate the season of Advent and to have their little baby Jesus blessed,” said Mrs. Schroeder. Like last year, small bambinelli will be provided so all may be included in the blessing.