Deacon Tom Nolan celebrates 40 years of diaconal ministry

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Deacon Tom Nolan of St. Timothy Parish, Union, recently celebrated 40 years of diaconal ministry with the anniversary of his ordination on June 22. Within his 40 years of ministry, Deacon Nolan has spread the word of God to those he meets and now delivers Communion to those homebound or otherwise unable to attend Mass.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Deacon Nolan had a brother and sister. He attended Xavier University, Cincinnati, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science with minors in both philosophy and Spanish. Following college, he married and the two “moved around the country for a period of time,” said Deacon Nolan, before settling back into the Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky area.

Deacon Nolan and his wife had always been very active in their parish, St. Paul, Florence, so when he approached his wife about becoming a deacon, he said it came as no surprise.

“She was highly in favor of it. She and I were very active in the Church to begin with, and she just saw that as confirmation that’s what the Lord wanted,” he said.

It was a close personal friend, Father Angelo Caserta of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, who encouraged his discernment to the diaconate.

“He came to me one day and said, ‘I think you’re being called to be a deacon,’ and I said, ‘That’s great but we don’t have the diaconate in the Diocese of Covington,’” said Deacon Nolan, recalling the conversation. Father Caserta encouraged the Deacon and Mrs. Nolan to sell their house in Kentucky and move into the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for their diaconate program.

“We thought seriously about doing that,” said Deacon Nolan, however the pair decided to, “wait it out,” he said. A year later, the Diocese of Covington announced its new diaconate program, and after consulting a close friend and spiritual advisor, Deacon Nolan applied to the program in 1980. Deacon Nolan, along with a class of four others, became the first deacons ordained in the Diocese of Covington.

Upon his ordination, he was assigned to St. Paul Parish. However, he was not there for long, “three years later a survey was done in Boone County, put together by Bishop Hughes, I was on the committee that did the survey. It was recommended that a new parish be established in Boone County. I was assigned to the new parish along with Father Ed Brodnick, who was the first pastor,” said Deacon Nolan. The new parish was St. Timothy Parish, Union, where Deacon Nolan still ministers.

“Right now, my primary ministry is taking care of the needs, the people who are in hospitals, nursing homes, and would like to receive all the Communion in their homes,” said Deacon Nolan, “over the years my wife and I were heavily involved in various things at St. Timothy. We directed the RCIA program together, we taught the Eucharistic preparation for little children. In the midst of all that I did a lot go weddings, baptisms and various other ministries.”

Of all his ministry however, he most enjoyed preaching the word of God, “that became a very strong part of my ministry,” he said. Over his 40 years of ministry Deacon Nolan served many. “I was called by the Lord to become a deacon, and I’m thankful that I answered the call along with my wife,” he said.

Catholic Charities new counseling service ensures all students are set up for success

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

At the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Covington launched a restructured counseling program — CARES, which stands for the Catholic Approach to Resilience, Engagement and Support. Currently the program is being piloted in three diocesan elementary schools, Holy Cross Elementary, Covington; Mary, Queen of Heaven School, Erlanger and Holy Trinity School, Bellevue.

The program was implemented to meet the increasing number of students needing counseling supports, while acknowledging the limited number of counselors available to meet those needs. CARES uses a three-tiered system, ensuring that each child is, “seen, valued and supported not only in academics but also in their emotional and spiritual growth,” wrote Chris Goddard, executive director of Catholic Charities, in the Partners Newsletter.

Catholic Charities has always provided one-on-one counseling. It is still available as tier three and is the most specialized and resource intensive. The two added tiers provide counseling to the broader student populus and small groups.

Jessica Gangwish, counselor to the three pilot schools, said, “tier one is the classroom groups. They are interactive, age-appropriate lessons. It’s to help with developing skills like emotional regulation, self-awareness, decision-making, communication, relationship building, overall life and social skills. Then cultivating empathy and, something we’re really focusing on is resiliency.”

Tier one counseling is effective for about 80 percent of students according to a research article co-authored by Jannik Nitz of the University of Cologne, Germany and available on the National Institute of Health website.

“Tier two,” continued Ms. Gangwish, “are those supportive, additional, one-to-one check ins or small groups. Part of that is screening the kids to promote early identification and get some early intervening, recognizing skills where students are struggling.” According to the Nitz article on multi-tiered counseling, about 10 to 15 percent of a class would benefit from Tier 2 counseling.

Three months into the pilot program, “it’s been going really, really well,” said Ms. Gangwish. “The schools have been really receptive, the teachers are really receptive, and the parents have been really receptive as well.”

The tiered approach is not new to those in the counseling profession with many public schools using what is known as MTSS, Multitiered System of Supports. The primary difference between CARES and MTSS is the faith-based support provided through CARES.

“We make it a point in each session to incorporate the faith in any way that we can, whether it be coping using your faith with prayer or Scripture, going to Mass or talking with a pastor,” said Ms. Gangwish.

Karen Kuhlman, a Catholic Charities volunteer, wrote in the Partners Newsletter alongside Mr. Goddard, “By grounding counseling in a Catholic understanding of the human person, the program helps students flourish academically, emotionally and spiritually, equipping them to live out their faith with confidence and purpose.”

Within this new program, there is a heavy emphasis on instilling strong virtues in students from a young age as a form of prevention, allowing them to have these important skills to fall back on.

“Anything major that may come up, we kind of drilled those skills already to prevent anything further down the road. Instilling these skills that are essential life skills that you need as a student, a high school student, in college, in your work, just as basic life skills. Especially communication and managing emotion,” said Ms. Gangwish.

“We are building a system that strengthens not only academics, but also resilience, compassion and hope – qualities that shape the whole person,” wrote Mr. Goddard. “In this way, Catholic Charities is helping our schools prepare students not only for success in the classroom, but for lives of faith, hope and love — lives firmly rooted in Christ.”

Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption takes center stage in new Dynamic Catholic production

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

A film crew from Dynamic Catholic made the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, their home October 2–3, as they filmed for Dynamic Catholic’s new project “People of the Eucharist.” One in a series of 10 programs, known as “Catholic Moments,” that Dynamic Catholic is creating to “hopefully create world-class faith resources and education for Catholics at different points in their life,” said Stephen Anderson, content team leader for Dynamic Catholic.

The program being filmed at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption will be focused entirely on the Mass. Along with the full, live Mass that was filmed Oct. 3, the program will be broken into 52 “moments of engagement,” said Mr. Anderson, “that will teach people specifically how they can engage in that moment of the Mass.”

The crew will return in November to film the educational moments of engagement, which will be combined with the footage from the Mass.

This is not the first project that Dynamic Catholic has filmed in the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, but it is one of the largest scale projects that has been completed in the space.

“There’s a lot of prep work that goes into something like this,” said Mr. Anderson. “I did try to take a few moments on the day to sit back and look up at the cameras and just soak in the fact that this was happening at such a big scale.”

Mr. Anderson estimates that there was a total of 11 to 12 cameras on site in addition to sound equipment and drones. “The scale of this thing really blew me away,” he said.

The beauty of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, in addition to its pre-existing comfort with the space and staff made it an easy choice to host the filming of the program.

“We think it’s one of the most beautiful churches in the world. We love that space, it’s so bright and beautiful. When it comes to capturing the beauty of the Catholic Mass, we really couldn’t think of a better location,” said Mr. Anderson.

The program has an expected release date of the summer of 2026 and can be viewed on Dynamic Catholic’s own viewing platform Dynamic+. The series will be free to access and view through this platform on their website.

“Nothing compares to the feeling and grandeur of a full Mass,” said Mr. Anderson. “We believe this will transform the way Catholics, young and old, experience the Mass forever.”

Newport Central Catholic rains blue in celebration of CAPE National Blue Ribbon School nomination

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The grounds of Newport Central Catholic High School, Newport, were colored blue, October 8, following a celebratory color run in which students, faculty and staff celebrated their recent CAPE Blue Ribbon School nomination. Blue powder filled the air in celebration of this achievement as students ran around campus greeting faculty and staff. By the end, no one was spared of the blue powder, not even Ken Collopy, principal, who was doused in the celebratory powder by students.

Newport Central Catholic High School applied to be a National Blue Ribbon school in the fall of 2024 with the scores of the 2024 and 2025 graduating classes, both of whom tested above the national average in multiple categories.

“It speaks volumes on how hard our staff has worked and how hard our students have worked,” said Mr. Collopy, “our staff made a lot of intentional efforts to realign curriculum with standards, whether they are state or diocesan.”

Having back-to-back graduating classes qualify for National Blue Ribbon consideration is, “to my knowledge very uncommon,” said Mr. Collopy, as test scores must be in the top 15% of the nation to be considered. However, the back-to-back qualifications speaks to a changing culture at Newport Central Catholic, one where students have “bought in,” said Mr. Collopy.

“Our students bought into the process of ‘we aren’t testing just to test. We are testing to give data to our teachers to better meet our needs,’ and our teachers took that data and they did exactly that. They made adaptations in the classroom to help with their learning. I really believe that’s why we were able to achieve not only with the class of 2024 but also 2025,” said Mr. Collopy.

In a school assembly preceding the color run, Mr. Collopy addressed the students saying, “I ask two things of you every day, to show up with good effort and good attitude…we have not focused on attaining these numbers, the focus has been on just giving your best and looking to improve. That is what God calls us to go, give our best. It is not always easy; the results are showing that we doing this at an extremely high level.”

When schools apply to be considered as a National Blue Ribbon School, they are given the option to exclude certain scores. “We looked at various things including demographics, testing and services. We applied with everyone, we didn’t take anyone out,” Mr. Collopy announced, “These are students in our AP classes, dual credit, honors, also students in our St. Joseph Institute, regular level classes, student athletes, drama. All of those things made all of you National Blue Ribbon Students,” he told them.

Superintendent of Catholic Schools Kendra McGuire spoke at the saying, “This recognition really reflects the hard work and dedication of your school administration, your school staff, and especially you. We are hoping that this is just the beginning of the wonderful future here at Newport Central Catholic,” she said, “you truly are a beacon of light to everyone, and I know this is finally recognizing the achievements your school has made for decades. I look forward to this tradition of excellence to continue for many generations to come.”

Diocesan pro-life director visits grade schools encouraging students to be signs of hope ahead of the Pro-Life Essay contest

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

For the last 32 years, eighth graders across the Diocese of Covington have been invited to participate in the Pro-Life Essay contest. Every year the students submit essays pertaining to the year’s theme to the Diocesan Pro-Life Office. And while the themes change each year one thing remains the same, each focuses on the dignity of life; what Faye Roch, director of the pro-life office, calls the “essence of the pro-life movement.”

While visiting Holy Cross Elementary School, Covington, Mrs. Roch unveiled the theme for this year’s essay contest, “Life, our Sign of Hope.” Quoting Pope Leo XIV, she explained the topic further, “how important it is that each and every baptized person feel himself or herself called by God to be a sign of hope in the world today.”

The students are being asked to examine two key points in their essays. First, an explanation of how the Church’s teaching on dignity of life from conception to natural death is a reflection of Jesus’ teachings. Second, how a young person can be a beacon of hope for those experiencing “hopelessness and emptiness,” and how they can inspire others to do likewise, she said.

For three decades the essay contest has been utilized as a tool to help students delve into the Church’s pro-life beliefs in an increasingly polarizing world, preparing them for the “controversial things that come up when you talk about pro-life,” said Mrs. Roch.

“I’m hoping I can give you some tools to have those conversations with people, especially when it comes to talking about the unborn,” she said. “That’s what we’re called to do, to have conversations. We are called to convert people through love, not through yelling at them, not through calling them bad names, to talk to them and do it through love.”

Each student was handed a small, silver anchor, which Mrs. Roch said was a reminder to them that they can be anchors of hope in this world. “You can be that person,” she said addressing the eighth graders,” who can be a sign of hope. Know that it’s not easy, and it may not always be popular. Just know that you, as a junior high student, have that power in you.”

Notre Dame Academy celebrates the installation of President Lauren Hitron

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Staff Report

Notre Dame Academy (NDA), Park Hills, celebrated the installation of Lauren Hitron as the school’s fifth president, Oct. 1, immediately following NDA’s Foundation Day Mass with Bishop John Iffert. The liturgy honored both the 175-year legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame and NDA’s 120th anniversary year, uniting generations of students, educators and alumnae in faith and celebration.

President Hitron, who began her tenure in July, was formally commissioned during the ceremony, surrounded by students, faculty, staff, alumnae, family and friends. The installation highlighted NDA’s enduring mission of educating young women to make a difference, a mission that has guided the school since its founding in 1906.

“It is an honor and a calling to serve a community so deeply rooted in faith, excellence and purpose,” President Hitron said. “As we celebrate 120 years of educating young women to make a difference, I look forward to leading Notre Dame Academy into its next chapter — one that honors the legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame and prepares our students to lead with courage, compassion and vision.”

A native of Louisville, President Hitron brings nearly two decades of experience in Catholic education and leadership development. Before joining NDA, she served as the founding director of the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute at Sacred Heart Schools in Louisville, where she built a nationally recognized, endowed program focused on leadership formation for young women. She also previously served as Director of Enrollment and Director of Recruitment at Sacred Heart Academy.

“President Hitron embodies the heart of Notre Dame Academy’s mission,” said NDA Board Chair Jessica Rawe. “Her faith, experience and vision for young women’s leadership will ensure that the legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame continues to flourish for generations to come.”

IGNITE celebrates inclusivity

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Supporters of the FIRE Foundation of Northern Kentucky’s mission came together, Oct. 2, for an evening of inclusive education celebrated in Thomas More University’s Academic Center, Crestview Hills.

The evening, which began with an hour of socializing between guests, culminated in a program that expressed the foundation’s history and ministry — to make Catholic education accessible for all.

Officially established in November 2023, the FIRE Foundation of Northern Kentucky provides funding, training and personnel to Catholic schools for the purpose of inclusivity towards children with mental and developmental disabilities. Founded by parents who faced challenges with their own children’s education, the foundation has already provided vital assistance to St. Therese School, Southgate, with hopes to expand to more schools in the upcoming year.

With a goal of $300,000, the money raised will both continue to support St. Therese School but also allow for the FIRE Foundation’s model to support four other schools for the 2026–2027 school year.

“The FIRE Foundation is read to open the grant process to all of our schools to be able to meet their needs,” said Kendra McGuire, the Diocese of Covington’s superintendent. “But, in order to open the process, we need financial support to make this all possible.”

Schools in the Diocese of Covington are sponsored primarily by the parishes, with parishes contributing 30–70 percent of every collected dollar to their individual schools.

“That’s how important those Catholic schools have been to us,” Bishop John Iffert said in his closing remarks. “That’s how important we believe this strategy for passing on the faith is.”

The strategy of the FIRE Foundation, whose program originates in Kansas City, relieves the financial pressure from parishes while still allowing equal opportunity for children with disabilities.

“When we see a need, we work together to try to fill it,” Bishop Iffert said. “I’m very grateful for that.”

To learn more about the FIRE Foundation, or to make a donation, visit https://www.firefoundationnky.org.

The final regional Jubilee pilgrimage offers space for faith renewal among 1,200 relics with Bishop John Iffert

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The theme of the 2025 Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope, has encouraged approximately 35,000,000 people from across the world to make that titular pilgrimage to Rome. However, for most, this kind of pilgrimage is unrealistic, cost-prohibitive and time-restrictive, though this does not mean they cannot make a pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year.

Bishop John Iffert, through the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Mission, has organized many regional opportunities for the faithful of the Diocese of Covington to make a pilgrimage with him. So far, there have been two regional pilgrimages: one to St. Mary of the Woods College, St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana, where the shrine of Saint Mother Guerin is located; the other to the Abbey of Gethsemani, Trappist, Kentucky, where Trappist Monks lead lives of prayer.

The final of these regional pilgrimages will take place Nov. 22, with Bishop Iffert and the faithful traveling to the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics, Maria Stein, Ohio. Jim Hess, director, Office of Stewardship and Mission Services, said, “The shrine itself is incredible. They have really beautiful grounds, they have over 1,200 relics, five different relics of the true cross.”

The shrine’s reliquary collection is one of the largest documented collections in the world; however, the unique opportunity to connect with the saints is not the only thing it offers. “This shrine really offers that beacon of hope for people,” said Mark Travis, executive director of the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics.

“Going on a pilgrimage is really an opportunity to be reminded of the fact that we’re meant to just sometimes be and reminded of our human beingness. To be able to take intentional time away from the to-do list, so sometimes in prayer and being in the chapel with all the relics, it’s really just a reminder of who we are as sons and daughters of Christ,” said Mr. Travis.

This year, the shrine has seen an “uptick” in their number of pilgrims as they have been designated as a Jubilee holy site by Archbishop Emeritus Dennis Schnur of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Pilgrims have traveled nationally and internationally to visit the shrine. “Having people go on pilgrimage here from all over the world definitely is a testament to how holy this place is and how necessary it is,” said Mr. Travis.

“You don’t have to travel to Europe; you don’t have to go to Italy or France to experience beautiful Catholic culture. It’s in these shrines in our region,” said Mr. Hess.

Mr. Travis said, “that special grace, by doing a pilgrimage to a holy site during a jubilee year, just making that personal recommitment of faith, no matter where you’re at in your faith journey, it’s a great opportunity to begin anew in a lot of ways.”

There is still time to sign up for the last of the regional pilgrimages; go to covdio.org/jubilee for more information.

A ministry marked by loving like Christ, Deacon McGraw celebrates twenty-five years

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Deacon Joseph McGraw, currently assigned to Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, Crestview Hills, celebrated 25 years of diaconal ministry with the anniversary of his ordination, May 13. Deacon McGraw’s ministry has spanned two states, five parishes and many roles.

It was his family and church community that helped him to realize his call to the diaconate. He said, “I was very fortunate to have wonderful, faithful parents and loving siblings, and I was further blessed when this continued with my wife and children. I think that kind of environment is really conducive to discerning a vocation. For me, a vocation is a calling from God, and it’s also a calling from the community.”

Following that call, Deacon McGraw was ordained in the Diocese of Cleveland, where he resided and ministered for 12 years following his ordination. There, he aided his Bishop and served two parishes each with over 2,500 parishioners.

“I did a lot of baptisms, I witnessed marriages, and, I would say, probably one of the most humbling things I did was I was with families as their loved ones passed away,” said Deacon McGraw.

After his 12 years of ministry in Cleveland, Deacon McGraw and his family moved to the Diocese of Covington, where he was assigned to Holy Spirit Parish, Newport. It was there he remained, serving the parish for seven years before a reassignment to St. Therese Parish, Southgate, where he served for six years, before moving to his current ministry at Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel.

Currently, Deacon McGraw teaches in addition to his diaconal ministry, which he says are one and the same.

“The majority of the students here are not Catholic, and so you have to meet people where they are,” said Deacon McGraw. “I always tell the students in my class that relationships are just like with people and God. You’ve got to enter into a relationship, and you’ve got to spend time together. Then, once you do, you can start to trust the person, and once you trust the person, you can believe in that person. But you can’t expect people to start believing in a person right away.”

In the students he ministers to and teaches, said Deacon McGraw, he sees the heart of Christianity. “A lot of it goes back to what I see in the students,” he said. “They are much, much more empathetic than my generation ever was. And at the heart of Christianity is empathy.”

As for his next 25 years of diaconal ministry, Deacon McGraw hopes to do more of the same, helping draw others closer to Christ. “It’s trying to help everyone understand having faith … There’s always talk about Catholic identity and what it is. For me, Catholic identity comes down to loving like Christ did. And if they let me do that, I’ll try it,” he said.

How Vincentians walk with moms in need

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Laura Keener

Editor

A call for assistance for utility bills that were in arrears found two Vincentians dispatched from a local parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference to the home a young woman. When they arrived they found that she was 11 weeks pregnant with her second child. Everything (water and electricity) were shut off. She said she had called everyone for assistance, and no one will help. She was very sick, throwing up a lot, and had recently been hospitalized for a blood disorder. Her father had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, so her parents are unable to help. She was receiving no child support. The Vincentians noted that, “She sounds completely hopeless and has scheduled to have an abortion in two days.”

This is but one client assisted by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky during the fiscal year Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 16, 2025. During that time, local parish Society conferences have assisted 413 children age 1 year old or less and 899 children age 2 years or less.

These figures represent cases which were opened and are now closed with assistance from the Society. And these cases represent people — moms and dads with their children — in crisis. Sometimes the crisis is temporary — like a pregnant mom who has been ordered to bed rest months before her due date, but who otherwise has a job that pays the bills.

“The financial assistance we have been blessed to share is a real part of how we help,” said Casey Guilfoyle, Diocesan St. Vincent de Paul Council president.

But other times the crisis is just a recurring symptom of a deeper problem. For these clients, offering financial help opens the door for the Society to assist clients in achieving true stability and a lasting path forward. To do this, Vincentians meet one-on-one with clients to truly understand his or her situation and often involve collaborating with community partners and walking with the client for the longer period.

Accompaniment is the foundation of the Walking With Moms In Need programs begun in many parishes over the last several years. It is also a hallmark of the mission and ministry of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul parish conferences.

“I love the phrase ‘Walking With Moms In Need’ because it connotes that real care and compassion that I think we’re all called to,” said Mrs. Guilfoyle. “We feel like we always walk with, not just moms in need, but dads in need and neighbors in need generally.

“Our ‘walking’ — the effort our Vincentians make to guide clients in paths forward — is based on attending to individual situations and meeting their challenges with targeted referrals to other resources. It is also where we bring the hope of a better tomorrow,” said Mrs. Guilfoyle. “Our work on that front includes referrals to agencies like CareNet, the Franciscan Daughters of Mary, Brighton Center, etc., which helps our neighbors see the beauty in the generosity of an entire community that cares. We are just happy to be part of that compassionate response.”

Vincentians have helped contact utility companies to work out payment plans to get the lights on and the water flowing for their neighbors in need. They offer resources to help find affordable housing. Through their own Microloan program, clients can qualify for a low-interest loan to help pay off crippling high-interest loans or to get a much-needed car running again. Also, through the Microloan program, clients receive financial mentoring to help better budget their money. Tips include obtaining food, clothing, and diapers at local food pantries, diaper banks, and outreach ministries, reserving limited income for bills, and saving for the unexpected.

“We understand that clients have an immediate need. But what are your usual income streams and what are your usual expenses? Where are you behind? Let’s work on a plan to get you through, not just until you’re able to deliver the baby, but even afterwards,” said Mrs. Guilfoyle.

And while people like to hear statistics as a way of qualifying an organization’s mission and ministry, “What might be lost in that sharing of information is that it’s not really what we do financially that makes an impact with our neighbors, but what we do when we visit them,” said Mrs. Guilfoyle. “A person-to-person visit, in their home. We go in a spirit of friendship to understand what those underlying problems are. What’s bringing you to this point?”

It was through that “spirit of friendship” that enabled the client in the opening case to trust in the care and support available. To see a different way forward. She canceled her abortion and continued her pregnancy through the help of CareNet Pregnancy Center instead. St. Vincent de Paul continues to offer support, mentoring and guidance.

“We have a lot of people praying for her. She seemed overwhelmed that we would go to such lengths to help her. She hopes to someday pay it forward,” the Vincentians noted.