Archive for category: Featured Stories

Laura Keener

Editor

When Jo Martin, a parishioner at St. Henry Parish, Elsmere, retired after a 30‑year professional career, she never imagined she would spend her retirement helping people remove tattoos. She certainly did not picture herself working inside a jail. But today, she runs a nonprofit tattoo‑removal program, Tattoo Removal Ink, that is changing lives across Northern Kentucky.

Her story shows how one small “yes” can grow into something much bigger.

After retiring, a friend from church asked Mrs. Martin if she would tutor people studying for the GED at the Campbell County jail. Her first reaction was, “no.” She admitted, “I did not want to tutor in the jail. I was afraid of going in there.”

But her friend gently pushed her to fill out the paperwork, and a week later the jail called. Soon, Mrs. Martin found herself walking down long concrete halls, knees shaking. But what she discovered surprised her: “They weren’t scary. They were just people — just like me,” said Mrs. Martin

As she tutored, Mrs. Martin noticed something else: many young people had tattoos across their faces, hands and necks. She wondered, How will they ever get a job when they leave here? That question planted the first seed of an idea.

A friend told Mrs. Martin about Homeboy Industries, an organization in Los Angeles that helps people leaving gangs and prison. Begun in 1988 by Father Gregory Boyle as a way of improving the lives of former gang members Homeboy Industries has evolved into the largest gang intervention, rehab and re-entry program in the world. Tattoo removal is a part of Homeboy Industries services.

Mrs. Martin traveled to the University of Findlay, Ohio, to hear Father Boyle talk about his work. He invited her to come to California to learn more. Father Boyle encouraged her to start something similar back home.

“I said, ‘How?’ And he said, ‘Figure it out.’” Mrs. Martin remembered. “So that’s what I did.”

She spent months reading government forms, writing a nonprofit application, and gathering a board of directors. Finally, she received her official nonprofit status. “I wasn’t the brightest,” she joked, “but every single step worked.”

Next, she needed a laser. Using money from her late husband’s life insurance, she bought one for $55,000. “Eight years later, the business paid me back,” she said. “But I wasn’t even thinking about that at the time.”

Located inside the Life Learning Center in Covington, Tattoo Removal Ink — now nine years old — removes visible tattoos for people who are trying to rebuild their lives. Many clients come straight from jail or prison. Others are survivors of human trafficking.

“They are branded,” Mrs. Martin said. Recalling the case of young woman who came in to have the name of her trafficker removed, she was told that five other woman have identical tattoos placed near their breast. “That’s exactly what they do is they brand them.”

Other clients “are simply adults who regret choices they made when they were younger,” she said.

For many clients, tattoo removal is a lifeline. Tattoos like gang symbols, hateful words, or names of abusive partners can keep people from getting jobs or feeling safe.

One young man had “KILLA” tattooed across his eyebrow when he came in. Another had devil horns on his forehead. Several had full-face tattoos. “They’re not going to get hired with that,” Mrs. Martin explained. “People judge them immediately.”

Tattoo removal doesn’t just open doors — it restores self-respect. Mrs. Martin told the story of a mother who cried during a video call with her son in jail when she saw that one of his tattoos had been removed. “It was so sweet,” Mrs. Martin said. “He was too young and too innocent to be in jail.”

Another client wrote Mrs. Martin a letter explaining that he had to relive his trauma every morning when he looked in the mirror. Removing those tattoos helped lift that emotional burden.

Tattoo removal is not easy. Mrs. Martin explains it simply: the laser breaks up the ink, the white blood cells carry it to the liver, and the body gets rid of it. But it hurts.

“It’s a different kind of pain,” than getting a tattoo, she said.

Still, many keep going because they want a better future.

Not everyone gets their tattoos removed for free. Paying clients help fund the nonprofit’s work. Even for paying clients Tattoo Removal Ink is a low-cost option. Prices start at $70 for a small tattoo and go up to $300 for larger ones. “Our bottom line is helping people,” Mrs. Martin said. “Not making money.”

Still, the nonprofit has real expenses: laser maintenance, insurance and supplies. Mrs. Martin and her fellow co-worker Gail work entirely for free. “We’ve been doing this for nine years for fun and for free,” she said.

Although Mrs. Martin is 74, she isn’t slowing down. In fact, she has a new dream: a mobile tattoo‑removal unit that could park outside prisons.

“It’s a great idea,” Mary Stutler, board member, said with a smile. “But we’ll need volunteers and another laser.”

She hopes new volunteers — especially retired nurses or doctors — might step up to learn the laser work. But she emphasizes that anyone with compassion could help.

“They might look scary,” Mrs. Martin said of the clients, “but they’re just people.”

Mrs. Martin never expected to spend her retirement this way. But looking back, she sees something bigger guiding her.

Like many Catholics, the 25th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel has informed her faith. Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” (Matt 25:35–36) Throughout her life, most of these works of mercy came easy for Mrs. Martin. The verse about visiting those in prison. “I could never check that one,” she said. “But now I can.”

Her work is more than removing ink — it is restoring dignity and opening doors. It is giving people a chance to build lives they can be proud of.

Mrs. Martin says, “Every step worked. And now I’m here, doing something I never imagined — but something that really matters.”

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Rain clouds departed, and the sun shone down on the 2026 Kentucky March for Life, March 11, where the theme was Every Life is a Gift. Students from Notre Dame Academy, Park Hills; Covington Catholic High School, Park Hills; Newport Central Catholic High School, Newport; St. Henry District High School, Erlanger; Holy Cross District High School, Covington; Bishop Brossart High School, Alexandria; St. Patrick High School, Maysville; and eighth-grade students from St. Joseph School, Cold Spring, traveled to the Kentucky State Capitol, Frankfort, to march in support of life.

Joining the students at this year’s Kentucky March for Life was Bishop John Iffert, who celebrated morning Mass at Good Shepherd Parish, Frankfort, and spoke on the steps of the Capitol. There, he shared with students, marchers and demonstrators alike a message of reconciliation for women who have suffered abortions and the love of God for all life.

Asking the audience to imagine a time where a meaningful gift was imparted to them, Bishop Iffert said, “always, an important part of that is, you know, that the person who gives you that gift loves you, wants to be close to you, wants a relationship with you. That’s exactly the same for every human being.”

The gift of life is, in all ways, filled with the intrinsic dignity and value instilled by God. “From conception to natural death, the unborn, disabled, the weak, the poor, the imprisoned, the aging,” said Bishop Iffert.

Sharing a personal experience, Bishop Iffert recalled a time before seminary when he had a “breakthrough” on the pro-life movement. “There were two stories that kept appearing in the Chicago Tribune,” he said. One, was of a baby born prematurely, highlighting the work of the doctors and care staff and the “tremendous scientific and medical efforts that were being made to preserve this child,” said Bishop Iffert. The other story was one of a father who was suing for rights, hoping to prevent the mother of his child from receiving an abortion.

“It occurred to me,” said Bishop Iffert, “the only difference between these two lives is that one was wanted and one was not.”

“What determines the value of a human life, what concern determines who is human and who is not, cannot be as subjective as whether that life is desired or not. It must be something more integral. What it is, is God’s creative image; that God calls this being into existence and gives that life to us as a gift,” said Bishop Iffert. And, in the same way that the unborn are filled with dignity and value, so are the women who have suffered abortions.

In response to demonstrators whose loud advocacy of Kentucky House Bill 714 supported the prosecution of women who have abortions, Bishop Iffert said, “The Catholic Bishops of the United States have affirmed again and again and again that the woman who has an abortion is a victim of that abortion, is harmed by that abortion.”

“Our approach to women who have had an abortion has been to accompany them, to walk alongside them, both women who have taken this action and who are in danger of taking this action. It is an approach that is rooted in the healing ministry of Jesus, to forgive and to help the individual person come to accept the redemptive love of Christ, and that is what we commit ourselves to.”

A robust applause and cheers rang out from Diocesan students in support of Bishop’s message, a witness to the faith of Diocesan students knowing that reconciliation is the message of Christ.

Speaking once more to the crowd, Bishop Iffert said, “…we will serve the Lord through reconciliation, not anger, and I call on you to do that same.”

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

World youth day is an international gathering of youth and young adults — a celebration uplifting their presence in the Church. In 2027, the next World Youth Day will take place August 3–8 in Seoul, South Korea — the first time that World Youth Day will be hosted in East Asia. The theme for this year’s event is “Take courage! I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33)

As in years past, the Diocese of Covington will be coordinating a pilgrimage — with interested parties, especially young adults ages 18–25 (although all are invited to accompany them on the journey), invited to register by March 16 to reserve a spot.

Bishop John Iffert, who attended the previous World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2023, reminisced on the experience. “I still remember the crowds with the flags from every nation being brought in,” he said, “I still remember the prayer services that were organized by young people — very kinetic, very active.”

“It’s a time of great joy and enthusiasm,” he said, “for Christ and the life of the Church.”

Bishop Iffert said that he remembers seeing World Youth Day “stir faith in young people,” he said, “You see young people who come to World Youth Day and who leave with a more directed sense of their faith and how to move out into the world. It’s something to look forward to.”

Those who attend World Youth Day can expected to “encounter the Church around the world and see the vitality of faith that young people around the world bring. I pray that when young people attend World Youth Day and they get to know the people they encounter, not simply as aliens to them, but as brothers and sisters in Christ — I pray that these kind of encounters will make the violence that we’re seeing in the world today unthinkable for us to participate in,” said Bishop Iffert.

“It’s an encounter,” Bishop Iffert then described of World Youth Day, “The Church is the Body of Christ on earth. As we come to know the Church better, we come to know all the manifestations of the Church in every culture … We can’t help but come to know Christ more intimately, more completely.”

Bishop Iffert, who has also previously attended Mass and experienced the Church in foreign countries such as Vietnam recalled witnessing Christ “embedded in that culture, in a way that helped me come to know Christ better.”

Bishop Iffert also plans on joining other bishops worldwide in Seoul next year, saying that he is most looking forward to “encountering the Church of South Korea” and “encountering the Churches from around the world through their young people.”

“Experiencing from all those different perspectives,” he said, “Helps us learn more and more of the Body of Christ and who Christ is … and that is what I hope for.”

Interested parties can register at https://forms.gle /9JW61qveAUGbdWxy6, or contact Isaak Isaak, director, Catechesis and Evangelization, at (859) 392–1529 or iisaak@covdio.org.

Staff Report

The year was 1976. The Apple Computer Company was founded; the book Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry was published; Catholics around the world celebrated the centenary of Pope Pius XXII’s birth; the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series. Alongside these historic events, the Associates of the Congregation of Divine Providence (ACDP) of Kentucky began. Now, in 2026, they celebrate their 50 year anniversary. Their beginning was small, with one young woman from Rhode Island being the first to formally commit to living the four fundamental virtues of the sisters’ founder, Blessed John Martin Moye. These virtues are simplicity, apostolic charity, spirit of poverty and abandonment to Divine Providence.

These virtues began to attract other women. Initially, the majority of them were vowed religious who had returned to the lay apostolate. With time, though, women and men from the community at large became part of the ACDPs, and the membership grew.

Candidates go through a formation program that takes them more deeply into the meanings of the four fundamental virtues, gives them a history of the founding of the Sisters of Divine Providence, and emphasizes a very important fact: ACDP members do not change their way of life — their call to the apostolate — whatever that call may be. Rather, the ACDP life takes associates more deeply into their personal spirituality, the way they live their apostolate, whether it be the president of a thriving company or a volunteer at a homeless shelter.

As the ACDPs celebrate their 50-year anniversary, they find themselves moving toward 100 members. Presently, both men (including priests) and women fill the ranks, all being connected by their dedication to Gospel values lived through the practice of the four fundamental virtues. Their inclusivity closes no doors. Each member ministers in their own unique way, including homemaking, teaching, nursing, counseling, parenting, grandparenting, pastoring, designing, caregiving, helping refugees, cooking for the homeless, ministering in parishes, etc.

“Being an associate has deepened my relationship with God in unbelievable ways,” said Anne Etzel, who has been an associate since 2007. Through friendships with Sisters and fellow Associates, she has come to experience God’s love more intimately and consistently. Living the charism has shaped her sense of self and vocation, blessing her volunteer service and returning to her “over and over again” the assurance of God’s faithful care. As she looks ahead, Ms. Etzel describes the associate call as a source of peace — an anchor as she moves closer to “seeing the face of our Providential God.”

Present members come from nine different states, Ireland and Ghana. When members were asked why they chose to become associates, responses included joy and community spirit among members; attraction to the emphasis on Gospel values; the sisters’ deep spirituality; building a deeper relationship with Divine Providence; having a sense of purpose that transcends career achievements; wanting to foster personal spirituality in communion with others.

In Ireland, associate Pauline Maher’s path into the Associate community was shaped by both relationship and need. Her initial draw, she recalls simply, was Sister Leslie Keener and God Space — a place of shared prayer, reflection and presence. That ministry became especially vital to her during the COVID-19 pandemic and at the time of her mother’s passing. “I felt held by the community,” Ms. Maher shared, describing how regular participation sustained her through grief and uncertainty.

The anniversary year opened on January 17 with a beautiful prayer service presented by the CDP sisters, followed by lunch and socializing. Several special events are planned throughout 2026 to help celebrate this milestone, among them being a Mass to be celebrated by Bishop John Iffert and pilgrimages within the tri-state area.

While the majority of the current ACDPs are considered senior citizens, the organization is attracting a younger population. The future looks optimistic for growth, not just among this group but for associate communities in general. With fifty years completed, the next fifty are anticipated with hope, joy, and trust in our provident God.

For more information about becoming an associate, contact Marilyn Schleyer, formation coordinator, at (859) 380-6155 or schleyermarilyn@gmail.com.

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Brownfield family was welcomed as Elect at the Rite of Election, February 22, as parents, Cailey and Ryan, prepare to join the Catholic church with their four children. The family’s story of conversion began when Mr. and Mrs. Brownfield decided to send their second oldest child to Sts. Peter and Paul School, California, where she blossomed in love of the faith.

“She’s a very spiritual child,” said Mrs. Brownfield, whose personal conversion was sparked by a moment of faith with her daughter. “She and all of her friends ran to the Stations of the cross. I walked up there and she was explaining what each one of them was, what the meaning behind each one of them was. For me, that sparked my interest, just watching her light up about all of it.”

Mr. Brownfield explained that his daughter’s curiosity spurred the family to consider OCIA classes. “She’d always come home and talk about God and Jesus, and she’d ask us questions, and we didn’t know how to answer them. We want her to be able to come to us and ask those questions, now that we have the knowledge. We wanted to feel in place with her.”

The Brownfield family had been attending Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish while their daughter was enrolled in the school and were familiar with director of religious education, Congregation of Divine Providence Sister Lynn Stenken. Who proved to be instrumental in the personal conversion of Mr. and Mrs. Browning to the faith.

At her second OCIA class, Mrs. Browning arrived with, “a list of questions for Sister Lynn, because I was curious. I wanted to know why everybody had a Mary in their front yard … there were just so many things that didn’t make sense,” she said. “Just that one class, Sister Lynn connected all of the dots for me that I had that were scattered all over the place.”

Since attending OCIA classes, Mr. and Mrs. Brownfield both feel a sense of peace amongst their family. “You could just tell the difference in our family,” said Mr. Brownfield, “even with having young kids running around and screaming we kind of take a deep breath, take a minute to relax…I would say the morale in the family has been a lot higher since before we went to Church.”

Both Mr. and Mrs. Brownfield are excited to continue learning their newfound faith, even after their initiation at Easter Vigil. “I feel like learning is what brings me closer to God, I don’t want it to end, I want to keep growing with it,” said Mrs. Brownfield. For Mr. Brownfield, he looks forward to, “being more involved with the community of the Catholic Church,” which he will do through his new membership as a member of the Knights of Columbus. “It just feels like, with the Catholic religion and the community, it’s just everybody’s so loving that if you’re an outside coming in, they’ll still open their arms to bring you in, no matter what.”

As the family prepares to enter the church at Easter Vigil, Mr. Brownfield said, “It makes me feel like my grandma’s up in Heaven right now, jumping up and down that someone in the family decided to become Catholic and get into the church.”