Faithful are enlivened as With One Heart plan continues to bear fruit at the parish level

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

“Empowering priests. Igniting parishes. Enlivening the faithful.” This is the tagline for the With One Heart Pastoral Plan and lays out the marks of success, the hoped for fruit of the strategic plan. Since the announcement of the plan, many strides have been taken in target areas — priests participating in pastoral and leadership training, and laity being enlivened with Parish Missionary Disciples trainings.

From a core group of parishioners that participated in the Parish Missionary Disciples training by the Catholic Leadership Institute, a group of lay faithful joined together and formed the GYMM, the practice of Growing Your Missionary Muscles. GYMM meetings provide structured time for PMD graduates to practice evangelization skills and support one another.

From the GYMM, the mini–Parish Missionary Disciples workshop was developed — a series of three, two-hour sessions. The mini PMD was first presented at Mother of God Parish, Covington, with much success. Encouraged by what they learned, parishioners from St. Mary Parish, Alexandria, are hosting the second mini PMD.

“We need more people active in the parish,” said host team member and St. Mary Parishioner, Ken Glaser. “This seemed to be one way to be able to start down that road, to try and get more people talking a similar language, to try and get more people thinking in a manner that while faith can be a very personal thing, it can also be a very public thing.”

Mr. Glaser hopes that those who are attending, representing more than a dozen parishes, feel emboldened to host the mini-PMD at their parish.

“We don’t want this to be the last one,” said Mr. Glaser. “We hope that somebody that sat in the room goes, ‘This would be really neat to do at my parish.’”

Jerry Otto, host team member, Mother of God parishioner and founding GYMM member, said at the workshop, “We dare to stand at the crossroads of our society and let others see what we believe, because God first stood at those crossroads waiting for us and welcoming us with mercy and love. God has forgiven us and now we help others know. We want to show God’s mercy to all.”

Mr. Otto encourages those in attendance to be the hands and feet of Christ in their everyday lives, and to evangelize with “warmth, humor and happiness.

FIRE Foundation reaches fundraising goal, prepares for next steps

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

The FIRE Foundation of Northern Kentucky, a nonprofit dedicated to funding and supporting inclusive education in Catholic schools, announced that their fundraising goal for 2025 has been met.

The foundation, which currently is supporting St. Therese, Southgate, is now able to offer grants to three to four additional schools in the Diocese of Covington — allowing the chosen schools to provide training, resources and other needs for students with disabilities.

Following their major event, Ignite the Mission, Oct. 2, 2025, the FIRE Foundation has been working to follow up with supporters, growing their website and board and establishing their finance committee, according to Missy Hail, board president.

In addition to being able to offer their services and funding to more schools, the foundation will also be helping to fund a part-time position in the diocesan Curia — the Coordinator for Inclusive Education.

“We’re so excited because we feel like that position can help when all issues arise,” said Mrs. Hail. Although FIRE partners with only a few schools right now, Mrs. Hail believes the new coordinator will help ignite a future where every school in the diocese can access the support.

As for the grants going to the schools, the FIRE Foundation will be accepting and reviewing grant applications until mid-February. From there, funding and support will be provided for the 2026–2027 school year, with a target date of announcing partner schools on April 1.

To learn more about the FIRE Foundation, and their mission, visit https://www.firefoundationnky.org.

Living and sharing Christ’s love through consecrated life

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Diocese of Covington is celebrating World Day of Consecrated Life with Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, Feb.7, 10 a.m. The Mass, celebrated by Bishop John Iffert, is an invitation to come together in communion with one another to celebrate those who have consecrated their life to Jesus.

Currently, there are five communities of women religious in the Diocese of Covington, in addition to six communities of men religious serving in the Diocese. These communities live out their charism and spiritualities in a variety of ways, each of which is beneficial to the wellbeing of the Diocese. Whether a charism of prayer, healthcare, education or social work, the work of consecrated religious in the Diocese cannot be understated.

Claire Thérèse lives her vocation as a consecrated virgin through her work as a wife of Christ, spiritual mother and director, professor, author and the operation of a non-profit, private retreat cottage. Sister Lynn Stenken answered God’s call when she made first vows with the Congregation of Divine Providence at 23 years old. Now, Sister Lynn serves as director of Religious Education at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, California.

Though answering different calls to consecrated life Ms. Claire Thérèse and Sister Lynn both model Christ’s love through their vocations.

The often-misunderstood vocation of a consecrated virgin is the oldest form of consecrated life within the Catholic Church, predating organized religious life, dating back to pre-apostolic times. “The women first called to be spiritually wed to Christ were not nuns or religious Sisters; they were consecrated virgins,” said Ms. Claire Thérèse.

While other consecrated religious communities, like the Congregation of Divine Providence, focus on living their vocation through a charism, consecrated virgins, can “‘only’ boast of the most foundational aspect of all consecrated life: being the bride of Christ,” Ms. Claire Thérèse.

While members of the Congregation of Divine Providence are also wed to Christ, they share additional responsibilities, through community life and the fulfillment of a charism and spirituality. Given to them by founder, Blessed John Martin Moye, the spirituality flows through four fundamental virtues: poverty, simplicity, apostolic charity and abandonment to Divine Providence.

These provide a framework for living out a charism “rooted in an understanding of God’s great love for all of us and for each of us, individually. And those of us who are attracted to that charism, then live that out through practicing the spiritual and corporal works of mercy,” said Sister Lynn.

Traditionally, sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence lived their charism through “ministries of teaching and nursing,” said Sister Lynn. “As time went on and minds expanded, we began to see the others way which we can live out the spiritual, corporal works of mercy.” Now, sisters can be found in social work settings, teaching, nursing and providing spiritual direction.

Both consecrated virgins and the sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence, though different, share a love of Christ and a dedication to him. Serving as reminders of his love through their earthly ministry.

St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky Launches $12 Million “Hands of Hope” Campaign

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Laura Keener

Editor

St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky (SVdP NKY) has announced its first-ever Hands of Hope Capital Campaign, a $12 million effort to build a new headquarters that will help meet the growing needs of families in Northern Kentucky. The campaign officially kicked off with a launch event on Jan. 21 at the current Erlanger location.

For more than 100 years, SVdP NKY has provided food, housing and emergency assistance to neighbors in need. Today, the organization operates four thrift stores and 14 assistance programs, serving tens of thousands of people each year. But demand has grown so much that the current headquarters — a warehouse built in 1969 — is stretched to its limits.

“Our mission calls us to see Christ in those we serve and to respond with love, dignity, and action,” said Karen Zengel, executive director of SVdP NKY. “Hands of Hope is about creating a space that allows us to serve our neighbors today and for years to come.”

The new headquarters will be a 40,000+ square-foot facility designed to make services easier to access and more effective. Key features include:

— A larger food pantry, doubling current capacity.

— Expanded guest services and call center for better privacy and coordination.

— Dedicated space for community partners to provide wraparound care.

— A chapel for quiet reflection and prayer.

— A multi-purpose room with a teaching kitchen for nutrition classes and community events.

— A climate-controlled warehouse to improve donation management and increase revenue.

— Enhanced retail space projected to generate $150,000 annually for programs.

The new address will be 2064 Crescent Springs Road, Erlanger, less than a mile south of the current location. A former employee of St. Vincent de Paul learned that the owners of the land were interested in selling and helped connect the two. “Being right there, off of I-75, in the middle of Kenton County, was something we were hopeful for,” said Mrs. Zengel.

Cincinnati architectural firm GBBN was tapped to design the new headquarters. In 2019, GBBN architects designed St. Vincent de Paul’s Cincinnati Don & Phyllis Neyer Outreach Center.

“They understood the Vincentian model and how all the elements of the organization come together,” said Mrs. Zengel. “They really did have an understanding of the way that we operate and the importance of having space for us to meet with our guests and neighbors in a more dignified and discrete way than what we’re able to do in our building right now. They understood the thrift store not only as a way to support the outreach, but also as a program and the need for significant warehouse space.”

Before leading the opening prayer, Deacon Jim Fortner, chief operating officer for the Diocese of Covington, spoke fondly of the current warehouse and the St. Vincent de Paul ministry, saying, “I feel like we’re on holy ground.”

“I know how many times we’ve (he and his family) come here as a family to drop things off and what it means to shoppers,” said Deacon Fortner. “St. Vincent would be really proud. I’m so excited about the new place and I know we’re going to reach our goal and exceed our goal.”

Martin (Marty) Butler, chair of the Butler Foundation and the St. Vincent de Paul Hands of Hope steering committee, spoke on how the Foundation and St. Vincent de Paul share a common mission: “to provide help to those in need by the most direct means possible.”

“No other organization meets people where they are quite like St. Vincent de Paul,” said Mr. Butler. “Through thousands of home visits each year, their volunteers build real relationships — listening, praying, and restoring dignity in moments of greatest need. This campaign isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about ensuring that kind of personal, compassionate care continues for generations to come.”

SVdP NKY has already raised $9.1 million of its $12 million goal, thanks to strong community support. The organization is now inviting the public to help reach the finish line by donating at bit.ly/svdpnky_handsofhope. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026, with the new headquarters opening in early 2028.

The need for help in Northern Kentucky is growing. Rising costs for housing, utilities, and food have made it harder for families to make ends meet. SVdP NKY’s programs provide emergency assistance, food and hope to thousands of people each year, and the new headquarters will make sure no one faces hardship alone.

“The Hands of Hope Campaign is a powerful witness to what can be accomplished when faith, love, and a deep reverence for human dignity converge,” said Bishop John Iffert. “St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky has, for more than a century, embodied the Church’s unchanging mission to see Christ in those who are poor, vulnerable or forgotten. This new endeavor reflects not only strategic vision but a profound theological truth: that every act of service is an extension of God’s own mercy at work in the world. I am deeply grateful to all who are giving of their resources, hands and hearts to make this dream a reality. May this new headquarters become a place that Pope Leo XIV envisions, where, ‘the poor will come to realize that Jesus’ words are addressed personally to each of them: I have loved you.’ (Dilexi Te §121)”

St. Timothy group takes on the Big Apple, stuns in Radio City Music Hall performance

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Fifty middle school students from St. Timothy School, Union, were selected by Madison Square Garden Group to open for the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, Dec. 4. And, after months of preparation with choir director and teacher, Andrew Mason, the students were ready and left to take on the big stage of Radio City Music Hall, New York City.

When Mr. Mason and the students walked onto the stage of an empty Radio City Music Hall to warm up, the reality that soon the 6,000 seats staring back at them would be filled, began to set in.

“They knew what that we were there to do, and that’s to represent our school and represent our Catholic identity … they took that responsibility seriously,” said Mr. Mason. The students sang a medley of Christmas songs, including two church hymns, “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “A Child Is Born in Bethlehem,” and two secular songs, “Somewhere in My Memory” and “Christmas Canon.”

“Our best performance was when we were on the stage singing it, that’s when we sounded our best. I was just super thrilled with how it all came together and how they all work together. It was awesome to see that,” said Mr. Mason.

The grandeur of that moment was not lost on the students, with many noting the sheer scale of the venue and how special the opportunity was.

“I really like New York,” said student Hadley. “It was a lot bigger than I expected and the stage was huge. I didn’t expect it to be that big.”

Another student, Harper, said, “It was really cool to be on the really big stage, and it was a really big city with a lot of lights. It was a really big responsibility since we’re such a small school, it was really cool.”

While standing on the stage, back turned to the audience, focused only on directing his students, Mr. Mason said, an overwhelming sense of pride filled him, knowing how hard the students worked. “Pride, with how hard they worked, their talent, how well they came together as a group. It was just an overwhelming amount of pride,” he said.

“It was kind of a big honor,” said middle school student Lucas, of the opportunity to open for the Rockettes.

Middle school student Ava, said, “It was a once in a lifetime trip, because once we saw the Rockettes go up there, I thought, ‘I was on that stage.’ So, it’s really just a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The opportunity and experience, Ava said, “shows what we’ve learned here [St. Timothy School] and how far we’ve come.”

St. Mary’s Parish plans Missionary Disciples Workshop

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Laura Keener

Editor

St. Mary’s Parish in Alexandria is preparing to host a Parish Missionary Disciples (PMD) mini session this winter, aiming to help parishioners grow in faith and learn how to share it with others. The workshop is part of a broader effort to bring evangelization into everyday parish life.

Parishioners Ken Glaser and his wife Amy, along with Russ and Lisa Thacker, are leading the planning. “We thought that doing this workshop would get other people involved and start talking a similar language, similar idea set,” Mr. Glaser said. “We want to see how we can integrate this new evangelization into our parish.”

The idea came after the couples attended the diocesan PMD training as part of Cohort Two. “At first, I was skeptical,” Mr. Glaser admitted. “I went into the first weekend with a thick head. But by the end, I was excited about what would lie ahead. Maybe God had softened my heart a little.”

To help grow the skills learned at PMD, the Glasers began attending the GYMM, (Growing Your Missionary Muscles), a monthly gathering of PMD graduates developed by Bill and Kim Dehlinger and Gerry and Bridget Otto, parishioners at Blessed Sacrament and Mother of God parishes, respectively. Mr. Otto took the six-seminar PMD training developed by the Catholic Leadership Institute and distilled into a mini session of three seminars. Mr. Otto first hosted this mini session at his parish with much success and is now offering it with encouragement to other parishes.

At St. Mary’s, so far, interest has been strong. “Forty people are already registered,” Mr. Glaser said. “About 24 are from St. Mary’s, eight from St. Joe Cold Spring, and the rest from other parishes.” While the workshop is hosted at St. Mary’s, it’s open to anyone in the Diocese of Covington. “We very much wanted to make it something available to the diocese,” Mr. Glaser shared.

The PMD program focuses on helping Catholics feel comfortable sharing their faith. “Evangelization is not a four-letter word,” Mr. Glaser joked. “It’s really just learning how to share your faith and being comfortable with that.”

Mr. Glaser believes that the word evangelization can be intimidating, but in reality, it’s a simple practice of sharing your faith in everyday moments. “When we talk about our faith, even in small ways, we don’t know what effect it will have on somebody,” he said. “All we can do is keep sharing and trust that God is working every day.”

The PMD workshop will give parishioners tools to share their faith in simple, meaningful ways. As Mr. Glaser put it, “It’s exciting to have these conversations and talk about what’s important. We all get caught up in the day-to-day nonsense, but when I spend even 30 seconds talking with God, it makes everything else easier to handle.”

The three-session PMD training will be held on Thursdays, Jan. 22, Feb. 5, and Feb. 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Mary Parish, Alexandria. All are welcome! To register, contact Ken Glaser at kenglaser24@gmail.com or call (859) 512-1577.

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.