Father Stephen Bankemper
Guest
Most Catholics know that there are two creeds we use at Mass, the Apostles’ Creed (the shorter of the two, the one most people pray at the beginning of the Rosary) and the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, which title we, thankfully, usually shorten to Nicene Creed. In the Nicene Creed, which we use most of the time, we pray these words: “For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,/ he suffered death and was buried,/ and rose again on the third day/ in accordance with the Scriptures.” Many Catholics seem to understand the phrase — “in accordance with the Scriptures” — to refer to the Passion narratives in the Gospels. While that thought is not completely incorrect, the more fully correct understanding of it is that it refers to the types and prophecies in what we call the Old Testament. For instance, in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he wrote, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, . . .” (1 Cor 15:3-4) Since Paul wrote this around the year 55, and the first Gospel was written somewhere around 65-70, Paul could not have been referring to the Gospel accounts, but was clearly referring to the Hebrew scriptures (what we call the Old Testament) he knew so well.
The fact that Paul uses the phrase and the Church incorporated it into her creed shows the importance of it, but one scholar, John Bergsma, goes even further: “The inclusion of this line, the most widely-used and recognized statement of the Christian faith, should cause us to realize this fact: that Jesus’s Passion and Resurrection fulfilled the oracles of the prophets is central to the Gospel message. (Emphasis in original.) Moreover, in the early Church, it was of considerable apologetic and evangelistic power because no other religious or political leader could claim to have fulfilled ancient prophecies in the way that Jesus had.” (THE WORD OF THE LORD: Reflections on the SUNDAY MASS READINGS for YEAR A, p.131)
We have two examples this weekend of the early Christians coming to understand Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection in terms of the Old Testament narratives, types (events and people in the Old Testament that prefigure New Testament events and people, particularly Jesus), and prophecies. In the first reading, Peter helps the Jews to understand Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection through Psalm 16, and Jesus himself, in the Gospel account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, apparently goes through all the Old Testament references to him to help the two understand the events of the previous week.
In the first reading this weekend, from the Acts of the Apostles, the Church presents Peter’s sermon after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It is important to understand that the general belief of the Jews of Peter’s time was that the psalms were written by David. Psalm 16 must have been a puzzle to them, especially the line, “nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.” But to Peter, reading the psalm through the perspective of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, the psalm makes complete sense, and he uses his new understanding to begin to evangelize his listeners. The psalm, Peter contends, could not be about David, because David’s tomb is yet in their midst. Rather, it is a prophecy about the Messiah and has been fulfilled in Jesus the Nazorean. You killed him, Peter says, but God raised him up. Now, “. . . because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,/ nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption,” makes perfect sense.
Jesus makes a similar move with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, for even they, who knew and followed Jesus and heard him teach, had no understanding of the events they themselves witnessed. Jesus, “beginning with Moses and all the prophets, . . . interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures,” explaining why it was “necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory.” What a monologue that must have been!
All this stands as a reminder to us of the importance of the Old Testament. So many Catholics, if they read scripture at all, tend to stay with the Gospels. While it is good to read and re-read the Gospels, we can come to know Jesus through the Old Testament as well. Some passages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church may serve to encourage us:
- The Church, as early as apostolic times, and then constantly in her Tradition, has illuminated the unity of the divine plan in the two Testaments through typology, which discerns in God’s works of the Old Covenant prefigurations of what he accomplished in the fullness of time in the person of his incarnate Son.
- Christians therefore read the Old Testament in the light of Christ crucified and risen. [And] the New Testament has to be read in the light of the Old. Early Christian catechesis made constant use of the Old Testament. As an old saying put it, the New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New. [St. Augustine]
- The Church “forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful . . . to learn ‘the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ,’ by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. ‘Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.’” [Phil 3:8 and St. Jerome]
If you are new to the Old Testament, try this: read a passage that the Church uses in the liturgy (the first reading or the psalm) and ask the Holy Spirit to show Jesus to you in that passage. Then ask yourself, how does this apply to Jesus, or how does Jesus fulfill this passage. You might be surprised at how easily you can come to know Him in this manner of reading.
Father Stephen Bankemper is pastor, St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Ft. Thomas, Ky.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month — here’s how you can raise awareness and support children in need
/in Featured StoriesMaura Baker
Staff Writer
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. “The month of April offers us the opportunity to come together to protect our children and ensure every child has a safe and nurturing environment where they can grow and thrive,” wrote the USCCB Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection in the conference’s 2026 materials.
Participation in raising awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month includes wearing blue, the recognized color for child abuse prevention and awareness, or displaying pinwheels — another symbol of the movement. The Diocese of Covington, including the Curia building in Covington, and other Greater Cincinnati organizations and businesses will also be participating in the “Light it Up Blue” campaign, shining blue light onto their buildings and businesses — a campaign that Julie Feinauer, director, Office of Safe Environment, says that individuals are encouraged to participate in, too, lighting their homes blue in support of this important initiative.
Other ways to support child abuse prevention, both in April and year wide, is to support “local agencies that help women who are in domestic violence situations,” Mrs. Feinauer said, “because that is one place (homes) where children are abused, are in these violent homes.” Such organizations include the Brighton Center, Catholic Charities and the Rose Garden Home Mission.
“All of these places give support to low-income families or to families who are struggling,” said Mrs. Feinauer. “Anytime that you are taking stress out of people’s lives, it’s helping to ensure that children aren’t going to be put into abusive situations.”
“Unfortunately, the Catholic Church in particular has become associated with abuse,” she said, “We want to be seen as the Church moving forward doing everything that we can to prevent, to help educate and to give resources to children and families in need.”
The Diocese of Covington continues to support this mission of healing — with 3 p.m. monthly Holy Hours held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, held on the third Thursday of each month praying for victims of abuse. And with programs such as VIRTUS, which vet the volunteers and individuals who interact with children in the diocese and educate adults on important topics such as how to create safe environments for children as well as recognize and report suspected abuse — as all adults in Kentucky are considered mandatory reporters. And by educating its school children, preschool through 12th grade, on safety by identifying boundaries and reporting to safe adults through the VIRTUS Empowering God’s Children program.
“We are grateful for the work of individuals, organizations and policymakers who continue to work for the protection of children from abuse and neglect,” the USCCB concluded their letter for 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month, further encouraging all Catholics and people nationally to continue the mission.
Third Sunday of Easter
/in Go and GlorifyFather Stephen Bankemper
Guest
Most Catholics know that there are two creeds we use at Mass, the Apostles’ Creed (the shorter of the two, the one most people pray at the beginning of the Rosary) and the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, which title we, thankfully, usually shorten to Nicene Creed. In the Nicene Creed, which we use most of the time, we pray these words: “For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,/ he suffered death and was buried,/ and rose again on the third day/ in accordance with the Scriptures.” Many Catholics seem to understand the phrase — “in accordance with the Scriptures” — to refer to the Passion narratives in the Gospels. While that thought is not completely incorrect, the more fully correct understanding of it is that it refers to the types and prophecies in what we call the Old Testament. For instance, in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he wrote, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, . . .” (1 Cor 15:3-4) Since Paul wrote this around the year 55, and the first Gospel was written somewhere around 65-70, Paul could not have been referring to the Gospel accounts, but was clearly referring to the Hebrew scriptures (what we call the Old Testament) he knew so well.
The fact that Paul uses the phrase and the Church incorporated it into her creed shows the importance of it, but one scholar, John Bergsma, goes even further: “The inclusion of this line, the most widely-used and recognized statement of the Christian faith, should cause us to realize this fact: that Jesus’s Passion and Resurrection fulfilled the oracles of the prophets is central to the Gospel message. (Emphasis in original.) Moreover, in the early Church, it was of considerable apologetic and evangelistic power because no other religious or political leader could claim to have fulfilled ancient prophecies in the way that Jesus had.” (THE WORD OF THE LORD: Reflections on the SUNDAY MASS READINGS for YEAR A, p.131)
We have two examples this weekend of the early Christians coming to understand Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection in terms of the Old Testament narratives, types (events and people in the Old Testament that prefigure New Testament events and people, particularly Jesus), and prophecies. In the first reading, Peter helps the Jews to understand Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection through Psalm 16, and Jesus himself, in the Gospel account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, apparently goes through all the Old Testament references to him to help the two understand the events of the previous week.
In the first reading this weekend, from the Acts of the Apostles, the Church presents Peter’s sermon after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It is important to understand that the general belief of the Jews of Peter’s time was that the psalms were written by David. Psalm 16 must have been a puzzle to them, especially the line, “nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.” But to Peter, reading the psalm through the perspective of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, the psalm makes complete sense, and he uses his new understanding to begin to evangelize his listeners. The psalm, Peter contends, could not be about David, because David’s tomb is yet in their midst. Rather, it is a prophecy about the Messiah and has been fulfilled in Jesus the Nazorean. You killed him, Peter says, but God raised him up. Now, “. . . because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,/ nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption,” makes perfect sense.
Jesus makes a similar move with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, for even they, who knew and followed Jesus and heard him teach, had no understanding of the events they themselves witnessed. Jesus, “beginning with Moses and all the prophets, . . . interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures,” explaining why it was “necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory.” What a monologue that must have been!
All this stands as a reminder to us of the importance of the Old Testament. So many Catholics, if they read scripture at all, tend to stay with the Gospels. While it is good to read and re-read the Gospels, we can come to know Jesus through the Old Testament as well. Some passages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church may serve to encourage us:
If you are new to the Old Testament, try this: read a passage that the Church uses in the liturgy (the first reading or the psalm) and ask the Holy Spirit to show Jesus to you in that passage. Then ask yourself, how does this apply to Jesus, or how does Jesus fulfill this passage. You might be surprised at how easily you can come to know Him in this manner of reading.
Father Stephen Bankemper is pastor, St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Ft. Thomas, Ky.
Marriage: Love & Life in the Divine Plan
/in Catechesis & EvangelizationIn November 2009, the U.S. Catholic Bishops approved a Pastoral Letter called “Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan.” The letter presents the essential points of Catholic teaching on marriage as a natural gift, as a sacrament, and as a public commitment between a man and a woman. The bishops’ Pastoral Letter is so important today because of all the challenges and/or threats to the institution of marriage. “Our Pastoral Letter is an invitation to discover, or perhaps rediscover, the blessing given when God first established marriage as a natural institution and when Christ restored and elevated it as a sacramental sign of salvation.” After all, “God himself is the author of marriage.” “Not us.”
Here is the essence of what the Church believes marriage to be, as authored by God and explained by our bishops.
· It is an indissoluble bond
· It is established by mutual consent
· It is a “lifelong partnership… of mutual and exclusive fidelity”
· It is an exclusive partnership between one man and one woman, who are complementary in their two distinct ways of being human
· It is a “unique communion of persons” through the mutual self-giving of conjugal love
· It is meant to mirror Christ’s love for the Church
· It is ordered towards two equally important ends: the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children
Here is what I love from this letter: “The love that is as strong as death is the love that prays and praises, caught up into divine love.” This places love and service of God at the forefront of marital love.
The bishops point to the “fundamental challenges to the nature and purposes of marriage” which include contraception, same-sex unions, divorce, and cohabitation.
All these challenges can be seen as stemming from original sin, which harmed the original communion intended for marriage; but Jesus restored the institution by raising it to the dignity of a sacrament.
The bishops of the United States state, “In restoring to marriage its original meaning and beauty, Jesus proclaims what the Creator meant marriage to be ‘in the beginning.’ He does so because marriage will be made into the visible embodiment of His love for the Church. In His espousal of the Church as His Bride, He fulfills and elevates marriage to a Sacrament. He reveals His own love ‘to the end’ (John 13:1) as the purest and deepest love, the perfection of all love. In doing this He reveals the deepest meaning of all marital love: self-giving love modeled on God’s inner life and love.”
In marriage, my wife Elsa and I are called to give ourselves to each other as fully as Christ gave Himself to the Church. That is a tall order. If every married couple and every single or engaged person discerning marriage read this Pastoral Letter and made this a goal for their marriage, it could enrich the entire Church.
Elsa and I work at loving as Christ loves through self-gift every day, even when it is not easy. We can reflect the love that we and the bishops want to see in the world.
Jesus Himself demonstrated what love looks like when He allowed Himself to be hung on a cross for our sins. “Greater love has no one than this, that He lays down His life for His friends,” John 15:13.
<<<Isaak Abraham Isaak is Director of the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization>>>
Summer Intern (Paid Position) – Archdiocese of Cincinnati
/in Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Job PostingsThe Catholic Telegraph, the official publication of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, seeks a talented, creative and organized intern for the summer of 2026 (10-12 weeks in total). The ideal candidate will have a sincere interest in storytelling that conveys the beauty, goodness and truth of the Catholic faith, as well as a strong work ethic and attention to detail. This is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in Catholic journalism, both in editorial and operational work, while being part of a dynamic team of creatives and making a tangible contribution to the Catholic Church in western and southwestern Ohio.
The Summer Intern will report to the Editorial Director of The Catholic Telegraph and collaborate with the entire staff of the Communications Department. The Summer Intern must be a model of professional conduct and always represent the Archdiocese of Cincinnati with honesty and integrity.
To apply, visit Summer Intern – Archdiocese of Cincinnati Pastoral Center (Cincinnati, OH) – Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Junior High Math Teacher (Full-time or Part-time) – St. Lawrence School
/in Job Postings, Southeast IndianaSt Lawrence school in Lawrenceburg, IN is looking for a junior high MATH teacher for the 2026-27 school year. We are willing to look at full or part time schedules. We have strong junior high classes for next year, and are looking for a solid teacher to help them grow. Please reach out to dcaldwell@sls-apps.org with interest by April 25, 2026.
Clinical Director – Catholic Charities
/in Curia Openings, Job PostingsThe Clinical Director provides strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and clinical supervision for Catholic Charities’ counseling programs. This role ensures high-quality, evidence‑based, trauma‑informed mental health services while supervising licensed clinicians and supporting continuous program improvement. The Clinical Director also provides direct outpatient counseling services.
The ideal candidate is mission-driven, clinically experienced, organized, and comfortable working in a Catholic nonprofit environment that serves individuals and families from all backgrounds.
Key Responsibilities
Qualifications — Required
Qualifications — Preferred
To Apply
Please submit your résumé, cover letter, salary history, and at least three references to Shannon Braun at sbraun@covingtoncharities.org
The baptized are ‘instruments of Christ’, said Bishop at Chrism Mass
/in Featured StoriesMaura Baker
Staff Writer
Faithful from across the Diocese of Covington came to fill the pews of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, on March 31 in celebration of the annual Chrism Mass. The great diocesan assembly par excellence, priests and deacons joined Bishop John Iffert, celebrant and homilist, as he blessed the holy oils and consecrated sacred Chrism for use diocesan wide. Representatives from every parish and ministering Catholic organization attend the Chrism Mass to receive the three blessed oils for their institutions. These oils include the Oil of the Sick, Oil of the Catechumens, and the sacred Chrism. Each of these oils, blessed by the bishop, will be used in administering the sacraments in the coming year.
A sign of unity and service, the Chrism Mass sees clergy, religious and laity together, while priests renew their promises made during ordination. Bishop Iffert began his homily commenting on this great unity, saying, “It does my heart so much good to be here celebrating with so many of our holy priests, our faithful deacons, our consecrated religious and baptized representatives of the whole Church — and that is the point! The Church gathers to recommit ourselves to the mission of Jesus the anointed one … He is anointed with the Holy Spirit, and by his grace, has invited each of us into this holy and anointed life.”
Referencing the Mass’s reading from the book of Isaiah, Bishop Iffert commented that it’s not the voice of Isaiah that we hear, but “an oracle placed into the mouth of an anticipated messenger of the end times by Isaiah.”
“This expected messenger will be anointed like the king, anointed like the prophets — but this messenger will be more than a king, more than a prophet,” Bishop Iffert said. “He is a proclaimer, and he is a comforter … He announces redemption for slaves, release for prisoners. He proclaims a new order of things were there will be no more need for repression, and where peace and well-being will prevail. He proclaims a year of the Lord’s favor.”
Bishop Iffert said that “we can think of this year as a jubilee year — but this is a special jubilee, the ultimate jubilee. The year of the Lord’s favor means the point in time at which God shows himself to be most gracious and bestows the gift of salvation in the final and definitive way.”
Looking back to Gospel readings leading up to Holy Week, Bishop Iffert referenced a passage in the synagogue of Nazareth during the life of Christ.
“When he stands to read this passage,” referring to the previous reading from the Book of Isaiah, “he points out that today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing … and he reveals to all who hear him that he is the great prophet of whom Isaiah speaks.”
Referencing the third century Christian scholar Origen, Bishop Iffert said that Christ “teaches through his instruments.”
“What are his instruments? What are his methods?” Bishop Iffert asked the congregation, answering, “You. You are God’s instruments, you who have been anointed with oil and with the Holy Spirit … You are baptized to be his instru – ments to continue the saving comfort and proclamation of Jesus Christ.”
Bishop Iffert then drew attention to the priests who had gathered for the Chrism Mass, saying, “In a few moments, I will invite these men who are called to the ordained priesthood for service to the people of God, to draw them toward holi – ness and sanctification — and I will invite them to renew the promises they made at their ordination … I will commit them into your hands,” he said to the congre – gation, “asking you to help them to be sustained by carrying them, and me, constantly in prayer through Jesus Christ, by his Holy Spirit, to the mercies of God, the Father. Because that’s the way God has designed this Church of ours. He has given us to one another for our mutual care.”
Concluding, Bishop Iffert asked those gathered to “Please pray that we (clergy) will never fail you in the search for holiness and please never, never fail to pray for us that we might be true servants of Jesus — servants of those who are instruments of God’s sanctifying love for the world … Pray that we might serve you, fully and completely in a self-emptying way after the pattern of Jesus Christ the Lord, pray for us.”
Business Manager – Holy Cross District High School
/in Job Postings, School Related OpeningsPosition Summary
The Business Manager serves in an important school leadership role who fulfills the Catholic mission of Holy Cross District High School by assisting the Principal in the stewardship of the school’s resources. The Business Manager is responsible for overseeing all business affairs in alignment with the mission and values of Catholic education. The Business Manager works directly with the Principal to ensure sound financial stewardship, operational efficiency, and ethical management of resources to support the school’s academic and spiritual goals.
Key Responsibilities
Mission Alignment
Financial Management
Operations & Facilities
Human Resources Support
Advancement & Development Support
Qualifications
Preferred Attributes
Work Environment
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references to Rob Knox via email – rob.knox@hchscov.com
Easter Sunday
/in Go and GlorifyFather Daniel Schomaker
Guest
Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! This is a customary greeting of the Eastern Churches on Easter — hence why it is said in Greek. Instead of saying “Hi” on Easter Sunday, you say: “Christ is Risen!” and the response is “Truly he is Risen!”
We gather today to celebrate Jesus overcoming the tomb. Death was not in the original plan of creation. Death is the consequence of sin — specifically the sin of our first parents, in their desire (via the temptation of the devil) to make themselves God. What they didn’t realize is that they were already like God, for they had been made in his image and likeness. Their pride unfortunately got the better of them and had them cast out of paradise and put them at odds with the Almighty One.
Jesus entered into human history so as to bring about reconciliation between God and humanity. By his Passion (suffering and death) he took upon himself the consequence of our sin. And in his Resurrection from the dead, he restored humanity to its rightful place in creation. Paradise is once again opened for us!
On this Easter Sunday, let us give particular thanks and praise and adoration and glory to Our God, who never abandons us — ever!
Father Daniel Schomaker is pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Ft. Mitchell and director, Office of Worship and Liturgy for the Diocese of Covington, Ky.
UNHEARDOF designer gives shoes to diocesan students, promotes friendship, community and perseverance
/in Featured StoriesMaura Baker
Staff Writer
Seventh and eighth-grade students from St. Therese, Southgate; St. Paul, Florence; St. Philip, Melbourne and Prince of Peace, Covington, were invited to join UNHEARDOF brand shoe designer Phil Lipschutz, March 27, along with representatives from Adidas and shoe influencer and photographer Andrew Dutton, to the launch of his new collaborative sneaker at the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati.
The “Piggy Runners” released during the drop were given for free to each student present, in bright, nostalgic spring colors. Specifically, students received the shoe in a green “Cupcake” colorway, named for one of Mr. Lipschutz’s childhood friends.
The Contemporary Arts Center welcomed students with colorful, springtime and Easter-themed décor matching Mr. Lipschutz’s shoes, and mascots of Mr. Lipschutz’s pink pig mascot “Porkchop” (named after his own childhood nickname) and green pig mascot “Cupcake” joined in the festivities.
Donating these special shoes has become a tradition for Mr. Lipschutz as a way to give back to his community, crediting especially the efforts of his former teacher and current diocesan Safe Environment director, Julie Feinauer, for his success following a turbulent childhood growing up in Latonia.
Speaking directly to the students present, Mr. Lipschutz said, “I know what it’s like with some of the challenges and some of the experiences that you guys go through, but what has really helped me through my life is my friends and building new friends and communicating with my friends. I’ve done a lot of shows with Adidas over the last few years,” he said, “I’m not going to run through them all, but a lot of them talk about mental health and suicide prevention.”
Mr. Lipschutz, who lost his sister to suicide, said that he advocates in particular for kids to “continue to talk each other” and “continue to speak up.”
“If we quit the name-calling, quit the picking on one another, and we just hash out our differences and our problems — we can ‘oink’ the whole world,” said Mr. Lipschutz, humorously referencing his pig-themed branding and mascots.
“You guys are going to change the world,” Mr. Lipschutz told students. “You guys are going to make an impact and make this an even cooler, doper planet that it already is. Without a doubt, I’m so fortunate and I’m so thankful to be alive, and you should too, because you only get one life. You’ve got to maximize it. You can’t waste it. You can’t give up on yourself.”