Divine Providence sister, like many religious, recalls a life of love and service

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

As a young girl, the prospect of becoming a religious sister was one Divine Providence Sister Carleen Schumacher avoided. “I kept thinking ‘no, no, that’s not for me,’” she said. Years later, in 1968, Sister Carleen overcame that avoidance and joined the Sisters of Divine Providence, and she “never regretted it a day.”

“Thank goodness God kept nudging at me,” said Sister Carleen, “I did finally follow through.”

Sister Carleen served in schools for 30 years, 17 years as a primary teacher, and 13 as an administrator. However, in 1994, Sister Carleen was elected to the CDP’s provincial council as part of the leadership team full time, and left teaching. She was re-elected in 2004 but decided not to go back to teaching following her second term.

“I worked from 2009 to 2014 in Parish Kitchen,” a Catholic Charities run organization that provides food and other necessities, “and I would still be there today if I didn’t get re-elected in 2014,” Sister Carleen said. At the Parish Kitchen, Sister Carleen said she learned “far more from the people at Parish Kitchen” than she believed she helped them. “It was five wonderful years,” she said.

Sister Carleen said that she has loved each of her ministries, from teaching, to leadership, to serving the poor — and, now, Sister Carleen serves as the administrator for Holy Family Home, the retirement home for the Sisters of Divine Providence.

Reflecting on her life as a sister, Sister Carleen says that, while she would have loved to have gotten married, she was “called to a deeper life of prayer.”

“It’s really wonderful to live with women who are committed to the same thing I am,” she said, “They’re all committed to community life like I am, to a life of prayer, a life of living the vows. I think there’s a deep satisfaction for me and knowing I’m doing what I really felt God called me to do.”

Now, as she works closely with her fellow retired sisters, Sister Carleen recognizes the importance of supporting retired religious. “We really count on everybody’s prayers, naturally,” she said, “but there’s a really big financial piece to any nursing home.”

Contributions to collections like Dec. 14–15’s Retirement Fund for Religious provides care for women religious as they age, and, while Sister Carleen stated that she would “never want our sisters to live an extravagant life, we weren’t called to that,” many retired religious have medical needs which are often costly to meet.

The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) estimates an annual care cost of over $1 billion for the nation’s more than 20,000 retired religious. In 2023, parishioners of the Diocese of Covington contributed $43,198.43 to the Retirement Fund for Religious in the diocese.

Assistance with these needs is greatly appreciated, said Sister Carleen, as well as the “support of the Diocese, and gratitude for what these sisters have done all their years.”

200 nativities help bring the community together during Advent

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Bella Young

Multimedia Correspondent

A church of German Gothic design nestled in Covington welcomed a full congregation on the evening of Nov. 23 to celebrate its centennial anniversary. For the past 100 years, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Covington, has served its local community in faith.

The formation of the parish and building of the church began with a need, Bishop John Iffert, who celebrated the Mass, began his homily. The History of the Diocese of Covington, a book published in the 1950’s, has a brief but “interesting” entry on St. John the Evangelist’s Parish. “The reason the neighbors began gathering and began to work on founding a parish here,” said Bishop Iffert, “is because they wanted to build a school.”

The commute to the next closest school at Mother of God was “too long of a commute,” he said, “especially given the condition of the roads at the time. So, apparently, it was easier to build the school and start a parish than for them to fix the roads!”

While the comment was made partially in jest, Bishop Iffert used this origin story to connect to the weekend’s liturgy — the Solemnity of Christ the King. In his homily, he spoke about the promises made by sovereigns and government leaders, such as the Michigan governor who ran on the platform of “fixing the expletive roads.”

“It seems like that’s been a feature of a need for our lives for a long time, especially for folks here in St. John’s Parish,” Bishop Iffert said. “It’s interesting how often our political campaigns, who takes political power … how often it hinges on those very human rights.”

“Jesus remembers something that we and our rulers often forget,” he continued in his homily, “We hear the kings of the world speak of themselves in the third person: the royal ‘we.’ In our democratic age, it sounds officious … that language comes from the idea that the king no longer has a private life, that the king no longer has a self-interest … The king is supposed to be the one who does not promote his own good, but instead lives for the good of others.”

Bishop Iffert said, “Jesus reveals to us that this is the way God cares for us. This is the way God loves us. This is the way God pours out his life, ruling from the cross, emptying himself for the love of us, you and me. This is the way we are called to govern our own lives in a way that we live in service to others.”

Circling back, Bishop Iffert concluded his homily, saying that while the origin of St. John’s Parish was so that “children didn’t have to walk on muddy roads for long distances, the purpose has always been the same. Share that power of love with everyone you meet.”

“That’s what we celebrate tonight,” he said, “100 years of God’s grace, supporting you in that kind of loving service — service that looks like the cross of Jesus, the cross on which he reigns. King of the universe, high priest and champion of our hearts.”

Turkey give-away fills hearts and tables

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St. John the Evangelist Parish celebrates 100 years of God’s grace and loving service

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

A church of German Gothic design nestled in Covington welcomed a full congregation on the evening of Nov. 23 to celebrate its centennial anniversary. For the past 100 years, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Covington, has served its local community in faith.

The formation of the parish and building of the church began with a need, Bishop John Iffert, who celebrated the Mass, began his homily. The History of the Diocese of Covington, a book published in the 1950’s, has a brief but “interesting” entry on St. John the Evangelist’s Parish. “The reason the neighbors began gathering and began to work on founding a parish here,” said Bishop Iffert, “is because they wanted to build a school.”

The commute to the next closest school at Mother of God was “too long of a commute,” he said, “especially given the condition of the roads at the time. So, apparently, it was easier to build the school and start a parish than for them to fix the roads!”

While the comment was made partially in jest, Bishop Iffert used this origin story to connect to the weekend’s liturgy — the Solemnity of Christ the King. In his homily, he spoke about the promises made by sovereigns and government leaders, such as the Michigan governor who ran on the platform of “fixing the expletive roads.”

“It seems like that’s been a feature of a need for our lives for a long time, especially for folks here in St. John’s Parish,” Bishop Iffert said. “It’s interesting how often our political campaigns, who takes political power … how often it hinges on those very human rights.”

“Jesus remembers something that we and our rulers often forget,” he continued in his homily, “We hear the kings of the world speak of themselves in the third person: the royal ‘we.’ In our democratic age, it sounds officious … that language comes from the idea that the king no longer has a private life, that the king no longer has a self-interest … The king is supposed to be the one who does not promote his own good, but instead lives for the good of others.”

Bishop Iffert said, “Jesus reveals to us that this is the way God cares for us. This is the way God loves us. This is the way God pours out his life, ruling from the cross, emptying himself for the love of us, you and me. This is the way we are called to govern our own lives in a way that we live in service to others.”

Circling back, Bishop Iffert concluded his homily, saying that while the origin of St. John’s Parish was so that “children didn’t have to walk on muddy roads for long distances, the purpose has always been the same. Share that power of love with everyone you meet.”

“That’s what we celebrate tonight,” he said, “100 years of God’s grace, supporting you in that kind of loving service — service that looks like the cross of Jesus, the cross on which he reigns. King of the universe, high priest and champion of our hearts.”

DCCH Center for Children and Families shelters the homeless year round; Is that your Dad?— soon, one prospective family hopes to answer with a resounding ‘yes!’

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Bella Young

Multimedia Correspondent

As part of the Diocesan wide Campaign of Mercy, the Messenger has been highlighting a different work of mercy each month. For the month of December, the focus is on the corporal work, sheltering the homeless.

Sheltering the homeless is not something that many people feel they can participate in. The image many conjure is of welcoming into their home a stranger; perhaps someone who sits on the corner or sleeps on the sidewalk. Opening your home to strangers can not only be dangerous but for many they feel wary about letting a stranger into their home. It takes specially trained people and organizations to meet the housing needs of this most vulnerable population. For individuals, its best to support these organizations in their mission and ministry.

However, there are other groups to consider when thinking of sheltering the homeless. Instead of picturing a stranger on the corner, picture a small child who had to be removed from his or her home because of unsafe conditions. Picture a teenager, whose whole life has been in and out of institutions, multiple homes and new people. These are the faces of the children in our local foster care and adoption system. And they have many ways for individuals to participate in their mission and ministry of providing shelter for homeless children.

DCCH Center for Children and Families, Ft. Mitchell, receives 400 referrals a month for children that need to be placed with a foster or adoptive family. Ron Bertsch, Therapeutic Foster Care/Adoption/ILP director, said that every month they must turn away referrals because they do not have enough families. Mr. Bertsch, in his role, recruits families, trains them, does their home study and gets them approved so that he can help those 400 children who do not have a home to go to.

“Without the recruitment of resources and families it is hard to do the rest of our job, which is to match homeless children, that need a foster or adoptive family,” he said.

When the job is difficult, Mr. Bertsch said that remembering the work of mercy he is doing helps him stay motivated. “It helps me stay motivated in this job because I feel like it is a ministry that I am doing, and it is God’s work. There are a lot of days that are hard and frustrating, but I feel this is more than a job for me, it truly is a ministry.”

The DCCH Center for Children and Families also has a program that aids older children once they have aged out of the traditional foster care system.

“In the history of our services, many kids turned 18 and aged out and had to fend for themselves,” said Mr. Bertsch. Recognizing the needs of these vulnerable young adults, in 2017 DCCH found some funding, and launched its independent living services.

“Kids that are 18 … if they choose, they can extend their stay in foster care. We find them an apartment, we pay utilities and rent and offer case management and therapy … I have had a lot of success with over a dozen kids since we have been doing that, I feel like I am another father figure to these young men and women,” said Mr. Bertsch.

The best part of the job, Mr. Bertsch said, is being able to tell a child that they found a family. “To be able to tell them, ‘Hey, we found you a family.’ I don’t know if I have the words … but I can see it on their face, it is almost unbelievable, the excitement and the joy … it is the excitement, ‘there is somebody out there in the world that is willing to give me a chance.’”

Anyone interested in learning more about foster care or adoption services, DCCH is hosting a no obligation, informational night, Monday, Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. at DCCH Center, 75 Orphanage Road, Ft. Mitchell, in its Miller Building — signs will direct you.

One-on-one ZOOM information meetings can be scheduled if the planned info meeting is not convenient. E-mail fosterandadopt@dcchcenter.org requesting a meeting with someone from our team.

For a related story about an upcoming 175th DCCH adoption see page 16

Is that your Dad?— soon, one prospective family hopes to answer with a resounding ‘yes!’

“Following God’s will of caring for orphans can seem like a lot, but God will take your yes and meet you where you are at. My journey began with two years of mentoring Joseph. We got to know each other through Sundays at church and many other diverse activities and events. “Then God saw fit to provide everything needed for me to foster Joseph with the intention of adoption. After 11 months, we have the final court date for adoption on Dec. 3. God is so good. “So, wherever you are in your decision process with mentoring, fostering or adopting know that God will honor your yes and do more than you can imagine changing the life of a child for His Kingdom and glory,” Brian Menendez.

These words were expressed from the heart and mind of Mr. Menendez as he finalizes the adoption of his son, Joseph. Below is the story of how Brian and Joseph will become the 175th family through adoption facilitated by DCCH Center for Children and Families.

Brian Menendez, a 40-year-old single man had recently moved and was getting to know the Northern Kentucky area. He read the bible verse James 1:27 which reads, “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows”. Something stirred, and Brian did an internet search for places to help orphans and came across DCCH Center for Children and Families, in Ft. Mitchell. He immediately began the process to become a mentor for a child.

DCCH just marked their 175th anniversary of providing care for children since starting in 1848 as St. John Orphanage. Merging with St. Joseph Orphanage forming the Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home focusing on the healing of children abused and neglected entering the foster care system.

Brian was matched with Joseph, a then 10-yr old boy in March of 2022. Brian and Joseph’s visits started on the DCCH campus together talking and building Lego sets. In time, Brian was able to take Joseph out during the day and they would attend church and do fun activities together.

Brian shared that he understood his role as a mentor. He wanted to be a safe and loving person for Joseph. During that time, Joseph was open with Brian about things that were occurring in his life. Brian was praying that Joseph would be able to leave DCCH Residential Program and be with a forever family. Brian shared that it never crossed his mind that he could become his family.

Months turned into years, and Joseph still was without the forever family. Brian and Joseph were out in the community one day and someone asked Joseph if Brian was his dad. Joseph nodded his head yes, while cautiously looking at Brian. For the first time, Brian realized that maybe he could be Joseph’s father. Brian prayed and talked with his pastor and those in leadership at church. They agreed that Joseph had become part of the church family, and he needed to be with us.

Brian was introduced to Ron Bertsch, Foster Care and Adoption Director in the fall of 2023. Brian shared his heart and his desire to be a father and a safe home for Joseph. Brian started foster and adoptive classes through DCCH. When Brian was able to inform Joseph of his intention, Joseph was surprised and excited but still reserved because many other family opportunities had presented for him but had always fallen through.

Joseph progressed to having overnight visits with Brian, and then weekend visits and even spending longer times during school holidays. By February 2024, Joseph and Brian were ready; Joseph moved into Brian’s home full-time.

It wasn’t the easiest transition as Brian and Joseph had to learn to become father and son rather than mentor and mentee, but the bond was well started. In addition, Joseph enrolled at a new school. Brian and Joseph worked together through many obstacles to grow in attachment and trust with one another.

This summer, Brian took Joseph to his family’s home in Florida to meet Brian’s extended family. This was Joseph’s first time flying on a plane and the first time seeing the Atlantic Ocean and beach. As a 13-year-old, that made for quite a memorable experience.

Brian and Joseph have an incredible community surrounding them. Good friends from their church attended DCCH’s respite training to further support Brian and Joseph, providing childcare and respite when needed.

Much of Brian and Joseph’s church family plans to attend the adoption finalization hearing on December 3. Joseph’s adoption marks the 175th adoption facilitated through DCCH, so a large contingency of DCCH staff will also attend the hearing. Celebrating this momentous occasion and being blessed to witness the young Joseph grow from the little boy in residential, to the young man in foster care to now being adopted by such a selfless, strong Christian man become father is another cherished gift from God.

For anyone interested in learning more about fostering, adopting or mentoring, attend a free informational meeting on Monday, Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. at DCCH campus or contact (859) 331-2040 or www.DCCHCenter.org

Deacon Kaiser remembered for a lifetime of generosity and service

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Deacon Bernie J. Kaiser, 83, died Nov. 13. He was ordained a deacon of the Diocese of Covington by Bishop William Hughes, 1985, in the diocese’s first class of deacons. He was the husband of Linda Roaden Kaiser, and father to Tim Kaiser and Chris Kaiser, as well as a grandfather to 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Deacon Kaiser was preceded in death by his parents, his children Sandy Kaiser and Dave Kaiser, sisters Myrtle Vicars and Alvera McMillan and brother Robert Kaiser.

Deacon Bernie Kaiser grew up on Crescent Ave. in West Covington, attended St. Aloysius school and then Covington Catholic high school for half of his high school career before switching to Holmes and graduating in 1960, after which he married his high school sweetheart, Linda Roaden Kaiser, who was introduced to him by friends in high school.

Deacon Kaiser worked several jobs, but landed eventually in a finance company, according to Mrs. Kaiser, helping to form and lead Consumer Credit Counseling, utilizing his professional and personal experience in finances.

Consumer Credit Counseling is a nonprofit, debt relief program dedicated to helping people regain control of their finances and plan for a debt-free future. Father Gerry Reinersman remembers visiting with Deacon Kaiser at Consumer Credit Counseling. “He very much saw his work as a ministry,” said Father Reinersman. He saw in his work, “reducing stress in people’s lives and as a healing ministry for them and their families. He was a good humble soul.”

Deacon Kaiser grew up poor, according to Mrs. Kaiser, and, as such, “he knew what it was like having these needs that people had. He understood that because he had been there. His father was like that, too. Even though he didn’t have a lot, he was always willing to share what he had.”

After his retirement, Mrs. Kaiser remembers Deacon Kaiser telling her that he wanted to become a deacon — and, while Mrs. Kaiser never foresaw herself becoming a Catholic deacon’s wife, having grown up protestant, she noted how God has a “good sense of humor.”

During his time as a deacon, Deacon Kaiser served his home parish, St. Barbara Parish, Erlanger.

“He enjoyed being a husband and a father,” she said, “he had loved being a deacon because he was in a position where he could help people in so many ways.”

Towards the end of his life, Deacon Kaiser suffered from Parkinson’s and Dementia before passing away — while at his visitation and funeral Mass at St. Barbara’s Church, Erlanger, Nov. 22, Mrs. Kaiser recalls how many people came to her speaking of the help and aid that Deacon Kaiser had offered during their lives.

Deacon Kaiser was laid to rest at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Covington. Memorial donations may be made in Deacon Kaiser’s honor either online or in person at services to St. Barbara Church or to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Cincinnati.

Gone but Not Forgotten: MLB Unmarked Graves Project returns to the Diocese of Covington

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Bella Young

Multimedia Correspondent

The Diocese of Covington is no stranger to the work of the Gone But Not Forgotten: MLB Unmarked Graves Project. It was two years ago that David Shannon and Thomas Bucher, the project founders, provided a headstone to Henry “Hank” Gastright, who had been laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery, Wilder, in an unmarked grave. Their latest project focused on giving Robert “Bob” Clark of the 1891 Cincinnati Reds a headstone at St. Mary Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell.

Mr. Clark was born in Covington on May 18, 1863. He would go on to play seven seasons in Major League Baseball, starting his career with the Brooklyn Bridegrooms and staying for five seasons, where he would become a well-known catcher, before concluding his career in the Majors with the Reds.

Mr. Shannon read from an excerpt of the October 1889 edition of the Brooklyn Eagle, “The first two years he (Mr. Clark) was with Brooklyn he did not distinguish himself very much and was given comparatively little work to do. This year however, he came to the front, and his work as been of the gilt-edge order. He has demonstrated that he is a great back stop, a quick and accurate thrower to bases, a fine batsman and a clever base runner. Clark is now admittedly Brooklyn’s star catcher. He is a well-built fellow, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and weighs 175 pounds,” said Mr. Shannon to the crowd gathered.

Over his five seasons with Brooklyn, Mr. Clark became a standout playing in a total of 260 games. Despite playing a number of games, Mr. Clark was seemingly always injured. The most games he played in a season topped out at 53 in 1889.

In the succeeding 1890 season, the Brooklyn Bridegrooms and Mr. Clark had a chance to win the Pennant, what would we now call the World Series. However, “The series,” it was reported, “which was fraught with disaster to the Brooklyn’s, resulted in his disablement … His injury was a serious blow to Brooklyn’s hopes, for before he was hurt, they had a chance to win,” Mr. Shannon read aloud.

Of his injury in the World Series, Mr. Clark was quoted as saying, “My doctor seemed to think that I was paying up for severely straining myself and overtaxing my strength in those Brooklyn games. We ought to have won the Pennant.”

Because of his proclivity for injury, Brooklyn allowed the Cincinnati National League Club, to purchase his contract. In a press release from March 25, 1891, “The Cincinnati National League Club yesterday, closed a contract with another player, who will add strength to the team. Bob Clark, the fine catcher, who has been with the Brooklyn League Club for the past five seasons, will next summer wear the red and white of the Queen City Organization. This engagement will prove a good one. Clark is a Covington boy and is very popular on both sides of the river. He has a large following, and from a box-office standpoint, as well as in a playing sense, the local League Club scored a big mark in securing him,” Mr. Shannon read aloud.

Due to injury, Mr. Clark played in only 16 games for the Reds in the 1891 season.

After his retirement Mr. Clark became a saloonist. Mr. Shannon read, “There was an article from February 1892 that said he (Mr. Clark) was doing a prosperous business with a liquid emporium in Covington.” In 1895 it was reported that he was a government official, other reports noted him as a tax collector for the city of Covington. In the years leading up to his death, Mr. Clark worked at a chemical factory. It was at this chemical factory that he sustained life threatening injuries that eventually led to his death.

Mr. Clark was born a “Covington boy,” said Mr. Shannon. It was his affinity for baseball and his love of his city that was remembered as the veil was lifted from his new headstone. A round of applause came as the new granite marker was taken in by friends of the family and the family themselves.

Mr. Shannon concluded the program, “Through this project, I feel like I have gotten to know Bob Clark … Robert Clark may be gone, but hopefully not forgotten.”

SUMMIT 24 retreat brings ‘joy and love of the Eucharist’ to high school students

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

A joyous morning of prayer, dancing and song opened up Saturday morning of the SUMMIT 24 Eucharistic Retreat for high school students — just the beginning of a day of prayer and community for the young people in attendance.

This three-day retreat, Nov. 15–17, held hours of both celebration and reflection centered around the Eucharist, as well as this year’s retreat theme (which corresponds with the theme of the 2025 jubilee year), “Pilgrims of Hope.” Days consisted of Adoration, prayer and Mass, as well as educational sessions and free time to interact with fellow retreaters. This year, SUMMIT 24 welcomed 150 students.

This year’s retreat was also more diverse, according to Angie Poat, diocesan youth minister and orchestrator for the event, saying that “students came from new schools, new parishes and even from Ohio.”

“It was a blessing to see the students receive the joy of the Lord, and to grow in their depth and love for the Eucharist,” said Mrs. Poat. “They gained renewal in their own faith to be surrounded by such on-fire Catholics who were headed in the same direction as they are.”

Another “special” aspect of this year’s retreat, as Mrs. Poat described, was greater involvement in leadership from the students themselves — both from the SUMMIT core team and the YCET team, who had “larger roles in presenting the retreat.”

Following the retreat, one senior student expressed gratitude for the opportunities presented by SUMMIT 24, saying, “I am grateful for the people I met during this retreat and for the intimate relationship with God that I had in Adoration.”

The diocesan office of youth ministry is currently “building follow-up opportunities to SUMMIT,” said Mrs. Poat, which will tie in with the Eucharistic Revival and the Church’s year of mission. “We’re doing that with our young people,” she said.

Youth ministry is also gearing up for their next major “Connect” event in February, which serves a similar role as SUMMIT for junior high students.

For more information on Diocesan youth ministry events and programming, visit https://covdio.org/youth/.

Sacred Heart church celebrates 150 years of building and strengthening the Church in Bellevue

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Laura Keener

Editor

Three-hundred and fifty years (1674) ago, in Paray-le-Monial, France, Jesus reveals devotions to His Sacred Heart to visionary Visitation Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque. Two-hundred years later (1874), in Bellevue, Kentucky, a church is established and dedicated under the patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In October 2024, Pope Francis writes his fourth encyclical, “Dilexit Nos,” (On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ),” calling for a rededication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Like a night time constellation spanning the constraints of time, Father Martin Pitstick, pastor, connected these seemingly random historic and current events as a guide for parishioners, encouraging devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and, ultimately, eternal life with Him in heaven.

“Many generations have sacrificed so that the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus might be known in this town. Many generations of parishioners have prayed in this church. They have come and they have gone,” Father Pitstick said in his homily. “A million years from today, this church will be dust. But the immortal souls of those who built it and who have prayed in it will remain forever in one of two places.”

Parishioners of Divine Mercy Parish, Bellevue, gathered Nov. 17 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the dedication of its church building, Sacred Heart Church. The celebration began with Mass, which was broadcast live on Sacred Heart Radio and live streamed on the parish website, and included a Eucharistic procession from the church, around the school buildings and back to the church for Benediction.

“The message for us today is that, even in the midst of tribulation, we need not fear. The Lord himself is with us, and he is our inheritance. This is the same message that Jesus gave Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque about the love of his Sacred Heart,” Father Pitstick said.

“The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a door open wide, and Jesus is inviting me and you to come into his heart, to take refuge and to receive all of the treasures and graces and mercy and forgiveness that you long for,” he said.

In an interview the week before the sesquicentennial celebration, Father Pitstick shared that the parish is in the middle of a three-phase major restoration of Sacred Heart Church. Phase 1 was a $1.1 million restoration of the exterior of the church — repairing and replacing the roof and the copper bell tower. The parish has raised another $600,000 to begin the interior restoration. A third phase will add an elevator from the main church to the restrooms and undercroft making the entire church handicap accessible.

“It’s taking longer than I would have liked because there’s a lot of choices of colors and designs,” said Father Pitstick, mentioning that he has contracted with a company that specializes in sacred architecture and is working with the diocesan Office of Worship, “to make a beautiful interior restoration with a nice marble sanctuary and good lighting.”

The interior restoration will also include fixing water damage and painting the ceiling and walls.

Aside from improvements to the physical church, Father Pitstick is equally, if not more, excited to talk about “the things that we’ve been doing in the parish,” things that are building up God’s church — the people.

In May, Father Pitstick led 20 people, including some parishioners, on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. There they had a powerful spiritual experience during a rosary procession. Inspired by the experience, Father Pitstick and the pilgrims held a one-hour rosary procession around the city of Bellevue.

“We alternated the rosary and Marian hymns and prayers. It was nice,” said Father Pitstick.

Father Pitstick said that for many years the parish was trying, without success, to develop a strong youth ministry. About five years ago, he was approached by Brad Torline, former associate director for the diocesan Office of Catechesis and Evangelization and now executive director of the Angelico Project, to begin a Young Adult ministry instead.

“It’s better to start with the young adults because, after you get that as an anchor, then you can go in both directions,” said Father Pitstick. As the young adults age out of young adult ministry, the idea is that many will continue as active parishioners and those that marry and have children of their own, would instinctively want some kind of similar youth ministry for their children. So far, with the foundation laid by Mr. Torline and for the last several years coordinated by Nick Thorvaldsen, Young Adult Ministry is thriving at Divine Mercy Parish.

“We’ve used the win, build and send model,” said Father Pitstick. Win, Build, Send is a popular model used by college evangelization ministries like FOCUS. “You have some big events that are fun — that’s win,” said Father Pitstick mentioning their annual river boat swing dance cruise, which typically draws over 100 young adults.

Build incorporates catechetical events, like Bible study or prayer events. Send involves going out on mission — sharing your spiritual journey, serving others and bringing others to Christ. The Young Adult group is currently planning for a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with Mustard Seed Communities, a trip inspired after Bishop John Iffert’s visit to the Mustard Seed Communities in Jamaica earlier this year.

“Go to the website and see all the stuff that’s going on, go to the Instagram page or the Facebook page … they’re always doing something,” said Father Pitstick.

Additionally, the parish recently reactived its Knights of Columbus Council 702, one of the original councils in Kentucky. Also, for the spiritual and missionary development of parishioners, the parish has begun offering That Man Is You, for its men members, and Walking With Purpose for women. And they started a new initiative for young families to get together socially for some faith-based activities, like the upcoming Advent wreath making event. The parish also has an active St. Vincent de Paul conference.

Father Pitstick is also pastor of neighboring St. Bernard Parish in Dayton. He said that between the two parishes there are less than 500 registered households. But their small size doesn’t diminish the desire to do more and more for each other, the community and ultimately the Lord.

“It’s hard to find these resources, so I’ve really stepped out in faith and stretched. We have a lot of staff, and the staff is fueling these things,” said Father Pitstick. “It puts pressure on me to raise the money to do all these things, but it’s bearing fruit and so far we haven’t collapsed financially. It seems like we’re moving forward bit by bit.”

To Love as God Loves

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