Bella Bailey
Multimedia Correspondent
The annual Mass opening the new school year had the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, filled to max capacity as faculty and staff from schools across the Diocese gathered to celebrate the start of the 2025-2026 school year. The Mass, celebrated by Bishop John Iffert and organized by the Diocese of Covington Office of Catholic Schools, is a way for these school faculty and staff to gather in communion with one another before the hustle and bustle of a new year.
“In just a few days, you will welcome students into your classroom,” said Kendra McGuire, superintendent. “Each child in your class will be unique coming to you from different families, backgrounds and experience, their interests, talents and abilities will be unique too.”
Mrs. McGuire continued saying, “This year, let’s teach by looking at each child as Jesus would, to love them as Jesus would.”
A sentiment reaffirmed in the first reading, Numbers 11:4b-15, and Gospel reading Matthew 14:13-21, which showcased Jesus’ merciful love and unending patience as a teacher to all.
In his homily, Bishop Iffert reflected on the first reading, where God provided for the Israelites in the desert with manna. This manna, said Bishop Iffert, would provide all they would need to sustain life, but still, they griped.
“Oh yeah, the Lord saved our lives. But what a monotonous and terrible life it is. Manna every morning, manna every noon time, manna every evening,” Bishop Iffert said, echoing the cries of the Israelites. After hearing the plight of Moses and his people, in his infinite mercy, God provided the Israelites with quail, giving his people meat.
Perhaps a moment many teachers have experienced, when they have given all, they have to give, and still the student entrusted to their care asks for more.
“There will come a day this year,” said Bishop Iffert addressing the teachers in attendance, “when you’re tested, when you feel like ‘I have nothing left to offer.’ In that moment Jesus invites us, ‘What do you have? What’s left? What scrap?’ And when we bring it to him, he will bless that, he will break that, and he will give for the life of the world.”
In the same way that Jesus, grieving the death of John the Baptist in the Gospel reading, fed the 5,000 that followed him, though he was tired, grief stricken, and “he’s had just about enough,” said Bishop Iffert.
“Jesus teaches us the way to respond when we feel alone and tired and put upon and ground down and abused,” said Bishop Iffert. For, in spite of his grief and exhaustion, Jesus took five loaves and two fishes, and from these scraps fed the masses.
This year, as teachers bring to the feet of Jesus their scraps, Bishop Iffert said, Jesus will break it, as he did the loaves and fish, “and this is the promise, it will be plenty. It will be plenty for you, it will be plenty for them. That is the promise,” said Bishop Iffert.
Echoing the early message from Mrs. McGuire, Bishop Iffert said, “Trusting in Christ, we hold our heads high. We commit ourselves to these children and to their families. We strive to be like Christ, and we beg him to be our support.”
“Thank you,” he continued, “for leading these children to the truth. I thank you for giving them the example of one who follows Jesus Christ, even unto the cross. I thank you for your dedication and devotion this year”
As the new school year opens, teachers remember, that when there seems to be no more to give, offer the scraps to God, and he will make it plentiful, “that is the promise,” said Bishop Iffert.
Bishop Foys says thank you
/in NewsMy dear Friends in Christ,
Although there are no words adequate enough to express the gratitude I have for the celebration of my 80th birthday, I nonetheless want to attempt to express my profound gratitude. I am especially grateful to our Bishop John Iffert for proposing this celebration and for the many other kindnesses he has shown to me since his arrival in the Diocese. I am likewise grateful to the committee that oversaw the festivities, to all those who were instrumental in preparing for the celebration in any way as well as to all those who attended, to those who sent cards, gifts. and expressions of support.
The celebration was overwhelming for me, and I will never forget it. As I grow older, I appreciate more and more the many gifts the Lord has bestowed on me throughout my lifetime. I thank Him for the gift of life, for a wonderful loving family, for parents who passed the faith on to me by their example, for the gift of the priesthood and the episcopacy, for the gift of good friends, for the priests and faithful with whom I have ministered and served to be best of my ability.
So, although it is inadequate, please accept my gratitude. Thank you! Let us pray for one another. God bless you!
Yours devotedly and gratefully in the Lord,
Most Rev. Roger Joseph Foys, D.D.
Bishop Emeritus of Covington
Concert at St. Mary’s Park honors Bishop Foys 80th birthday
/in Featured StoriesLaura Keener
Editor
On a hot and humid evening, over 200 people gathered, July 25, at St. Mary’s Park, Covington, to celebrate the 80th birthday of Bishop Emeritus Roger Foys. The concert celebration was hosted by Bishop John Iffert and included live music by the Pete Wagner Band with Nancy James.
“It is my pleasure to be able to welcome you,” said Bishop Iffert as the concert began. Quoting from Psalm 90, Bishop Iffert said, “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures.” (10)
“There is no surprise to us that Bishop Roger Foys is strong,” Bishop Iffert said. “He led us here in the Diocese of Covington for 20 years, a quarter of his life. Before those 20 years, he spent another 20 years as vicar general at the Diocese of Steubenville. For half of his life Bishop Foys has been carrying the weight of leadership at a diocesan level in the life of the Church. We pray that we will have many more birthdays to celebrate with you, Bishop Foys.”
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the birthday cake accompanied by six Margaret Mary Foys Ciesla scholarship recipients. The Margaret Mary Foys Ciesla ACUE Scholarship Fund was established by Bishop Foys and is named in honor of his sister, who died from pancreatic cancer not long after his installation as Bishop of Covington. Another highlight was a musical tribute by the Bishop’s Choir, a parody on the Andy Griffith Show’s “Welcome Sweet Springtime,” led by Greg Schaffer.
Speakers included Dale Henson, the diocese’s former Chief Financial Officer who worked with Bishop Foys for over a decade and Father Joey Shelton, former secretary to Bishop Foys.
Mr. Henson praised Bishop Foys for his commitment to Catholic education, especially in formalizing and centralizing the Alliance for Catholic Urban Education Consortium.
“This new model introduced elements of consistency and operational efficiency that allowed for the realization of significant cost savings,” Mr. Henson said. “His forethought in the formation and support of ACUE absolutely saved our inner-city schools and has allowed them to continue serving our community and transmitting the faith to hundreds of students over the years.”
Mr. Henson also commended Bishop Foys for his commitment to vocations by, early on, making the vocations promoter a full-time position.
“Bishop Foys himself was active in the diocese’s pursuit of good men for the priesthood. That increased focus had a profound impact on the number of men discerning for the priesthood in our diocese,” he said mentioning that at one time during his tenure, 28 men were studying for the priesthood and Bishop Foys ordained 42 men to the priesthood. “Today over 60 percent of our active diocesan priests were ordained by Bishop Foys. That’s a true testament to his love of the Church, the priesthood and our diocese.”
Father Shelton also affirmed Bishop Foys commitment to his priests. “Bishop Foys is a priest’s bishop,” Father Shelton said. “If a priest needed something – anything at all – Bishop Foys would do everything in his power to get that priest what he needed … He was always there to provide support and encouragement to those priests whose vocations he fostered … Bishop Foys loves the priesthood and during his time as our chief shepherd we knew and felt his love for us.”
In his remarks, Bishop Iffert recalled his first conversation with Bishop Foys just minutes after speaking with the nuncio calling him to Covington.
“From the very first moments he was supportive, encouraging, reassuring … from the very first moments he expressed his happiness to welcome me and to support me in this transition. That’s the graciousness of this man. That is who Bishop Foys is and has been to so many. It is why we are all so eager to be here tonight to wish him a happy birthday and to celebrate these 80 years of life,” Bishop Iffert said.
Bishop Foys ended the presentation in deep gratitude.
“To all of you who came I am very, very grateful,” said Bishop Foys. “I am grateful for all the outpouring of support, and encouragement and love that came from you these past 23 years. Know that I love you and pray for you every day and will continue to do so. I ask, please, that you pray for me. My sincere gratitude to Bishop Iffert who spearheaded this gathering — this is the kind and wonderful person that he is.”
For a related article go to https://covdio.org/foysbirthdaythankyou/.
Bishop John Iffert encourages school administrators and teachers to rely on Christ as the 2025-2026 school year begins
/in Featured StoriesBella Bailey
Multimedia Correspondent
The annual Mass opening the new school year had the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, filled to max capacity as faculty and staff from schools across the Diocese gathered to celebrate the start of the 2025-2026 school year. The Mass, celebrated by Bishop John Iffert and organized by the Diocese of Covington Office of Catholic Schools, is a way for these school faculty and staff to gather in communion with one another before the hustle and bustle of a new year.
“In just a few days, you will welcome students into your classroom,” said Kendra McGuire, superintendent. “Each child in your class will be unique coming to you from different families, backgrounds and experience, their interests, talents and abilities will be unique too.”
Mrs. McGuire continued saying, “This year, let’s teach by looking at each child as Jesus would, to love them as Jesus would.”
A sentiment reaffirmed in the first reading, Numbers 11:4b-15, and Gospel reading Matthew 14:13-21, which showcased Jesus’ merciful love and unending patience as a teacher to all.
In his homily, Bishop Iffert reflected on the first reading, where God provided for the Israelites in the desert with manna. This manna, said Bishop Iffert, would provide all they would need to sustain life, but still, they griped.
“Oh yeah, the Lord saved our lives. But what a monotonous and terrible life it is. Manna every morning, manna every noon time, manna every evening,” Bishop Iffert said, echoing the cries of the Israelites. After hearing the plight of Moses and his people, in his infinite mercy, God provided the Israelites with quail, giving his people meat.
Perhaps a moment many teachers have experienced, when they have given all, they have to give, and still the student entrusted to their care asks for more.
“There will come a day this year,” said Bishop Iffert addressing the teachers in attendance, “when you’re tested, when you feel like ‘I have nothing left to offer.’ In that moment Jesus invites us, ‘What do you have? What’s left? What scrap?’ And when we bring it to him, he will bless that, he will break that, and he will give for the life of the world.”
In the same way that Jesus, grieving the death of John the Baptist in the Gospel reading, fed the 5,000 that followed him, though he was tired, grief stricken, and “he’s had just about enough,” said Bishop Iffert.
“Jesus teaches us the way to respond when we feel alone and tired and put upon and ground down and abused,” said Bishop Iffert. For, in spite of his grief and exhaustion, Jesus took five loaves and two fishes, and from these scraps fed the masses.
This year, as teachers bring to the feet of Jesus their scraps, Bishop Iffert said, Jesus will break it, as he did the loaves and fish, “and this is the promise, it will be plenty. It will be plenty for you, it will be plenty for them. That is the promise,” said Bishop Iffert.
Echoing the early message from Mrs. McGuire, Bishop Iffert said, “Trusting in Christ, we hold our heads high. We commit ourselves to these children and to their families. We strive to be like Christ, and we beg him to be our support.”
“Thank you,” he continued, “for leading these children to the truth. I thank you for giving them the example of one who follows Jesus Christ, even unto the cross. I thank you for your dedication and devotion this year”
As the new school year opens, teachers remember, that when there seems to be no more to give, offer the scraps to God, and he will make it plentiful, “that is the promise,” said Bishop Iffert.
St. Henry student achieves rank of Eagle Scout, busts river bank refuse
/in Featured StoriesMaura Baker
Staff Writer
An incoming junior student of St. Henry District High School, scout Sam Dirksing has achieved the rank and honor of Eagle Scout — the highest rank attainable in the organization of the Scouts BSA.
The efforts to become an Eagle Scout are lifelong, with Mr. Dirksing having entered the Boy Scouts of America in the first grade and continuing to this day. The journey culminates with an Eagle Scout project, scout-led and benefitting the community.
To Sam Dirksing, he took example from the conservation requirements needed for ranking up and turned his project into an opportunity to clean up the community’s local waterways.
He teamed up with the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and rallied community members, family and friends for a litter cleanup along the banks of the Ohio River at Giles Conrad Park, Hebron this past October.
“I cleaned up the park and the bank of the river,” said Mr. Dirksing. “The weather was perfect, and it went great.”
In addition to the project, achieving the rank also gave Mr. Dirksing time to reflect on his achievements as a scout, and the memories therein.
“To me Eagle represents all of the hard work that I have put into scouting and all of the fun trips and memories I have made along the way and the ones yet to come,” he said, “This was accomplished by the love and support of many adults in my life and the support of my fellow scouts. Many of the rank requirements and merit badge requirements have collaborative aspects where a Scout has to teach, lead and demonstrate life skills to others. I have learned much about myself during this journey.”
Parish Kitchen Manager
/in Curia Openings, Job Postings, Other Diocesan EmploymentCatholic Charities of the Diocese of Covington is seeking a motivated, compassionate, and organized individual to serve as Parish Kitchen Manager. This is a full-time position (40 hours/week, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM). For over 51 years, Parish Kitchen has been a vital ministry, providing free lunch daily (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM) to anyone in need.
Position Overview:
The Parish Kitchen Manager is responsible for overseeing all on-site operations, managing staff, coordinating volunteers, and ensuring daily activities align with the mission and values of Catholic Charities and the Diocese. This role requires leadership in day-to-day management and a heart for ministry and hospitality.
Qualifications:
Key Responsibilities
Compensation & Benefits:
To Apply
Please submit your resume, cover letter, salary history, and at least three references to:
Shannon Braun – sbraun@covingtoncharities.org
To learn more about Parish Kitchen and Catholic Charities, visit:
https://www.covingtoncharities.org/news-events/job-opportunities
Catholic Charities is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This job description is not exhaustive, and additional responsibilities may be assigned.
English Teacher – Notre Dame Academy
/in Job Postings, Teacher OpeningsNotre Dame Academy (NDA) in Park Hills, Kentucky, seeks a mission-driven, qualified professional to serve as a full-time English teacher for the 2025-26 school year. The ideal candidate will be an experienced teacher, hold at least a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree is preferred, and be certified by the state of Kentucky to teach English. Notre Dame Academy is a Catholic all-girls high school sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame. NDA has a rich tradition of success and excellence. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Lisa Timmerding at ndahr@ndapandas.org
138th annual St. Ann novena highlights the major Councils of the Church
/in Featured StoriesLaura Keener
Editor
The major councils of the Church were highlighted at St. Ann Church, Covington, as the mission celebrated its 138th annual St. Ann Novena, July 18–26. Father Aby Thampi, pastor, welcomed a variety of diocesan priests and deacons to preach each night of the novena. Father Eric Boelscher, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Crescent Springs, was celebrant and homilist on evening five; his topic was the Lateran Councils.
A quick show-of-hands survey determined that attendees were not adept on their knowledge of the Lateran Councils, alleviating any fact-checking, Father Boelscher humorously acknowledged. The Lateran Councils are five ecumenical councils that were held at the Lateran Palace in Rome over the course of about 400 years — First (1123), Second (1139), Third (1179), Fourth (1215), and Fifth (1512-1517).
It was a time, Father Boelscher said, when Church leaders couldn’t agree on almost anything. The first three councils occurred in quick succession because of this inability. And while there was an abundance of issues to discuss, during the fourth council Church leaders were determined to at least agree on the basics and were able to formally define the doctrine of transubstantiation, stating that in the Eucharist, the bread and wine are substantially changed into the Body and Blood of Christ.
“There is one thing we need to agree on, we all need to be real clear about who this is on the altar at each Mass. And once we get that, every promise and problem will be taken care of. All we are supposed to do is go and tell everyone we have seen the Lord,” Father Boelscher said.
Every evening of the novena has been recorded and is available for viewing on the “Saint John and Saint Ann Churches” Facebook page.
Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Go and Glorify
/in Go and GlorifyFather Phillip W. DeVous
Contributor
For many years now I have thought the main reason people drift away from the practice of the faith is due to the total fragmentation of our attention and our capacity to pay attention to God. Attention is a sacred act for the simple reason that we become that to which we pay attention.
Because of our frayed and fractured attention spans, we have become less capable of paying attention to anything important, especially God. At a fundamental level, faith may be understood, at a minimum, as the attention we pay to the God who has revealed himself to us in Jesus Christ.
How do we recover that attention which is so essential to the life of faith; that in some sense IS the life of the faith? Let us turn our mind’s attention to our Blessed Lord: “Jesus was praying…”
We must take the time to pray. Prayer, which as the philosopher and mystic Simone Weil understood it, is “laboring to give our attention to God.” When I have struggled in prayer over the years, I have always found comfort in Weil’s understanding of prayer. My very labor to pay attention to the living God was itself prayer.
It is essential to note that prayer, deep prayer, is hard and we, like the disciples, turn to the Lord and pray for the gift of prayer, asking, “Lord, teach us to pray.” And the Lord answers that prayer.
“Father.” Jesus reveals to us that God is not some cold, distant first cause or prime mover, but the source of my existence and life. He is Father to each of us and all of creation. Though our heavenly Father is certainly almighty, he revealed by Christ to be in familial relation of generativity and intimacy to us.
“Hallowed be your name.” When we enter in the labor of praying, we recognize the one to whom we direct our attention is like no other. To call upon the Father is to do more than enter some kind of random chat. When we are praying, we enter a communion with the all-holy God and in so doing, His holiness becomes transformative to us. His holiness hallows us, that is, makes us holy, for prayer is one of the means by which our Father shares the divine life with us.
“Your kingdom come.” In the person of Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God is at hand! The Kingdom of God is made present and personal in Jesus Christ. In prayer we come to see that a whole new manner of being, and relationship of God has come to us as we receive Jesus Christ in prayer, which is the most fundamental act of faith.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” We pray for our daily bread — the things we need to sustain life. This, however, goes beyond the earthly and material life, for what we really need to sustain us is the “bread of life” wherein we feed on the very life of God. Thus, the “true bread come down from heaven” that sustains us in the divine life of God is the Most Holy Eucharist. Every Holy Mass that is celebrated is the Father’s direct and personal answer to this prayer.
“Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us.” This single line embodies the absolute primacy of divine mercy in our lives. Having received the divine mercy of Jesus in His paschal mystery, we are enjoined to liberally extend forgiveness to others. If we pay close attention to this petition, we get the sense that we are not forgiven of our sins if we do not forgive others. Therefore, essential to our Eucharistic Communion with the Lord is active sense of mercy sought, mercy received, and mercy extended-from God, to us, and from us to others.
“Do not subject us to the final test.” The Christian life is a life of spiritual warfare against the forces of the world, the flesh and the devil. We must turn to the Lord and ask him to deliver us from evil and give us the grace of final perseverance in our communion and friendship with Him as we navigate life’s trials and sufferings. It is precisely this grace for which we pray when we say, “that through the powerful working of your grace (that) these most sacred mysteries may sanctify our present way of life and lead us to eternal gladness.”
Father Phillip W. DeVous is the pastor of St. Charles Parish, Flemingsburg and St. Rose of Lima Parish, Mayslick, Ky.
Mission Advancement Director – St. Joseph Parish, Crescent Springs
/in Job Postings, Parish OpeningsSt. Joseph Parish in Crescent Springs, KY is seeking a full-time Mission Advancement Director to help build a vibrant, mission-centered community through strategic vision, storytelling, and personal connection. This role invites others into deeper discipleship, supports parish and school life, and strengthens the spirit of generosity that fuels our mission. Ideal candidates are passionate about evangelization, skilled in communication and relationship-building, and energized by helping people feel known, valued, and drawn into the life of the Church. Grant writing and stewardship development are part of the role, but always in service of the greater mission. Please contact kmaly@stjosephcsky.org for more information or to apply.
Receptionist (Part-Time)
/in Job Postings, Parish OpeningsSt. Joseph Church and St. Edward Church is looking for a part-time receptionist to work 2 days a week in Warsaw, KY. The responsibilities would include working on the bulletin, answering phone calls, helping with sacramental records and other paperwork, occasionally attending diocesan meetings and updating our social media platforms. Contact Father Jim Schaeper at jschaeper@covdio.org