Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

For the last 32 years, eighth graders across the Diocese of Covington have been invited to participate in the Pro-Life Essay contest. Every year the students submit essays pertaining to the year’s theme to the Diocesan Pro-Life Office. And while the themes change each year one thing remains the same, each focuses on the dignity of life; what Faye Roch, director of the pro-life office, calls the “essence of the pro-life movement.”

While visiting Holy Cross Elementary School, Covington, Mrs. Roch unveiled the theme for this year’s essay contest, “Life, our Sign of Hope.” Quoting Pope Leo XIV, she explained the topic further, “how important it is that each and every baptized person feel himself or herself called by God to be a sign of hope in the world today.”

The students are being asked to examine two key points in their essays. First, an explanation of how the Church’s teaching on dignity of life from conception to natural death is a reflection of Jesus’ teachings. Second, how a young person can be a beacon of hope for those experiencing “hopelessness and emptiness,” and how they can inspire others to do likewise, she said.

For three decades the essay contest has been utilized as a tool to help students delve into the Church’s pro-life beliefs in an increasingly polarizing world, preparing them for the “controversial things that come up when you talk about pro-life,” said Mrs. Roch.

“I’m hoping I can give you some tools to have those conversations with people, especially when it comes to talking about the unborn,” she said. “That’s what we’re called to do, to have conversations. We are called to convert people through love, not through yelling at them, not through calling them bad names, to talk to them and do it through love.”

Each student was handed a small, silver anchor, which Mrs. Roch said was a reminder to them that they can be anchors of hope in this world. “You can be that person,” she said addressing the eighth graders,” who can be a sign of hope. Know that it’s not easy, and it may not always be popular. Just know that you, as a junior high student, have that power in you.”

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Supporters of the FIRE Foundation of Northern Kentucky’s mission came together, Oct. 2, for an evening of inclusive education celebrated in Thomas More University’s Academic Center, Crestview Hills.

The evening, which began with an hour of socializing between guests, culminated in a program that expressed the foundation’s history and ministry — to make Catholic education accessible for all.

Officially established in November 2023, the FIRE Foundation of Northern Kentucky provides funding, training and personnel to Catholic schools for the purpose of inclusivity towards children with mental and developmental disabilities. Founded by parents who faced challenges with their own children’s education, the foundation has already provided vital assistance to St. Therese School, Southgate, with hopes to expand to more schools in the upcoming year.

With a goal of $300,000, the money raised will both continue to support St. Therese School but also allow for the FIRE Foundation’s model to support four other schools for the 2026–2027 school year.

“The FIRE Foundation is read to open the grant process to all of our schools to be able to meet their needs,” said Kendra McGuire, the Diocese of Covington’s superintendent. “But, in order to open the process, we need financial support to make this all possible.”

Schools in the Diocese of Covington are sponsored primarily by the parishes, with parishes contributing 30–70 percent of every collected dollar to their individual schools.

“That’s how important those Catholic schools have been to us,” Bishop John Iffert said in his closing remarks. “That’s how important we believe this strategy for passing on the faith is.”

The strategy of the FIRE Foundation, whose program originates in Kansas City, relieves the financial pressure from parishes while still allowing equal opportunity for children with disabilities.

“When we see a need, we work together to try to fill it,” Bishop Iffert said. “I’m very grateful for that.”

To learn more about the FIRE Foundation, or to make a donation, visit https://www.firefoundationnky.org.

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Deacon Joseph McGraw, currently assigned to Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, Crestview Hills, celebrated 25 years of diaconal ministry with the anniversary of his ordination, May 13. Deacon McGraw’s ministry has spanned two states, five parishes and many roles.

It was his family and church community that helped him to realize his call to the diaconate. He said, “I was very fortunate to have wonderful, faithful parents and loving siblings, and I was further blessed when this continued with my wife and children. I think that kind of environment is really conducive to discerning a vocation. For me, a vocation is a calling from God, and it’s also a calling from the community.”

Following that call, Deacon McGraw was ordained in the Diocese of Cleveland, where he resided and ministered for 12 years following his ordination. There, he aided his Bishop and served two parishes each with over 2,500 parishioners.

“I did a lot of baptisms, I witnessed marriages, and, I would say, probably one of the most humbling things I did was I was with families as their loved ones passed away,” said Deacon McGraw.

After his 12 years of ministry in Cleveland, Deacon McGraw and his family moved to the Diocese of Covington, where he was assigned to Holy Spirit Parish, Newport. It was there he remained, serving the parish for seven years before a reassignment to St. Therese Parish, Southgate, where he served for six years, before moving to his current ministry at Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel.

Currently, Deacon McGraw teaches in addition to his diaconal ministry, which he says are one and the same.

“The majority of the students here are not Catholic, and so you have to meet people where they are,” said Deacon McGraw. “I always tell the students in my class that relationships are just like with people and God. You’ve got to enter into a relationship, and you’ve got to spend time together. Then, once you do, you can start to trust the person, and once you trust the person, you can believe in that person. But you can’t expect people to start believing in a person right away.”

In the students he ministers to and teaches, said Deacon McGraw, he sees the heart of Christianity. “A lot of it goes back to what I see in the students,” he said. “They are much, much more empathetic than my generation ever was. And at the heart of Christianity is empathy.”

As for his next 25 years of diaconal ministry, Deacon McGraw hopes to do more of the same, helping draw others closer to Christ. “It’s trying to help everyone understand having faith … There’s always talk about Catholic identity and what it is. For me, Catholic identity comes down to loving like Christ did. And if they let me do that, I’ll try it,” he said.

Laura Keener

Editor

A call for assistance for utility bills that were in arrears found two Vincentians dispatched from a local parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference to the home a young woman. When they arrived they found that she was 11 weeks pregnant with her second child. Everything (water and electricity) were shut off. She said she had called everyone for assistance, and no one will help. She was very sick, throwing up a lot, and had recently been hospitalized for a blood disorder. Her father had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, so her parents are unable to help. She was receiving no child support. The Vincentians noted that, “She sounds completely hopeless and has scheduled to have an abortion in two days.”

This is but one client assisted by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky during the fiscal year Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 16, 2025. During that time, local parish Society conferences have assisted 413 children age 1 year old or less and 899 children age 2 years or less.

These figures represent cases which were opened and are now closed with assistance from the Society. And these cases represent people — moms and dads with their children — in crisis. Sometimes the crisis is temporary — like a pregnant mom who has been ordered to bed rest months before her due date, but who otherwise has a job that pays the bills.

“The financial assistance we have been blessed to share is a real part of how we help,” said Casey Guilfoyle, Diocesan St. Vincent de Paul Council president.

But other times the crisis is just a recurring symptom of a deeper problem. For these clients, offering financial help opens the door for the Society to assist clients in achieving true stability and a lasting path forward. To do this, Vincentians meet one-on-one with clients to truly understand his or her situation and often involve collaborating with community partners and walking with the client for the longer period.

Accompaniment is the foundation of the Walking With Moms In Need programs begun in many parishes over the last several years. It is also a hallmark of the mission and ministry of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul parish conferences.

“I love the phrase ‘Walking With Moms In Need’ because it connotes that real care and compassion that I think we’re all called to,” said Mrs. Guilfoyle. “We feel like we always walk with, not just moms in need, but dads in need and neighbors in need generally.

“Our ‘walking’ — the effort our Vincentians make to guide clients in paths forward — is based on attending to individual situations and meeting their challenges with targeted referrals to other resources. It is also where we bring the hope of a better tomorrow,” said Mrs. Guilfoyle. “Our work on that front includes referrals to agencies like CareNet, the Franciscan Daughters of Mary, Brighton Center, etc., which helps our neighbors see the beauty in the generosity of an entire community that cares. We are just happy to be part of that compassionate response.”

Vincentians have helped contact utility companies to work out payment plans to get the lights on and the water flowing for their neighbors in need. They offer resources to help find affordable housing. Through their own Microloan program, clients can qualify for a low-interest loan to help pay off crippling high-interest loans or to get a much-needed car running again. Also, through the Microloan program, clients receive financial mentoring to help better budget their money. Tips include obtaining food, clothing, and diapers at local food pantries, diaper banks, and outreach ministries, reserving limited income for bills, and saving for the unexpected.

“We understand that clients have an immediate need. But what are your usual income streams and what are your usual expenses? Where are you behind? Let’s work on a plan to get you through, not just until you’re able to deliver the baby, but even afterwards,” said Mrs. Guilfoyle.

And while people like to hear statistics as a way of qualifying an organization’s mission and ministry, “What might be lost in that sharing of information is that it’s not really what we do financially that makes an impact with our neighbors, but what we do when we visit them,” said Mrs. Guilfoyle. “A person-to-person visit, in their home. We go in a spirit of friendship to understand what those underlying problems are. What’s bringing you to this point?”

It was through that “spirit of friendship” that enabled the client in the opening case to trust in the care and support available. To see a different way forward. She canceled her abortion and continued her pregnancy through the help of CareNet Pregnancy Center instead. St. Vincent de Paul continues to offer support, mentoring and guidance.

“We have a lot of people praying for her. She seemed overwhelmed that we would go to such lengths to help her. She hopes to someday pay it forward,” the Vincentians noted.