Twenty-seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

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Father Dan Schomaker

Guest

In the Gospel for this weekend, the apostles ask the Lord to: “Increase our faith.” I think, along with many others, that there is a great misunderstanding in today’s culture about what faith is and what it is not. Let’s start with the negative. Faith is not a blind belief, it is not a superstition, a credulity, naivete, gullibility nor is it an irrationality.

What it is, as defined by the Letter to the Hebrews, is: “…the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.”

If we break down that definition, we see that the use of our human reason and intellect is integral and necessary for faith. “Realization” is the awareness through thought, study, contemplation, examination, etc. that something is real. “Evidence” is the proof of that thought, study, examination, etc. Synonyms include clear, apparent and obvious.

So, faith can be the obvious proof of invisible realities that have become known in the mind through the use of human reason and experienced in the heart because of a longing for that which is hoped. In the case of God, that hope is Heaven!

St. Thomas Aquinas provides the Church with five (5) proofs of God’s existence. I’ll share just one: The Unmoved Mover. He would argue that all of creation is in some form of motion or change. Nothing can move itself; it is always acted upon by an outside force. He argues that there cannot be an infinite chain of movers – those outside forces which cause the motion or change. There must be an initial mover who is unmoved. This unmoved mover we Christians call God. As a thought process, this invisible reality becomes clear to the mind through the use of reason!

If we desire to have an increase in faith like the apostles, then we have to start using our minds and our reason as we seek belief. St. Augustine would say: “do not seek to understand that you may believe, but seek to believe that you may understand.”  Belief must come first!

Let’s give ourselves over to the faith of the Church, the faith into which we were all baptized… one that is pure and perfect. Then we can watch an exposition of growth, just like the tiny mustard seed becomes the greatest of bushes.

Father Daniel Schomaker is pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Ft. Mitchell and director, Office of Worship and Liturgy for the Diocese of Covington, Ky.

How Vincentians walk with moms in need

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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.

Migrants and refugees are missionaries and messengers of hope, Bishop Iffert says at prayer service commemorating National Migration Week

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

People gathered in the pews of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, for a prayer service, Sept. 26. This service commemorated National Migration Week — calling back to the late Pope Francis’s jubilee theme, “Migrants, missionaries of hope.”

The service opened with words from Rosario Osnaya, an immigrant herself, who shared part of her story with those gathered.

“I want to thank the United States for giving me the opportunity to live with dignity and hope,” she said, in a tearful but touching testimony. Mrs. Osnaya sent her prayers and gratitude to all immigrants, as well, asking God to “protect them,” and for the same doors opened to her will be open to them, as well.

Bishop John Iffert, who led the service, further commented in his homily on the dignity of the migrant, especially under their title as “missionaries of hope.”

“The theme reminds us that migrants are not takers,” said Bishop Iffert, “They are and always have made a contribution to society and are a powerful force for the growth of the Church.”

He spoke on the Diocese of Covington’s legacy as built on migrants and missionaries, as well, with previous bishops themselves having immigrated or came to America from countries such as Germany and Belgium.

“We know that all people who are baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit are our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Bishop Iffert continued. “We understand that those who are of Christ are never truly at home in this world, but living as a pilgrim people in anticipation of fullness of life.”

He emphasized further, that “migrants and refugees are more than brothers and sisters who deserve our compassion and mercy … migrants bear an infinite dignity, and are entitled to keep that dignity … They are the foundation upon which church buildings,” referencing Bishop Camillus Maes, a former Bishop of Covington and Belgian immigrant who began construction of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, “and Church, the people of God, spring from and are supported by.”

Quoting Pope Leo XIV, who called migrants “messengers of hope,” Bishop Iffert said, “Many migrants, refugees and displaced persons are privileged witnesses of hope … Indeed, they demonstrate this daily through their resilience and trust in God as they face adversity, while seeking a future in which they glimpse that integral human development and happiness are possible.” He goes on, Bishop Iffert said, that “in a world, darkened by war and injustice, even when all seems lost, migrants and refugees stand as messengers of hope.”

Circling back, Bishop Iffert once again brought light to the legacy of the Diocese of Covington, and the Church as a whole.

“It was the missionary mission of a migrant who first envisioned this place for you. It was a migrant architect who translated those dreams into stone and glass … these people who come to us, whether because of a missionary zeal or from fear of violence or from desire for economic opportunity — they are not merely a duty. They are not a burden. They are certainly not, as some people have said, an infestation, a plague or a problem. They are brothers and sisters in Christ; they are messenger of hope,” Bishop Iffert said.

Annual cemetery visitations offer a way to honor and grow in relationship with the deceased

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The annual cemetery visitations day will take place Oct. 18 at St. John Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell, 10 a.m.; St. Mary Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell, 11 a.m.; and St. Stephen Cemetery, Ft. Thomas, 12:30 p.m. At each cemetery a prayer service will be led by Bishop John Iffert, and the names of each person buried during the last year will be read. The event is open to all as this tradition is a way to honor those who have passed as they transition from this life to the next.

The practice of cemetery visitations in the Catholic church is “as ancient as the Church,” said Father Daniel Schomaker, director of the Office of Worship and pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Ft. Mitchell. With its roots developing in early Christians visiting the tombs of those who have passed to ask for their intercession.

“It’s this prayer of intercession,” said Father Schomaker, “and so we visit our cemeteries where our loved ones await the resurrection of the dead because we believe in the resurrection of the body.”

We visit, he said, “to maintain that relationship, between those who have died and the living. It doesn’t end in death, so we encourage that relationship to be continued.”

“As Catholics, we understand that death does not bring the end of life, it just brings a transition, change, in that life,” he said.

In the same way that we offer petitions at Mass for the deceased, Father Schomaker said that we offer our prayers at the cemetery, months and even years later.

“We’re dealing with a God who is outside of time, outside of space, who we believe to be eternally present. So, those prayers for the dead are as efficacious years and years after the death as they are on the day,” said Father Schomaker.

Frassati play brings life to young Italian saint — tickets available now

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Lights are on St. Pier Giorgio Frassati — one of two saints canonized this September. An Italian saint from the early 20th century, St. Frassati became patron to young Catholics, students and mountaineers — dedicated to works of social action.

The Angelico Project, a Cincinnati non-profit focused on revitalizing the Catholic arts, is teaming up with Open Window Theatre to bring the young saint to life with the play “Frassati,” coming to Cincinnati’s Aronoff Center for the weekend of Oct. 17–19.

Jeromy Darling, an actor with Open Window, will be portraying the titular saint. “We’re privileged to do any of this for the Lord and for the Church,” said Mr. Darling. “And I think that’s really before all of us, and there’s a great desire to honor St. Frassati and to do right by him.”

Mr. Darling, who has been performing the role for some time as the theatre tours, has developed a special devotion to the saint, even before his canonization.

A convert, he describes his becoming Catholic as the “single most destructive force” in his life. “I lost pretty much every relationship that mattered to me,” Mr. Darling said. “The truth exacts a terrible price … to be a disciple of Christ is to embrace being perpetually misunderstood — Jesus, of course, is still the most misunderstood figure in all of history.”

He described Frassati’s life also as “a wonderful picture of a man who embraced being misunderstood.”

“It was wonderful to be introduced to his life and to his world, and it’s a very strange way to get to know a saint,” he said. “Most Catholics, we develop devotions to saints through books and stories and novenas — but never would we ever think to spend a couple hours a day dressing like them, talking like them, trying to act like them and embody them. And so, to be introduced to a saint that way … was one of the most transformative experiences of my life.”

Describing it as “sacramental, in a way,” his portrayal and devotion to St. Frassati was instrumental in helping him let go of the hurt, heartbreak and frustration of being misunderstood.

Of course, Mr. Darling said he had no idea that the saint would be canonized in his lifetime.

“We knew right away that this is a very clear sign to take this show on the road,” he said.

“We need folks to come see it. It’s a long way to trek, it’s a big theater, and we really want folks to see this play of this man’s life for the sole purpose of bringing glory to God.”

ACUE hosts major donors to award its annual Faith, Hope and Inspiration award to Drees Home Foundation

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Alliance for Catholic Urban Education (ACUE) hosted its annual major donor recognition event at Drees Pavilion, Covington, Sept. 26. The event gathers major donors to ACUE to thank them for their generosity and to award the ACUE Faith, Hope and Inspiration award. This year the award went to the Drees Homes Foundation, which has given generously since its founding.

Superintendent for Catholic schools, Kendra McGuire, spoke to the donors before the presentation of the award, reinforcing the need for Catholic education.

“A Catholic education provides more than academic excellence,” she said. “It provides a faith-filled learning environment where students learn about their importance as a child of God, students learn about the love of Jesus and how to live that daily.”

Bishop John Iffert said to those gathered, “I thank you for giving young people opportunities that they may not otherwise have, to encounter good, solid education, by people who care for them, and especially to encounter the love and strength of Jesus Christ, the Lord.”

ACUE schools serve in the urban core of the Diocese of Covington, with schools operating in Covington, Bellevue and northern Taylor Mill. The organization’s primary function is to ensure that all children, regardless of economic status, have the opportunity to receive a high-quality, Catholic education.

Mrs. McGuire shared a story of one of those students, now a graduate of Holy Cross High School, Covington. Giselle entered St. Augustine Elementary, Covington, unable to speak English.

“Although St. Augustine didn’t have a Spanish speaking teacher or staff member, the school went above and beyond to support her, to welcome her and to include here in their school,” she said.

Giselle now plans to attend Purdue University and study cybersecurity. “Giselle is just one of countless examples of students who needed our schools, students who without this opportunity, may fall through the cracks or fail to reach their full potential due to a school environment that cannot fully support their needs,” said Mrs. McGuire.

The Drees Home Foundation has been a tireless supporter of ACUE and its mission. Ralph and Irma Drees, founders of the foundation, were the first to receive the ACUE Faith, Hope and Inspiration award, for their contributions to ACUE, both in time and money. They were also the first to achieve the title of “Cornerstone Donor,” with a donation in the amount of $250,000.

Beth Ruehlmann, director of development for ACUE, said, “Ralph has a true heart for ACUE, his love for our ministry and his legacy of support continues now through the Drees Homes Foundation, which we honor this evening as Cornerstone Donors. They have renewed the commitment of our first Cornerstone Donors … we are so grateful for your enduring support.”

Diocesan Archivist

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The Diocese of Covington invites qualified, actively-practicing Roman Catholics to apply for the part-time (15 hours) position of Archivist. The Diocesan Archives contains instruments and written documents which pertain to the spiritual and temporal affairs of the Diocese, including specifically but not exclusively, non-current files from Diocesan offices, sacramental records, academic transcripts of certain closed schools, certain photographs, and other historical information of Diocesan archival significance. The Archivist maintains records of acquisitions, labels and houses files, updates inventory, responds to records requests, and performs research when requested by Diocesan or parish personnel. Qualifications include either a degree in history, archive certification, or archive or library experience. Interested candidates may send a letter of interest, resume or C-V with compensation history, and a list of references with contact email addresses to Stephen Koplyay, SPHR by email or by fax: [email protected], 859/392-1589.

 

 

2025 Pro-Life Essay Contest winning essay

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Jeremiah was told that before God formed him in his mother’s body, God chose him, that before he was born, God set him apart to serve God. (Jer 1:5) I believe I was set apart also.

Have you ever considered the possibility of never having the chance to live the life you were blessed with? I’ve reflected on this possibility multiple times. Knowing there was a chance of not being alive in this world is daunting.

People take life for granted daily. Our society puts a major emphasis on money, power and status. From my perspective, I’m amazed by the gifts that God has provided for us. The sun’s radiant colors, the earth’s beautiful landscape, or the diversity of individuals fortunate enough to be born and experience these gifts.

Although I was always wanted and wished for, my parents would never receive the joy of having a child to call their own. My mom and dad tried everything, but it was becoming unhealthy for my mom. It was also pulling them further away from God. They would ask God every day why they couldn’t have a son or daughter of their own? That’s all they wanted.

God knew their purpose in life; he wanted them to adopt a child, and help that child see and be who he made them to be. From there, they decided to turn their focus to adopting someone who needed a miracle as much as they needed one, too. My parents fought hard to have me, but they always say I was worth it. Knowing what they went through, makes me feel important. I wasn’t something ordinary that just happened. I was something they worked hard for.

I was adopted by the most loving and amazing family. They didn’t care that I wasn’t their biological child. They only cared that I was “their” child who they loved unconditionally.

From a young age, I often wondered why I didn’t look like my parents. I am interracial and both of my parents are white. To me, that is completely normal. People would ask questions as to why I have dark skin and curly hair. They would judge my mom on why she has a darker child and give her dirty looks.

Instead of letting that discourage them, they learned how to take care of my skin and my hair. They ignored the way people would stare. Instead, my mom would look at other girls and see that they had braids and beads in their hair. Their curly hair was so perfect and pretty. She felt like she wasn’t doing enough. She bought beads and asked her friends about products to put in my hair. I would tell her, “Mom, I don’t want those beads in my hair.”

When I was young, all I wanted was to look like my parents. I hated my curly hair and would beg them every day to straighten it. Every time my parents would tell me how beautiful I was and how they wanted to look like me someday. As I got older, strangers would tell me how I look like my parents. I would say, “But mom, I don’t look like you.” She would tell me to just smile, and then we would move on with our day. As our day went on, I still couldn’t comprehend how I could look like them?

People still say that I look like my parents. I just smile and say thank you. I may not resemble them on the outside, but everyone is made in God’s image, and I look just like them on the inside.

I am now 13 years old, becoming a strong and confident young adult. With their love and guidance, I’ve learned to love myself for who I am. My mom and dad have taught me that my purpose is to show people that we are all extraordinarily important in our own way.

The Catechism states, “The covenant between God and mankind is interwoven with reminders of God’s gifts of human life.” (CCC 2260) What I have gone through is a blessing that I will not take for granted, no matter what we look like on the outside, because I am a witness to God’s love. My hope is that I can be a reminder, too, by sharing my story, spreading the Gospel and not judging people on what they look like.

Kyndall May Ruebusch is an eighth-grade student at St. Anthony School, Taylor Mill, Ky. This is her first-place essay in this year’s Diocesan Pro-Life Essay Contest.

 

2025 Second Place Essay

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Piper Hagley, Holy Cross Elementary School

As I stood next to my grandma’s bed, I could feel her fading away. My mom was whispering into my grandma’s ear, gently stroking her hair. My aunt stood at the foot of my grandma’s bed, adjusting her covers to make sure that she was warm. As I looked at my grandpa, I could see that his eyes were filled with tears. He held onto my grandma’s hand so tightly that it was like he was trying to keep her here on earth with the strength of his grasp. As my grandma took her last breath, my grandpa fell to his knees. My heart sank and I thought to myself, “who is going to take care of grandpa now that grandma is gone?”.

Getting old is a natural process. It’s during old age that people need the most care and love. Society tends to focus on protecting the lives of the unborn, but who is preserving the lives of our elderly? The Catechism says, “Family should live in such a way that its members learn to care and take responsibility for the young, the old, the sick, the handicapped, and the poor.” (CCC 2208). Taking care of our elderly is a responsibility that we should all take on. The elderly deserve to lead fulfilling and happy lives just as much as we do. It is our moral duty to take care of them when they cannot care for themselves.

One of the best ways to care for the elderly is to simply spend time with them. Imagine sitting alone every day, doing the same things over and over, and not having anybody to talk to. That doesn’t sound very enjoyable to me. A person can make a huge difference in someone’s day by calling them, bringing them a sweet treat, or by sitting with them and listening to their stories. When I visit my grandpa, I like to watch golf and old Westerns with him. He’ll ask me how school is going, and he’ll tell me what it was like when he was growing up. Our older generation has lived through a lot, and they have a lot to teach us. We just need to take the time to listen.

Another great way to spend time with the elderly is to visit nursing homes. Nursing homes can get very lonely, and some of the residents don’t have any visitors. The residents often feel neglected and unhappy. Young people can bring so much joy to the residents by stopping by and saying hi, by playing a game with them, or by giving them a hug. You’d be surprised how much joy a hug can bring. People can also send cards. Everyone likes to get mail because it makes us feel special. When I visited my local nursing home, I sang Christmas carols and made Christmas cards with them. It was very special to see the smiles on their faces just from a simple act of kindness.

As we grow older, it gets more difficult to do daily tasks. Older people often feel overwhelmed by the tasks that they can no longer do. We can help by doing chores for them, helping with yard work, or by running errands for them. In doing this, we show them that we care about them. I know my grandpa always has a long list of things for us to do every time my family visits, and he is always very thankful for the help.

Older people also struggle with financial stability. They often don’t have the money to buy the things that they need, like food, clothes, and medicine. As a society, it is up to us to provide the elderly with items that they cannot afford. Our parents and grandparents spent years providing for us, now it’s our turn to provide for them. Whether it’s with our own money, or with the help of an outside organization, it’s our responsibility to make sure the elderly have the basic necessities of life.

Unfortunately, in today’s society, the youth seem to have forgotten their moral responsibility for their elders. Psalm 71:9 states, “Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.” This passage calls on us to care for our elders and to give them the love and care that they deserve. God does not abandon us in our time of need, so we shouldn’t abandon the elderly in their time of need.