Laura Keener
Editor
At the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion, Feb. 22, Bishop John Iffert welcomed 420 people from across the Diocese seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. This is a record-breaking number, an increase of 57.3 percent over last year and a 105.9 percent increase over the five-year average.
In an interview with Father Daniel Schomaker, diocesan director for the Office of Worship and Liturgy, the dramatic increase, he said, can only be attributed to God’s grace and the Holy Spirit.
“God’s grace is moving and people are paying attention,” Father Schomaker said. “God’s grace is always moving; the Holy Spirit is always active and drawing people back to him.” What’s happening now is “all of a sudden people are paying attention a little bit more and responding to that grace.”
In two ceremonies, Feb. 22, pastors from 36 parishes in the Diocese of Covington and Thomas More University presented 171 catechumens and 249 candidates to Bishop John Iffert. Catechumens are unbaptized individuals seeking to enter the Catholic Church. During the Rite of Election each is called forward by name, receive a blessing from Bishop Iffert and had their name inscribed in the Book of the Elect, which Bishop Iffert signed, declaring them the Elect — God’s chosen people.
Candidates are baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. Included with the candidates is 46 baptized Catholics seeking to complete the sacraments of initiation. They, too, are called by name and received a blessing from Bishop Iffert.
Both the candidates and catechumens have been participating in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) at their parish. At this year’s Easter Vigil they will receive the sacraments of initiation — baptism (catechumens), first Communion, and confirmation (catechumens and candidates) — and will become the newest members of the Church.
In his homily, reflecting on the Gospel passage of the temptations of Christ in the desert (Matt 4:1-11), Bishop Iffert said that Jesus is the perfect model for us to resist sin that strains both our relationship with God and each other.
“Jesus takes this stand with us, relying on the spiritual gifts and powers that are available to all of us,” he said. In refusing to deny his human nature, “Jesus makes himself the source of our inner strength and inner freedom to resist the tempter in our own life. He makes himself the source of our unity and the supreme example of human solidarity. We are most united by baptism in Jesus Christ.”
Acknowledging the catechumens, who are preparing for baptism, Bishop Iffert said, “the Church rejoices with you and invites you to this period of purification and enlightenment that you might be prepared to receive Christ and his Holy Spirit with full and open hearts; to be united through Christ with your Father in heaven and in the grace that flows from that union to truly become peacemakers and reconcilers in the world and in the Church.”
Addressing the candidates, Bishop Iffert said, “Your fuller incorporation into this body where the marks of the Church established by Christ perdure in their fullness, even if sometimes they are obscured because of sin, and your union with us at the table of the Lord will always remind us of our duty to embrace the spirit of God’s love, to eschew the division that comes from sin, and to work for reconciliation and unity among all who profess the name of Jesus.”
To the baptized Catholics, “who now respond to the call of the Holy Spirit to draw near to the table of the Lord with us, we rejoice that the day of your rebirth has led you here to us and that together, united in Christ, we may work that Christ’s name may be embraced by all and for all, everywhere in the world,” Bishop Iffert said.
Bishop Iffert thanked all those journeying to full Communion with the Church “for calling us again to this most fundamental of vocations.”
“The greatest gift we have, the greatest gift we are empowered to share, is renewed life in Christ,” said Bishop Iffert. “This is the gift we long to share with you all. This is the gift we long for and we strengthen in our own life. This is the gift we call you to today.”
4th/5th Grade Teacher – Blessed Sacrament School
/in Job Postings, Teacher OpeningsBlessed Sacrament School (BSS) is looking for an energetic and enthusiastic 4th/5th grade teacher. Qualified candidates will possess the ability to work collaboratively as part of an excellent team. Ideal candidates will have warm dispositions, previous teaching experience, prefer student-centered and hands-on learning environments, and see their profession as a ministry. Preference will be given to candidates qualified to teach religion. All candidates must be certified in the state of Kentucky, complete all required background checks and be current in VIRTUS. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and references to abriggs@bssky.org.
Principal – St. Patrick School
/in Archdiocese of Louisville, Job PostingsRooted in a vibrant parish community, St. Patrick Catholic School educates students in partnership with families to form young people intellectually, spiritually, morally, and socially in the Catholic tradition. The Principal is responsible for advancing the school’s mission, strengthening Catholic identity, ensuring academic excellence, fostering a healthy and collaborative faculty culture, and overseeing the effective operation of the school in collaboration with parish leadership.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Required:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Wellness Bell Assistant – St. Ursula Academy
/in Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Job PostingsSaint Ursula Academy is a vibrant educational community founded on the strength of our Catholic faith and Ursuline values. Saint Ursula Academy promotes academic excellence and fosters a welcoming, respectful, and diverse community. Saint Ursula Academy graduates women filled with faith, integrity, and courage, ready to make a positive impact in the world.
The Wellness Bell Assistant is responsible for managing the Wellness Bell classes during the school year. In addition, this position will manage test proctoring for students receiving additional time without additional educational accommodations. This is a full-time, 10-month, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm position and reports to the Vice President of Academics. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in education or a comparable field.
To apply, please visit https://hcm.paycor.com/l/r/63F84CE2
Advancement Coordinator – St. Ursula Academy
/in Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Job PostingsSaint Ursula Academy is a vibrant educational community founded on the strength of our Catholic faith and Ursuline values. Saint Ursula Academy promotes academic excellence and fosters a welcoming, respectful, and diverse community. Saint Ursula Academy graduates women filled with faith, integrity, and courage, ready to make a positive impact in the world.
The Advancement Coordinator is a vital member of the advancement team responsible for maintaining and organizing constituent information in the donor database, including ensuring the integrity of financial and constituent data. This position will also assist the team with evaluating and identifying prospects for the school’s fundraising efforts. This position also works closely with the Business Office to ensure donor restrictions are properly recorded and maintained. Requirements include proficiency in Google and Microsoft Office software, and the aptitude to become proficient in donor management and other fundraising software tools, such as Bloomerang CRM, Bloomerang Fundraising, Givebutter, and OneCause fundraising platforms. Qualified candidates also need two to five years of experience in database management, including data entry, building queries, and creating and generating reports from a relational database.
To apply, please visit https://hcm.paycor.com/l/r/1690500F
Campus Minister – St. Ursula Academy
/in Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Job PostingsSaint Ursula Academy is a vibrant educational community founded on the strength of our Catholic faith and Ursuline values. Saint Ursula Academy promotes academic excellence and fosters a welcoming, respectful, and diverse community. Saint Ursula Academy graduates women filled with faith, integrity, and courage, ready to make a positive impact in the world.
In collaboration with the President and the Principal, the Campus Minister is responsible for the growth and cultivation of Ursuline awareness and spirit in the Saint Ursula Academy community, with a special focus on community faith formation. Must be knowledgeable and committed to the mission and philosophy of the school, and uphold and exemplify the characteristics of an Ursuline education through programming initiatives and faith-filled events. This is a full-time, 12-month position, reporting directly to the Vice Principal of Student Life. Preferred qualifications include: at least a Bachelor’s degree in theology, religious studies, pastoral ministry, or a related field; five years of experience working in pastoral ministry; and a Tier 1 Catholic Campus Minister Certification (CCMC) or a willingness to earn within 12 months.
To apply, please visit https://hcm.paycor.com/l/r/A63019DB
Religion Teacher – St. Ursula Academy
/in Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Job PostingsSaint Ursula Academy is a vibrant educational community founded on the strength of our Catholic faith and Ursuline values. Saint Ursula Academy promotes academic excellence and fosters a welcoming, respectful, and diverse community. Saint Ursula Academy graduates women filled with faith, integrity, and courage, ready to make a positive impact in the world.
The Religion Teacher position instruct students in religion courses, plans and delivers standards-aligned lessons, assesses learning, supports student success in the classroom environment with the curriculum designed and approved by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the school administration. Essential requirements include: practicing Catholic with a passion for and knowledge of Ursuline education; strong religion content knowledge.
To apply, please visit https://hcm.paycor.com/l/r/2B774BD3
Math Teacher – St. Ursula Academy
/in Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Job PostingsSaint Ursula Academy is a vibrant educational community founded on the strength of our Catholic faith and Ursuline values. Saint Ursula Academy promotes academic excellence and fosters a welcoming, respectful, and diverse community. Saint Ursula Academy graduates women filled with faith, integrity, and courage, ready to make a positive impact in the world.
The Math Teacher position instruct students in mathematics courses, plans and delivers standards-aligned lessons, assesses learning, supports student success in the classroom environment with the curriculum designed and approved by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the school administration. Strong mathematics content knowledge required.
To apply, please visit https://hcm.paycor.com/l/r/AF5E130B
Junior high students visit relics of ‘first millennial saint’
/in Featured StoriesMaura Baker
Staff Writer
Junior high school students from St. Catherine of Siena School — joined by teachers Bill Arnzen, Sue Seta and Shannon West — visited relics of St. Carlo Acutis, Feb. 12.
These relics, which included a first-class relic of a piece of St. Carlo’s heart membrane (pericardium), and second-class relics of his favorite shirt and hospital blanket, were displayed at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, Cincinnati.
Students at the cathedral attended for the veneration of these relics and were allowed to touch prayer cards and other items to them forming them into third class relics. A talk on miracles of St. Carlo Acutis, given by Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo of Italy, was given prior to the veneration.
“Our students were greatly impacted and moved by their experience at the Cathedral. They were first struck by the beauty of the images inside the church and chapel and the overall peace that blanketed us during our visit,” Language Arts teacher Shannon West said about the experience. “I feel like time stood still as we listened to the stories of miracles and stood in line to venerate the relics. Prior to Carlo’s canonization, we showed our students his movie, Roadmap to Reality, so our students were already familiar with his life and some of his miracles. This experience helped connect our students more deeply to Carlo’s life!”
Students also reflected positively on the experience, as eighth grade student Lillian said, “It was very impactful, and it was very special to be able to venerate the relics and even obtain a third-class relic for myself.”
Another student, seventh grader Nyhla, commented that “The thing that inspired (her) was that St. Carlo was not afraid of dying. He saw it as a new life, an eternal life in Heaven with God. St. Carlo Acutis was different from other kids his age in this time. He was really connected with God … I learned that anyone can become a saint. It doesn’t matter what year it is. It matters that you put God above others and above material things. It inspired me because God never stops performing miracles.”
“I am so glad we went and I hope this opportunity can come up again,” Alex, another eighth-grade student said. “It truly felt like Carlo was with us in the moment and that nothing could hurt us. If a saint relic is around, don’t pass the opportunity.”
Record numbers respond to ‘God’s grace’ and call at Rite of Election and call to continuing conversion
/in Featured StoriesLaura Keener
Editor
At the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion, Feb. 22, Bishop John Iffert welcomed 420 people from across the Diocese seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. This is a record-breaking number, an increase of 57.3 percent over last year and a 105.9 percent increase over the five-year average.
In an interview with Father Daniel Schomaker, diocesan director for the Office of Worship and Liturgy, the dramatic increase, he said, can only be attributed to God’s grace and the Holy Spirit.
“God’s grace is moving and people are paying attention,” Father Schomaker said. “God’s grace is always moving; the Holy Spirit is always active and drawing people back to him.” What’s happening now is “all of a sudden people are paying attention a little bit more and responding to that grace.”
In two ceremonies, Feb. 22, pastors from 36 parishes in the Diocese of Covington and Thomas More University presented 171 catechumens and 249 candidates to Bishop John Iffert. Catechumens are unbaptized individuals seeking to enter the Catholic Church. During the Rite of Election each is called forward by name, receive a blessing from Bishop Iffert and had their name inscribed in the Book of the Elect, which Bishop Iffert signed, declaring them the Elect — God’s chosen people.
Candidates are baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. Included with the candidates is 46 baptized Catholics seeking to complete the sacraments of initiation. They, too, are called by name and received a blessing from Bishop Iffert.
Both the candidates and catechumens have been participating in the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) at their parish. At this year’s Easter Vigil they will receive the sacraments of initiation — baptism (catechumens), first Communion, and confirmation (catechumens and candidates) — and will become the newest members of the Church.
In his homily, reflecting on the Gospel passage of the temptations of Christ in the desert (Matt 4:1-11), Bishop Iffert said that Jesus is the perfect model for us to resist sin that strains both our relationship with God and each other.
“Jesus takes this stand with us, relying on the spiritual gifts and powers that are available to all of us,” he said. In refusing to deny his human nature, “Jesus makes himself the source of our inner strength and inner freedom to resist the tempter in our own life. He makes himself the source of our unity and the supreme example of human solidarity. We are most united by baptism in Jesus Christ.”
Acknowledging the catechumens, who are preparing for baptism, Bishop Iffert said, “the Church rejoices with you and invites you to this period of purification and enlightenment that you might be prepared to receive Christ and his Holy Spirit with full and open hearts; to be united through Christ with your Father in heaven and in the grace that flows from that union to truly become peacemakers and reconcilers in the world and in the Church.”
Addressing the candidates, Bishop Iffert said, “Your fuller incorporation into this body where the marks of the Church established by Christ perdure in their fullness, even if sometimes they are obscured because of sin, and your union with us at the table of the Lord will always remind us of our duty to embrace the spirit of God’s love, to eschew the division that comes from sin, and to work for reconciliation and unity among all who profess the name of Jesus.”
To the baptized Catholics, “who now respond to the call of the Holy Spirit to draw near to the table of the Lord with us, we rejoice that the day of your rebirth has led you here to us and that together, united in Christ, we may work that Christ’s name may be embraced by all and for all, everywhere in the world,” Bishop Iffert said.
Bishop Iffert thanked all those journeying to full Communion with the Church “for calling us again to this most fundamental of vocations.”
“The greatest gift we have, the greatest gift we are empowered to share, is renewed life in Christ,” said Bishop Iffert. “This is the gift we long to share with you all. This is the gift we long for and we strengthen in our own life. This is the gift we call you to today.”
Candidate seeks community in her faith ahead of Easter Vigil
/in Featured StoriesBella Bailey
Multimedia Correspondent
Candidate Katie Foster is one of over 400 to enter the church in the Diocese of Covington at this years Easter Vigil Mass, joining in full communion with Catholics of the diocese, the worldwide Church and her loved ones.
Growing up in Toledo, Ohio, Ms. Foster was introduced to the Catholic faith when her mother went through the Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA), before marrying her stepfather. “I was probably about fourth or fifth grade, and my mom got remarried to my stepdad, who was Catholic … My mom went through OCIA because they wanted to continue raising their kids in a Catholic household. That was kind of my first introduction,” she said.
Ms. Foster’s four stepsisters are all Catholic and, in their footsteps, Ms. Foster attended Notre Dame Academy in Toledo, an all-girls preparatory high school. It was there that she became infatuated with the Catholic faith beyond the pew.
“Once I got the chance to be in theology classes and kind of understand the background behind the religion, the history and tradition is something I really enjoyed,” she said.
Beyond an academic love for the faith, a love for the Catholic community was taking root in Ms. Foster. “I really enjoyed the community, specifically, that the Catholic faith offers,” she said. “Being in that environment, all of my friends ended up being Catholic. I think the more that I was around them and their families, around the Catholic faith, the more I started to think about wanting that for myself.”
A recent move to Newport, Kentucky, spurred Ms. Foster to make the leap and register for OCIA at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington. “I think that’s special, the center of the Diocese, was something that was really appealing to me,” she said.
At the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Ms. Foster found the community she was looking for at first instance when she inquired with Sarah Wells, pastoral associate. “This is a community I want to be around, I really enjoyed talking with her about it,” she said.
During the Easter Vigil, Ms. Foster, along with other candidates, will receive the remainder of the Sacraments of Initiation in holy Communion and confirmation. Through those sacraments, she will become a full member of the community she has been around for so long.
“It’s something I’ve been on the outside of but have admired most of my life. So, I think that just kind of making things official, to be a part of that, is really exciting,” she said.