Sixth Sunday of Lent

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Bishop Emeritus Roger Foys

Guest

Holy Week. The holiest week of the year for all Christians. A week filled with emotion. We move from joy to wonder, to betrayal, to denial, to grief and back to joy.  We relive that week during which Jesus would suffer and die. We walk with him, as it were, the path to his passion and death. But we begin with joy.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus was welcomed with great fanfare into Jerusalem. Throngs of people lined the streets and shouted his name. Hosanna, they called to the Son of David! What exhilaration must’ve filled the air! The Lord had arrived! The Savior was to save his people! But, unfortunately, that joy would not last. By the end of the week, it would turn to grief and sorrow.

On Holy Thursday, Jesus dined with his apostles to celebrate the Passover meal. During this meal, he would wash the feet of his apostles, a ritual ordinarily conducted by a servant. Jesus, the Son of God, stooped down to wash the feet of his apostles — and when he was finished, he would tell them that what he had just done, they were to do for each other.

This was a sign of His love, His humility. He wanted his disciples to do likewise. This is the kind of community he desired his followers to live — one of service, one of love. The apostles must have wondered what all this meant.

Further on Holy Thursday, Jesus would bless and break the bread, would bless the wine and proclaim that this was his body and his blood and that his apostles were to do this in memory of him. Notice, he didn’t say this was a symbol or a sign of his Body and Blood. He said this IS my body, this Is my blood. And so, he gave us the Eucharist to sustain us on our journey, to strengthen us amid the vicissitudes of life. Thus, was given to us the gift of the Eucharist and of the Priesthood. It was a marvelous wonder!

But then came the betrayal. Judas, one of the disciples of Jesus, sold him to those who wanted to kill him. And he betrayed Jesus with a kiss. With a kiss, a sign of love, a sign of friendship.

And once Jesus was taken away, his most trusted disciple, Peter, would deny him — not once, not twice, but three times. He proclaimed that he didn’t know Jesus and was certainly not one of his followers.

The next day, Good Friday, we recall the passion and death of Jesus on the cross. What grief must his followers have experienced. What sorrow must have filled his mother, Mary, as she beheld her beloved son beaten and bruised as he carried his cross to Golgotha, the place of his death. What emptiness filled the earth on that dreadful day.

On Holy Saturday, the disciples of Jesus must have experienced that loss. They had thrown their lot in with Jesus. They had given up everything to follow him. And now, it had all come crashing down. Would they ever experience joy again?

What can we learn from this Holy Week as we walk with Jesus?

We have all at some point in our lives experienced the joy that the apostles must have felt on that Palm Sunday when Jesus was welcomed to Jerusalem — that exhilarating feeling that we would like to bask in for the rest of our lives. But we know that the joys of this world are fleeting, that our true joy — the joy that will last — can only be found in the Lord and in our obedience to His word. When life gets difficult, it is good to remember the joys we’ve experienced and to thank God for them. We also know that life is made up of joys and sorrows, of good times and bad, of success and failure. So, we do not lose hope, we do not give up or give in.

There are also times in our life that we experience wonder just as the apostles did when Jesus washed their feet and when he gave us the Eucharist and the Priesthood. They might not have understood at that moment all that these gifts of Jesus implied, but they accepted them, knowing that they were acts of love, acts of friendship. When we experience this kind of wonder in life, we give thanks to God for providing it for us. We have experiences that we don’t always understand, but it is enough to understand that God provides these moments for us because He loves us.

Betrayal, unfortunately, is sometimes a part of our lives. Perhaps we’ve been betrayed by a spouse, a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor. A relationship that we imagined would last forever suddenly ends. We are left stunned, we don’t understand. How could this happen? What or who caused it? Is it irrevocable? Was it me? Did I do something wrong? It seems to be a pain too difficult to bear. How will we ever survive? When these moments happen, we remember Jesus and His betrayal by Judas, by one he trusted, one he chose, one he loved. We will survive, we will conquer the grief, the hurt, even the anger. We pray to the Lord Jesus, who experienced the betrayal of one he loved, and ask Him to ease the pain, to ease the hurt, to heal the emptiness we feel at that moment.

And finally, grief. Sometimes people discount grief, as though grief is something to be embarrassed about, as though grief is a sign of weakness. Grief, believe it or not, is a byproduct of love. If we never loved, we’d never grieve. But if we never love, we never live. When someone we love dies, no matter how strong our faith is, we feel a loss, there is a void, an emptiness in our lives. The passing of a loved one leaves a hole in our hearts. You can imagine how the apostles grieved when the one in whom they had placed all their trust, all their hope, for whom they had given up everything and everyone, died. Their hopes and dreams hung on that cross with Jesus, and they saw those hopes and dreams dashed. How would they go on, how would they survive? But they did. We are blessed to know that the death of Jesus on the cross was not the end. We know the rest of the story. We know that the grief the apostles were experiencing would turn to joy when the Lord Jesus would be raised from the dead. This was not the end — it was the beginning. So too with us. When we experience grief from some significant loss, our grief can be turned into joy when we remember that Jesus died for us but that he also rose. He is with us always. This is our hope. This is our faith. This is our joy.

And so, we end as we began — with joy. The joy of Palm Sunday, the wonder and betrayal of Holy Thursday, the grief of Good Friday, the emptiness of Holy Saturday will give way to a new joy with the resurrection of Jesus Who conquers sin and the grave.

A blessed Holy Week and a joyous Easter to all!

Most Rev. Roger J. Foys, D.D. is Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Covington, Ky.

English Teacher – Villa Madonna Academy High School

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Villa Madonna Academy High School, a Catholic, Benedictine, college-preparatory school with three National Blue Ribbon awards and a National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse Award, seeks a passionate and dynamic English teacher to join our community. This position includes teaching Honors and Advanced Placement English courses while engaging students in rigorous academic inquiry and fostering a love for literature, writing, and thoughtful dialogue.

Position Overview

The high school English teacher will:

  • Teach Honors and AP-level English courses
  • Design engaging, student-centered lessons that promote critical thinking, analytical writing, and discussion
  • Prepare students for AP exams with intentional rigor and support
  • Foster a classroom environment where students feel known, respected, and inspired
  • Collaborate with colleagues across departments to support interdisciplinary learning
  • Participate actively in school life, including our Benedictine House System

Please send cover letter and resume to Mrs. Pamela McQueen, Principal/Executive Director (pmcqueen@villamadonna.net)

Religion Teacher (Full-Time) – St. Henry District High School

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St. Henry District High School, a National Blue Ribbon School in Erlanger KY, is seeking a Full-Time Religion teacher for the 2025/2026 school year. SHDHS is a 515 student co-ed college prep high school located in a suburban area of Cincinnati. Hard-working and respectful students, small class sizes, congenial colleagues, and excellent support for new teachers are some of the attractive features of the position. An ideal candidate would be a practicing Catholic who holds a teaching certificate in Religion or a related field. Interested parties should click here to apply. 

High School Math Teacher – Covington Latin School

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Covington Latin School is seeking a passionate and dedicated High School Mathematics Teacher to join our faculty. The ideal candidate will encourage gifted and talented students to develop strong mathematical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while fostering a positive and engaging classroom environment. The teacher will deliver rigorous instruction aligned with Kentucky state standards and support students in developing confidence in mathematics.

Responsibilities:

  • Plan and deliver engaging mathematics instruction for gifted students (courses may include Pre-Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II)
  • Develop lesson plans that align with curriculum standards and create strong learning objectives.
  • Assess student progress through assignments, quizzes, tests, and projects utilizing the Danielson method of assessment
  • Provide timely and constructive feedback to students and families.
  • Maintain accurate records of grades, attendance, and student performance, communicating these to families regularly
  • Foster a classroom environment that promotes curiosity, collaboration, and respect.
  • Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, and school events.
  • Support the mission and values of the school community.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Mathematics Education, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
  • Valid teaching certification or ability to obtain certification
  • Strong knowledge of secondary mathematics content and pedagogy.
  • Experience teaching middle or high school mathematics is preferred.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with gifted and talented learners.
  • Commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Benefits

  • Eligible for full benefits through Thomas More University
  • Eligible for 90% tuition remission from Thomas More University
  • Guaranteed 2 preps daily for planning, assessment, and development
  • Lunch is a regular class period of 45 minutes
  • Monthly, high-quality and engaging professional development with Thomas More staff

To apply, please submit all information here.  For questions, please contact Randy Dennis at randy.dennis@covingtonlatin.org.

Catechumen cites sponsor, parish community, as strength during a long faith journey

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Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Cailin-MacKenzie Adkins is one of over 40 candidates and catechumens of St. Timothy Parish, Union, welcomed as Elect during the Feb. 22 Rite of Election. She will be baptized alongside other catechumens during the upcoming Easter Vigil Mass.

This year is Ms. Adkins third year going through OCIA — overcoming challenges to reach the point of being able to receive the sacraments this Easter.

Growing up in Florence, Ky., Ms. Adkins’ interest in the faith began with her family. Despite having Catholic family, Ms. Adkins was never baptized herself but attended Church with her grandmother “whenever (she) could” at St. Henry Parish in Elsmere.

“Around my senior year of high school, I really just started becoming curious about the Catholic faith,” Ms. Adkins said. “I didn’t know why I didn’t get baptized. When I was little, I didn’t understand it, so I got really interested. I did a lot of research, and that’s what drove me.”

The first year in OCIA, Ms. Adkins was a student at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee. Due to the distance, Ms. Adkins remembered that she could not attend the OCIA meetings on Sundays. “I didn’t feel like I was putting in the effort, so I didn’t go through with it then,” she said.

The following year, Ms. Adkins attempted OCIA again — however, health issues put a speed bump in the process. Medical issues, including six surgeries in the course of the year, kept Ms. Adkins from completing the OCIA process — but in 2026, she tried once more.

“This year has actually been a really great year,” Ms. Adkins said. “I’ve been able to go to all my classes, and, why I think it’s been so successful is because of my sponsor. Debbi Cranley (the OCIA coordinator at St. Timothy Parish, Union) assigned me my sponsor and she’s amazing … She’s really gotten me into the spirit and helped me through this spiritual warfare.”

Citing her parish as another contributor to her spiritual growth, Ms. Adkins said that “I feel like St. Timothy’s is a very close-knit family community. Father Bolte and Father Hennigan stand outside Church every Sunday and shake every person’s hand that walks into the Church. It’s a really tight knit group, and I think that’s why my faith journey has gone so strong this year, because I’ve been fully committed to it, and everyone’s just very supportive.”

Now, after three years of trying and spiritual journeying, Ms. Adkins looks forward to finally completing the OCIA process — and especially the sacrament of Reconciliation.

“I think it’s so powerful,” she said, “and the priests at St. Timothy are really kind in helping you through these things, so I’m really looking forward to my first confession.”

Excited also for her baptism itself, Ms. Adkins said that she looked forward to “just being renewed, and one with God in that moment.”

The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption prepares for a busy Holy Week with services, shroud exhibit

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The week preceding Easter Sunday consists of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. These days, and the ones in between, make up Holy Week, the center of the Church’s liturgical calendar.

“Holy Week is that commemoration that we walk with the Lord in his passion, and death and resurrection and that we become one with him in that through prayer and through the liturgies,” said Father Ryan Maher, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, the mother church of the Diocese of Covington.

Throughout Holy Week, like the rest of the churches in the Diocese, the Cathedral will be participating in the sacred celebrations. Starting with Palm Sunday, which marks the return of Jesus from his 40 days in the desert into the city of Jerusalem.

At the Cathedral, the celebration of Palm Sunday Mass begins at 10 a.m. across the street in St. Mary’s Park, Covington. There the Gospel of Luke, proclaiming the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, will be read. Bishop John Iffert will bless the palms the lay faithful will carry as all process into the Cathedral, a symbolic gesture of Jesus entering the city, through the main doors to begin the liturgy.

On Holy Tuesday, the Cathedral will host all the priests, deacons and religious of the Diocese as well as lay representatives from every parish and mission, at 7 p.m. for the Chrism Mass. This special Mass, during which Bishop Iffert consecrates the holy oils for the upcoming year, is a symbolic show of unity between the Bishop and his priests.

Father Maher said, “The Cathedral is packed with parishioners from throughout the Diocese. All of our parishes are at that special Mass. The unity of the Church is fully visible in the Bishop with his priests and his people all together and the consecrated religious and the deacons as well … It’s always an occasion of joy to celebrate the Chrism Mass with the Bishop; to enter into the liturgy with one mind and one heart with the people there present as well.”

Holy Thursday is the beginning of the Sacred Triduum, which is the three days leading up to Easter. Each day has a different celebration, though as Father Maher said, it is one liturgy celebrated over three days.

“Its really best to immerse ourselves in every celebration, encourage all priests, encourage their people to come to everything, all of the liturgies if they can,” said Father Maher.

The Holy Thursday celebration is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which begins at 6 p.m. At this Mass the Church recalls the events of the Last Supper — the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood.

“The Lord has that Passover meal with the apostles as the end was near and the love that he shows them at the Last Supper and where he, the Lord Jesus, really replaces all of the sacrifices of old. He becomes the true Lamb, there is no more need for the Passover lambs to be sacrificed, he is the true lamb at the Last Supper, it is really Jesus giving his body and blood to his father … and giving his apostles his body and blood to eat and drink,” said Father Maher.

Those who attend the Holy Thursday celebration will also notice an act performed only once a year, the washing of the feet. In the Gospel of John, read at the Holy Thursday Mass, Jesus washes the feet of his apostles, an act of pure love.

“The Bishop, who in the person of the Lord in a special way, will put on an apron and wash the feet of the Cathedral parishioners. That’s always a very moving and really beautiful thing to witness and to participate in,” said Father Maher.

At the end of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper the Blessed Sacrament is carried throughout the Cathedral and placed at an altar of repose, which is an altar separate from the main altar and tabernacle. There the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed until 10 p.m.; lay faithful often spend that time in silent adoration and prayer while the altar is stripped of its candles and linens in preparation for the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday.

Good Friday is the only day on the liturgical calendar that no Mass is celebrated. Good Friday, the day of Jesus’ death, is the celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3 p.m. With Stations of the Cross at 12 p.m., noon, and confessions from 12–2 p.m.

“That liturgy is really marked by the whole gaze of the Church, the whole gaze of our hearts solely fixed on the death of our Lord. That’s what that liturgy brings about for us that there is no Mass celebrated on Good Friday and so that day we are just fixed on our Lord’s suffering and death. We begin that liturgy in holy silence, in prostration before the altar and then we move into the Liturgy of the Word,” said Father Maher.

During the Lord’s Passion there is the solemn intercessions, where the Church prays for the Holy Father, the Church and the intention of every person.

Father Maher said, “It’s the Church praying for the world and everyone in the world and then we move from that to the veneration of the cross.”

The veneration of the cross is unique to the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion. “That is where the cross of the Lord is lifted up. Literally, lifted up as Moses lifted up the pole with serpent on it in the desert. So, the Cross of the Lord is lifted up and it is raised high for us to gaze upon and then the cross is venerated by the Bishop, the clergy and all the lay faithful. That, too, is just a beautiful moment as a priest celebrant to be in the sanctuary and watch the faithful come up and see the devotion, the love, the tears, the heart,” said Father Maher.

People can venerate the cross with a bow, genuflection, touch or kiss of the cross. Following the veneration, hosts that were consecrated during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper are brought to the altar for the lay faithful to receive the Eucharist.

The liturgical event of Holy Saturday will be the Easter Vigil at 8:30 p.m. The Easter Vigil Mass is unique because it begins in total darkness. But, as the flame from the Easter fire, blessed by Bishop Iffert, is passed from candle to candle inside the walls of the Cathedral, slowly the light of Christ spreads lighting the way for those inside.

The church remains shrouded in darkness until the Great Alleluia at which time the lights come on, signifying the resurrection of Christ.

This celebratory Mass includes the baptism and entrance into the church of the catechumens and the entrance into full communion with the church of the candidates through the sacraments of First Communion and confirmation. The lay faithful also renew their baptismal promises with the sprinkling right.

“The Easter proclamation,” said Father Maher, “recounts the Lord’s goodness in salvation history. His work, the working of grace, the working of the Holy Spirit, the working of the Lord’s love for his people. Then, we begin the Liturgy of the Word and that’s marked really by those great Old Testament readings.”

Easter season festivities at the Cathedral include the return of an Exhibit featuring a replica of the Shroud of Turin viewable in the Cathedral. This special exhibit will be open for all to view and venerate, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. from April 6–April 10, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on April 5.

While the times of the celebrations throughout Holy Week may vary from church to church one thing does not change, the outpouring of love from Christ to his people as the Church celebrates salvation through Christ.

Giving people a fresh face and a fresh start: Tattoo Removal Ink helps remove more than tattoos

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Laura Keener

Editor

When Jo Martin, a parishioner at St. Henry Parish, Elsmere, retired after a 30‑year professional career, she never imagined she would spend her retirement helping people remove tattoos. She certainly did not picture herself working inside a jail. But today, she runs a nonprofit tattoo‑removal program, Tattoo Removal Ink, that is changing lives across Northern Kentucky.

Her story shows how one small “yes” can grow into something much bigger.

After retiring, a friend from church asked Mrs. Martin if she would tutor people studying for the GED at the Campbell County jail. Her first reaction was, “no.” She admitted, “I did not want to tutor in the jail. I was afraid of going in there.”

But her friend gently pushed her to fill out the paperwork, and a week later the jail called. Soon, Mrs. Martin found herself walking down long concrete halls, knees shaking. But what she discovered surprised her: “They weren’t scary. They were just people — just like me,” said Mrs. Martin

As she tutored, Mrs. Martin noticed something else: many young people had tattoos across their faces, hands and necks. She wondered, How will they ever get a job when they leave here? That question planted the first seed of an idea.

A friend told Mrs. Martin about Homeboy Industries, an organization in Los Angeles that helps people leaving gangs and prison. Begun in 1988 by Father Gregory Boyle as a way of improving the lives of former gang members Homeboy Industries has evolved into the largest gang intervention, rehab and re-entry program in the world. Tattoo removal is a part of Homeboy Industries services.

Mrs. Martin traveled to the University of Findlay, Ohio, to hear Father Boyle talk about his work. He invited her to come to California to learn more. Father Boyle encouraged her to start something similar back home.

“I said, ‘How?’ And he said, ‘Figure it out.’” Mrs. Martin remembered. “So that’s what I did.”

She spent months reading government forms, writing a nonprofit application, and gathering a board of directors. Finally, she received her official nonprofit status. “I wasn’t the brightest,” she joked, “but every single step worked.”

Next, she needed a laser. Using money from her late husband’s life insurance, she bought one for $55,000. “Eight years later, the business paid me back,” she said. “But I wasn’t even thinking about that at the time.”

Located inside the Life Learning Center in Covington, Tattoo Removal Ink — now nine years old — removes visible tattoos for people who are trying to rebuild their lives. Many clients come straight from jail or prison. Others are survivors of human trafficking.

“They are branded,” Mrs. Martin said. Recalling the case of young woman who came in to have the name of her trafficker removed, she was told that five other woman have identical tattoos placed near their breast. “That’s exactly what they do is they brand them.”

Other clients “are simply adults who regret choices they made when they were younger,” she said.

For many clients, tattoo removal is a lifeline. Tattoos like gang symbols, hateful words, or names of abusive partners can keep people from getting jobs or feeling safe.

One young man had “KILLA” tattooed across his eyebrow when he came in. Another had devil horns on his forehead. Several had full-face tattoos. “They’re not going to get hired with that,” Mrs. Martin explained. “People judge them immediately.”

Tattoo removal doesn’t just open doors — it restores self-respect. Mrs. Martin told the story of a mother who cried during a video call with her son in jail when she saw that one of his tattoos had been removed. “It was so sweet,” Mrs. Martin said. “He was too young and too innocent to be in jail.”

Another client wrote Mrs. Martin a letter explaining that he had to relive his trauma every morning when he looked in the mirror. Removing those tattoos helped lift that emotional burden.

Tattoo removal is not easy. Mrs. Martin explains it simply: the laser breaks up the ink, the white blood cells carry it to the liver, and the body gets rid of it. But it hurts.

“It’s a different kind of pain,” than getting a tattoo, she said.

Still, many keep going because they want a better future.

Not everyone gets their tattoos removed for free. Paying clients help fund the nonprofit’s work. Even for paying clients Tattoo Removal Ink is a low-cost option. Prices start at $70 for a small tattoo and go up to $300 for larger ones. “Our bottom line is helping people,” Mrs. Martin said. “Not making money.”

Still, the nonprofit has real expenses: laser maintenance, insurance and supplies. Mrs. Martin and her fellow co-worker Gail work entirely for free. “We’ve been doing this for nine years for fun and for free,” she said.

Although Mrs. Martin is 74, she isn’t slowing down. In fact, she has a new dream: a mobile tattoo‑removal unit that could park outside prisons.

“It’s a great idea,” Mary Stutler, board member, said with a smile. “But we’ll need volunteers and another laser.”

She hopes new volunteers — especially retired nurses or doctors — might step up to learn the laser work. But she emphasizes that anyone with compassion could help.

“They might look scary,” Mrs. Martin said of the clients, “but they’re just people.”

Mrs. Martin never expected to spend her retirement this way. But looking back, she sees something bigger guiding her.

Like many Catholics, the 25th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel has informed her faith. Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” (Matt 25:35–36) Throughout her life, most of these works of mercy came easy for Mrs. Martin. The verse about visiting those in prison. “I could never check that one,” she said. “But now I can.”

Her work is more than removing ink — it is restoring dignity and opening doors. It is giving people a chance to build lives they can be proud of.

Mrs. Martin says, “Every step worked. And now I’m here, doing something I never imagined — but something that really matters.”

History and art help parishioners grow in faith during parish pilgrimage

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The season of Lent is a time of reflection, preparing oneself for the coming of Christ at Easter. It is a time of sacrifice, denying the flesh in order to grow in relationship with Christ. For the parishioners at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Ft. Thomas, Lent is also a time of community and togetherness, as they participate in Father Stephen Bankemper’s, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena, Lenten pilgrimage.

This year, 50 parishioners joined Father Bankemper on a pilgrimage to St. Francis Seraph Parish, Cincinnati, where they learned the storied history of the parish, including the underground cemetery, beautiful artwork and the news of their imminent closing.

Every year, Father Bankemper will prepare reflections on the history and artwork of a pilgrimage church, helping his parishioners see the beauty of the faith.  “Beauty is such a good way to lift your thoughts and mind higher … art can really express the faith in a lot of ways,” said Father Bankemper. “I enjoy that part because I love art myself, and I love the saints, and I love the stories of Scripture.”

“When you see that beauty,” said Therese Schaefer, pilgrim, “it just automatically lifts my mind and my heart to God, that you know, this is what he deserves, this is the beauty that we should be giving him.”

For Mrs. Schaefer’s son, Noah, these pilgrimages have brought him closer in relationship to Christ and the saints.

“As we’re going through and discussing all the artwork, we’re also discussing all the different saints. Especially with some of the artwork, where it shows depictions of early life but also a lot of them that are martyred,” he said. “During Lent we’re called to make little sacrifices. I think it definitely shows us how much more we could be doing, depending on what the saints have done.”

Father Bankemper’s Lenten pilgrimages bring together his parish community, bonding them in communion during Lent. “A lot of times in Lent we can be individualistic. At times, we forget that Lent is something that we’re all doing together … so for me, it is also a way of highlighting the communal character of Lent.”

“It helps our community be closer, it helps our parish be more of a family and experience these things together,” said Mrs. Schaefer. A sentiment echoed by Mr. Schaefer, “It’s a nice way for all of us to spend more time together. We see each other at Mass every week, but I think opportunities like this, to go outside of Mass, to be doing something that’s building our faith together, it helps us to become more friends and family.”

“My favorite part is always the same, being with them [parishioners] on this little faith trip. That’s my favorite part, just journeying with them,” said Father Bankemper.

Bishop Iffert shares a message of reconciliation and the gift of life at the 2026 Kentucky March for Life

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Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Rain clouds departed, and the sun shone down on the 2026 Kentucky March for Life, March 11, where the theme was Every Life is a Gift. Students from Notre Dame Academy, Park Hills; Covington Catholic High School, Park Hills; Newport Central Catholic High School, Newport; St. Henry District High School, Erlanger; Holy Cross District High School, Covington; Bishop Brossart High School, Alexandria; St. Patrick High School, Maysville; and eighth-grade students from St. Joseph School, Cold Spring, traveled to the Kentucky State Capitol, Frankfort, to march in support of life.

Joining the students at this year’s Kentucky March for Life was Bishop John Iffert, who celebrated morning Mass at Good Shepherd Parish, Frankfort, and spoke on the steps of the Capitol. There, he shared with students, marchers and demonstrators alike a message of reconciliation for women who have suffered abortions and the love of God for all life.

Asking the audience to imagine a time where a meaningful gift was imparted to them, Bishop Iffert said, “always, an important part of that is, you know, that the person who gives you that gift loves you, wants to be close to you, wants a relationship with you. That’s exactly the same for every human being.”

The gift of life is, in all ways, filled with the intrinsic dignity and value instilled by God. “From conception to natural death, the unborn, disabled, the weak, the poor, the imprisoned, the aging,” said Bishop Iffert.

Sharing a personal experience, Bishop Iffert recalled a time before seminary when he had a “breakthrough” on the pro-life movement. “There were two stories that kept appearing in the Chicago Tribune,” he said. One, was of a baby born prematurely, highlighting the work of the doctors and care staff and the “tremendous scientific and medical efforts that were being made to preserve this child,” said Bishop Iffert. The other story was one of a father who was suing for rights, hoping to prevent the mother of his child from receiving an abortion.

“It occurred to me,” said Bishop Iffert, “the only difference between these two lives is that one was wanted and one was not.”

“What determines the value of a human life, what concern determines who is human and who is not, cannot be as subjective as whether that life is desired or not. It must be something more integral. What it is, is God’s creative image; that God calls this being into existence and gives that life to us as a gift,” said Bishop Iffert. And, in the same way that the unborn are filled with dignity and value, so are the women who have suffered abortions.

In response to demonstrators whose loud advocacy of Kentucky House Bill 714 supported the prosecution of women who have abortions, Bishop Iffert said, “The Catholic Bishops of the United States have affirmed again and again and again that the woman who has an abortion is a victim of that abortion, is harmed by that abortion.”

“Our approach to women who have had an abortion has been to accompany them, to walk alongside them, both women who have taken this action and who are in danger of taking this action. It is an approach that is rooted in the healing ministry of Jesus, to forgive and to help the individual person come to accept the redemptive love of Christ, and that is what we commit ourselves to.”

A robust applause and cheers rang out from Diocesan students in support of Bishop’s message, a witness to the faith of Diocesan students knowing that reconciliation is the message of Christ.

Speaking once more to the crowd, Bishop Iffert said, “…we will serve the Lord through reconciliation, not anger, and I call on you to do that same.”