Pro-Life Mass Unites Diocese in Prayer to Respect All Life
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October 23, 2020 In This Issue ESSENGER M Serving the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky since 1926 Special Pages The Eucharist: The Source and Summit page 9 – 12 (left) Bishop Roger Foys 2 Diocesan principals meet incenses the altar, a statue of Our Lady of Bishop installs Guadalupe and a statue new superintendent of St. Rocco at the Pro-Life Mass Oct. 13. Coronavirus report (below left) Members of the Pro-Life Office lead 3 St. John Mission’s the rosary before Mass Tuesday night at the new steeple Cathedral Basilica of The faith of a the Assumption. rural community (below right) A statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 6 Interview with donated by a parishioner of St. Anthony Parish, new superintendent Taylor Mill, graced the Kendra McGuire steps of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. Moving? Wrong address? Call the circulation desk, (859) 392-1570 Bishop’s Schedule . .2 Commentary . .4 Did you Know . .7 People and Events . .7 Classifieds . .14 Shopper’s Guide . .17 News Briefs . .19 Missed an edition? Current and back issues of the Messenger are available online at covdio.org/messenger. Pro-Life Mass unites diocese in prayer to respect all life Allegra Thatcher Reflecting on this year’s Respect Life month theme, “Living Assistant Editor the Gospel of Life,” Bishop Foys urged the congregation to begin The annual Pro-Life Mass, celebrated Oct. 13, was uncharac- their pro-life efforts with prayer. The Mass took place on the 103rd teristically quiet, with just a few crying babies present and a con- anniversary of last apparition at Fatima, and “Mary asked the gregation spread out at a safe distance across the Cathedral children to pray, especially to pray the rosary,” he said. “Every Basilica of the Assumption. effort that is worthwhile should begin with prayer. Oftentimes we Two representatives from every parish across the diocese see prayer as a last resort … that’s backward. We begin with gathered for a Mass celebrated by Bishop Roger Foys. prayer.” Concelebrants were Father Jeffrey VonLehmen, pastor, St. Bishop first addressed the issue of abortion. “Life begins in Patrick Parish, Taylor Mill; Father Ryan Maher, vicar general the womb, and for these 47 years it has been legal to extinguish and rector, Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption; Msgr. Gerald that life with no repercussions. … So we pray. That has to be our Twadell, rector, Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, Thomas More first mode of attack, to pray.” University; and Msgr. Kurt Kemo. Deacon Jerry Franzen assisted He then addressed all forms of life. “What does it mean to at Mass. respect life?” Bishop Foys asked. “Being pro-life is not always so Every parish in the Diocese of Covington was simultaneously much about something negative but doing something positive. If celebrating a Mass with its own parishioners in solidarity with we could ever come to a real appreciation of life, to an under- the Cathedral Basilica Mass, so that more people than ever could standing of life as a gift from God, no matter what stage, then tak- be involved in the pro-life event. ing the life of a child wouldn’t be a problem because respect for The Pro-Life Office began the evening at the cathedral with a life would be engrained in our soul. … It begins with respecting rosary led by Theresa Gray before Mass began at 7 p.m. A statue life in the womb but it has to be more pervasive than that. It has of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Protectress of the Unborn, was placed to do with how we respect each other, and that covers a whole at the front of the church, surrounded by flowers. gamut of life’s situations and encounters.” 2 October 23, 2020 Messenger Diocesan principals meet, Bishop installs new superintendent Thatcher photos Allegra Thatcher Mrs. McGuire then Assistant Editor gave principals details The principals of the Diocese of Covington schools met regarding funding from with Bishop Roger Foys Oct. 15 at St. Henry District High the CARES Act for School to discuss the changing protocols regarding the schools, the summer feed- COVID-19 pandemic and to install Kendra McGuire as the ing program and deter- new superintendent of Catholic Schools. mining activities outside They began with Mid-Morning Prayer from the Liturgy regular education based of the Hours led by Father Dan Schomaker, vicar general. on whether they’re essen- Bishop Foys then formally installed Mrs. McGuire. She tial. “Anything that can be recited the Nicene Creed and promised fidelity to the done virtually is definitely Church’s teachings as she guides the department forward. preferred at this time,” she “Our schools are being entrusted to your care,” said said. Bishop Foys. “You are to serve them as a good steward, Laura Keener, COVID seeking not your own interests but the good of the stu- coordinator for the dents, their families and the Church.” Diocese, also provided the Mrs. McGuire resolved to carry out her responsibilities principals with updated “with fervent joy and prudence. I will to the best of my reporting and statistics regarding cases of COVID-19 in abilities, for those commended to my care, form them in the diocesan schools. the Catholic faith and teach them about the mysteries of (See related story on page 6.) the created world.” Mrs. McGuire also received a crucifix (above) Kendra McGuire, newly appointed superintendent of and relic of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, patron of Catholic Catholic Schools, receives a crucifix and relic of St. Elizabeth schools, as signs of her new position. Ann Seton, patron of Catholic schools, from Bishop Roger Bishop Foys addressed all the principals, encouraging Foys. them to keep taking the COVID-19 pandemic seriously, as a call to live differently. Details about the current state of the ( right) Principals from the diocesan schools met at St. Henry virus in Northern Kentucky were given by Dale Henson, District High School Oct. 15 to pray and discuss the current CFO. COVID-19 protocols in schools. called, and to allow new Prayer and quiet service: these are our victorious weapons forms of hospitality, fra- ternity and solidarity. By Messenger staff report “How many people every day are exercising patience his cross we have been saved in order to embrace hope and As cases of COVID-19 begin to resurge in many areas of and offering hope, taking care to sow not panic but a let it strengthen and sustain all measures and all possible the country, health officials are urging families to curtail shared responsibility. How many fathers, mothers, grand- avenues for helping us protect ourselves and others.” the typical family gatherings and celebrations in an effort parents and teachers are showing our children, in small to mitigate the spread of the virus. Not getting together everyday gestures, how to face up to and navigate a crisis with family during the holidays seems like too much to by adjusting their routines, lifting their gaze and fostering sacrifice. But the fact remains, small gatherings of fami- prayer. How many are praying, offering and interceding lies and friends is a primary source of spread of the virus. for the good of all. Prayer and quiet service: these are our Coronavirus Report Even in the Diocese of Covington, small gatherings have victorious weapons.” (as of Monday, Oct. 19) proven to be a source of long quarantines for students, fac- “The Lord asks us and, in the midst of our tempest, Positive Cases ulty and administrators. invites us to reawaken and put into practice that solidarity Active positive cases: 10 “Since schools opened August 17 and the diocese began and hope capable of giving strength, support and meaning Recovered positive cases: 35 tracking cases of COVID-19 in the schools and parishes, to these hours when everything seems to be floundering. Total ever positive cases: 45 our cases have confirmed what health officials have “We have an anchor: by his cross we have been saved. warned. Small gatherings of family and friends — birth- “We have a rudder: by his cross we have been redeemed. Currently Self-quarantined day parties, meeting for a drink, watching a grandchild’s “We have a hope: by his cross we have been healed and Contacts: 41 sporting event, weddings, showers — are breeding embraced so that nothing and no one can separate us from Close Contacts: 100 grounds for the virus,” said Laura Keener, COVID coordi- his redeeming love.” nator. “In the midst of isolation when we are suffering from a Returned to class after quarantine/ As the holidays approach and new anxieties add to lack of tenderness and chances to meet up, and we experi- self-quarantine: what is already a time of stress, revisiting Pope Francis’ ence the loss of so many things, let us once again listen to From Oct. 13–Oct.19: 66 students extraordinary moment of prayer in the “Urbi et Orbi” the proclamation that saves us: he is risen and is living by Total ever: 610 students blessing, March 27, can offer some calm amid the storm. our side. The Lord asks us from his cross to rediscover the In a rain soaked and empty piazza, Pope Francis medi- life that awaits us, to look towards those who look to us, to Schools currently with quarantines and tated on the calming of the storm from the Gospel of Mark strengthen, recognize and foster the grace that lives within self-quarantines: and how it relates. The entire message can be found online us. Let us not quench the wavering flame (cf. Is 42:3) that at www.vatican.va. Here are some excerpts: never falters, and let us allow hope to be rekindled.” Bishop Brossart High School, Alexandria “Like the disciples in the Gospel we were caught off “Embracing his cross means finding the courage to Covington Catholic High School, Covington guard by an unexpected, turbulent storm.