Ministry of Christ the Priest with Constant Joy and Genuine Love…
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May 22, 2015 In This Issue EESSSENGER M Serving the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky since 1926 2 Jubilarian Father John Kroger 2 Mark your calendar …carry out the Cross the Bridge for Life, June 7 ministry of Christ the Priest 2 Priest education and formation with constant joy and genuine love… from the Rite of Ordination 3 Official assignments 3 Seminarian assignments 6 Blessed Sacrament Parish Forty Hours devotion 7 ‘We Choose Life’ 8 World Meeting of Families, Sept. 22-27 A pilgrimage to see the pope 9 New bishop of Lexington ordained 10 ‘A Dime Makes a Difference’ in Madagascar 19 Obituaries Good Shepherd Sister Gertrude Monica Nowak Divine Providence Sister Mary Catherine Hunt Cooley photo In a solemn ceremony, May 16, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, Bishop Roger Foys ordained four men to the priesthood for the Diocese of Covington — Father Michael Black, Father Eric Boelscher, Father Daniel Kluge and Father Andrew Young. Bishop’s Schedule . .2 Nearly 800 people attended the joyful event. Commentary . .4 “We give thanks to God, we give thanks to these four young men who have heard the Lord’s call and acted on it, and we give thanks to People and Events . .14 their parents and their entire families who have led them to this day,” said Bishop Foys in his homily. (For more ordination coverage see Saint for the Week . .14 page 12.) Entertainment . .17 Classifieds . .18 Shopper’s Guide . .20 News Briefs . .22 Graduation season starts with Thomas More College Thomas More College celebrated, May 16, its 87th annual commencement exercises. President David Armstrong presented degrees to 296 graduates. “When you look at all of the academic honors, student research awards, co-curricular accomplish- ments and athletic conference championships, and of course our first national championship in team sports, the Class of 2015 will most certainly go down as one of the most accomplished classes in Thomas More College history,” said President Armstrong. “It is obvious that our students lived our mission in their time here and we’re confident that they will continue to live their lives for the bet- terment of the world.” TMC’s commencement exercises kicks off the grad- uation season in the Diocese of Covington. The Messenger will cover the graduations of the nine Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Covington and will feature photos from each and the names of the graduates in its May 29 edition. 2 May 22, 2015 Messenger Father Kroger remains ‘ever faithfultothe promises he made 60 years ago’ David Cooley Throughout his years as a ministry, Father Kroger said that saying the Mass is Assistant Editor priest Father Kroger has had always at the top of his list. “To remember that you are act- Father John Kroger is celebrating his dia- many memorable experi- ing in the capacity of Jesus, offering the Mass, is the high mond jubilee — 60 years as an ordained priest, he ences, some very positive point of every priest’s life. When you get to the point of is 83 years old. Although he officially retired in and some very difficult. being ordained 60 years, I’ve figured I have said Mass more 2003 he has remained active as a sacramental “I was at the Beverly Hills than 20,000 times.” minister, chaplain and as the diocesan retired Supper Club when they had “Of course I enjoy being with people during the various priests liaison. His last parish assignment was the big fire up there and 160 special times of their life — baptism of their babies, mar- pastor at the former St. Anthony Parish, people were killed,” said riage and to send people off when their earthly life is over,” Bellevue, for the years 1990–2003. Father Kroger. “I was at St. he added. “A priest meets a lot of people in very special Prior to St. Anthony Parish he was pastor at Thomas at the time; it was times of their life.” Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Burlington, near there so I went over.” For the last 10 years or so Father Kroger has worked as from 1979–1990. He served as associate pastor at The Beverly Hills Supper a part-time chaplain at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, six parishes including St. Thomas, Ft. Thomas; Club fire occurred on May 28, Edgewood. St. James, Ludlow; and St. Pius X, Edgewood. 1977. “I was there and they “It’s given me an insight into people’s lives because they He will celebrate his special anniversary were just carrying people come there, most of them older, apprehensive about what Mass at St. Bernard Parish, Dayton, June 7, all out. The firefighters just kept is coming along. I’ve learned to just realize that life is a gift parishioners and family and friends are invited. saying, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry.’ and we just have to be realistic enough to accept when Father Kroger was born in Newport and bap- It was beginning to get dark problems come and when eventually, as Shakespeare tized at St. Stephen Parish, Newport. His father and I prayed the Act of would say, you are ready to make your exit from the stage bought a newspaper route when he was 5 years Contrition and the Our of life.” old and they moved to Ft. Thomas. He grew up at Father and I anointed dozens Father Kroger said that he is “extremely grateful” for St. Thomas Parish, Ft. Thomas. of people. It was a difficult his vocation. “I enjoyed a good pastor there, and other experience.” “I am thankful that the Lord let me stay healthy so that priests as well that were good inspirations for As pastor at Immaculate I can celebrate my 60th anniversary. me,” Father Kroger said. “I had all religious sis- Heart of Mary, Burlington, “I remember a lot of good, generous people that I have ters that taught me in grade school. And after the Father Kroger watched the met over the years. You see people working hard to raise sixth grade I went to Covington Latin School — parish grow immensely. “I their families, you see older couples who are still very had all priest teachers and one sister teacher in was there during the airport devoted to one another despite the problems that come those days.” Father John Kroger growth period. The parish with age, and I know it is hard for people to raise Father Kroger said that his vocation doubled from 350 to 700 teenagers. All those people encourage me greatly because stemmed from his family and school life. households while I was I know it’s not easy whether they are married or single.” “My family was very oriented toward the there,” he said. Father Kroger said that his closest friends have always Church and the priesthood was just an ideal Father Kroger said that been his brother priests. vocation for me,” he said. some of his best experiences “I have enjoyed and found a lot of strength in my fellow Bishop William Mulloy, the sixth bishop of were his trips to the Holy priests. … They have been good companions to me all of Covington, sent Father Kroger to St. Paul Land and Rome. my life. Making a lot of friends is one of the really big Seminary in North Dakota. “I always told people “I went to the Holy Land rewards for being a priest,” he said. I was cold up there for 8 years,” he said. twice — you go to the Holy “For 60 years Father Kroger has served the Church “We had at least 90 seminarians in the Land and the Bible comes to remarkably well and continues to do so even now,” said Diocese of Covington in those days — over an 8- life. It was very special,” he Bishop Roger Foys. “In 60 years of ministry he has touched year period from the 4 years college plus the the- said. the hearts and lives of countless people as he took up each ology years — and there were about 25 of us up “I was on sabbatical in assignment given him with enthusiasm and joy. Even at St. Paul,” said Father Kroger. Rome in 1989 and part of my though officially ‘retired’ he is still very involved in Father Kroger was ordained May 28, 1955, three-month sabbatical in parochial ministry as well as being my delegate to our sen- and celebrated his first Mass at St. Thomas Rome included a visit of our ior priests. He continues to serve and minister in the name Church. 36 priests to Pope John Paul II. He said Mass for us, spoke of Christ, ever faithful to the promises he made 60 years In addition to parish work, Father Kroger earned a perfect English and was very healthy at that time. ago at his ordination. He is a model for all of us priests to master’s degree in library science in 1957. As the first Afterwards, he met us in a hall next to his private chapel emulate. He has always been supportive of and encourag- librarian for the St. Pius Seminary, he worked to achieve and greeted each one of us — shook each one of our hands ing to me and I am very grateful to him. I wish him a truly accreditation as a college library. “I was at the library for — that was pretty neat.” blessed 60th anniversary and many more fruitful years of about 16 or 17 years,” he said. “I bought the first book and Asked what he has enjoyed the most throughout his priestly ministry.