September 25, 2020 In This Issue ESSENGER M Serving the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky since 1926 2 Bishop’s Letter: Peter’s Pence collection Annual pro-life Mass extended to parishes due to Coronavirus report limited in-person capacity at the Cathedral Allegra Thatcher Monthly Holy Hour for Assistant Editor Victims of Abuse Respect Life month normally brings the faithful of the Diocese of Invitation to Pontifical Covington in October together to cel- ebrate a diocesan-wide Mass in honor Honors of the dignity of human life. Like most events, it’s looking a little differ- 3 St. Vincent de Paul thanks ent this year — and possibly reaching volunteers a different and wider audience. The Pro-Life Mass is not only Installation of Father Eric being celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Boelscher: Covington on Oct. 13, but also at each St. Joseph’s new pastor, of the parishes in the diocese at the Crescent Springs same time. Bishop Roger Foys will celebrate 8 New cleaning machines to Mass in the Cathedral Basilica at 7 p.m. with representatives from each parish present. Due to the provide safe environment COVID-19 pandemic, the Mass is not open to all those who would to learn normally attend. However, every parish will be simultaneously cel- ebrating a Mass at 7 p.m. and the faithful are invited to join at their Celebrate safely and 9 Gardener donates flowers parish to pray in union with the entire diocese. simultaneously with Cathedral Mass to senior residents Faye Roch, director of the Pro-Life Office, said the diocese has come together as a community every October since 1996 to kick off You are invited participate in the annual Respect Life month. “While our gathering to celebrate is different Diocese of Covington Pro-Life Mass this year, my prayer is that these beautiful celebrations of the sanc- tity and dignity of life at our diocesan parishes will touch hearts October 13, 2020 7 p.m. and convert minds,” she said. at your home parish The opportunity to celebrate Mass closer to home and with a Moving? Wrong address? to kick off Respect Life month Call the circulation desk, greater seating capacity than usual is one high point amid the (859) 392-1570 changing times, and the Pro-Life Office hopes that more lives may be altered for the better by this year’s changes. Bishop’s Schedule . .3 Commentary . .4 Fall Diocesan Pastoral Planning meeting focuses People and Events . .11 Classifieds . .12 on completing previous goals Did You Know? . .13 Allegra Thatcher Shopper’s Guide . .14 Assistant Editor News Briefs . .15 The first of three annual Deanery Pastoral Council meetings was held Sept. 17 in the Bishop Howard Memorial Auditorium. The meeting consisted of diocesan department directors instead of the entire Curia staff due to COVID-19. Jamie Schroeder, chancellor, opened the meeting by explaining this year’s Missed an edition? Current and back process. Normally, the directors would discuss the 2021-2022 objectives for issues of the Messenger are available each department — goals for improving the productivity so as to continue to online at covdio.org/messenger. further the Gospel. They also planned to evaluate the success of the 2019-2020 objectives. Instead of developing new objectives, departments looked at the previous five years to identify objectives that were “incomplete or delayed.” Looking forward, they hope to bring about those projects which may have been put to the side over those years. Bishop Roger Foys thanked everyone for their dedication and help in being flexible during this unpredictable year. “I want to thank you for your service to the Church and especially for your ministry alongside me,” he said. He also prepared staff mem- bers for the possibility that their Thatcher photos objectives might be changed with the arrival of a new bishop for the diocese, since in July he had sub- mitted his retirement letter to Pope Francis. He urged the staff to be open to (Continued on page 12) (above) Bishop Foys addresses the direc- tors, thanking them for their hard work. (below) Mike Clines, superintendent of Catholic Schools, and Alan Pickett, director, Catholic Charities, take notes on the plans for upcoming department projects. 2 September 25, 2020 Messenger Coronavirus Report (as of Monday, Sept. 21) September 2020 Positive Cases Active positive cases: 9 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Recovered positive cases: 14 Total ever positive cases: 23 The Peter’s Pence Collection, conducted throughout the Diocese of Covington on the weekend of Self-quarantined October 3 and 4, is an opportunity for the Church around the world to stand in solidarity with victims of war, natural Contacts: 22 disaster and oppression in their time of need. In September and October 2018, violent earthquakes and a tsunami in Close Contacts: 85 Indonesia killed 1,500 and injured thousands more. On the island of Sulawesi, the Mount Soputan volcano erupted hours after the earthquake, further endangering people already affected by the first disaster. Returned to class after quarantine/self-quarantine: Your generosity to the Peter’s Pence Collection facilitated much-needed support for victims of the Indonesian From Sept. 15– Sept. 21: catastrophes. Pope Francis responded with a contribution of $100,000 to be distributed to those in areas most 44 students (including 20 from affected by the disaster, with a prayer that “the Lord comfort them and support those working in the rescue efforts” St. Thomas School) (Angelus, September 30, 2018). Your contributions help Pope Francis fulfill his prayer that the Church will reach out Total ever: 263 students with acts of mercy. Schools reporting quarantines and self-quarantines: (25 of 39 schools) Please prayerfully consider supporting this year’s collection as an act of mercy and charity. Join with our brothers and Bishop Brossart High School sisters in faith from around the globe to help Pope Francis reach the most marginalized in our world. For more Blessed Sacrament information about the collection, please visit www.usccb.org/peters-pence. Covington Catholic High School Holy Cross Thank you, and may God bless you abundantly. Please, pray for me. Holy Cross District High School Holy Family Devotedly yours in Christ, Newport Central Catholic High “The Christian exists to serve, School Notre Dame Academy not to be served.” St. Henry District High School St. Agnes Most Rev. Roger J. Foys, D.D. — Pope Francis, homily of the Mass at St. Augustine, Covington Bishop of Covington Santa Marta, April 26, 2018 St. Cecilia St. Edward St. Henry St. Joseph, Cold Spring For more information, visit www.usccb.org/peters-pence. St. Joseph, Crescent Springs Thatcher photo St. Mary Holy Hour St. Patrick (left) Father Daniel Schomaker, St. Paul vicar general, led a Holy Hour St. Pius X for Victims of Abuse and for St. Therese the Sanctification of Priests St. Thomas Sept. 17 at the Cathedral St. Timothy Basilica of the Assumption. The priests of the diocese Sts. Peter and Paul gathered to pray and receive Villa Madonna Academy the sacrament of reconcilia- (Schools without students in quarantine tion. The next holy hour will or self-quarantine do not need to report.) be Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. His Excellency the Most Rev. Roger J. Foys, D.D. and the Diocese of Covington cordially invite you to attend Solemn Vespers celebrating The Bestowal of Pontifical Honors on Sunday, 27 September, 2 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington Due to COVID-19 protocols, attendance is by ticket admittance only. The general public is invited to virtually join the ceremony via live-stream from the Diocesan website, www.covdio.org. Messenger September 25, 2020 3 St. Vincent de Paul Society thanks dedicated volunteers for service Allegra Thatcher Leardon served the Mass. Assistant Editor After Mass, Bishop Foys installed George The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Everett as Eastern District vice president and Northern Kentucky held its annual Kristen Hildebrand as treasurer. All Vincentians feast day Mass and commitment cere- then renewed their promises to assist the poor. mony Sept. 19 at St. Augustine Parish, Casey Guilfoyle, board president, and Karen Covington. Members gathered to cele- Zengel, executive director, presented awards to brate the Eucharist and be honored for six deserving recipients. They honored jubilari- their years of service, as well as renew ans Norbert DeJaco for 25 years of service and their commitment to helping those in Deacon Bill Theis for 20 years. Outgoing board need. members Maria Eichelberger, former secretary The Mass was celebrated by Bishop and Eastern District vice president, and Laurie Roger Foys and concelebrated by Iglesias, former treasurer, were recognized for Father Daniel Schomaker, vicar gener- their service as well. al and pastor, St. Augustine, Father The Norbert F. DeJaco Vincentian Service Ryan Maher, vicar general and Father Award, recognizing a Vincentian who has con- Michael Grady, parochial vicar. sistently gone above and beyond in their service Deacons Mike Lyman and John to neighbors in need, went to Dawn Groneck of the St. Thomas Conference. A surprise Thatcher photos award was given to Dennis Coyne, second vice president and former board president, to recognize him for his continued dedicated servant leadership to the Society as he con- tinues to work tirelessly for those in need. Bishop Foys concluded the Mass and service with a blessing of the participants with a relic of St. Vincent de Paul. “I am very grateful to all the members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for what they do for God’s people both spiritually and materially,” said Bishop Foys. “They have always been a great help to those in need but never more than now during the pandemic.