The Church in Kentucky

Father Stephen Bankemper explained that the goal of the Christian life is transformation rather than simply becoming a good person. Writing for the Diocese of Covington, Bankemper noted that while individual lessons such as forgiveness and addressing the sins of others are important, focusing solely on them can lead to a checklist mentality for reaching heaven.

Bankemper stated that true holiness requires understanding that God's ways and thoughts are higher than human ones, citing the book of Isaiah. He used the writings of Paul in the first letter to the Corinthians to describe this process as a change from the image of the earthly man to the image of the heavenly man.

The Crosier Guild held a Mass and barbecue dinner at St. Joseph Parish in Cold Spring to build community among its members. Bishop John Iffert and Father Andrew Young, the pastor of St. Joseph, celebrated the Mass for the group.

The Guild recognizes donors who have given $1,000 or more to the Diocesan Parish Annual Appeal for at least seven years, whether those years were consecutive or not. Jennifer Cox, the secretary for the Office of Stewardship and Mission Services, said the gatherings are intended for fellowship.

The group welcomed 76 new households this year, bringing the total number of Guild households to 816.

The Diocesan Governance Commission began the final stage of a strategic planning process for the Diocese of Covington during its first meeting on Sept. 12. Bishop John Iffert welcomed approximately 200 volunteers to the Bishop Howard Memorial Auditorium in Covington to start discussions on the structure and work of the diocesan Curia.

The commission will examine how diocesan offices support parishes, schools, and ministries throughout Northern Kentucky. Members will focus on four specific areas: departments and ministries, finance, revenue and allocations, shared services, and communications. This group is the fourth and final commission in a series that previously addressed Catholic Charities, Catholic Schools, and the establishment of a Catholic Foundation.

The initial meeting consisted of a general session to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, beginning with 45 minutes of prayer known as spiritual conversation. The commission is scheduled to meet through December, with all four planning commissions set to gather for a closing Mass and meeting in January.

ACUE held its annual Leadership Solicitation Kickoff on August 27 at the Bishop Howard Memorial Auditorium to prepare volunteers for the upcoming fundraising season. More than 60 volunteers will call leadership donors in October to support the ACUE Annual Fund. These donors provide 80 percent of the money needed for student tuition assistance.

The five ACUE schools include Holy Cross Elementary in Latonia, Holy Trinity School in Bellevue, Prince of Peace School in Covington, St. Anthony School in Taylor Mill, and St. Augustine School in Covington. All five schools qualify for the federal Community Eligibility Provision, which allows every student to receive free breakfast and lunch.

Nick Winnike, an ACUE advisory board member from St. Joseph Parish in Crescent Springs, is chairing the 2026-2027 ACUE Annual Fund. During the kickoff, Winnike spoke about using Catholic education to help children escape poverty and develop into community leaders.

St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky broke ground on its new headquarters near its current Crescent Springs store location. The project, funded by the Hands of Hope Capital Campaign, will provide 40,000 square feet of space designed to address the increasing needs of the local community.

The new facility will include an expanded food pantry, a teaching kitchen, a chapel, and additional community spaces, along with expanded retail and warehouse areas. Dawn Groneck, chair of the St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky board, stated that the new building will create a visible and daily impact on those served by the organization.

HCG Construction of the Huseman Group will complete the building, which was designed by GBBN architects. Adam Kuehne, chief operating officer of the Huseman Group, noted that site work is nearly finished and building pads are ready for the foundation phase. The ceremonial groundbreaking was attended by local leaders, including Erlanger Mayor Jessica Fette, Kenton County Commissioner Beth Sewell, and Deacon Jim Fortner, chief operating officer of the Diocese of Covington.

Bishop John Iffert blessed more than 80 married couples during an annual Vespers service at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington on Sept. 13. The celebration honored couples marking significant milestones, including first, 25th, 50th, and 60th anniversaries, as well as those married for over 70 years.

During his homily, Bishop Iffert said married couples reflect the enduring love Christ has for his Church. He used a story about a couple facing a dispute to illustrate the unique weight and commitment found in the marriage covenant.

Isaak A. Isaak, the director of the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization, organized the service. He welcomed the participants by stating the gathering honored the witness of their love and fidelity. The event included a renewal of vows for the participating couples.

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati is seeking a full-time Stewardship and Development Communications Manager to lead marketing and communications for its Stewardship Department. The role focuses on the Catholic Ministries Appeal and parish stewardship initiatives.

The manager will create content for print, email, websites, social media, video, and photography. The position requires using Catholic teaching and resources to encourage gratitude and generosity. Candidates must be practicing Roman Catholics with at least three years of professional experience in communications, marketing, or development.

The department is looking for someone skilled in graphic design, videography, and photography, specifically using Adobe Creative Suite. Experience with WordPress and Mailchimp is also preferred. The application deadline is October 10th.