WATCH MASSREPORT MISCONDUCT
EN ES

May 2020

Archives for May 2020

by

Jennifer Schack
Director of Media Relations
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Office | 513.263.6618
Cell | 859.512.5626
[email protected]

Release Date: May 27, 2020

Pastoral Letter in Anticipation of Bicentennial Celebration

Next year the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will celebrate the two centuries of faith since its establishment as a diocese in June of 1821. In anticipation of the bicentennial celebration, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr has written a pastoral letter to encourage each of us to “Radiate Christ” by rediscovering “the joy of knowing Christ deeply and following Him, thereby becoming a witness to the world.”

It is Archbishop Schnurr’s hope that all Catholics of the archdiocese will reflect upon and discuss how we can individually and collectively Radiate Christ as we prepare to joyfully celebrate our bicentennial.

The letter can be found on The Catholic Telegraph website here: https://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/radiate-christ/66606

The pastoral letter can also be read in the June edition of The Catholic Telegraph magazine that is being mailed to homes this week.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 44th largest Catholic diocese in the country, with more than 450,000 Catholics, and has the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with more than 40,000 students. The 19-county territory includes 211 parishes and 111 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

Download as PDF.

by

Reverend Patrick M. McMullen passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 in Batavia, Ohio. He was born on March 18, 1959 in Frankfurt, Germany. He received a B.S. in Elementary Education from Xavier University, Cincinnati and a M.Div. in Theological Studies from the Athenaeum of Ohio/Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West, Cincinnati. He was ordained on May 20, 2006 at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, Cincinnati, Ohio by Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk.

Father McMullen received his first assignment on July 1, 2006 as Parochial Vicar of Holy Angels Parish, Sidney. On July 1, 2008, he was appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Peter Parish, Huber Heights. On July 19, 2011, he was appointed Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Cincinnati. Father McMullen was appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Peter in Chains and St. Joseph Parishes, Hamilton, effective July 1, 2013. On July 1, 2016, he was appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Therese Little Flower Parish, Cincinnati.

Reception of the Body: Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Church, 8815 E. Kemper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249; (513-489-8815). Celebrant and Homilist: Reverend Martin E. Bachman. Visitation will continue until 7:30 p.m. at the church.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, May 29, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Church. Celebrant: Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr. Homilist: Reverend Martin E. Bachman.

Burial: Friday, May 29, 2020, immediately following the Mass of Christian Burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249. Celebrant: Reverend Martin E. Bachman.

Associates of the Marian Pact are asked to offer, as soon as possible, one Mass for the repose of the soul of Father McMullen, and when convenient, to provide for the celebration of two other Masses.

Download as PDF.

by

Effective May 1, 2020

  • Reverend Robert Thesing, S.J., temporary Parochial Administrator, St. Francis Xavier, Cincinnati, effective May 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020.

Effective July 1, 2020

  • Reverend Craig Best, to Pastor of Holy Trinity, West Union, and St. Mary Queen of Heaven, Peebles.
  • Reverend Adam Puntel, to Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Mt. Repose, and St. Andrew, Milford.
  • Reverend Barry Stechschulte, to Pastor of St. Susanna, Mason.
  • Reverend Alexander Witt, to Pastor of Holy Rosary, St. Marys, and St. Patrick, Glynwood.
  • Reverend James Ackerman, S.J., to Parochial Vicar of St. Francis Xavier, Cincinnati.
  • Reverend Robert Farrell, to Parochial Vicar of St. Francis de Sales, Lebanon, and St. Philip the Apostle, Morrow.
  • Reverend Christopher Komoroski, to Parochial Vicar of St. Monica-St. George Parish Newman Center, and Holy Name, Cincinnati.
  • Reverend Benson Lotiang’a Lokidiriyo, to Parochial Vicar of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Mt. Repose, and St. Andrew, Milford.
  • Reverend Ignatius Madanu, to Parochial Vicar of Incarnation, Centerville.
  • Reverend Andrew Reckers, to Parochial Vicar of Coldwater Cluster (Holy Trinity, Coldwater; St. Anthony, St. Anthony, and St. Mary, Philothea).
  • Reverend Jeff Stegbauer, to Parochial Vicar of Winton-Wyoming Pastoral Region (St. Matthias, Cincinnati, Our Lady of the Rosary, Greenhills, and St. James of the Valley, Wyoming).
  • Reverend Andrew Smith, to Parochial Vicar of St. Christopher, Vandalia, and St. John the Baptist, Tipp City.
  • Reverend Jedidiah Tritle, to Parochial Vicar of Petersburg Region (St. Joseph, Wapakoneta, St. John the Evangelist, Fryburg; St. Lawrence, Rhine, and Immaculate Conception, Botkins).
  • Reverend Lambert Ulinzwenimana, to Parochial Vicar of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, and St. Jude, Bridgetown.
  • Reverend Timothy Fahey, to Director of Campus Ministry for Wright State University, Fairborn.
  • Reverend Ethan Moore, to Pastor of St. Monica-St. George Parish Newman Center, and Holy Name, Cincinnati.
  • Reverend Jason Williams, to Vice-Chancellor while continuing as Master of Ceremonies to Archbishop Schnurr.

Effective August 1, 2020

  • Reverend Eugene Schnipke, C.PP.S., to Pastor of Precious Blood, Dayton, St. Paul, Englewood, and St. Rita, Dayton.

Effective August 15, 2020

  • Reverend Michael Nartker, S.M., to Pastor of St. Francis de Sales, Cincinnati.

Effective August 24, 2020

  • Reverend Kenneth Alt, C.PP.S., to Parochial Vicar of Marion Catholic Community.

Effective September 8, 2020

  • Reverend Matthew Jozefiak, C.PP.S., to Pastor of Marion Catholic Community.

Effective October 1, 2020

  • Reverend Al Hirt, OFM, to Pastor of St. Francis Seraph, Cincinnati.

Download as PDF.

 

by

Jennifer Schack
Director of Media Relations
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Office | 513.263.6618
Cell | 859.512.5626
[email protected]

Release Date: May 16, 2020

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati celebrates ordination of three priests

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati joyfully celebrated the ordination of three men to the priesthood on Saturday, May 16th. The men were ordained to the priesthood for service to God and the Church. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr celebrated the Mass. Within the course of the ordination rite, the archbishop laid his hands on the men, invoking the authority given by Christ to the apostles to make new priests.

The three new priests had served as transitional deacons for the last year. Their ministry has included baptizing, assisting at marriages, and preaching at Mass. The men graduated on May 10 of this year from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology, after at least seven years of formation for the priesthood.

Before the Ordination Mass ended, first assignments were announced. Father Chris Komoroski is assigned as parochial vicar at St. Monica St. George Newman Center and Holy Family parish, Father Benson Lokidiriyo is assigned to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Andrew parishes in Milford as parochial vicar. Father Andrew Reckers is assigned to the Coldwater Cluster of Holy Trinity, St. Anthony, and St, Mary parishes as parochial vicar.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 44th largest Catholic diocese in the country, with more than 450,000 Catholics, and has the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with more than 40,000 students. The 19-county territory includes 211 parishes and 111 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

Download as PDF.

 

by

May 8, 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Over the past eight weeks, the Bishops of Ohio have met on a regular basis to discuss recommendations and requirements put in place by the State of Ohio and the medical profession to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Early in those discussions, we very reluctantly agreed that we had to suspend the public celebration of Mass for the safety of our parishioners and for the common good of our communities. These past weeks and months have been very difficult, but I am grateful to our priests, deacons, and lay leaders who continued to show genuine pastoral care for our people by staying in contact with parishioners in very creative ways. Many parishes live streamed Mass, connected with parishioners through phone calls, opened their churches for private devotions, offered spiritual reflections in online videos, etc. I am deeply, deeply grateful to all who have taken these initiatives. I am also grateful for all of you who have maintained spiritual closeness through these and other means and continued to live the Catholic faith in your homes.

On May 8, the Bishops of Ohio issued a statement by which we informed Catholics in the State of Ohio that, while making every effort to respect the spirit of the governor’s “Responsible Restart Ohio Plan,” we will begin to make the public celebration of Mass available once again. In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, public Masses will begin on Monday, May 25.

At the same time, I must emphasize that this is not going to be “a return to normal.” Health and safety requirements and recommendations must continue to be followed. Among these are social distancing, the use of face masks, and concern for the most vulnerable.

Because of social distancing, church capacity will be significantly reduced and the number of people who attend a particular Mass will have to be regulated and limited. Please remember that you have been dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, and that dispensation will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Thus, those who wish to participate in Mass and receive Holy Communion can do so by attending any Mass that is celebrated any day of the week. I am asking our pastors to make every effort to have a Mass celebrated publicly in every parish/region every day of the week beginning May 25.

Pastors, priests, deacons, parish staff, and volunteers are establishing respective guidelines for public health in each parish church. Please be respectful of these guidelines. Those who are elderly or vulnerable should continue to stay at home, mindful of the dispensation from the Sunday obligation. Parishes are asked to try to find ways to safely bring Holy Communion to shut-ins. People who are fearful that they may be putting their health, or the health of their family, at risk should likewise continue to remain at home.

On Sunday, May 3, the first Sunday of the month of May, a month dedicated in a special way to give honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary, I re-consecrated our archdiocese to the maternal care of Mary. In the prayer of consecration, I prayed: “Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and our Mother … In this time of pandemic, we come to you, our sign of sure hope and comfort … bring everyone under your protection and entrust everyone to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

With the Blessed Virgin Mary interceding on our behalf we will get through these challenging times and draw nearer to her Son, the Good Shepherd.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr
Archbishop of Cincinnati

Download as PDF.

by

Jennifer Schack
Director of Media Relations
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Office | 513.263.6618
Cell | 859.512.5626
[email protected]

Release Date: May 8, 2020

Public Masses will Resume in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, public Masses will begin on Monday, May 25. Archbishop Dennis Schnurr has written a letter to the faithful with guidance going forward, insisting that health and safety requirements must continue to be followed as Masses resume. “I must emphasize that this is not going to be ‘a return to normal,'” said Schnurr. Among the requirements when returning to Mass, will be, “social distancing, the use of facemasks, and concern for the most vulnerable,” said Schnurr.

In addition, the Catholic faithful who reside in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati continue to be dispensed from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass. Those who are at risk or fearful that they or their family might become sick are encouraged to stay home and join the Church by viewing live-streaming Masses.

This announcement comes after the Catholic Bishops of Ohio announced today that the bishops of Ohio have “agreed that each diocese will determine a soft opening date later in May.”

The full letter from Archbishop Dennis Schnurr:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Over the past eight weeks, the Bishops of Ohio have met on a regular basis to discuss recommendations and requirements put in place by the State of Ohio and the medical profession to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Early in those discussions, we very reluctantly agreed that we had to suspend the public celebration of Mass for the safety of our parishioners and for the common good of our communities. These past weeks and months have been very difficult, but I am grateful to our priests, deacons, and lay leaders who continued to show genuine pastoral care for our people by staying in contact with parishioners in very creative ways. Many parishes live streamed Mass, connected with parishioners through phone calls, opened their churches for private devotions, offered spiritual reflections in online videos, etc. I am deeply, deeply grateful to all who have taken these initiatives. I am also grateful for all of you who have maintained spiritual closeness through these and other means and continued to live the Catholic faith in your homes.

On May 8, the Bishops of Ohio issued a statement by which we informed Catholics in the State of Ohio that, while making every effort to respect the spirit of the governor’s “Responsible Restart Ohio Plan,” we will begin to make the public celebration of Mass available once again. In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, public Masses will begin on Monday, May 25.

At the same time, I must emphasize that this is not going to be “a return to normal.” Health and safety requirements and recommendations must continue to be followed. Among these are social distancing, the use of face masks, and concern for the most vulnerable.

Because of social distancing, church capacity will be significantly reduced and the number of people who attend a particular Mass will have to be regulated and limited. Please remember that you have been dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, and that dispensation will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Thus, those who wish to participate in Mass and receive Holy Communion can do so by attending any Mass that is celebrated any day of the week. I am asking our pastors to make every effort to have a Mass celebrated publicly in every parish/region every day of the week beginning May 25.

Pastors, priests, deacons, parish staff, and volunteers are establishing respective guidelines for public health in each parish church. Please be respectful of these guidelines. Those who are elderly or vulnerable should continue to stay at home, mindful of the dispensation from the Sunday obligation. Parishes are asked to try to find ways to safely bring Holy Communion to shutins. People who are fearful that they may be putting their health, or the health of their family, at risk should likewise continue to remain at home.

On Sunday, May 3, the first Sunday of the month of May, a month dedicated in a special way to give honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary, I re-consecrated our archdiocese to the maternal care of Mary. In the prayer of consecration, I prayed: “Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and our Mother … In this time of pandemic, we come to you, our sign of sure hope and comfort … bring everyone under your protection and entrust everyone to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

With the Blessed Virgin Mary interceding on our behalf we will get through these challenging times and draw nearer to her Son, the Good Shepherd.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr
Archbishop of Cincinnati

The Catholic Telegraph has a complete list of live-streaming Masses in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on their website, found here: http://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/covid-19-live-streaming-massschedule/65683

The archdiocesan website, www.catholiccincinnati.org, is live-streaming daily and weekend Masses from the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains in Cincinnati. Daily Mass is available on-line at 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday Mass is live-streamed at 9:30 a.m. in Spanish and 11 a.m. in English. All live-streaming Masses are also available on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CatholicCincinnati/ and YouTube page, https://www.youtube.com/user/cincyArchdiocese.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 44th largest Catholic diocese in the country, with more than 450,000 Catholics, and has the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with more than 40,000 students. The 19-county territory includes 211 parishes and 111 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

Download as PDF.

100 East Eighth StreetCincinnati, OH 45202 USA(513) 421-3131

Instagram Facebook-f Youtube