November 2022

Reverend Theodore C. Kosse died on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on August 10, 1945, in Cincinnati, and baptized at St. Martin of Tours Parish, Cheviot (Cincinnati). He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary and studied theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West in Norwood, Ohio. He was ordained on May 29, 1971, at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains in Cincinnati by Archbishop Paul F. Leibold.

Father Kosse received his first assignment on June 17, 1971, as Assistant at St. Peter Parish, Dayton and part time faculty at Carroll High School, Dayton. On July 16, 1971, he was appointed Assistant Communications Coordinator for the northern section of the archdiocese. On September 30, 1971, he was appointed Director of Public Relations, Radio and Television Programs within the archdiocese, Assistant Chaplain of the University of Cincinnati Newman Center (1971-1973) and Assistant at Assumption Parish, Walnut Hills (Cincinnati) (1971-1979). He was appointed full time to the diocesan Communications Office, effective June 20, 1973. On July 1, 1979, he was appointed in residence at St. Andrew Parish, Avondale (Cincinnati), while continuing as Director of Radio and Television. On December 1, 1981, he was appointed Priest-Coordinator for the Community of Hope (a non-territorial parish) and Associate ad cautelam of St. Leo Parish, Cincinnati, while continuing as Director of Radio and Television and in residence at St. Andrew Parish. Father Kosse was appointed Director of the Communications Office on January 9, 1987 (1987-1989). He was appointed Pastor of St. Peter Parish, New Richmond on July 7, 1989. He was appointed to the College of Consultors in November 1990 until November 1995. He was reappointed to another six-year term as Pastor of St. Peter Parish commencing on July 8,1995, and reappointed to the College of Consultors for another five year term from November 1995 until November 2000. On July 1, 2000, he was appointed Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish, West Union, and St. Mary Queen of Heaven Parish, Peebles, for a period of six years. He was appointed Dean of the St. Martin Deanery, effective January 1, 2001, for a four-year term, ending December 31, 2004, then reappointed for another four-year term ending December 31, 2008. He was appointed Temporary Parochial Administrator of St. Mary Parish, Hillsboro, effective July 18, 2005. Father Kosse was reappointed as Pastor of Holy Trinity and St. Mary Queen of Heaven Parishes for two additional six-year terms, commencing on July 1, 2006, and again on July 1, 2012. Father Kosse retired from active ministry on July 1, 2014.

More than simply an emotion we experience from time to time, joy is a virtue each of us is called to receive from God and cultivate in our lives for the good of others. Christian joy is rooted in an awareness of God’s unconditional love. When we experience God’s love and live out our lives as a response to that love, then we are truly joyful people.

On the evening before His Passion, our Lord reminded His closest disciples, “I have told you all this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete” (Jn. 15:11). Jesus told His disciples about the suffering He would endure and their mission to carry on the work He had begun. After washing their feet, Jesus gave them the new commandment to love one another as He loved them. He encouraged them by promising that He would send the Holy Spirit to support, teach and guide them. He warned that they would face difficulties, challenges and rejection by the world. But Jesus told His disciples these things so they might share in His joy, a joy unlike anything the world could provide.

Even on the eve of His suffering and death, Jesus possessed deep joy because He remained intent on freely fulfilling the will of His heavenly Father. Jesus trusted in the Father’s plan for His life, and He knew that fulfilling that would bring Him the most satisfaction.

Everything Jesus teaches us is directed at leading us closer to God and helping us to know God’s plan for our lives. Jesus’ teachings show us who we are and what God calls us to be. They mark out the path we are to follow to reach our fulfillment as human beings created in God’s image. Even when we struggle along the way, God never tires of picking us up and putting us back on the road of discipleship.

Our joy is rooted in this hope of God’s never-failing love for us. Joy is a virtue that rests deep in our souls, but which we are meant to share with others. Unfortunately, we live in a world that, despite all the means of communication available to us, is becoming more and more hostile to genuine human encounter and mutual support.

Pope Francis began his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, saying, “Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers, too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ” (EG 2).

The joy which fills our heart as we receive God’s love for us is given to us precisely to be given away. Christians who share their joy make great contributions to the world by giving firm testimony to the love of God for all people.

November’s Catholic liturgies foster our contemplation of eternity. We celebrate All Saints’ Day and commemorate all the faithful departed on All Souls’ Day. The readings of the Sunday Masses offer reflections on the end times and God’s promise of salvation for those who place their trust in Him. Glancing toward eternity, we are filled with joy at the prospect of all God has in store for us. This is a fitting month, then, to renew our awareness of God’s great love. The Lord sends us out to be His joyful witnesses, confident in His grace and mercy, giving to a suffering world the hope of divine love.

Archives for November 2022