Archives for January 2026

January 23, 2026 by Jennifer Schack

PDF of Letter (ENG) | PDF of Letter (SPA)

January 24, 2026

Feast of Francis de Sales, Patron Saint of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Happy New Year! I pray that you had a blessed and joyful Christmas season with your family, friends, and loved ones.

A new year calls us to reflection. As we look back with gratitude for God’s goodness, we look ahead with faith and hope. Even amidst life’s daily challenges, we have so much to thank God for. We also have so much to look forward to. We live in hope, recognizing the love of Christ that has been handed on from generation to generation is now our responsibility to reveal, to share, and to radiate more fully. This has been at the heart of our local Church’s efforts with Beacons of Light.

Beacons of Light has assisted us in discerning how we might fully live our Catholic faith in this particular time and place. I am grateful to the commitment of so many who have taken up the challenge of Beacons of Light to move our Church from maintenance to mission and more clearly radiate Christ’s love throughout the 19 counties of our archdiocese. As the phases of Beacons of Light come to conclusion between now and June 2027, each Family of Parishes will continue this effort by engaging in discernment of the best use of its resources – its buildings, finances, and personnel.

We must keep in mind that Beacons of Light has not been a typical process or program; we have been given a mandate to take up the mission and ministry of Christ in our present day. We ensure that it will continue for years to come through the six foundational principles of vitality and missionary discipleship. How we transition from the phases of Beacons of Light into the ongoing work of our parishes, schools, and institutions becomes the question.

After much prayer and consultation on this question, I have decided that we will conduct an archdiocesan synod over the next two years. Since our last archdiocesan synod in 1971, much has changed in our Church. A diocesan synod at this time will offer us a moment where we can prayerfully listen to the Holy Spirit and to one another in order to discover anew the joy of our discipleship. It will culminate with a general assembly where representatives of our clergy, religious, and laity will join together to discuss how Christ seeks to shepherd us into the future.

Inspired by the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, encouraged by Pope Leo’s efforts to create a more synodal Church, and considering the more than fifty years that have passed since our last synod was held, Synod 2027 will offer our local Church a blessed opportunity to recognize Christ in our midst and respond enthusiastically to His call. More details will be forthcoming this spring. In the meantime, information on Synod 2027 can be found at catholicaoc.org/synod2027. Please join me in prayer for the fruitfulness of our upcoming synod and for the wellbeing of all God’s children in our archdiocese, especially those who may be suffering and seeking hope.

In Christ,

Most Reverend Robert G. Casey

Archbishop of Cincinnati

January 23, 2026 by Jennifer Schack

Release Date: January 23, 2026

Catholic Schools Week 2026: Jan. 25 – Jan. 31

Catholic school students, teachers, and communities throughout the 19-county Archdiocese of Cincinnati will be celebrating the 52nd annual Catholic Schools Week from January 25 through January 31 under the theme, “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.” The 111 Catholic elementary and high schools in the archdiocese will mark the week with special programs, such as open houses, out-of-uniform days, service projects, Masses, talent shows, special decorations, student-faculty games and entertainment. Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity to celebrate the distinguished history of excellence of our Catholic schools and to pray for God’s blessings upon our school communities.

Monday: Archbishop Robert G. Casey will continue the tradition of a teleconference conversation with high school students in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. All 24 Catholic high schools will be given the opportunity to ask questions to Archbishop Casey during a live broadcast. The teleconference will be broadcasted live at each of the high schools and social media channels, including the Catholic Schools and Archdiocese of Cincinnati Facebook pages as well at the Archdiocese of Cincinnati YouTube page. (In the event that Elder High School is closed because of inclement weather, the broadcast will likely be rescheduled.)

Tuesday: The annual Catholic Schools Week Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains is at 10 A.M. Archbishop Robert G. Casey will celebrate the Mass with more than a dozen priests expected to concelebrate. Students from more than 75 Catholic schools in the Cincinnati area are invited. As tradition, a parade of banners representing each school present will take place at 9:40 A.M., before the Mass begins. Media members are invited to attend the Mass.

Wednesday: The annual Catholic Schools Week Mass near Dayton will be at St. Luke Church in Beavercreek 10 A.M. Archbishop Robert G. Casey will celebrate the Mass with other priests concelebrating. Schools in the greater Dayton area will be represented with their attendance and through serving in the liturgy. Media members are invited to attend the Mass.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 45^thlargest Catholic diocese in the country, with nearly 440,000 Catholics, and has the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with more than 41,000 students. The 19-county territory includes 199 canonical parishes organized into 57 Families of Parishes, and 111 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

January 12, 2026 by Jennifer Schack

Notice of Death of Archdiocesan Deacon

Deacon Mark J Westendorf, a deacon of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, died on December 23, 2025 at the age of 72.

Deacon Westendorf was ordained April 24, 2010 by Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr. He served the Archdiocese as a permanent deacon for fifteen years. Upon ordination, he was assigned to The Community of the Good Shepherd in Loveland. He served all of his years as a permanent deacon at the parish.

Deacon Westendorf is survived by his wife, Mary Tom, to whom he was married for 51 years. He is also survived by their children Jerome, Mary John, Heather, Luke, Holly, and David and their spouses, and thirteen grandchildren.

Family and friends will be received from 9:45 AM – 11:45 AM on Friday, January 2 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8815 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held immediately following at 12 PM. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

You may read the full obituary for Deacon Mark on the Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home website here: Obituary information for Mark J. Westendorf

Please keep the repose of the soul of Deacon Mark Westendorf in your prayers, as well as peace and consolation for his entire family.

January 7, 2026 by Jennifer Schack

PDF of Press Release

Release Date: January 7, 2026

Bell Tower Demolition Marks Turning Point in Future of St. John the Baptist, Maria Stein

Today, the bell tower of St. John the Baptist Church in Maria Stein is being carefully demolished following the collapse of the west wall of the church on Monday, December 29, 2025. Seven months after a fire ravaged St. John the Baptist Church, the west wall of the church collapsed last week due to high winds and the declining condition of the remaining structure.

After consultation with structural engineers and safety officials, church leadership determined that demolition of the church and removal of the bell tower was necessary to protect the surrounding area and ensure public safety. The collapse of the west wall and concerns that the bell tower could also collapse and fall onto State Route 119 were serious safety issues that required immediate action. FIRST ONSITE explored options to remove only the upper portion of the tower, but structural engineers and demolitions teams determined that this could not be done safely. Demolition crews arrived on site on Friday, January 2.

Father Ken Schnipke, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, said, “This is a difficult day for our parish. But it is also an important one in the journey of our parish into the future of St. John the Baptist Church.” Reflecting on the wind that collapsed the west wall last week he added, “In the beginning, God created all things and breathed new life into our world. Perhaps the wind of God is breathing new life into St. John the Baptist Church.”

Since the time of the fire, parish leaders have worked diligently to safeguard the church’s patrimony. Over the past four months, significant efforts have been made to preserve sacred items, artwork, furnishings, and architectural elements so they may be respectfully incorporated into a future church. These efforts include: stained glass windows that were removed and are being restored by Window Creations; approximately 1,040 of the church’s 1,323 organ pipes, which were removed, cleaned and are being safely stored; and the removal of the main front entry doors, frames and stained glass transom windows. With the demolition now underway, extensive work, carried out with intentional care, has been done to protect the façade of the front entrance and other decorative stonework around the church.

While today’s work marks the visible end of the striking bell tower that soars above the farm fields in Maria Stein, it does not mark the end of the parish community. Church leaders are grateful for the care, professionalism, and pastoral attention shown throughout this process, as well as for the continued prayers and support of the faithful.

Plans for the future worship space will focus on continuity, remembrance, and hope, honoring the legacy of the past while providing a spiritual home for generations to come.

The St. John Building and Architect Committee is in the final stage of selecting and hiring an architecture firm to help the community envision the future of St. John the Baptist Church. More information will be shared when available.