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Colin Rahill

Colin Rahill

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Release Date: Feb. 9, 2024

Media Release Concerning Seminarian Broderick Witt

The following email was sent to the seminary community this afternoon by Father Anthony Brausch, Rector of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology. We have no further comment at this time due to the ongoing nature of the below referenced investigation.

 

To: Seminarians, Faculty, and Staff,

I am writing to let you know that this morning officers of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department were on the grounds to interview Mr. Broderick Witt and to execute a search warrant on his living quarters. Mr. Witt has been taken into custody by the sheriff. The officers informed me that Mr. Witt would be charged with pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor.

Mr. Witt is no longer a student of this institution, nor a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

The seminary and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati have strict policies against, and take significant precautions to prevent, anyone from possessing or accessing material of this type, regardless of whether they are a student, faculty, or staff.  Discovery of such material will result in immediate termination or dismissal and notification of law enforcement.

We have cooperated, and will continue to cooperate, fully with law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office.  We are committed to doing all we possibly can to remove the scourge of child exploitation and abuse from our Church and society.

Rev. Anthony R. Brausch, Rector

 

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 51st largest Catholic diocese in the country, with around 435,000 Catholics, and has the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with nearly 40,000 students.  The 19-county territory includes 208 canonical parishes organized into 57 Families of Parishes, and 113 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

 

Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

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Download PDF Version – English | Download PDF Version – Spanish

In his homily for the opening of the 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Benedict XVI said, “The Church exists to evangelize. Faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ’s command, his disciples went out to the whole world to announce the Good News, spreading Christian communities everywhere” (Homily, Oct. 7, 2012). The Catholic Church is thus missionary in nature, responding to the Great Commission given by the Lord to His apostles as He ascended into heaven: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Mt. 28:19).

Jesus sends His followers out. He did not envision a community of believers focused inward on itself or content remaining within the safety and comfort of the walls of their churches. That same desire of the Lord still holds. He calls us to share the Good News of salvation. This is not done through the repetition of doctrine or by quoting paragraphs from a catechism. A disciple is one who has heard the call of the Lord and responds to that call by choosing to conform his or her life daily to the teachings and example of Jesus. A disciple heeds the Lord’s command to take up one’s cross and follow Him. Ultimately, a disciple attracts others to discipleship by inviting them to know and follow Jesus through prayer, the Scriptures and the Sacraments. Everything we do as a Church should support the mission given to us by Jesus to make and form disciples.

This missionary impulse distinguishes the Church from charitable organizations and social clubs. We would do well to constantly evaluate whether the many activities that typically take place in our parishes support the evangelizing mission of the Church. Each of the services, programs and events we run through our parish communities ought to have the goal of bringing people closer to Christ and helping them with the daily work of converting their hearts and minds to the Lord. If we find ourselves engaged in parish endeavors that don’t support this work, then we run the risk of losing sight of the mission Christ has called us to share with Him.

While there are many ways at the parish or archdiocesan level in which we work together to fulfill the evangelizing mission of the Church, our individual pursuit of holiness also comes into play. The more united each of us is to Christ, the greater the effects of His grace, including our witness to others.

Pope Benedict also reflected on the importance of striving for personal holiness in his homily for the synod’s opening in 2012. He said holy people “are the true actors in evangelization in all its expressions. In a special way they are even pioneers and bringers of the new evangelization: with their intercession and the example of lives attentive to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they show the beauty of the Gospel to those who are indifferent or even hostile, and they invite, as it were tepid believers, to live with the joy of faith, hope and charity, to rediscover the taste for the word of God and for the sacraments, especially for the bread of life, the Eucharist… Holiness is not confined by cultural, social, political or religious barriers. Its language, that of love and truth, is understandable to all people of good will and it draws them to Jesus Christ, the inexhaustible source of new life.”

Through our individual pursuit of holiness and our work together as a Church, may we always dedicate ourselves to the Great Commission of bringing others to know, love and follow the Lord!

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Release Date:  Jan. 31, 2024

Yearly Appeal Expects to Raise $5.5 million for Local Ministries

Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati kicked off the annual Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) earlier this month. The CMA is a chance to support six local ministries throughout the archdiocese, that teach, feed and heal thousands. It is one example of the generous ways that local Catholics give back to the community. Some of the ministries supported by the CMA include Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio, Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley, Prison Ministry, Hospital Ministry, and Campus Ministry. All donations to the CMA remain within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati helping local ministries.

“We hear in the gospel that Jesus looks out over the crowds and sees the many needs of the people. Through the Catholic Ministries Appeal, we see those needs, and we want to address those needs,” said Archbishop Schnurr.

Last year the CMA brought in more than $6 million and through the CMA more than 300,000 meals were served to the poor and more than 40,000 visits were made to patients in hospitals. This year the collection goal for the CMA is $5.5 million.

Seminary and vocation formation are also ministries supported by the CMA. As seminary enrollment at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology continues to be high, financial assistance is an important component to assuring thorough formation and support for men fulfilling their vocation in the Church.

“The Catholic Ministries Appeal is the visible way that people from across the archdiocese come together to ensure that the corporal works of mercy are being lived out in our community, “said David Kissell, Director of Stewardship.

In addition to outreach ministries, the CMA also supports 100 retired priests as well as ministries that help in Christian formation.  These include St. Rita School for the Deaf and the Center for the New Evangelization, which provides programing for marriage preparation, youth and young adults, parish evangelization, and Hispanic ministry.

For more information or to donate, visit: www.CatholicAOC.org/CMA.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 51st largest Catholic diocese in the country, with around 435,000 Catholics, and has the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with nearly 40,000 students.  The 19-county territory includes 206 canonical parishes organized into 57 Families of Parishes, and 109 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

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Deacon Greg Cecere, a deacon of the Archdiocese, died on January 20, 2024 at the age of 77. Deacon Greg was ordained by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on June 20, 1987. He served the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as a permanent deacon for thirty-six years.

Upon his ordination, Deacon John was assigned to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. During his time there, he was a member of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. This assignment continued through July, 1993. He was assigned to the Queen of Apostles Catholic Community in Dayton in 1999.

A Mass of Christian Burial and interment will be held at a future date on the Mount St. John property in Beavercreek , expected to be in April, 2024. The deacon community will be notified when the details are known.

You may read Deacon Greg’s full obituary here.

Please keep the repose of the soul of Deacon Greg Cecere in your prayers.

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Release Date:  January 24, 2024

Catholic Schools Week 2024: Jan. 28 – Feb. 3

Catholic school students, teachers, and communities throughout the 19-county Archdiocese of Cincinnati will be celebrating the 50th annual Catholic Schools Week from January 28 through February 3 under the theme, “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.” The 109 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 Dennis M. Schnurr will participate in the yearly teleconference conversation with high school students in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. All 23 Catholic high schools will be given the opportunity to ask questions to Archbishop Schnurr. The teleconference will be broadcasted live at each of the high schools and on social media, including the Catholic Schools – Archdiocese of Cincinnati Facebook page.

Tuesday: The annual Catholic Schools Week Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains is at 10 A.M. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr 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. Charles Borromeo Church in Kettering at 10 A.M. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr 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 Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is working on behalf of Catholic Schools to inform prospective families about the legislative changes to the Ohio EdChoice Expansion Scholarship Program. The changes, effective July 2023, mean that all Ohio students are now eligible to receive an EdChoice Expansion Scholarship. Scholarship amounts vary depending on income levels with a maximum amount of more than $6,000 for elementary students and more than $8,400 for high school students. The changes in legislation make an exceptional Catholic Education more affordable for all. To learn more, go to www.catholicbestchoice.org.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 51st largest Catholic diocese in the country, with around 435,000 Catholics, and has the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with nearly 40,000 students.  The 19-county territory includes 206 canonical parishes organized into 57 Families of Parishes, and 109 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

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Download PDF Version – English | Download PDF Version – Spanish

January 24, 2024

Feast of St. Francis de Sales

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Francis de Sales, principal patron of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.  As a bishop and renowned confessor and spiritual guide, St. Francis de Sales led people to follow the Lord more devoutly, and his writings have inspired countless thousands over the past 400 years to walk the path of holiness.  It is good for us to consider how we also can lead people to Christ in our time and place, particularly through the parishes of the archdiocese.

At this midpoint of the second year of Beacons of Light, most Families of Parishes have progressed through Phase 1, which is focused on leadership.  The leadership principle states, “Pastors, in collaboration with parochial vicars, deacons and lay ministers, according to their proper roles and charisms, share responsibility for pastoral leadership.  The spiritual, physical and mental health and ongoing support of ordained and lay leaders is vital for Families of Parishes.”

Beacons of Light is a process of pastoral planning to best arrange all the resources of the archdiocese to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples in this particular time and place.  The goals and aspirations of this process have their roots in the Great Commission given by our Lord to the apostles: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt. 28:19-20).  Thus, the purpose of Beacons of Light is perennial, and will endure well beyond my tenure as your archbishop or the terms of our pastors, parochial vicars, deacons, lay staff, or parishioner leaders.

The decisions regarding how to best arrange resources – human, financial, physical – to pursue our God-given mission will be discerned and made locally, specific to the circumstances and opportunities within each Family of Parishes.  Leadership is and will continue to be essential to this process.  Over the past eighteen months, Family Leadership Teams have come together, key staff members have been designated or are being hired, and leadership training has been provided.  This is only the beginning.  As the leadership principle of Beacons of Light indicates, there is an ongoing need for priests, deacons, and lay leaders to grow in skill and collaboration to discern the best steps toward missionary discipleship in their respective Families.

In the recent Parish Vitality survey that many of you completed, leadership was identified among the highest needs for the future of our parishes.  Please pray for all the leaders – priests, deacons, and lay leaders – in our archdiocese that they may fruitfully encourage others to radiate the love of Christ to all.  I am deeply grateful for all of you who, in this way, serve the mission of the Church in and through your parish and Family of Parishes.  May God bless each of you as you continue this holy work.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr

Archbishop of Cincinnati

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Effective November 1, 2023

  • Reverend Simon Peter Wankya (from Soroti Catholic Diocese – Uganda), Parochial Vicar of SE4 Family of Parishes which includes St. Columban and St. Margaret of York, Loveland.

Effective December 1, 2023

  • Reverend Gadagotti Arogyaiah (from Nalgonda Diocese – India), Parochial Vicar of SW4 Family of Parishes which includes Resurrection of Our Lord, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Lawrence, and St. William, Cincinnati.

Effective December 3, 2023

  • Reverend Paul Lickteig, SJ, Pastor of S-15 Family of Parishes which includes St. Francis Xavier, and St. Robert Bellarmine, Cincinnati.

Effective December 10, 2023

  • Reverend W. Michael Hay, retirement from active ministry.

Effective January 5, 2024

  • Reverend James Romanello, Pastor of C-1 Family of Parishes which includes St. John the Evangelist, New Paris; St. Mary, Camden; St. Mary, Oxford; Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Eaton.

Effective January 8, 2024

  • Reverend David Doseck, Pastor of S10 Family of Parishes which includes St. Monica-St. George, Holy Name, and Annunciation, Cincinnati. 

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Release Date:  Dec. 21, 2023

New Superintendent of Schools Appointed

Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr has announced the appointment of Matthew J. Daniels as Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, effective July 1, 2024. Mr. Daniels will assume this responsibility from Kathleen C. Kane, who is serving as Interim Superintendent for the 2023-24 academic year following the retirement of Susan M. Gibbons at the end of the 2022-23 academic year.

Mr. Daniels is currently the Senior Director, Department of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Toledo in Ohio, overseeing 60 schools educating nearly 16,000 students, a position he has held since November 2018. Prior to his current position as Senior Director, Daniels served as principal at St. Rocco Catholic School in Cleveland, Ohio and principal at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Assumption, Ohio. He began his career in education as a member of the English faculty and as Faculty Technology Coordinator for St. John’s Jesuit High School in Toledo.

Mr. Daniels earned his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University, where he was a four-year member of the Buckeyes football team, and holds a Master of Arts in Education Administration from the University of Notre Dame. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Catholic Educational Leadership from Saint Louis University. He and his wife Jennifer are the parents of seven children.

Archbishop Schnurr commented, “Matt Daniels is a true champion of the critical importance of Catholic education to the evangelizing mission of the Church. His strong, faithful leadership will be a blessing to the schools of our archdiocese. At the same time, I am deeply grateful for the servant leadership shown by Kathy Kane who is guiding our Catholic Schools Office so professionally during this interim period.”

“I am humbled by the great tradition of Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese of Cincinnati,” said Mr. Daniels. He continued, “I am grateful to serve alongside an excellent team in the Catholic Schools Office, and thrilled to toil with school leaders, faculty, staff, students and families to make Jesus Christ known, loved, and served in our Catholic schools. Catholic education is at the heart of the Church, so we educators must joyfully and zealously work to form saints and scholars for God’s greater glory.”

 

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 51st largest Catholic diocese in the country, with around 435,000 Catholics, and has the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with nearly 40,000 students.  The 19-county territory includes 206 canonical parishes organized into 57 Families of Parishes, and 109 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

 

Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

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Release Date: December 19, 2023

Closure of St. Martin of Tours Catholic School, Cincinnati

St. Martin of Tours Catholic School, operated by St. Martin of Tours Parish in Cheviot, will close following the completion of the 2023-2024 school year.

The pastor, pastoral council and finance council of St. Martin of Tours Parish — in consultation with the Catholic Schools Office of the archdiocese — recommended closure of St. Martin of Tours Catholic School, after the completion of the current school year. In accordance with archdiocesan procedures, the recommendation for closure was submitted to, and accepted by, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr.

In October of this year, Saint Martin of Tours Parish began an evaluation process to examine the future viability of the school. As part of the announcement of the evaluation process, Fr. Matthew Robben, Pastor of St. Martin of Tours Parish reported the following:

“Over the last five years, St. Martin of Tours School has incurred a cumulative deficit of $1.9 million.  This deficit is projected to grow to $2.3 million by the end of this school year. Despite parish cost-cutting measures that have reduced annual expenses by about $125,000, the parish net surplus over the past five years has totaled only $106,500 which is obviously not enough to cover the school deficit. This trend is not projected to improve. . . .

What has caused this rapid decline in revenue?  There are two major factors: stewardship and enrollment/tuition.  The parish and school continue to experience decline in donations and tithing. Total income in FY 2018-2019 was $1,182,786 but by FY 2022-2023 had declined by more than 36% to $756,335. Our projections for FY 2023-2024 anticipate another 3-5% decline.  Secondly, our School continues to experience a decline in enrollment, which reduces tuition revenue. In the 2018-2019 academic year we enrolled 271 students. In the 2022-2023 academic year, that number dropped to 202. The current 2023-2024 academic year has seen another 20-student decline to 182 students. In addition, data from the most recent Census, projects that the number of eligible grade-school aged students in our area will decline over the next five years.”

Upon conclusion of the evaluation process, after an extensive review of the parish and school finances and giving trends, it was determined that the parish could no longer afford to subsidize the school at the current rate due to the depletion of its financial reserves.

“It is with great sadness that St. Martin of Tours Catholic School is closing for the 2024-2025 school year,” said Ms. Kathy Kane, Interim Superintendent of Catholic Schools. “St. Martin has provided spiritual development and academic excellence for more than 100 years on the west side of Cincinnati. The Catholic Schools Office remains committed to supporting the students, families, staff and community during the upcoming transition.”

St. Martin of Tours Parish is part of The Family of the Most Holy Eucharist Family of Parishes. In addition to St. Martin School the Family has four additional schools: Our Lady of Lourdes School, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga School, Saint Antoninus School, and Saint Catharine of Siena School. The four other Catholic schools within The Family of the Most Holy Eucharist have been asked to give priority acceptance to St. Martin of Tours Catholic School students.

St. Martin of Tours Catholic School was founded in 1912, in conjunction with the establishment of St. Martin of Tours Parish. The school’s present enrollment is 182 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The school employs 22 paid teachers and staff.

Fr. Matthew Robben has informed the staff, school and parish families of the upcoming closure. “The decision to close St. Martin School naturally comes with many emotions such as anger, sadness, fear and anxiety . . . As we move through this difficult transition, please pray for our school families, faculty, and staff as we begin this journey. May Saint Martin of Tours lead us, guide us, and pray for us!”

 

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 51st largest Catholic diocese in the country, with around 435,000 Catholics, and has the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with nearly 40,000 students. The 19-county territory includes 208 canonical parishes organized into 57 Families of Parishes, and 110 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

 

Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

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

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