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Colin Rahill

Colin Rahill

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Reverend Harry J. Meyer passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on November 10, 1939, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and baptized at St. William Church, Cincinnati. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary, studied two years of philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West in Norwood, Ohio, and received his S.T.L. from the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He was ordained on December 16, 1964, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome by Bishop Francis F. Reh.

Father Meyer received his first assignment on August 25, 1965, as assistant at Our Lady of Victory Parish, Delhi (Cincinnati) and to teach part-time at Elder High School, Cincinnati. On June 16, 1967, he was appointed Assistant Pastor at St. Aloysius on-the-Ohio Parish, Sayler Park (Cincinnati) and to teach full-time at Elder High School. On June 19, 1969, Father Meyer was named a Newman Chaplain for service at the University of Cincinnati. On June 3, 1970, he was appointed assistant at St. Pius Parish, Cumminsville (Cincinnati) while continuing in Campus Ministry for UC. On March 1, 1971, Father Meyer was appointed as Associate Pastor at Assumption Parish, Walnut Hills (Cincinnati). On June 15, 1972, Father Meyer was appointed to St. Leo Parish, North Fairmount (Cincinnati), Our Lady of Presentation of the BVM Parish, English Woods (Cincinnati), and St. Monica, Clifton (Cincinnati), while continuing in Campus Ministry. On June 20, 1973, he was appointed Director of the U.C. Newman Center and on June 20, 1975, he was appointed Director of Campus Ministry for the Archdiocese. On July 28, 1975, Father Meyer was appointed associate at St. George Parish, Clifton (Cincinnati), while continuing to act as associate ad cautellam, at St. Monica. In June 1978 Father Meyer was released from his duties in Campus Ministry to pursue summer studies at the University of San Francisco in the field of theology. On September 4, 1978, he was appointed associate at St. Andrew Parish, Avondale (Cincinnati). On January 15, 1979, he was appointed Administrator pro-tem of St. Andrew Parish, and on April 27, 1979, he was appointed Pastor of St. Andrew Parish. On November 14, 1988, Father Meyer was appointed temporary Administrator of St. Susanna Parish, Mason. On August 24, 1989, he was appointed pastor of St. Susanna Parish where he served until 2005. During his years of ministry Father Meyer was also sent for a year of study at the National Center for Campus Ministry in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was elected as Chairperson of the Association of Cincinnati priests, served on the Board of Trustees of the Newman Foundation of Cincinnati, Inc., agreed to take care of the sacramental responsibilities of St. Joseph Parish, North Bend (Cincinnati) while under the pastorate of Father Joseph Robinson, and along with Father William Williams, served as Chaplain to the Cincinnati Workhouse. Father Meyer retired from active ministry on July 1, 2005.

Reception of the Body: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Susanna Church, 616 Reading Road, Mason, Ohio 45040; 513-398-3821. Celebrant and Homilist: Reverend Philip O. Seher. Visitation: following Reception of the Body until 5:45 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at St. Susanna Church. Celebrant: Reverend Philip O. Seher. Homilist: Reverend James W. Meade. Celebration of Life: Immediately following the Mass at the Meyer Center (located behind St. Susanna School).

Burial: Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Old Cemetery, 3819 West 8th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45205. Celebrant: Reverend Michael A. Savino.

May God welcome His faithful servant to his eternal home in heaven. May he rest in peace. Amen.

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Release Date: October 10, 2023

Closure of St. Anthony of Padua School in Dayton

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, operated by St. Anthony of Padua Parish in East Dayton, will close following the completion of the 2023-2024 school year.

The pastor, parish council and parish finance committee of St. Anthony of Padua Parish — in consultation with the Catholic Schools Office of the archdiocese — recommended closure of St. Anthony 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.

Over the past several years, the ceiling structure for the underground boiler room, independent of the 108-year-old school building, has deteriorated to the point of being structurally unsound. The weight from the parking lot above has taken a toll. Steps were taken to temporarily shore up the room. Despite the work already done the structural integrity of the underground boiler room remained a major concern. Last year in an effort to explore a permanent solution parish and school leaders hired a professional engineering firm to conduct a Facility Conditions Assessment. The assessment included inspection of the entire working of the mechanical system and associated costs of repair.  

The assessment concluded that most of the school building’s mechanical systems are at the end of their functional life and therefore must be repaired, upgraded or replaced. The boiler room structure needs permanent repair.  If all the identified needs were addressed, the total cost would be close to $13 million.

“Maintenance of a school building is always a priority, however, the dollars needed for repairs and upgrades can be limited. St. Anthony School has reached a point where maintenance, especially deferred maintenance, has become a serious concern,” said Fr. Satish Joseph, Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, part of the NE 7 Family of Parishes. “Such decisions are both unwanted and heartbreaking. Unless we can offer excellent education in a building that safely meets the needs of students and staff, we are not fulfilling our responsibility as a parish community.”

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School was founded in 1915, two years after the establishment of St. Anthony of Padua Parish. The school’s present enrollment is 156 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The school employs 14 paid teachers and staff.

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School families, staff, and parishioners have recently been made aware of this decision. For the 2023-2024 school year the three other Catholic schools within the NE 7 Family of Parishes, and surrounding Catholic schools, will be asked to give priority acceptance to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School students.

 

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]

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Deacon John D. Thamann, a deacon of the Archdiocese, died on September 19, 2023 at the age of 94. Deacon John was ordained by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on September 26, 1992. He served the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as a permanent deacon for nearly thirty-one years.

Upon his ordination, Deacon John was assigned to St. Mary Parish, Hyde Park. He remained assigned to the parish for all of his ordained ministry. He was granted Senior Status from Archbishop Dennis Schnurr in 2010.

Deacon John was married to his wife, Marge, for fifty years before her death in 2006.

Visitation will be Monday, October 2, 2023, from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM at Geo. H. Rohde & Son Funeral Home, 3183 Linwood Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45208.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 10:30 AM at St. Mary Church (Hyde Park), 2853 Erie Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208.

The obituary can be viewed here on the funeral home website.

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

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Release Date:   August 12, 2023

Letter Opposing November Amendment

Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati released the following letter to the faithful, today:

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, On November 7, 2023, Ohioans will have the opportunity to demonstrate how our state views the sacredness of life and the dignity of women. On the November ballot will be a proposed amendment (deceptively named “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety”) to the Ohio Constitution that would enshrine the “right” to take the lives of innocent children in the womb while harming women and families in the process.

An expectant mother of any age can face many challenges, including lack of support from the father, financial strains, concerns about her own health and that of her child, and pressures from family and friends. Every woman, regardless of circumstances, should be able to depend upon a community of support. That is why Catholic social service agencies, in collaboration with many other faith-based and secular organizations, assist pregnant women in need with material resources and personal accompaniment, both during pregnancy and after their child is born.

By contrast, the proposed amendment does none of that. If enacted, it would amend the Constitution of Ohio to effectively:

• Put women at risk. This amendment would enable elimination of some of the most basic, fundamental safety regulations on abortion clinics, including the current requirement for an abortion to be performed by a licensed physician.

• Threaten parental rights. The vague language in the amendment opens the door to anyone under 18 having an abortion, or even beginning cross-sex hormone treatment, without parental consent or notification.

• Allow abortion through 9 months of pregnancy. The amendment provides caveats such that a healthy, fully-formed infant in the womb who otherwise could be delivered with no issues would still be a candidate for a surgical dismemberment abortion.

We must reject this extraordinary and dangerous attempt to radically reshape Ohio through a constitutional amendment that does nothing to aid women or promote life.

The amendment’s supporters will claim that its passage is necessary to preserve medical treatment for women who experience miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies. This is not true. No Ohio laws – or the laws of any U.S. state, for that matter – prevent such treatment. Hospitals, including Catholic hospitals, and physicians have always provided comprehensive miscarriage care, and will continue to do so regardless of the outcome of this vote.

Some may insist that the Catholic Church should not be involved in politics. However, the defense of life and care for women compels our participation in this critical moral issue. As Catholics, we are morally obliged to uphold the dignity of life of all vulnerable humans – immigrants, the poor, preborn children. We cannot remain silent on a direct ballot question like the one in November. The Church must not remain on the sidelines when confronted with such a clear threat to human life and dignity and the primacy of the family.

Ohio does not need a constitutional amendment that only perpetuates violence and a culture of death. I urge Catholics and all people of goodwill to pray earnestly for the defeat of this extreme amendment; to educate yourselves and your family and friends about the dangers of the proposed amendment; and to vote NO on November 7. Beyond that, we must continue our commitment to caring for women, children and families.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of our Lord and Savior, and St. Joseph, protector of the family, intercede for Ohio and its families in the weeks ahead.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr

Archbishop of Cincinnati

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]

 

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Download PDF Version – English  |  Download PDF Version – Spanish

August 12, 2023

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

On November 7, 2023, Ohioans will have the opportunity to demonstrate how our state views the sacredness of life and the dignity of women. On the November ballot will be a proposed amendment (deceptively named “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety”) to the Ohio Constitution that would enshrine the “right” to take the lives of innocent children in the womb while harming women and families in the process.

An expectant mother of any age can face many challenges, including lack of support from the father, financial strains, concerns about her own health and that of her child, and pressures from family and friends. Every woman, regardless of circumstances, should be able to depend upon a community of support. That is why Catholic social service agencies, in collaboration with many other faith-based and secular organizations, assist pregnant women in need with material resources and personal accompaniment, both during pregnancy and after their child is born.

By contrast, the proposed amendment does none of that. If enacted, it would amend the Constitution of Ohio to effectively:

  • Put women at risk. This amendment would enable elimination of some of the most basic, fundamental safety regulations on abortion clinics, including the current requirement for an abortion to be performed by a licensed physician.
  • Threaten parental rights. The vague language in the amendment opens the door to anyone under 18 having an abortion, or even beginning cross-sex hormone treatment, without parental consent or notification.
  • Allow abortion through 9 months of pregnancy. The amendment provides caveats such that a healthy, fully-formed infant in the womb who otherwise could be delivered with no issues would still be a candidate for a surgical dismemberment abortion.

We must reject this extraordinary and dangerous attempt to radically reshape Ohio through a constitutional amendment that does nothing to aid women or promote life.

The amendment’s supporters will claim that its passage is necessary to preserve medical treatment for women who experience miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies. This is not true. No Ohio laws – or the laws of any U.S. state, for that matter – prevent such treatment. Hospitals, including Catholic hospitals, and physicians have always provided comprehensive miscarriage care, and will continue to do so regardless of the outcome of this vote.

Some may insist that the Catholic Church should not be involved in politics. However, the defense of life and care for women compels our participation in this critical moral issue. As Catholics, we are morally obliged to uphold the dignity of life of all vulnerable humans – immigrants, the poor, preborn children. We cannot remain silent on a direct ballot question like the one in November. The Church must not remain on the sidelines when confronted with such a clear threat to human life and dignity and the primacy of the family.

Ohio does not need a constitutional amendment that only perpetuates violence and a culture of death. I urge Catholics and all people of goodwill to pray earnestly for the defeat of this extreme amendment; to educate yourselves and your family and friends about the dangers of the proposed amendment; and to vote NO on November 7. Beyond that, we must continue our commitment to caring for women, children and families.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of our Lord and Savior, and St. Joseph, protector of the family, intercede for Ohio and its families in the weeks ahead.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr

Archbishop of Cincinnati

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Reverend Joseph A. Robinson passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on October 14, 1937 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and baptized at St. William Church, 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. Father Robinson also received a Master’s degree in psychology from Xavier University, Cincinnati. He was ordained on May 30, 1964 at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati by Archbishop Karl J. Alter. 

Father Robinson received his first assignment on June 17, 1964, as assistant at Guardian Angels Parish and on faculty of McNicholas High School, Cincinnati. On January 28, 1965, he was appointed assistant at Holy Family Parish and to teach at Seton High School, Cincinnati.  On June 16, 1967, he was appointed assistant at Guardian Angels Parish, and to teach one class daily at McNicholas.  He was appointed assistant at St. Margaret Mary Parish, N. College Hill on September 24, 1971. He was appointed assistant at St. Anthony Parish, Madisonville, on June 20, 1973, with full-time studies at Xavier University.  On December 30, 1974, he was appointed assistant at St. Columban Parish, Loveland and then appointed pastor of St. Columban Parish on January 3, 1977.  On November 15, 1985, he was appointed Consultor of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (term of five years). Father Robinson was appointed temporary administrator of St. Patrick Parish, Cincinnati, effective December 4, 1990, and appointed pastor of St. Patrick Parish on March 17, 1991, for a period of six years.  He was appointed pastor of St. Boniface Parish, Cincinnati for a period of six years on January 1, 1992, while continuing as pastor of St. Patrick Parish (parishes to be merged).  Father Robinson was appointed Dean of the Cathedral Deanery, effective January 1, 2001, for a four-year term, ending December 31, 2004. He was re-appointed Dean of the Cathedral Deanery for two more consecutive four-year terms, Dec. 2004 – Dec. 2008 and again, Dec. 2008 – Dec. 2012.  He was appointed temporary parochial administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Cincinnati, effective January 25, 2005, and appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish, effective August 1, 2005, while continuing as pastor of St. Boniface Parish.  He was appointed temporary parochial administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Cincinnati effective July 1, 2007 – October 1, 2007.  He was appointed parochial administrator of St. Leo the Great Parish, Cincinnati, while continuing as pastor of St. Boniface Parish, effective August 6, 2012 – October 30, 2012.  He was appointed pastor of St. Bernard Parish, Spring Grove Village, which includes the administration of Mother of Christ, Cincinnati, effective July 1, 2018, while continuing as pastor of St. Boniface Parish.  Father Robinson retired from active ministry on January 31, 2020.  

Reception of the Body: Monday, July 24, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Boniface Church, 1750 Chase Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45223; 513-541-1563. Celebrant and Homilist: Reverend James R. Schutte.  

Visitation: following Reception of the Body until 9:00 p.m.; also on Tuesday, July 25 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. 

Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Church.  Celebrant: Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer. Homilist: Reverend Gerald E. Bensman. 

Burial:  Tuesday, July 25, 2023, immediately following Mass, at Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45232.  Celebrant: Reverend Gerald E. Bensman.  

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

May God welcome His faithful servant to his eternal home in heaven. May he rest in peace. Amen.  

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Reverend Stephen J. Emerick passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on July 27, 1926 in Dayton, Ohio, and baptized at St. Anthony Church, Dayton. Before entering the seminary, Father Emerick enlisted and served in the US Air Force, World War II, 1944-1945. He attended the University of Dayton and received a B.A. in 1949. He worked for the government in Dayton and Washington, D.C. from 1950-1951. He entered the seminary in 1952, studying philosophy and theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West, Norwood, Ohio. He was ordained on May 31, 1958 at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati, Ohio by Archbishop Karl J. Alter.

Father Emerick received his first assignment on June 20, 1958 as assistant at Holy Family Church, Dayton. On June 22, 1959, he was appointed assistant at St. Teresa Parish, Springfield, and to teach at Springfield Catholic High School.  On October 25, 1963, he was appointed assistant at St. Vivian Parish, Cincinnati, and to teach at McAuley High School (1963-1966).  He was appointed as assistant at St. Ann Parish, Groesbeck, on June 16, 1967.  On June 19, 1974, he was appointed assistant at St. Albert the Great Parish, Kettering.  Father Emerick was appointed pastor of St. Peter Parish, New Richmond, on June 20, 1975, and remained as pastor there until August 12, 1980, when he was appointed as associate chaplain of St. Theresa Home (for the Aged) in Cincinnati.  On November 15, 1983, he was appointed chaplain of St. Theresa Home (for the Aged).  Father Emerick retired from active ministry on July 31, 2008.

Reception of the Body: Monday, July 17, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 10010 Carolina Trace, Harrison, Ohio 45030; 513-367-9086. Celebrant: Reverend Paul A. Ruwe.  Visitation: until the Mass of Christian Burial.

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, July 17, 2023, at 10:15 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, Harrison.  Celebrant: Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr. Homilist: Reverend Michael L. Cordier.

Burial:  Thursday, July 20, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249.  Celebrant: Reverend Steve J. Angi.

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

May God welcome His faithful servant to his eternal home in heaven. May he rest in peace. Amen.

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Deacon James Woeste, a deacon of the Archdiocese, died on June 24, 2023 at the age of 81. Deacon Jim was ordained by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on June 22, 1985. He served the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and several other dioceses as a permanent deacon for thirty-eight years.   Upon his ordination, Deacon Jim was assigned to St. Thomas More Parish, Withamsville. He then served at St. Bernadette, Amelia, and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Anderson Township. He then moved to the Diocese of Syracuse, NY, the Archdiocese of Chicago, and the Diocese of Rockford, IL, before moving back to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 2017. His most recent assignment was at St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Morrow.    Deacon Jim leaves his wife, Barb, to whom he was married for fifty-eight years. He also leaves two sons, two daughters, their spouses, and several grandchildren.  Visitation will be on Thursday, July 6, from 6 – 8 pm at Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home, 129 N. Riverside Drive, Loveland, OH 45140.   Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, July 7, at 10:30 am at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 944 EAST U.S. 22, Morrow, OH 45152.   Please keep the repose of the soul of Deacon Jim in your prayers, as well as peace and consolation for his family.

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May is a month of transitions. Children celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of summer break. College students return home or perhaps begin an internship related to their area of study. Families gather for First Communion and Mother’s Day celebrations and look forward to upcoming vacations. With the passage from spring to summer, we spend more time outdoors and even contemplate the changes in the natural world as trees, shrubs, flowers and crops burst into life.

This is also a season in which significant milestones are met in the lives of many young people. Graduates look forward to beginning a new stage of their education, starting down a career path or entering a trade. Many young couples begin their married life together. Within our young people’s faith journeys, this is a season when many receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, and guided by the Holy Spirit, set out to discover all that God has in store for them and the gifts they have to offer to the life of the Church.
We also thank God for the continued gift of young men who respond to His call to serve as priests. Later this month, we will gather as a local Church at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains to celebrate the ordination of seven men to the priesthood; seven newly ordained priests who will begin their ministry at parishes throughout the archdiocese.

In a particular way, the Church also looks to Mary during this month and praises God for her example of fidelity and generosity, as well as her tremendous contributions to God’s plan of salvation, even at a young age. Pope Francis recently encouraged young people to look to Mary as a model of faith. “In the heart of the Church, Mary shines forth. She is the supreme model for a youthful Church that seeks to follow Christ with enthusiasm and docility. While still very young, she accepted the message of the angel, yet she was not afraid to ask questions (cf. Lk. 1:34). With open heart and soul, she replied, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord’ (Lk. 1:38)” (Christus vivit, 43).

Over the centuries there have also been many young men and women, even boys and girls, whom we now venerate among the saints – youthful hearts who sought from an early age to dedicate their lives to God and to service of others. Pope Francis says, “The heart of the Church is also full of young saints who devoted their lives to Christ, many of them even to dying a martyr’s death. They were precious reflections of the young Christ; their radiant witness encourages us and awakens us from our lethargy” (CV, 49). Each of us, no matter our age, can also reflect the radiance of Christ’s love to the world around us.

As we pass through this month which is marked by moments of transition, accomplishment, celebration and change, may we also strive for spiritual renewal, reinvigorating our hearts with youthfulness and grace. Over the years of our earthly life, we must learn to rekindle the fire of God’s love which He infused into our hearts at Baptism, strengthened by the grace of Confirmation, and nourishes each time we receive the Eucharist. The work of conversion to the gospel is never completed. May this time of new beginnings afford us the opportunity to set out again with youthful wonder and hope toward all the good which God has in store for those who love Him.

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