Jennifer Schack

February 9, 2022 by Jennifer Schack

Release Date: February 09, 2022

Archbishop José H. Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati are taking an active interest in this upcoming Sunday’s big game. Both archbishops are enthusiastically rooting for their home team and have even placed a friendly wager on the outcome. Archbishop Schnurr is offering a case of Cincinnati’s own Graeter’s ice cream for his part in the wager, on his end, Archbishop Gomez is offering baked treats from Porto’s Bakery in Los Angeles.

“I look forward to celebrating the Rams’ victory with the delicious Graeter’s ice cream that Archbishop Schnurr will be sending my way,” commented Archbishop Gomez. “One of the best parts of the Bengals’ triumph will be digging into the famous Porto’s pasteles and cookies provided by my friend Archbishop Gomez,” responded Archbishop Schnurr.

Catholics are encouraged to get involved in this friendly exchange. Donations are being accepted to benefit each archdiocese’s Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) in the spirit of the big game. Visit BishopsBigGame.com or follow #BishopsBigGame on social media to see how you can be a part of the excitement and donate to support Catholic school students in the name of your favorite team. The CEF of the “winning” archdiocese will receive 60% of the total fund and the CEF of the other archdiocese will receive 40% of the total fund. All proceeds collected will go directly to the respective CEF which provides needs-based tuition assistance for attending Catholic schools. To get things started each archbishop has made of a donation of $1,000 to the joint fund.

“I am so proud of the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the work of the Catholic Education Foundation. Through the generosity of the faithful the CEF is providing millions of dollars of financial assistance each school year,” said Archbishop Schnurr.

“We may disagree on the winning team, but on Catholic education, our bet is on our Catholic schools in both archdioceses all the way,” added Archbishop Gomez. “I’m proud of the great work of our students, teachers, staff, families and parish communities that make our Catholic Schools great and for the generous support of the faithful through CEF so that our students have the opportunity to learn and grow to become the leaders of tomorrow.”

To learn more and watch #BishopsBigGame digital engagement follow these

social platforms:

Archdiocese of Cincinnati @catholicaoc
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | catholicaoc.org

Archbishop José H. Gomez @archbishopgomez
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter |archbishopgomez.org

Angelus News @AngelusNews
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | angelusnews.org

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati (established in 1821) and The Archdiocese of Los Angeles (established in 1840) are the presence of the Roman Catholic Church in their respective geographies. Collectively, the two archdioceses minister to more than 5 million Catholics through 496 parishes, 376 schools and numerous charitable ministries.

Contacts:

Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

Yannina Diaz

Media Relations

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Office | 213.637.7215

[email protected]

February 1, 2022 by Jennifer Schack

The pandemic-necessitated change from physical to virtual interactions in business, education and even entertainment reminded us that in-person communication is the fullest and best form of communication. That is why God became one of us through the Incarnation.

And yet, the Good News has always reached the largest numbers of people through the media of the day. That began with the Bible under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In a sense, Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul were the original Catholic media figures as they reported and reflected on the life, death and resurrection of Christ in writings that became part of the canon of the New Testament.

In a similar way, missionary disciples of succeeding generations in the Church have used books, newspapers, magazines, radio, television, videos, websites and, most recently, social media to attract, educate and evangelize Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Bishop Edward D. Fenwick founded The Catholic Telegraph newspaper for exactly those purposes in 1831, when the Diocese of Cincinnati was just 10 years old.

Now in its 191st year, The Catholic Telegraph endures today as an engaging monthly magazine with the mission of “bringing the faith into the home.” That is because print remains an important means of communicating the goodness, beauty and truth of the Catholic faith. Today, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati utilizes the full spectrum of communication media, from print to digital. The archdiocese also encourages and appreciates the evangelizing work of Sacred Heart Radio in greater Cincinnati and Radio Maria in greater Dayton.

Long before the coming of digital media, Pope St. Paul VI wrote prophetically in his 1975 apostolic exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi about the importance of new communication technologies. “The Church would feel guilty before the Lord if she did not utilize these powerful means that human skill is daily rendering more perfect. It is through them that she proclaims ‘from the housetops’ the message of which she is the depositor. In them she finds a modern and effective version of the pulpit. Thanks to them she succeeds in speaking to the multitudes” (EN 45).

Along the same lines, Pope St. John Paul II referred to present- day social communications as “the modern equivalents of the Areopagus” (Redemptoris Missio 37), referring to the hill in Athens from which St. Paul preached to large crowds (Acts 17:22-31). This is a positive comparison, and the Church has consistently viewed new forms of media as potential partners in mission.

In his message for World Communications Day in 2021, “Communicating by Encountering People Where and As They Are,” Pope Francis noted dangers as well as opportunities in today’s omnipresent media. “[T]he risk of misinformation being spread on social media has become evident to everyone,” he wrote. “We have known for some time that news and even images can be easily manipulated, for any number of reasons, at times simply for sheer narcissism. Being critical in this regard is not about demonizing the internet but is rather an incentive to greater discernment and responsibility for contents both sent and received.”

Discernment of content involves taking the time to reflect on such questions as: Is this true? Is it charitable? Is it helpful? That is especially important before sharing on social media. Even Catholic sources of information require such scrutiny. As St. Paul urged, “Test everything; retain what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21).

Catholic media and Catholics who work in media step into these spheres, proclaiming the Good News and the teachings of the Church, meeting people where and as they are. As we engage with the media, whether it be through what we consume on television and radio, or how we interact on social media, let us do so with an eye towards Christ and that which is good, beautiful and true.

January 31, 2022 by Jennifer Schack

Release Date: January 31, 2022

Catholic school students, teachers, and school communities throughout the 19-county Archdiocese of Cincinnati are celebrating the 48th annual Catholic Schools Week from January 30 through February 5 under the theme “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” The 112 Catholic elementary and high schools in the Archdiocese will mark the week with special programs, such as open houses for parents and grandparents, out-of-uniform days, service projects, Masses, talent shows, special decorations, student-faculty games and entertainment.

Today, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr participated in a yearly teleconference conversation with high school students in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. All 23 Catholic high schools were given the opportunity to ask questions to Archbishop Schnurr. The teleconference was broadcasted live at each of the high schools and on social media. The topics today ranged from growing the Catholic Church during the pandemic to asking Archbishop Schnurr about his personal path to the priesthood. The teleconference is available to view on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the Catholic Schools – Archdiocese of Cincinnati Facebook pages.

Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

January 1, 2022 by Jennifer Schack

Catholic schools have a well-deserved reputation for providing a high-quality, holistic education and producing successful, well-rounded young scholars. The most important thing about Catholic schools, however, is that they are Catholic. Our mission is not to just graduate scholars, but to form disciples who desire to know, love and serve Jesus in His Church.

Partnering with parents, our schools actively engage in radiating the love of Christ and instilling the Catholic faith as they prepare students for both this life and the eternal life to come. That is what we celebrate during Catholic Schools Week, which this year is observed the week of Jan. 30.

Our Catholic schools exemplify the Catholic Schools Week themes of “Faith. Excellence. Service.” Note that faith comes first, as it does in all aspects of the Catholic school experience. Catholic identity goes well beyond religion classes and crucifixes on the walls – although those are vital aspects of it. Catholic identity is found in curriculum, culture and campus ministry. As the mission statement of our Catholic Schools Office says, “Our schools are Christ-centered communities dedicated to the faith formation, academic excellence and individual growth of our students, all rooted in the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.”

The very nature of authentic Catholic education is the search for goodness, beauty and truth and the cultivation of wisdom and virtue under the guidance of the Church. The various arts and sciences are pathways for growing closer to God as students learn the endless wonders of His creation. A passion for learning is thus a passion for Jesus, Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

“Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children,” as the Catechism of the Catholic Church says (CCC 2223). In that sense, the home is the first school of faith. Catholic schools exist to help parents in this crucial role. And in our local Church, the archdiocesan Catholic Schools Office exists to help schools by providing them with leadership, service, oversight and support.

My annual question and answer sessions with Catholic high school students from throughout the archdiocese during Catholic Schools Week confirms that our young people care deeply about their faith and witnessing to the world in which they live. Their sense of Catholic identity is formed in the hallways, in the cafeterias, on the playing fields and in the classrooms. It is on display as students engage in community service, mission trips, pilgrimages and the annual March for Life in Washington.

To ensure Catholic identity is strengthened in the midst of our increasingly secular culture, Joshua Agnew has been recently hired for the new position of Deputy Superintendent for Catholic Identity. He will lead a team charged with creating a compelling vision and holistic plan for pursuing the evangelizing mission of the Catholic Church in the 88 elementary and 23 secondary schools of the archdiocese.

Catholic schools come in many varieties – elementary and high schools; urban, suburban and rural schools; schools owned by parishes, the archdiocese, private boards and religious orders. Most, however, are parish schools. You may be wondering about the impact of Beacons of Light on our Catholic schools as our Families of Parishes go into effect on July 1. For parish schools, that is something that will be worked out over time within each Family of Parishes. Any future changes will only occur with a great deal of thought, input and planning.

Catholic education that forms body, mind and spirit is a great treasure made possible in our local Church by the sacrifices of every generation of Catholics since 1825 when the first parish school opened in the archdiocese. That is truly something to celebrate.

December 2, 2021 by Jennifer Schack

Release Date: Dec. 2, 2021

Father Geoff Drew of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati was placed on administrative leave on July 23, 2019 as a result of a pattern of behaviors – such as boundary violations and texting a minor – in contradiction to the Decree on Child Protection. Subsequent to being placed on administrative leave, Father Drew was arrested and charged with nine counts of rape. These were new, previously unreported allegations dating back to the late 1980s, a decade before he entered the seminary to begin formation for the priesthood.

Information previously released about this matter can be found on the website of the archdiocese:

Fr. Geoff Drew Information

Given the guilty plea accepted today in court, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will now seek the laicization of Father Geoff Drew with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Holy See.

“Father Geoff Drew will never again have a priestly assignment in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati or any other diocese,” said Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr.

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati remains committed to creating and maintaining safe environments, including enforcing the Decree on Child Protection without compromise. Please join us in continuing to pray for all victims of the horrific evil of abuse.

Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 44^th largest Catholic diocese in the country, with more than 440,000 Catholics, and has the fifth largest Catholic school system in terms of enrollment with more than 40,000 students. The 19-county territory includes 208 parishes and 111 Catholic primary and secondary schools.

December 1, 2021 by Jennifer Schack

Release Date: December 1, 2021

Families of Parishes Final Configuration Announcement

The Families of Parishes configuration is finalized and will be announced to the public on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, will promulgate the Families of Parishes at the 11 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. The Families of Parishes configuration is part of the archdiocesan-wide pastoral planning initiative Beacons of Light.

This announcement is the result of more than two years of work. The project has included data collection from all entities of the archdiocese, assistance from a consulting group with direction and data analysis, several rounds of modeling of Families of Parishes configurations, and an open comment period.

“I am convinced that Beacons of Light, born in great hope, will enable us to form strong parishes, centered on the Eucharist, that radiate the love of Christ and joy of the Gospel,” said Archbishop Schnurr.

In Oct. 2021, a draft Families of Parishes configuration was presented to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for their review and feedback. The open comment period elicited nearly 8,000 comments and has resulted in numerous changes to the configuration. Collectively the changes from the draft to the final parish groupings have resulted in a stronger arrangement of Families of Parishes, that will allow for optimal growth of the archdiocese in the decades to come.

The final Families of Parishes configuration that will be announced on Dec. 5 will includes the Families of Parishes map available at BeaconsAOC.org. The map will be available on the website at 12 p.m. following the Mass.

The next milestone in Beacons of Light will be the announcement of priest assignments in the spring of 2022. The implementation of Families of Parishes will not formally begin until July 1, 2022.

The announcement of the Families of Parishes configuration is the conclusion of the strategic planning phase of Beacons of Light. With a strategic plan finalized, the work going forward is in the hands of the faithful. The pastoral planning phase of Beacons of Light will include months of leadership training and orientation to Beacons of Light for all priests, deacons, lay staff and parish leaders. In addition, once Families of Parishes are implemented, a guidebook called, The Pathway, will aid Families of Parishes in their pastoral planning efforts.

More information about Beacons of Light, including frequently asked questions and downloadable resources are available at BeaconsAOC.org.

A review of information from the Oct. 1 press release sent to media regarding Beacons of Light:

Why is Beacons of Light happening?

The status quo is no longer an option. At this point a comprehensive pastoral planning process is a necessity in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to garner stability and position the diocese for growth.
Our resources are largely consumed by efforts to maintain the status quo and are spread too thin to be truly effective. In particular, our priests are stretched to the limit, and we will have fewer priests who can serve as pastors over the coming years. The number of archdiocesan priests available for assignment is projected to decline by approximately 20% over the next five years.
Religious practice has been declining in both the United States and in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. From 2010 to 2019, sacramental practice (including baptisms, first communions, confirmations and weddings) in the archdiocese declined by 23%.
Our current infrastructure and schedules were built for a different era. In many cases, our church buildings are grossly underutilized. In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the average Sunday Mass is about one-third full.

Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

December 1, 2021 by Jennifer Schack

One of our great treasures as Catholics is the rhythm of the Church calendar in which the hopeful message of God’s great love for us is renewed each year in a way that is familiar yet always new. A new Church year has just begun with the First Sunday of Advent, November 28.

Advent is a joyful period of waiting and preparation for Christ’s birth. St. Luke, in this year’s Gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent, quotes the prophet Isaiah: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths” (Lk. 3:4; cf. Is. 40:3).

Advent is a season of hope precisely because it looks forward. The first readings of the Sunday liturgies for Advent present Old Testament prophets foreseeing a Messiah, whom we know to be Jesus. But Advent is not just about awaiting the Nativity of our Lord. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming” (CCC 524).

Advent reminds us that God keeps His promises now, as He did in the past and as He will in the future. As St. Paul assures us, “hope does not disappoint” (Rom. 5:5). The Advent candles we light on each of the four Sundays before Christmas remind us that Christ, for whom we are waiting, is the true light and hope of the world. When we radiate Christ, we share that light and bring that hope to others.

Christ is alive and present in His Church, which is still charged with making disciples of all nations. This is our sacred mission. That does not mean, however, that we can act as though nothing has changed over the past several decades. It would be irresponsible to do so, for the Church stands in the stream of time.

As joyful witnesses who must also be good stewards, we are called to make the best use of all the resources in our local Church. It is therefore appropriate to ask, are all our resources – human, physical and financial – properly ordered to missionary discipleship? Are they working in concert to continuously draw parishioners and attract new members into a more intimate relationship with Jesus? Or are they consumed by efforts to maintain the status quo and spread too thinly to be truly effective?

The Beacons of Light pastoral planning process is designed to address exactly these questions. I am convinced that this initiative, born in great hope, will enable us to form stronger parishes, centered on the Eucharist, that radiate the love of Christ and the joy of the Gospel. To the thousands of parishioners who recently gave feedback to help shape the final Families of Parishes, thank you. I am deeply grateful to you.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, “The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for” (CCC 27). God the Father has offered fulfillment to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus has come so that we might have life in abundance (cf. Jn. 10:10). Advent is when we prepare to welcome Him into our hearts.

May the peace, joy, and fullness of life that only Christ can bring be yours this Advent and Christmas!

November 30, 2021 by Jennifer Schack

W H A T | Ohio Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony

W H E N | Sunday Dec. 5, 2021 1 p.m.

W H E R E | St. Raphael Church, 225 East Spring Street, Springfield Ohio

Release Date: Nov. 30, 2021

New Ohio Historical Marker Recognizes 19^th century Catholic Entrepreneur

A new Ohio Historical Marker will be dedicated to Daniel Rudd. Rudd was a 19^th century Catholic entrepreneur who was born into slavery in Bardstown, KY before moving to Ohio and becoming a newspaperman, lecturer, publicist, and advocate for the Roman Catholic Church.

St. Raphael Parish, Springfield, in collaboration with the Catholic Social Action Office and African-American Pastoral Ministries Office of the pastoral center of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, will dedicate a Ohio Historical Marker to honor the life and work Daniel Rudd. The dedication will be held Sunday, December 5, at 1:00 pm, at St. Raphael Church, 225 East Spring Street, Springfield. The event is open to the public. As part of the ceremony, Rev. John MacQuarrie will conclude the ceremony with a remarks and benediction.

Rudd was born into slavery on August 7, 1854, in Bardstown, Kentucky. After the Civil War Rudd moved to Springfield. Having been baptized and raised in Catholicism, he joined St. Raphael Parish, where the teaching of racial equality by the Church solidified his vision of justice.

By 1885 Rudd had established his own weekly newspaper, The Ohio State Tribune. He rebranded it The American Catholic Tribune (ACT) after moving to Cincinnati. Rudd claimed ACT was the only Catholic newspaper owned by an African American. At the height of its popularity in 1892, the publication had a circulation of 10,000. In 1893 Rudd was asked to chair the Afro-American Press Association, representing more than 200 black-owned newspapers.

Rudd explained his vision: “We will do what no other paper published by colored men has dared to do-give the great Catholic Church a hearing and show that it is worth of at least a fair consideration at the hands of our race, being as it is the only place on this continent where rich and poor, white and black, must drop prejudice at the threshold and go hand in hand to the altar.”

In 1888 Rudd called on Black Catholics to form a national group to advocate for racial issues. With the endorsement of Archbishop William Elder, the Congress of Colored Catholics convened in Washington, D.C. More than 200 delegates gathered, worshiped, and met with political leaders, including President Grover Cleveland. Today this organization lives on as the National Black Catholic Congress. Throughout his life, Rudd fought segregation and inequality in schools, hospitals, and other public accommodations. He died in December 1933.

Andrew Musgrave, director of the Catholic Social Action Office, is thrilled to be able to support bringing this long overdue memorial to fruition. “For far too long, the life and work of Daniel Rudd have been overlooked. He is a critical figure in Black Catholicism – and Catholicism in Ohio and the United States – and our office is honored to help make this dream a reality, especially as we celebrate 200 years of Catholicism in the Cincinnati area.”

About the Ohio Historical Markers Program

Ohio Historical Markers identify, commemorate, and honor important people, places, things, or events that have contributed to the rich history of our state. The program, administered by the Ohio History Connection, has proven to be a vital educational tool that informs both residents and visitors about the significant local, state, or national history that happened in or near the location of the marker. More than 1700 Ohio Historical Markers have been installed throughout the state. The Rudd marker will become Clark County’s ninth Ohio Historical Marker.

Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

Media contact for this event:

Andrew Musgrave

Director of Catholic Social Action

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6691

Cell | 414.801.8780

[email protected]

November 8, 2021 by Jennifer Schack

Effective October 15, 2021

Reverend Carlos Casavantes, FSSP, Parochial Vicar of Holy Family, Dayton.

\Effective November 1, 2021

Reverend Michael Pucke, temporary Parochial Administrator of St. Peter in Chains, St. Julie Billiart and St. Joseph Parishes, Hamilton.

Jennifer Schack

Jennifer Schack

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