Jennifer Schack

May 24, 2023 by Jennifer Schack

Reverend John E. Porter passed away on May 22, 2023, in Englewood, Ohio. He was born on April 4, 1930 in Dayton, Ohio, and baptized at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Dayton. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati, and studied theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West, Norwood, Ohio. He was ordained on May 26, 1956 at St. Monica Cathedral in Cincinnati, Ohio by Archbishop Karl J. Alter.

Father Porter received his first assignment on June 15, 1956, as Assistant at St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Price Hill (Cincinnati), followed by an Assistant appointment on August 29, 1963, at St. Raphael Parish and to teach part time at Catholic Central High School, Springfield. On June 18, 1965, he was appointed Assistant at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains, Assistant Director of the Catholic Youth Organization (C.Y.O.) for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and Director of the Main Street Bible Center. On February 12, 1966, he was appointed Director of the C.Y.O. while continuing as Director of the Main Street Bible Center, and was asked to serve as the Archdiocesan Chaplain for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls. Father Porter remained Director of the C.Y.O. until September 15, 1977. During his time as the C.Y.O. Director, he was appointed Assistant at St. Patrick Parish, Downtown Cincinnati, effective January 18, 1971, appointed Pastor of St. Stephen Parish, Cincinnati, effective June 20, 1973, appointed Chaplain of the Fontbonne, effective on June 27, 1974, and served as the director of Fort Scott Camp for many years. On January 15, 1978, he was appointed Pro-tem Director of the Mission Office (until October 16, 1978). On September 1, 1978, Father Porter was appointed Pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish, Cincinnati. He was appointed Pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Liberty Township, on July 13, 1989, for a period of six years, and re-appointed as Pastor for another six-year term, commencing on July 14, 1995. Father Porter retired from active ministry on July 1, 2003. After retirement, he held temporary Parochial Administrator appointments at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish (August – December 2003); St. John Neumann Parish, Cincinnati, (December 2003 to June 2004); and St. Denis Parish, Versailles, and Holy Family Parish, Frenchtown (March – October 2005).

Reception of the Body: Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 5720 Hamilton-Mason Road, Liberty Township, Ohio 45011; 513-777-4322. Celebrant: Reverend James J. Riehle. Visitation: until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday and from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 1.

Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church. Celebrant: Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr. Homilist: Reverend William J. Dorrmann. A luncheon immediately following, in the gym.

Burial: Friday, June 2, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249. Celebrant: Reverend David P. Vincent.

May 18, 2023 by Jennifer Schack

W H A T | Priesthood Ordination Mass

W H E N | Saturday May 20, 2023, 11 A.M.

W H E R E | Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains: 325 W. 8^th St., Cincinnati OH

Release Date: May 18, 2022

Seven men being ordained priests for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati will joyfully celebrate the ordination of seven new priests on Saturday May 20, 2023. The men will be ordained to the priesthood for service to God and the Church. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr will celebrate the Mass. Within the course of the ordination rite, the archbishop will lay his hands on the men, invoking the authority given by Christ to the apostles to make new priests. The Mass will be live-streamed on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati YouTube channel.

The seven new priests will contribute to the growing trend of men being ordained priests over the last decade. The seven men being ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, this year, is in line with the seven men ordained in 2021, 2016, 2009 and 2022. The largest recent class were nine men ordained to the priesthood in 2019.

The seven new priests have served as transitional deacons for the last year. Their ministry has included baptizing, assisting at marriages, and preaching at Mass. The men graduated on May 14 of this year from The Athenaeum of Ohio, Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, after at least seven years of formation for the priesthood. Parish assignments for the new priests will be announced at the ordination.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 51^stlargest 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.

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Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

May 15, 2023 by Jennifer Schack

Effective March 6, 2023

Reverend Gianluca Roso, MCCJ, Parochial Vicar of S12 Family of Parishes which includes Holy Family, St. Boniface, St. Joseph, St. Leo the Great, and St. Therese Little Flower, Cincinnati.

Effective April 1, 2023

Reverend Jedidiah Tritle, Parochial Vicar of NE3 Family of Parishes which includes Mary, Help of Christians, Fairborn, Sacred Heart, New Carlisle, St. Augustine, Jamestown, St. Brigid, Xenia, St. Luke, Beavercreek and St. Paul, Yellow Springs.

Effective April 27, 2023

Reverend Edward P. Smith, Pastor of SE4 Family of Parishes which includes St. Columban, and St. Margaret of York, Loveland.

Effective May 1, 2023

Reverend Christopher J. Worland, Parochial Vicar of SE7 Family of Parishes which includes St. Andrew, Milford, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Milford, and St. Veronica, Mt. Carmel.

Effective June 1, 2023

Reverend Luke (John) VanBerkum, O.P., Parochial Vicar of S13 Family of Parishes which includes St. Gertrude, Madeira.

Effective July 1, 2023

Reverend Joseph Vijay Kumar Chinnabathini, Parochial Vicar of NE 4 Family of Parishes which includes Incarnation, Centerville and St. Francis of Assisi, Centerville.
Reverend Anthony Fortman, C.PP.S., Pastor of NE-6 Family of Parishes which includes Emmanuel, Dayton, Holy Trinity, Dayton, Precious Blood, Dayton, St. Joseph, Dayton, St. Paul, Englewood and St. Rita, Dayton.
Reverend James Gaynor, C.PP.S., Parochial Vicar of NE-6 Family of Parishes which includes Emmanuel, Dayton, Holy Trinity, Dayton, Precious Blood, Dayton, St. Joseph, Dayton, St. Paul, Englewood and St. Rita, Dayton.

Effective Fall of 2023

Reverend Anthony Marcelli assigned to graduate studies in Rome at the Pontificia Università della Santa Croce.

Retirement from Active Ministry

Reverend Robert Keller, Parochial Vicar of SW4, effective July 1, 2023.
Reverend Terence Hamilton, Parochial Vicar of SW7, effective July 1, 2023.
Reverend Mark Burger, Parochial Vicar of SW6, effective July 1, 2023.
Reverend Barry Windholtz, Parochial Vicar of S8, effective July 1, 2023.
Reverend Jeffrey Kemper, Parochial Vicar of SE7, effective July 1, 2023.
Reverend Lawrence Tensi, Parochial Vicar of SE4, effective July 1, 2023.
Reverend Thomas Bolte, Parochial Vicar of C1, effective July 1, 2023.

May 2, 2023 by Jennifer Schack

Deacon Robert “Bob” Collins, M.D., a Deacon of the Archdiocese, died on April 22, 2023 at the age of 90. Deacon Bob was ordained by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on April 24, 2004. He was assigned to St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Kettering, upon his ordination. He served the Archdiocese as a permanent deacon for nineteen years.

Deacon Bob’s wife, Joan, to whom he was married for sixty-five years, passed away in February of this year. Bob leaves his son and two daughters, their spouses, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial was held May 1, 2023 at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Kettering.

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

May 1, 2023 by Jennifer Schack

Release Date: May 1, 2023

Superintendent Susan Gibbons Retiring; Kathy Kane Stepping in as Interim Superintendent

After 45 years of working in education for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati –including the last seven years as Director of Educational Services and Superintendent of Schools- Susan Gibbons is retiring, effective July 29, 2023. Gibbons has served in Catholic schools of the archdiocese as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal and she has served in educational leadership as a regional director in the Catholic Schools Office and as Director and Superintendent of Schools.

“Ms. Gibbons has brought a steady hand to the superintendent role these past seven years,” said Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr. “She has been someone whom I could always count on to represent the Archdiocese of Cincinnati with honesty and integrity. Everything she has done has been with an eye toward providing our students with the best possible Catholic educational experience. I greatly appreciate her service to the Catholic schools of the archdiocese.”

In March 2023, Gibbons was recognized as C3 Educational Leader of the Year by Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, Mount St. Joseph University, Northern Kentucky University and Thomas More University.

“I have been blessed to know many wonderful people during my 45 years in Catholic education,” said Gibbons. “I have learned so much from so many people. My life has been enriched by those whose mission is the success of our Catholic schools. I am thankful for all the people whom I have come to know and love. Catholic education is more important than ever for our young people. The gift of faith can last a lifetime.”

Upon Gibbons’ retirement, Archbishop Schnurr has appointed Kathy Kane as Interim Superintendent for the 2023-2024 school year. Kane has served the Catholic schools of the archdiocese for 35 years. She currently serves the Catholic Schools Office as Deputy Superintendent of Leadership and Licensure. Kane has held the position for four years and has been working in the Catholic Schools Office for eight years. Previously, she has been a principal, assistant principal and classroom teacher.

“Kathy is dedicated to the mission of our Catholic schools. She is known and respected by many throughout the Archdiocese of Cincinnati,” said Archbishop Schnurr. “I am proud of the dedication of the staff of our Catholic Schools Office and am confident Kathy Kane will continue this tradition of excellence in Catholic Education for the children, families, staffs, and community of the archdiocese.”

During her career, Kane has been recognized as a National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) Distinguished Principal and she has served as an adjunct professor at Xavier University. Ms. Kane will begin her role as Interim Superintendent on July 1, 2023.

“I am inspired by the dedication of our Catholic school leaders, teachers, and communities,” said Ms. Kane. “God calls each of us to courageously and lovingly step out in faith and to use all that we have been given in care and service of others. With devotion, passion, prayer, and compassion, I am thrilled to serve our Catholic schools as the Interim Superintendent. The possibilities for our Catholic school communities are endless.”

Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

April 25, 2023 by Jennifer Schack

The following letter written by Archbishop Schnurr was originally published in The Cincinnati Enquirer on Sunday, April 23, 2023.

God created humans as social beings. We are all dependent upon each other for mutual survival and for the recognition of our common human dignity. There are times when this dependency is most acute, especially in circumstances of vulnerability and poverty.

An expectant mother 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 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. (For a listing of the many resources available for pregnant women in need in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, please go to https://catholicaoc.org/forlife.) A woman should never feel that she must abandon her dreams due to an unexpected pregnancy, whether she ultimately decides to raise the child herself or place the child for adoption.

The Catholic Church, in Ohio and nationwide, also engages in public policy advocacy for access to quality pre- and post-natal health care, paid parental leave laws, affordable childcare options, preferential housing options for women and young children, and robust child tax credits.

Dependency on others for life and recognition of dignity is equally the case for those still growing in the womb. From the moment of conception, a unique human person exists. Science shows us this. The Catholic Church and many other faiths proclaim this. We might say that, from that point forward, a person’s life stages can be distinguished simply by how much he or she has grown and how dependent upon the actions of others that person is for survival. For example, an unborn child is entirely dependent upon his/her mother to be introduced into the rest of the world; a young child cannot flourish without being raised by others; and an elderly person may depend upon his/her children to make it through the day. Ultimately, we are all dependent upon each other.

At no point should any person, inside or outside the womb, be deemed less of a life because someone else says so. To think otherwise is to objectify that life. Society must never claim for itself the “right” to determine the value, worthiness or dignity of another person for any reason whatsoever, including whether or not that person is wanted. Yet, today, our culture suggests that some humans are more important than others, and those less-important humans might actually be expendable. Pope Francis has lamented, “The throwaway culture says, ‘I use you as much as I need you. When I am not interested in you anymore, or you are in my way, I throw you out.’ It is especially the weakest who are treated this way – unborn children, the elderly, the needy, the disadvantaged.”

We are currently facing an extraordinary threat to the dignity of life right here in Ohio: an 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 and harm mothers in the process is being proposed to voters for the November 2023 ballot. This amendment also would remove existing parental notification laws and basic safety standards and enable abortion based solely on a preborn child’s disability diagnosis. Innocent children in the womb would be lost, and their mothers would be both wounded in the moment and emotionally scarred for years to come. Ohio does not need a constitutional amendment that only perpetuates violence and a culture of death.

God alone is the Author and Lord of life. Therefore, the intentional taking of innocent human life, no matter the circumstances, is intrinsically evil and must always be opposed. Any position to the contrary is inconsistent with the constant teaching of the Catholic Church because it is inconsistent with the nature of life itself.

In the name of the one Lord of Life, we must vigorously oppose any suggestion that there exists a “right” to take the life of an unborn child in the womb. Instead, let us all engage in prayer and a joyful outpouring of love and support for pregnant women, especially those most in need. No woman should feel so alone, coerced or hopeless that she chooses to end her child’s life through abortion. I urge everyone throughout Ohio to both pray for and actively assist all expectant mothers. Together, let us redouble our commitment to caring for women, children and families so that abortion is not only illegal, but unthinkable.

April 12, 2023 by Jennifer Schack

Deacon Jim Jones, a Deacon of the Archdiocese, died on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at the age of 84. Deacon Jim was ordained by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on September 29, 2001. He was assigned to The Community of the Good Shepherd Parish, Loveland, upon his ordination. He later also served for a period at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Reading. He served the Archdiocese as a permanent deacon for twenty-one years.

Deacon Jim leaves his wife, Kathy, to whom he was married for sixty-two years. He also leaves three sons and their spouses, ten grandchildren and one great-grandson.

April 6, 2023 by Jennifer Schack

Release Date: April 6, 2023

Holy Week Celebrations at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral Basilica & Praying the Steps

Holy Thursday Mass will be celebrated today, Thursday, April 6. On Holy Thursday, Catholics commemorate the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper today at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains at 5 P.M.

Tomorrow, Friday, April 7, is Good Friday. This day commemorates the day that Jesus was crucified. It is an obligatory day of fasting (one full meal and two smaller meals that together do not add up to the one full meal) and abstinence from meat for Catholics. The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion will be celebrated at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral at 12 P.M. Fr. Jan Schmidt, rector of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, will celebrate the liturgy.

For more than a century, thousands have gathered to “Pray the Steps” in Mount Adams on Good Friday. In preparation for the pilgrims who will pray the steps leading to Holy Cross-Immaculata Church, the faithful will gather at 11:30 P.M. on the evening of April 14, at the base of the steps on St. Gregory Street and, just before midnight, Fr. Adam Puntel pastor of Holy-Cross Immaculate Parish, will bless the steps. Around 200 people are expected for the blessing. Fr. Adam Puntel will then lead the group in prayer up the steps. Throughout Friday, April 7, around 10,000 to 12,000 pilgrims will ascend the steps in prayer. Good Friday Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. and 7 P.M. on Friday. Confession will be available at times throughout the day on Good Friday.

The Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains will be held at 8:45 P.M. on Saturday, April 8. Archbishop Schnurr will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ for hundreds of local Catholics. The Easter Vigil Mass is also when new members are initiated into the Catholic Church. Many will be baptized and received into the Church through the R.C.I.A. program (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults).

Easter Sunday Masses at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains will be held at 9:00 A.M. and 11 A.M. on April 9. Fr. Jan Schmidt will celebrate the 11 A.M. Mass on Easter morning.

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Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

March 17, 2023 by Jennifer Schack

Release Date: March 17, 2023

St. Mary Catholic School in Hillsboro to Close; Preschool Plans to Remain Open

St. Mary Catholic School, operated by St. Mary Catholic Parish in Hillsboro, will close at the end of the current school year, effective July 1, 2023.

Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati, accepted a joint recommendation from the parish pastor, the parish council, and Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese that the school close. However, the preschool is planning to remain open.

“We are very sad that this decision was necessary,” said Ms. Susan Gibbons, Superintendent of Catholic Schools. “St. Mary is an excellent school that has been providing Catholic values and a quality education for children for more than twenty years. The school has been a cherished part of the small community in rural Highland County. This is a loss for not only the students and families but for the entire community.”

St. Mary Catholic School has been strongly supported by the community. Several yearly community events raised money to assist with tuition costs at the school. These included the Lenten fish frys, quarter raffles, and golf tournaments. “I would like to thank all the families for the wonderful support they have shown over the years,” said Mr. Benjamen Pence, principal of St. Mary Catholic School. “It is heartbreaking to have to close the school and I wish nothing but the best for all of our students and staff.”

St. Mary School has been in operation since the 2000-2001 school year. The school began with a total of 12 students in the first and second grades in the fall of 2000. Two grades were then added each year until it became fully accredited from the Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association in 2010. In recent years, enrollment has become a major struggle, especially after COVID-19. Currently, the school has only 17 students, but the school needs 34 students to be viable.

Fr. Michael Paranuik, pastor at St. Mary Parish in Hillsboro, has informed the staff, parish and school families of the upcoming closure, saying in part, “We need to celebrate the 23 years and what good we have done and the wonderful blessings for our students. As we close this door, God will open another door.”

Although St. Mary Catholic School is closing at the end of this school year, the preschool program is planning to remain open. More details about the preschool program will be forthcoming in the next several months.

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Jennifer Schack

Director of Media Relations

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Office | 513.263.6618

Cell | 859.512.5626

[email protected]

Jennifer Schack

Jennifer Schack

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