Diocese makes history with its first ordination of primarily Spanish-speaking deacons BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC Several years ago, Bishop William F. Medley received what he called a “daring request” – to ordain to the permanent diaconate a group of men exclusively from the Hispanic community.

BY WKC STAFF Every other year, all of the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Owensboro gather at Owensboro Sportscenter to have Mass with Bishop William F. Medley.

BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC According to Msgr. Scott Friend, vocations director for the Diocese of Little Rock, Ark., fundamental to fostering vocations in any diocese is that “all of us have to believe.”

BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC Fr. Aloysius Francis Powers, a priest of the Diocese of Owensboro, passed away on Sept. 4, 2019 at age 98. He was born in Daviess County on Jan. 4, 1921 to the late Joseph H. Powers, Sr., and Teresa M. McCarthy Powers.

October is observed as “Respect Life Month” in the Catholic Church in the United States.

BY TINA KASEY, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC The Diocese of Owensboro was pleased to have Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, La., speak to the public in a presentation entitled, “Against Racism” on Thursday, Sept. 19 at St. Stephen Cathedral.

BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC Editor’s note: On Sept. 3, 2019, The Western Kentucky Catholic sat down with Fr. Anthony Shonis, a priest of the diocese who retired in spring 2019. Having been raised in the Catholic Church prior to the Second Vatican Council, attending seminary during the council and being ordained…

more: Retiring after 48 years, Fr. Anthony Shonis looks back on the changes in the Church

BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC In November, the Office of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Owensboro will host several Catholic spirituality presentations around western Kentucky, led by Michael Fonseca, president of God’s Embrace Ministries.