BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC The sheer exhaustion – from walking across a desert for weeks. The hunger pangs – from not having a good meal in who knows how long. The questions – Will I ever see my family again? Will I ever feel safe?
Around the Diocese
Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools Appointed
The Diocese of Owensboro is pleased to announce that Jo Ann Mathieson has accepted the position of Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools effective July 1, 2019. Mathieson will join David Kessler, who becomes superintendent on August 1, and Chelsea Lanham, administrative assistant for Catholic schools. “The Diocese of Owensboro Catholic School’s Office is truly excited…
more: Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools Appointed
Catholic schools show ‘phenomenal’ scores for religious education test
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC A new report indicates that the Diocese of Owensboro’s 17 Catholic schools have exceeded national averages in teaching the Catholic faith.
Diocese Names New Chancellor and Chief Administrative Officer
The Diocese of Owensboro announces Tom Lilly as Chancellor and Chief Administrative Officer effective June 1, 2019. Lilly replaces Kevin Kauffeld who announced in early May his resignation from the diocese and his acceptance of a position at Independence Bank in Paducah. Lilly, who has been President of Owensboro Catholic Schools since June 11, 2018,…
more: Diocese Names New Chancellor and Chief Administrative Officer
Representing the ‘mercy of the Church’ – Parishes’ annulment advocates provide unique ministry
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC In his ministry as an annulment advocate, Deacon Michael Wiedemer works to meet people “where they’re at.”
Seminarian’s diaconate ordination celebrates ‘Church’s diversity and unity’
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC His transitional diaconate ordination on April 13 was “one of the biggest moments of my life,” but Deacon Stephen Van Lal Than also emphasized that this is “not the end, just the beginning” of his vocation to the priesthood.
‘Prayer is the best thing you can do’ – Couple credits community’s power of prayer for kidney transplant success
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC Successfully donating one of her kidneys to her husband has been described to her as “rare” or “crazy,” but Amanda Van Bussum says something like this doesn’t happen by chance.
Bishop Recommends Priest to Vatican for Permanent Suspension
On March 1, 2019, Fr. Joseph Edward Bradley, a priest of the Diocese of Owensboro, was temporarily suspended from public ministry by Bishop William F. Medley following a recommendation of the Diocesan Review Board that an allegation of the sexual abuse of a minor had been found credible. At that time an investigation of the…
more: Bishop Recommends Priest to Vatican for Permanent Suspension
Kentucky nun elected Mother President of international congregation
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC The election of a Kentucky native as the first-ever Mother President of an international monastic congregation of nuns is historic, to say the least.
Rite of Election calls catechumens, candidates, to follow God
BY WKC STAFF In the Diocese of Owensboro, this year there are 91 catechumens (awaiting the Sacrament of Baptism at the Easter Vigil) and 135 candidates (awaiting the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or Holy Communion).
‘All for the greater glory of God’ – Deceased teacher memorialized with unique crucifix
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC Eddie Miller remembers the conversation. It was the same day as one of the last school Masses that his friend Tony Kraus attended before lung cancer took his life in November 2017.
Memory of Fr. Paul Volk honored with March 19 concert
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC The motherhouse chapel of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph was filled to capacity
A Word From Bishop Medley: Thank your priests and pray for vocations
Stephen Van Lal Than will be ordained a transitional deacon at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Holy Spirit Parish in Bowling Green.
‘It’s just good to be Catholic’ – U.S. pilgrimage of St. John Vianney’s incorrupt heart makes a stop in Paducah
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC The interior of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Paducah was filled to capacity the morning of March 13, 2019, and for good reason: this was the day that the incorrupt heart of St. John Vianney was arriving to be venerated by the local community.
Sons’ Catholic education inspired dad to join Church
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC For many years, Charlie Dawson attended Mass at Blessed Mother Parish in Owensboro with his wife and children, though he was not Catholic himself.
Diocese to Close Assisted Living Facility by Summer
Statement from Bishop William F. Medley April 8, 2019 “On March 28, 2019, the Diocese of Owensboro announced the upcoming closure of the Bishop Soenneker Home located in Knottsville, Kentucky, after months of studying the viability of the assisted living facility. We realize that this decision has had a rippling effect in the Bishop Soenneker…
New Superintendent of Catholic Schools
The Diocese of Owensboro is pleased to announce that David Kessler has accepted the position of Superintendent of Catholic Schools effective August 1, 2019, replacing Ann Flaherty who announced at the end of February her decision to retire, effective August 30, 2019. Kessler became Assistant Superintendent in July 2018 after working for nearly 20…
Faith Formation Director Appointed
The Diocese of Owensboro is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jeffrey Andrini as the new Director of Faith Formation, effective March 27, 2019. Andrini has 20 years of experience as Director of Faith Formation at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish in Grand Haven, Michigan, where he revitalized their RCIA ministry, organized Bible studies…
2019 Fish Fry Dates in the Diocese of Owensboro
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops requests that Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, and practice some form of penance on the other Fridays throughout the year. Due to fish being a popular Lenten Friday option in this part of the world, the tradition of Friday fish fries has become a common…
Diocese of Owensboro’s list of 2019 parish picnics now available online
BY WKC STAFF Parish picnics and cooking teams are a longstanding tradition in the Diocese of Owensboro. Parishioners and non-parishioners alike gather to celebrate great food, fun games and lively fellowship during the warmest months of the year.