By Susan Bergman  There is a quiet rhythm to Erma’s House. On the surface, the work appears simple… rooms are prepared, toys are rotated, and schedules are followed. Children arrive, visits take place, and families leave. Yet, behind that steady routine sits something much deeper. Erma’s House in Dayton serves …

By Andrew J. Sodergren, M.T.S., Psy.D. Note: This article is part of an ongoing series on Pope St. John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body (TOB).” We have been exploring Pope St. John Paul II’s meditations on Ephesians 5 in Theology of the Body. In that famous biblical passage, St. …

By Fr. David Endres Holy water is a common sacramental used by Catholics—to sign themselves before entering church, to sanctify the home, and to call forth divine protection. Ordinary water becomes holy water when it is blessed by a priest or deacon, who calls down the Holy Spirit to sanctify …

By Teresa Phillips The Saintly Seven: Black Catholics on the Path to Sainthood Last month, we introduced the Saintly Seven—the seven current African American candidates for canonization. In April 2026, the Archdiocesan Anti-Racism Task Force hosted the first of eight monthly events that will highlight one of those seven candidates. …

By Esperanza Gallon As we continue learning about the Saintly Seven, we are enlightened and encouraged by their examples. Venerable Augustus Tolton’s extraordinary life gives hope to the faithful amid serious societal trials. Fr. Tolton’s life is a “rags-to-riches” story, albeit not in the classic way. While born into slavery …

By Michelle Wirth Smith Each May, as the Church celebrates graduations, ordinations, and new beginnings, we’re reminded that growth often starts in quiet, unseen ways. The Story of the Hickey Family In the late 19th century, five brothers became priests: William (1880), Edward (1883), Charles (1886), John (1887), and George …

By Susan Keefe Ministry members representing St. Gregory the Great Family of Parishes felt they received more than they gave when they journeyed to one of their twinning communities, The Cultural Center of Batahola Norte (CCBN) in Managua, Nicaragua. Deacon Ed Bayliss, Pat and Sue Keefe, Emmett Speers, John Norman, …

Sr. Jane Funch, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, born in Cincinnati, OH, died peacefully on May 10, 2026 at the age of 95, in the 77th year of her religious life. Her passing is mourned by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and nieces and nephews. Her …

Sister Loraine Marie Peter, RSM  (Mary Antonia) 94, a Sister of Mercy for 74 years, died April 19, 2026. A Cincinnati native, she ministered 26 years as teacher and principal in elementary education in Ohio, primarily in Cincinnati at St. Teresa and St. Cecelia Schools. Sister Loraine, an avid storyteller, …

By Graham Craycraft Flowers bloom, and flowers die—it is a cycle. During the past months, plants around my house had no leaves and looked much like dead plants, but my wife assured me they would bloom again when it is their time. And so are we reminded again through the …