by Kary Ellen Berger Imagine an elementary school student sharing their day with, “We played on the playground, swinging, sliding, playing with chickens….” Wait, chickens? St. Gertrude School in Madeira is home to an outdoor classroom – complete with chickens – which is used by all grade levels. “Around 2014, …

St. Agnes of Montepulciano was born in 13th-century Tuscany. At the age of six, Agnes began trying to convince her parents to allow her to join a convent. She was finally admitted to the Dominican convent at Montepulciano at age nine despite it generally being against Church law to allow …

James Oldo experienced a radical conversion that led him to become a Franciscan tertiary, and later a priest. He was born in 1364 into a rich family in Lodi, Italy. He married at a young age, and he and his wife both led a very self-indulgent lifesyle. One day, a …

Perhaps the most subtle advertisement that a neighborhood has a faith community is the church bells ringing. It’s not in your face like a commercial or billboard, but the message is clear: We’re here and you’re welcome to join us. If you’ve heard a church bell ring in greater Cincinnati …

by Patricia McGeever Although Steve Hatke’s career as an electrical engineer did not prepare him to work with people experiencing homelessness, he has dedicated his retirement to helping those looking for a chance to change their lives. “For me, it was a huge step out of my comfort zone because …

Some of my greatest experiences of peace came when wandering the woods as a child. My backyard was a lovely forest that boasted of nothing extraordinary. The foliage towered above my small frame when I hiked steep hills, grabbing rocks and branches so I could pull myself along. The environment …

Area Girl Scouts of all ages have been learning about our relationship to God’s creation and how to care for it through the fun and educational programs at EarthConnection (EC). Directed by Sister Caroljean Willie, SC, EarthConnection is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and a center …

Here is a listing of Easter Masses after 1:00 p.m. in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Holy Trinity, 120 E. Main St., Coldwater OH 45828; at 6:00 p.m. Immaculate Heart of Mary Anderson Township, 7820 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati OH 45255-4215; at 1:30 p.m. (Spanish) Incarnation Centerville, 55 Williamsburg Rd., Dayton OH 45459 …

March 2 Ash Wednesday Readings: Jl 2:12-18, 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17, 2 Cor 5:20—6:2, Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Invitation to Prayer: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.” (Mt 6:1) Reflection: Ash …