Omer Westendorf (1916-1997) • Born and raised on the west side of Cincinnati, Omer Westendorf took over duties as choir master at St. Bonaventure Church at Christmas in 1936, a position he held for 40 years. While he served in Europe during World War II, his sister, Hilda, took over …

A few weeks ago, my family joined the Bicentennial Marian Pilgrimage that took place across the Archdiocese of Cincinnati throughout May and June. It was one of the most beautiful spiritual experiences of our lives. We walked, we laughed, we sang, we prayed and we got REALLY tired. All the …

At a glance, you may look at friendship and say it’s not necessary for day-to-day life. It’s just “nice to have.” And the truth is… it’s not necessary. We could certainly live, breathe, and survive without friendship, just like we could live without music or art. But even though we …

As the pastoral planning initiative, Beacons of Light, moves forward, Catholic Telegraph writers are meeting with its leaders, including Father Jan Schmidt, to bring you the most up-to-date and accurate information and communication on what is happening, how decisions will be made and to provide clear descriptions of what to …

On July 5, the Catholic Church remembers Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria. A renowned preacher and promoter of Eucharistic adoration, he founded the order of priests now known as the Barnabites. In 2001, the future Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, wrote the preface for a book on St. Anthony Mary …

Reverend Joseph F. Beckman died on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on November 5, 1921, in Hamilton, Ohio. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati and studied theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West, Norwood. He was ordained on May …

Many today understand the sacrament of confirmation as a “rite of passage,”, but it is much more than that. In baptism, the Holy Spirit is poured into our hearts; in confirmation, we are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. As young people and converts receive this sacrament, they …

The idea of consecrating oneself to Mary, or to “Jesus through Mary,” seems to be growing in popularity among Catholics. Why is this and what does it mean? Although Catholics throughout the centuries have been consecrating themselves to the Blessed Mother, it began to grow in popularity under the pontificate …

When it comes to sharing and teaching the Catholic faith, two minds are better than one and, in this case, two hearts are better than one. That’s because Josh and Laura Kiger have a true love for sharing their faith as they help others prepare for their own life-long Catholic …

After losing their fifth, ninth and tenth babies at different gestations, Jim and Donna Murpy felt called to serve families suffering the loss of a baby. Together, they founded Heaven’s Gain Ministries in Cincinnati. Heaven’s Gain Ministries nationally (HGM) helps families before, during, and after the birth of their baby. …