by John Stegeman Based on the Combined Rite of Election and Calling to Continuing Conversion this year, 1,096 people intend to proceed to the Sacraments of Initiation. It will mark the highest number of people joining the local Church in more than 15 years. Of the total, 556 are catechumens …

A traditional, religious Easter (Pascha) basket is assembled by lining a wicker basket with a white, often embroidered, cloth to hold foods blessed for Easter Sunday. It features paska bread, eggs (pysanky), butter (often lamb-shaped), meats (sausage/ham), cheese, salt, horseradish, and a white candle, covered in cloth. Prepare the Basket …

Mary Magdalene and the red egg is one of the most beloved Easter traditions in many Christian cultures. It’s a powerful legend that connects the message of the Easter with a simple symbol of new life. The Tradition Explained According to Christian tradition, after the Resurrection of Jesus, Mary Magdalene …

by Deacon Michael Trimpe In my career as a forensic scientist at the Hamilton County Coroner’s Crime Laboratory, I often thought of the pain and suffering our Lord Jesus Christ experienced during His Passion. We know His manner of death was authorized by Pontius Pilate to be crucifixion. But what …

Praying the Steps at Holy Cross – Immaculata Parish on April 3, 2026 . Where do I start the steps? There are three phases of the Good Friday steps. The most popular phase begins on St. Gregory and ends at Holy Cross-Immaculata Church – Phase One: from Riverside Drive (at …

How to return to confession If you have been away from the church, or if you have been reluctant or unable to see a priest for confession, you are invited to experience the reconciling peace of Christ through the grace of this sacrament, also called the sacrament of reconciliation. Peace …

On Tuesday, March 31 the Chrism Mass will take place at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains at 4:00 p.m., with Archbishop Robert G. Casey as celebrant. At the Chrism Mass, the archbishop is joined by the priests of the diocese. This Mass manifests the unity of the …

For priests in crisis Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.

INTO YOUR HANDS | Archbishop Robert G. Casey Consider the tomb. Think about a tight, closed-off space without the fresh air of a new day. Consider the cold, stagnant darkness of that space, with no possibility of seeing the first light of a sunrise. Think about the lifeless silence that …

Catholic At Home | Katie Sciba “Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pt 2:5).  The year 2024 was a banner one for me. The night before Andrew and my …