By Eileen Connelly, OSU

“I just care so much about this program.” 

Kathy Kane, Deputy Superintendent for Leadership and Licensure in the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Office, is referring to the Aspiring Catholic School Leaders Residency, which she had an active role in developing several years ago. The innovative program provides participants with the opportunity to strengthen, nurture, and cultivate their leadership abilities in collaboration with existing exceptional Catholic school leaders, building shared knowledge of best practices in spiritual and academic leadership. 

Kane, who previously served as principal of Our Lady of Victory School in Delhi, on the westside of Cincinnati, said her perspective of leadership development changed when she moved into her current position. “I started to notice that we weren’t getting as many passionate, qualified candidates pursuing leadership opportunities at our schools,” she explained. “The only thing that prepares you to be a leader in a Catholic school is to be a leader in a Catholic school.”

After Kane consulted with her colleagues, and with the full support of Susie Gibbons, Archdiocesan Superintendent, and Director of Educational Services, the Residency was launched at the start of the 2017-18 school year with seven participants. Eight aspiring leaders took part in 2018-2019, and six Catholic school educators are enrolled in the current cohort for this school year. Applications for the Residency are reviewed by a team of principals and require a presentation from the prospective leaders.

“We are looking for those candidates that we feel are ready to enter the pipeline,” Kane said. “Number one, that means being absolutely grounded in your Catholic faith. I’m not the person to judge this, but for a Catholic school leader, your relationship with God can’t be separated from any aspect of what you do. Your faith is what grounds you and guides you.”

During the Residency, monthly sessions are held at both the Catholic Schools Office and various local schools. Cohort members are immersed in opportunities to learn about leadership development and deepen their understanding and ability to lead. Their sessions include prayer and spiritual leadership, professional readings and presentations, and meaningful collaborative sessions with current principals. Covered topics include marketing and enrollment, financial stewardship, government programs, cultivating culture, leading change, instructional and operational leadership, and coaching. 

Mikki Dunkley is in her first year as principal at St. Vincent Ferrer School after spending 20 years teaching, eight of those at St. Vincent. 

She describes the chance to participate in the Residency as a blessing. “The Aspiring Leaders program was an invaluable part of my preparation for the role of principal. It was an incredible opportunity to meet with successful and experienced principals and to learn from them how to be a dynamic leader in a Catholic school. In each session, I walked away with more information that I knew I would be able to one day use in my own school to help create a culture that completely supported our mission as a Catholic school. I am so thankful I was a part of this.” 

“I participated in the Aspiring Leaders program during the 2017-2018 school year while serving as a kindergarten teacher at Sacred Heart (Fairfield),” said Stacie Wendt, now principal of St. Gabriel Consolidated School. “What I found most beneficial was learning about being a principal in Catholic schools and visiting many different schools in the area. Networking and meeting so many people at the Catholic Schools Office was a tremendous benefit to me last year as a first-year principal. Xavier (University) prepared me to be a principal, but there are so many more components to teaching in a Catholic school. Because of the Aspiring Leaders program, I knew who to go to when I needed help with something. I was lucky to be included in the group with other amazing women, and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity.” 

The Residency is funded through the Catholic Education Foundation, with support from the One Faith, One Hope, One Love campaign. Kane said local Catholic educators are grateful for the investment being made in their professional training and leadership development. “There’s no way this program could be offered without the funding,” Kane said. “It’s wonderful to see how much is being done to support aspiring leaders and give them what they need to feel confident to lead. I am overwhelmed by their dedication and passion and their commitment to the students, families, teachers, and communities in our Catholic schools.” 

Retirement is an adjustment for anyone, especially a person accustomed to the rewards and demands of the priesthood. 

But, Father Tom Snodgrass, who retired in July 2018, feels he has found the perfect balance between ministry and relaxation. 

Originally from Northside, Father Snodgrass’ family moved to Assumption Parish in Mt. Healthy when he was a first grader. There, he had the first inklings of a call to the priesthood. He was ordained in 1976. 

Over the years, Father Snodgrass ministered as a Hospital Chaplain, a Pastor, an Assistant Pastor, a Resident Associate, and a Chancery Assistant Chancellor, while serving in almost two dozen parishes across the Archdiocese.

“As it happens, I’ve been very busy filling in at different parishes and celebrating Mass for three orders of religious sisters: the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, the Little Sisters of the Poor, and the Mercy Sisters at their McAuley convent. They’re so appreciative and welcoming, and I often stay for lunch or coffee,” he said. 

Father Snodgrass especially enjoys gardening, attending to his aquarium, visiting with friends, and providing humorous social media posts. “I’m pretty active on Facebook,” he admitted. “I like to think that making people smile is a ministry, too.” 

Of course, he’s always happy to share words of wisdom with young people who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. “Attend Mass, pray, take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation. It really does ease your worry and helps you listen to God,” he advises. 

Father Snodgrass is grateful for the One Faith, One Hope, 

One Love campaign, which helps support Archdiocesan retired priests. “We are truly blessed by the funding,” he said. “It leads to a very peaceful existence in retirement. I’m happy to be able to continue to help people, along with pursuing activities I enjoy.” 

By Eileen Connelly, OSU

Late on the evening of May 27, Belinda Busari and her family went to bed as usual. Their lives were changed in an instant when multiple tornados ravaged Dayton and areas north of the city, leaving a trail of destruction behind. 

Busari’s family escaped unscathed, but their home was damaged beyond repair. “The roof blew off, and everything was destroyed,” she said. “I never thought this would happen to us.” 

Immediately following the storms, Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley (CSSMV) came to the aid of dozens of families like hers. “Initially, the power outage was the biggest issue,” said Mary Reid, Director of Dayton Social Services. “Many people lost perishable food items, and we were able to help replace them through our choice food pantry.” 

Months later, she explained, the focus is on family stabilization, financial assistance, and long-term case management. “We’ve been providing deposit and rental assistance to get people back into housing. Many people were uninsured or underinsured and lost everything,” she noted. “FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is working with people on repairing and rebuilding. It can take people eight months to two years to get back to their pre-disaster level of stability.” 

CSSMV has been collaborating with other area agencies to best meet the needs of those impacted by the tornados, including St. Vincent de Paul Dayton and United Way, which recently launched a direct screening process. This enables the respective organizations to assess barriers that might make the recovery process more challenging for some families or individuals, such as minor children in the home, a disability, or financial strain. 

“The collaboration within the community has been great,” Reid said. “It has been rewarding and challenging. This is a community we all live in, and having a direct role in the recovery effort is important to us.” 

While tornado relief is not directly funded from the One Faith, One Hope, One Love contributions, Mike Lehner, Director of Marketing and Development for CSSMV, sees the campaign as a testament to the tremendous generosity of the wider Archdiocesan community.

“The campaign funds have done so much already for Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley and their clients,” said Lehner.  “Now in addition to this, people of the Archdiocese have responded above and beyond their campaign contributions and have provided more needed support to benefit those impacted by the tornados.”

“We’re just so grateful for the support and generosity of the people of the Archdiocese,” Reid added. “We’re happy to be offering the services that we can during a time of need.”

In Busari’s case, this included purchasing a new washer and dryer, much needed for a family of eight. CSSMV also connected Busari to their community partners for other resources, including beds for the home the family is now renting and gift cards to purchase household items. 

Busari admits that even with all the help, the emotional part of the recovery process will take time. “When it rains, everyone still wakes up scared. We pray that this house doesn’t blow away.” 

“I thank God every day that we made it through. We’re still recovering, but wouldn’t be where we are without the assistance we have received,” Busari said. “I pray for the people that work at Catholic Social Services, and am very grateful for their help.” 

The call to the priesthood is being heard and answered in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as evidenced by the nine men who were ordained at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains on May 18. 

The cathedral was filled to capacity for the joyful celebration of the largest class ordained in 40 years. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr presided at the Mass, with Bishop Joseph R. Binzer as concelebrant. This historic ordination marks a recent high in the number of men ordained in a given year. Over the last decade, there have been other large classes, including seven men in both 2009 and 2016. 

The men ordained this year with their assignments are listed below:

Father Alex Biryomumeisho: Parochial Vicar at St. John Fisher, Newtown, and St. Veronica, Mt. Carmel.

Father Mark Bredestege: Parochial Vicar at Clermont Catholic Communities of St. Ann, Williamsburg; Holy Trinity, Batavia; 

St. Louis, Owensville; and St. Philomena, Stonelick.

Father Zach Cecil: Parochial Vicar at St. Theresa of Avila, Cincinnati and St. William, Cincinnati.

Father Christian Cone-Lombarte: Parochial Vicar at Ft. Recovery Cluster of St. Joseph, St. Joseph; Mary Help of Christians, 

Ft. Recovery; St. Paul, Sharpsburg, and St. Peter in St. Peter.

Father Ambrose Dobrozsi: Parochial Vicar at Dayton Pastoral Region XII of St. Adalbert, Holy Cross; Our Lady of the Rosary, and St. Peter, Huber Heights.

Father Andrew Hess: Parochial Vicar at Holy Angels, Sidney, 

and faculty at Lehman Catholic High School.

Father Elias Mwesigye: Parochial Vicar at St. Susanna, Mason.

Father Jeff Stegbauer: Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Anderson Township.

Father Jedidiah Tritle: Parochial Vicar at All Saints, Montgomery, and St. Vincent Ferrer, Kenwood.

For the current academic year, 2019-2020, 46 seminarians are in formation at the Athenaeum for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Three of these men will be ordained to the priesthood this May. 

More information about the Athenaeum of Ohio/Mount St. Mary’s Seminary can be found at Athenaeum.edu.

For the current school year, 2019-2020, $2.4 million in tuition assistance grants has been awarded to students throughout the Archdiocese. Students in both elementary and secondary schools are eligible for the tuition assistance grants. Thanks to the generosity of the families supporting the One Faith, One Hope, One Love campaign, this is the largest amount of tuition assistance awarded since the campaign’s inception.

More information about the tuition assistance program and our Catholic schools can be found at CatholicBestChoice.org.

Pledge payments to the One Faith, One Hope, One Love campaign have now exceeded $120 million!

Click here for a complete listing of parish progress for the campaign.

Support parishes

The One Faith, One Hope, One Love campaign contributed to serving parishes through Catholic Social Services in a variety of ways this year. The Parish and Community Relations Manager position has connected more parishioners throughout the Dayton and Northern County region to services, and service opportunities.

Additionally, CSSMV committed a robust annual billboard campaign throughout the west side neighborhoods of Dayton.  This was in direct response to the closure of Good Samaritan Hospital and meant to instill confidence in the presence of the Church in the neighborhood.

Expand care management

One Faith, One Hope, One Love funds were used to expand, and maintain programs across the board at CSSMV including; Supervised Visitation and Exchange at Erma’s House, Parenting programs, professional counseling, refugee resettlement, food pantry, Family Stabilization and Support, Lincoln Academy, Ride Link, and notably the Food Source ( Northern Counties) program. This program began in 2017 as a pilot.  It now involves many volunteers who make home deliveries to seniors who are food insecure in the Northern Counties.  The program made a total of 179 deliveries of 40 lbs. boxes of staple food last year.  Deliveries are made directly to the client home once a month, and each delivery requires a team of two volunteers to make the delivery.

Expand self-sufficiency

CSSMV was able to increase support for its annual fund in 2018.  Through staffing additions, infrastructure improvements and IT support, CSSMV continued to increase its reach throughout the region. Additionally, consolidation of case records onto the same software has improved reporting, and cross program coordination – both of which have strengthened the marketing department’s ability to compel supporters to increase their support and increased effectiveness of the services we provide.

Invest in parish/community food pantries

The campaign continued to support Foodbank fees in 2018 of $15,698. The Choice Food Pantry at CSSMV is the only foodbank in Dayton which is open five days a week and serves families with a week worth of groceries once a month.     Last year, the pantry served 5,999 unique families representing nearly 16,000 people.

Expand volunteers

With an increased focus on volunteer outreach the Parish and Community Relations Manager at CSSMV was able to engage more than 30 volunteers in the Parishes Organized to Welcome Refugees (POWR) Grant program – funded through USCCB. Additional funds were used to support an HR intern to support volunteer onboarding and coordination.

Program Highlights: Increase effectiveness/improve outcomes

CSSMV was able to provide professional development for staff members, expand wi-fi services at the Eckerle Administration Center, improve lighting at the EAC and the Center for Families, and continue to expand program utilization of the Apricot case management system.

In addition to these important improvements and opportunities, the campaign allowed CSSMV to expand services in several areas:

In the parenting program, campaign funds were used to expand Mothers Empowered, a prenatal and postnatal partnership designed to ensure healthy birth outcomes and strengthen parenting skills. The program was able to grow to serve expecting mothers at Miami Valley North Hospital in addition to maintaining services at the Drew Health Center (formerly at Good Samaritan Hospital).

Campaign funds along with Catholic Ministry Appeal support have helped strengthen the professional counseling program by providing flexibility for CSSMV to provide school based counseling at 3 schools in the Northern Counties as well as a licensed counselor at the Spiritual Center at Maria Stein.

The Early Childhood Education Center – Lincoln Academy – has been strengthened with support from the campaign.  Additional funding provided the opportunity to increase staffing to open up another classroom and serve more children with a five-star step up to quality education.

The refugee resettlement program was provided resources to expand its outreach to secondary migrants who arrive in Dayton with zero federal financial support but still require extensive services. In 2018, CSSMV was able to provide services to an additional 65 secondary migrants.

Finally, the campaign provided match funding required to support the ride link program in the Northern Counties.  This program, primarily funded through the Ohio Department of Transportation helps solve regional transportation issues for those living in rural communities, while providing a resource for those looking to navigate the transportation options currently available.

• Summary of Expenditures for January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018

• Staff training/education/strategic planning $8,652
• Facility upgrades $4,532
• Technology upgrades $78,125
• Capacity building for M&D and Parish Relations  $50,504
• Staffing and operations related expenses $220,075
• Program development or expansion $149,654

Total funds applied in 2018: $511,543

As we look to 2019-20, we are mindful of the capacity which the One Faith, One Hope, One Love campaign has built, and are prepared to make determinations on programs that will be sustainable in the years to come.