At all Masses this past weekend, Father George shared that he is resigning as pastor of St. Gertrude Parish, effective May 1, 2022. Here is a letter to all parishioners from Father George, reiterating that his "resignation is not an indication of vocation questions or some impropriety." The decision was "made freely in consultation with the provincial, my local superior, a spiritual director, and a counselor" who have "each supported me in prayer, listening, and the recommendation that I need to attend to my personal health."

As Father George also mentioned and as you will read in his letter, the provincial has named—and Archbishop Schnurr has appointed—Father John Paul Walker, O.P., the new pastor of St. Gertrude Parish. He will arrive the first week of May and preach at all Masses the weekend of May 7-8. Father John Paul created this short video to introduce himself and to help you get to know a little bit about him before he arrives.

Please keep Father George and Father John Paul in your prayers during this time of transition. 

Pope Francis intends “to carry out a solemn Act of Consecration of humanity, and Russia and Ukraine in particular, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary” this Friday March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation. In a letter to all bishops, the Holy Father wrote, “this Act of Consecration is meant to be a gesture of the universal Church, which in this dramatic moment lifts up to God, through his Mother and ours, the cry of pain of all those who suffer and implore an end to the violence, and to entrust the future of our human family to the Queen of Peace.”

Pope Francis has asked the faithful around the world to join him in this Act. 

After the 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Gertrude Church on Friday, March 25, the congregation will recite the Prayer of Consecration together. We invite you to join us for this Mass and in raising “a heartfelt and choral plea to Mary our Mother.” 

If you are unable to attend the 11:30 a.m. Mass or pray with us, please recite the Prayer of Consecration on your own sometime during the day.

On March 16, Pope Francis announced that he will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary next Friday, March 25, at 5 p.m. in Rome (12 p.m. here). 

Today, Archbishop Schnurr wrote a letter to the faithful, urging all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to pray a rosary novena for peace in Ukraine beginning today and culminating on March 25. The archbishop will conclude the novena with Mass at 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica. All are invited to attend. 

Echoing yesterday's statement from the USCCB Administrative Committee, “prayer is never a feeble gesture of last resort! It is a weapon of hope.” Please join the archbishop, the faithful in the archdiocese, and people all over the world in fervently praying for an end to the war in Ukraine and for peace.