From the Desk of Fr. Haft

Greetings in the name of the Lord:

This is my first official communication with everyone in Our Lady of Divine Providence Family of Parishes. First I want to thank Father Umberg for his leadership of our parishes for these past two years as we journey through Beacons of Light. I want to personally thank Father Umberg for all of his guidance in preparing me for this unexpected new role. We pray for a continued fruitful ministry for Father Umberg as he shepherds the people of St. Ignatius. I want to especially thank everyone for their prayers and words of encouragement as I begin this new role in this time of great change for all of us. I also want to thank our wonderful staff members for all of their hard work and insights that they share with me.

I look forward to ministering with Father Henry Hoffmann, Father George Jacquemin, and our retired priests in our parishes. Father Henry is a wonderful gift to our family of parishes. Please keep your priests in your prayers.

This role as temporary administrator is from October 12, 2024 to June 30, 2025. This family of parishes will be open listed next spring. I will prayerfully consider nominating myself for this assignment next spring. In the meantime, I will shepherd our family of parishes through this third year of Beacons of Light.

It is important that we keep Christ at the center of our lives. He is the reason we are here. We must also be open to the reality that change is going to happen. We cannot be in denial, as there are many challenges in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and in our family of parishes. Even more important though, are the many opportunities for us when we come together as one family in Christ.

In my time as parochial vicar, I have gotten to know a number of people by name. However, there are still a number of people I do not know by name. In order to help me, every time we see each other please say your first and last name for the next six months; this will be so helpful for me and Father Henry Hoffmann.

Finally, we beg the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to place her mantel of protection over the Our Lady of Divine Providence Family of Parishes.

Yours in Christ:
Father Haft