The Serenelli Project, a prison re-entry apostolate based in Sedamsville, was awarded a $10,000 prize for winning the inaugural To the Heights Award, presented by American holding company MDKeller and the University of Notre Dame’s Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate. The award’s judges sought organizations that have a bold vision, …

The Serenelli Project, a local Catholic prison re-entry apostolate, won the inaugural MDKeller “To the Heights” award presented at the Notre Dame University’s Church Properties Conference on October 30th. MDKeller is an American holding company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Kansas City, Missouri, co-founded by two-time Superbowl champion Harrison Butker, …

by John Stegeman There is a place for everyone in the Church, but mainstream society often overlooks those convicted of serious crimes. The non-profit Serenelli Project, brainchild of CEO Marty Arlinghaus, aims to be a place of refuge, healing and redemption for just such men. It will be a residential …

by Patricia McGeever Wait-listed last year for her fall college semester, Maria DeRoo asked God what she should do with this newfound time. The answer landed her in a women’s prison as a volunteer with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s prison ministry. “It’s been a very humbling place to go and …

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life… so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his …

ARCHDIOCESAN PRISON MINISTRY There was a time in Kathy Bendall’s life when she questioned not only her faith, but her very worth. She credits Catholic prison ministry with helping to restore both. Raised Catholic, Bendall’s faith was challenged as a child amid family issues of alcoholism and constant arguments. “I …

by Katie Sciba My favorite children’s book is You Are Special by Max Lucado. It’s the story of a creature whose life is defined by what others think of him, which only worsens his low self-esteem. The tragedy of the story lies not in the main character, who eventually learns …

Lyle is Catholic and attends Mass each week. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Specialized Studies degree through Ohio University. Several magazines have published his writing, and he recently co-authored his first book. He is surrounded by several friends who have taught him the value of patience and mercy. The …

YOU ARE INVITED to volunteer for a 14-week, faith-based program that utilizes the principles of Restorative Justice to help incarcerated men and women change their future! The Bridges To Life Program: • Will begin at Warren and Dayton Correctional Institutes in August • Utilizes volunteer facilitators to guide participants through the …

On December 26 Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, Transitional Deacon Chris Komoroski, and Father Jason Williams traveled to the Lebanon Correctional Facility in Warren County to celebrate Mass and to confer the rites of baptism and confirmation. (Photos by Emma Cassani)